turbodaddy
1K Member
Posts: 1,087 
Likes: 462
17' 1965 Fan "Sunseeker"
Currently Offline
|
Post by turbodaddy on Nov 25, 2014 8:48:11 GMT -8
I plan on replacing the existing toilet with a new Thetford "Curve" eventually. I want to get rid of all that messy stuff. I have many years of experience with holding tanks on boats...they stink no matter what you try to do. It appears that there is a holding tank built into the floor in my camper. (it is about a 3" step up into the bathroom) At the present time there is no odor, I'm thinking possibly that it has never been used. Found a volume calculator (https://www.easycalculation.com/physics/classical-physics/rectangular-tank.php) that estimates about 25 to 30 gallons capacity.
My question(s) are:
Does this sound like a standard set up?
Does that seem like correct capacity?
Do you think it would stink if it had been used?
Would you use it as is until replacing w / porta potty?
By the way, I will want to get rid of the current Thetford which is in like-new condition if anyone is interested. I have a bunch of other stuff I'll post for sale or give away sometime soon. (Carrier rooftop AC, modern awning system, 12V water pump, converter from about mid 1970's.) This is either stuff I took off of my trailer or things I bought from a parted out pop-up.
And finally, thanks for the positive feedback on my post of latest pix. I was afraid some would think my "New Holland Red" is just lipstick.... More pix to clarify here (http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/ivebeeneverywhereman/library/1965%20FAN%20Sunseeker) Next phase will be upholstery, curtains and floor tile. My girls will be making those decisions.
Thanks to all.
|
|
SusieQ
Global Moderator 
Posts: 4,781 
Likes: 1,197
'62 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by SusieQ on Nov 25, 2014 8:59:35 GMT -8
I've done my research on this toilet and it has very good reviews. Disappointed that my husband wouldn't buy me a toilet for my birthday, I'm insisting I get this for Christmas.
Google it on Amazon and read all of the hundreds of reviews and the Q & A's.
Not to hijack your thread, but while we're on the subject of toilets, is camper considered self-contained if it has a portable toilet? I know there is still the issue of gray water being contained but just wondering about the toilet. I would say yes.
|
|
txoil
Active Member
Posts: 459
Likes: 149
1960 Shasta Deluxe 19
Currently Offline
|
Post by txoil on Nov 25, 2014 20:42:06 GMT -8
When we restored our Shasta, we removed the flush toilet and replaced it with a Thetford Porta-Potti. This does several things: allows you to remove the lower cassette and dump it in a toilet at roadside rest stops, gas stations, etc, removes the need to find a dump station to purge, and lastly, the holding tank is now just grey water which can be disposed of almost anywhere. We have really appreciated the convienence and utility of this setup, as opposed to the OEM design.
|
|
ladywendolyn
2K Member
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 928
1964 Golden Falcon
Currently Offline
|
Post by ladywendolyn on Nov 25, 2014 20:49:15 GMT -8
When we restored our Shasta, we removed the flush toilet and replaced it with a Thetford Porta-Potti. This does several things: allows you to remove the lower cassette and dump it in a toilet at roadside rest stops, gas stations, etc, removes the need to find a dump station to purge, and lastly, the holding tank is now just grey water which can be disposed of almost anywhere. We have really appreciated the convienence and utility of this setup, as opposed to the OEM design. Does your port potty have a vintage look? It is an option I am looking at, vrs. a toilet with holding tank. As for the "built in holding tank." question.. in my search I came across a bunch of shower/holding tank combos that have the toilet sitting on a step up. Here is a photo of one. it is 23x36 for the whole set up... but I am thinking that the black tank doesn't hold much more than a port potty, but you would have the option of the full hook up when at campgrounds with that service. ![]()  |
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Nov 25, 2014 21:17:57 GMT -8
A self contained trailer has holding tanks, both grey and black. They "contain" waste water.
Porta Pottis don't count.
|
|
SusieQ
Global Moderator
Posts: 4,781
Likes: 1,197
'62 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by SusieQ on Nov 26, 2014 7:03:38 GMT -8
A self contained trailer has holding tanks, both grey and black. They "contain" waste water. Porta Pottis don't count. Yeah, that's not what I wanted to hear. And unfortunately, portable holding tanks don't count. |
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Nov 26, 2014 22:00:24 GMT -8
Well, let's look at it another way:
IF all waste water is going into an onboard holding tank, the trailer "could" be self contained... With no toilet, it wouldn't need a black tank.
70s trailers and before did not have grey tanks, just black for the toilet. The sinks and shower had an 1 1/2" line teed into the 3" drain after the black tank connection. With a hose into a campground sewer, grey water went straight thru. Traps kept sewer odors from entering the trailer.
The black tank valve was always kept closed until the big "dump". Chemicals and liquid kept debris from collecting inside the tank. The idea was to stir the mess going down the road and break down solids. Then, when the tank valve was opened, it flushed itself. Running water down thru the toilet would help as well.
I believe in the old days, a trailer with a black tank may have been considered self contained, not sure. I know campgrounds frown on sink waste. Why? Who knows??
