razpotnik93
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Post by razpotnik93 on Nov 18, 2015 11:48:53 GMT -8
Just wondering what a good alternative would be to conventional flush toilets. I got a trailer for free, but the blackwater tank under the toilet was removed. Rather than searching for a new tank that will fit in its place, what would a good, relatively low price alternative be? I'm thinking a composting toilet, but the Thetford curve toilet that SusieQ talked about in a previous post looks interesting too. Thoughts?
(I have another trailer permanently parked that I use every weekend. The free trailer will only be used occasionally for weekend or short trips, 3-4 days, max.)
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Post by bigbill on Nov 18, 2015 13:18:32 GMT -8
I like the Thetford Curve, but make sure the pump doesn't freeze in the winter time. It is simple and relatively inexpensive when compared to a new tank, toilet, and associated plumbing.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Nov 18, 2015 17:39:37 GMT -8
bigbill is wise. We have a Thetford, too. The "pump" is a little battery powered thing that flushes water into the bowl and then you manually empty it into the attached holding tank. It is easy and comfortable to use, easy to dump and easy to clean.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Nov 18, 2015 18:34:11 GMT -8
Love my Thetford Curve.
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modernme
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Post by modernme on Nov 18, 2015 20:32:19 GMT -8
This is what I'm planning to use - www.dry-flush.com/It's about $450, so maybe not cheap, but simple is worth something, too.
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Nov 19, 2015 6:36:19 GMT -8
I was going to stay out of this since the first alternative mentioned was the Thetford Curve. It seems to be a hugely popular solution, and with good reasons. Porta-potties are the most recommended amongst our fellow VTT-ers, because of their simplicity and convenience. As has been pointed out before, if you stay in places with facilities, then the onboard potty really becomes a luxury for emergency or overnight times, and its use can become minimal.
The original flush toilet systems were nothing more than glorified big ole porta-potties. They took waste to a holding tank that had to be emptied. It's just a bit more inconvenient to empty since the whole trailer has to be moved to the dump facility.
I would not bring this up except for the statement that the holding tank had been removed. If you have the toilet still intact and in working order, then the original may be workable, depending on just a couple simple additions.
I found that the tube running to the holding tank was a 3" nipple, threaded both ends, threaded into the tank and into the threaded floor flange. This offers another easy alternative. By adding a theaded-one-end adapter to hook with a bayonet fitting, a standard 3" sewer tube and a portable tank could be used to replace the function of the holding tank. I found such an adapter available on eBay, and am sure it is readily available through the RV stores. (Valterra part number T-1029-4, in case you're interested.) I'm considering this as an option.
The only real benefit to this is keeping the original toilet in place. If said toilet needs seals or other parts, then the expense adds up some more. It's also a filthy job to work on the business end of a RV toilet. Plus it adds the portable tank to the list of things to lug and maintain.
Just throwin' it out there as I believe in having as many options to choose from as possible.
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gary350
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Post by gary350 on Nov 20, 2015 6:06:26 GMT -8
Are you going to use your toilet all the time or only at night?
We have decided to use the camp ground toilet during the day then use our toilet only at night when we have to get out of bed to pee.
Our other trailer had a flush toilet with no black water tank so I put a 4 gallon bucket under the trailer to catch what comes out of the toilet.
The trailer we have now has a port a potty we got this for $4 at a yard sale. Alice puts a plastic trash bag in the pot at bed time then next morning she throws the plastic bag in the camp ground trash can. Plastic bags don't leak so pot does not have to be washed every morning.
Funny thing, we saw 4 other campers with this same type potty camping a few weeks ago.
I almost forgot to mention the legs adjust to several heights. Keep the potty near your heater. LOL.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Nov 20, 2015 7:31:58 GMT -8
This is the old backpacker in us speaking (and the aging hippie, I suspect), and we mean absolutely no disrespect. Here at the forum, our comments are meant to support, but also to help other folks think of all the ramifications of their choices BEFORE they make them.
Now with the caveats out of the way...
This IS a neat, easy, painless, poopless system. It's non-stinky and mostly non-icky. And if you're able to spend the money, then it's absolutely one solution. However, it reminds us of the long tubes of plastic bags into which you can stuff soiled disposable diapers, then hermetically seal them and throw them away. Not good for the environment, especially when the waste from a porta potty (or a toilet) goes to a waste treatment plant, and the solids go to a landfill where, in most cases, they will eventually biodegrade. Anything that's sealed in a mylar bag won't do that.
Again, this is just throwing out something you may not (or may have) already thought about. Whatever you decide, enjoy your trailer and your time outdoors!
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modernme
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Post by modernme on Nov 20, 2015 8:57:20 GMT -8
This IS a neat, easy, painless, poopless system. It's non-stinky and mostly non-icky. And if you're able to spend the money, then it's absolutely one solution. However, it reminds us of the long tubes of plastic bags into which you can stuff soiled disposable diapers, then hermetically seal them and throw them away. Not good for the environment, especially when the waste from a porta potty (or a toilet) goes to a waste treatment plant, and the solids go to a landfill where, in most cases, they will eventually biodegrade. Anything that's sealed in a mylar bag won't do that. Hamlet, I'm guessing this post is in response to the dry-flush setup that I posted above. The website says- "a biodegradable material is under development". So hopefully it won't be long until the system is eco-friendly.
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Paul B
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Post by Paul B on Nov 22, 2015 17:58:58 GMT -8
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goshawks
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Post by goshawks on Nov 24, 2015 12:50:21 GMT -8
We must be in the 'rich minority', we have and use the best composting toilet going Natures Head. Designed for the boating industry , this is the simplest cleanest compost going. IMO!
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turbodaddy
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Post by turbodaddy on Dec 10, 2015 4:13:19 GMT -8
The Curve! Easy, clean, simple and not so expensive. Hey, you can even bring it in the house when your septic backs up! (Ask me how I know.)
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Dec 10, 2015 9:54:52 GMT -8
The Curve! Easy, clean, simple and not so expensive. Hey, you can even bring it in the house when your septic backs up! (Ask me how I know.) Or when the power goes out in a snow storm and you have no well water to flush with. You can also store it inside without worrying about it freezing. Once again, I love the Curve. But I managed with a Luggable Loo, trash bags and kitty litter for four years. It's basically a five gallon bucket with a toilet seat on it.
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gary350
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Post by gary350 on Dec 10, 2015 14:20:07 GMT -8
Does this photo give you any ideas. All you need is a bucket with a plastic bag liner inside.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Dec 10, 2015 14:41:40 GMT -8
Does this photo give you any ideas. All you need is a bucket with a plastic bag liner inside. This brings to mind a verse from the Bible that we used to teach teenagers before we left on our wilderness backpacking trips... Deuteronomy 23:12 "You shall have a designated area outside the camp to which you shall go." I guess that has stuck with me, because the thought of going in the middle of my trailer makes me shudder.
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