Hope this improved your mood, SusieQ. LOL.
|
|
houdini
Junior Member
Posts: 75
Likes: 11
Currently Offline
|
Post by houdini on Apr 4, 2015 5:15:36 GMT -8
Well, let's look at it another way: IF all waste water is going into an onboard holding tank, the trailer "could" be self contained... With no toilet, it wouldn't need a black tank. 70s trailers and before did not have grey tanks, just black for the toilet. The sinks and shower had an 1 1/2" line teed into the 3" drain after the black tank connection. With a hose into a campground sewer, grey water went straight thru. Traps kept sewer odors from entering the trailer. The black tank valve was always kept closed until the big "dump". Chemicals and liquid kept debris from collecting inside the tank. The idea was to stir the mess going down the road and break down solids. Then, when the tank valve was opened, it flushed itself. Running water down thru the toilet would help as well. I believe in the old days, a trailer with a black tank may have been considered self contained, not sure. I know campgrounds frown on sink waste. Why? Who knows?? Hope this improved your mood, SusieQ. LOL. We have the curve... Im 6'3 and it holds my 260lb butt with no problem. Use a separate bag for used tp. we do not put it down it. Easy to clean also. As for the grey water we have a separate drain with a 5'hose. perfectly legal to run grey water out... |
|
hammie
Member
Posts: 35
Likes: 15
Currently Offline
|
Post by hammie on Apr 4, 2015 6:13:24 GMT -8
I believe campgrounds frown on sink water because of the food particles being thrown out on the ground. Imagine how many people come through any given campground in a year. If everyone threw out their sink water/food waste, it would become a huge problem with wildlife in the campgrounds. Even things like brushing your teeth and spitting into the grass can draw animals. We do a lot of camping in the west and this has been the explanation given to us from the Grand Canyon to Glacier  |
|
SusieQ
Global Moderator
Posts: 4,781
Likes: 1,197
'62 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by SusieQ on Apr 4, 2015 18:46:34 GMT -8
Most states have laws which prevent draining even grey water onto the ground for the reasons Hammie listed and other environmental concerns such as sink water having detergents containing phosphates which runs off into streams and seeps into ground water. Our state parks have a separate place to empty gray water containers and I have been at campgrounds in other states which also provide grey water only dumps sites.
And the Thetford Curve is wonderful. Some people talk about dumping it in toilets but there are campgrounds which specifically forbid dumping porta-potty waste into their toilets. It causes problems with overflow and clogging from excess TP.
|
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Apr 4, 2015 20:13:27 GMT -8
We also toss TP in a bag and try not to do #2 in a potty. With just liquid, they stay clog free and usually don't stink too bad. (unless a person forgets... yuk)
|
|
houdini
Junior Member
Posts: 75
Likes: 11
Currently Offline
|
Post by houdini on Apr 5, 2015 6:48:31 GMT -8
I believe campgrounds frown on sink water because of the food particles being thrown out on the ground. Imagine how many people come through any given campground in a year. If everyone threw out their sink water/food waste, it would become a huge problem with wildlife in the campgrounds. Even things like brushing your teeth and spitting into the grass can draw animals. We do a lot of camping in the west and this has been the explanation given to us from the Grand Canyon to Glacier I live in CO. We mostly go out to the boonies and if we do use a koa or such, we have a 5gal bucket to catch the grey water and take it to the dump station. When we boondock it we run the hose 50 ft from the camper then dig a hole in the ground and run the hose into it. When done... backfill and roll up hose. We also use bio/organic detergents... no different than hiking out and camping... |
|
ladywendolyn
2K Member
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 928
1964 Golden Falcon
Currently Offline
|
Post by ladywendolyn on Apr 5, 2015 7:51:57 GMT -8
If you think this is an issue... I will tell you a dirty little secret about the boating community. Up until very recent years, cabin cruisers and other live on type boats were not built with the type of sewage holding tanks that can be pumped out . The drains on them only open one way.. Into the water. The idea is that you are supposed. To go out into the deep water and dump your sewage. While this may work in the ocean where the salt water purifies everything, it's a dirty mess in a small fresh water lake with a lot of boaters. My parents paid to have their boat converted to pump out style, but many boaters in their community just leave the tanks open and their sewage drains out into the water right in the marina. They won't spend the money to convert. I learned very quickly... Never let my kids swim near the marina.
So when I hear about the grey water issue... I am thinking hmmmm... If only they knew about the boaters secret .... Well now the secret is out.
|
|
|
|
Post by universalexports on Apr 6, 2015 9:26:12 GMT -8
|
|
turbodaddy
1K Member
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 462
17' 1965 Fan "Sunseeker"
Currently Offline
|
Post by turbodaddy on Apr 6, 2015 15:26:44 GMT -8
I haven't purchased the "Curve" yet, but am going to. Then I'm going to use the existing holding tank for gray water (since at this point it seems that it was never used and does not smell at all). I'll still have the waste water gate valve and hose for emptying the tank.
Oh, and Lady W....you are so right about marinas, etc. We lived aboard for 10 years in Florida (had holding tank, but used shore facilities whenever possible). There was one cute little lady we'd see every morning carrying a dainty little bucket covered with a brightly colored cloth to the bath house. Then there was the guy who lived with his wife on an ancient wooden boat, called himself "Reverend". He liked to fish off the side of his boat for catfish to fry. Yummy.
|
|
