Toilet: standard house type or RV type

[gbowman]

I was wanting to put an RV style toilet in my cargo trailer conversion. I wasn't planning on putting in any tanks because I will probably only camp at parks that offer all the hookups. Will I need to use a standard house toilet so that the solid waste will flush or is there another way to do this?
Is there a way to us an RV style in this setup?
Pro's and Con's with a standard toilet in a camper?
Pro's and Con's with an RV style toilet in a camper?

[Shadow Catcher]

I am going to be interested in seeing what others have to say, My feeling is that A you do not know that absolutely for certain sure you will absolutely always have full hookups, and B I kind of wonder how well it would work, stinky slinkies do not flow all that well with out some back pressure.

[CoventryKid]

No fixed tanks in our CT, but Dometic portapotty with 5 gal black tank has worked for us for the last 2 years.

Hope this helps.

[gbowman]

The portapotty is my backup plan. Was hoping someone had some life experience to share.

[hankaye]

gbowman, Howdy;

Been fulltimeing in a RV for the past almost 8 years now, if you plan on moving you trailer
you don't want to have to find a space to store the lid and drain the flush tank each and
every time you get ready to relocate. Also, you then have to fill the tank and place the lid
on for those times when you are parked and ready to stay put for awhile.
If you don't want to have to install a 'black tank' under the trailer then think about one of
these. https://www.rvpartscenter.com/4-wheeler ... allon.html
Now, I am NOT advocating you purchase this model, bit to spendy for me... this is only an
example as I advocate for the folks in Missouri in that I believe that by showing you an example
you'll better understand what it is that I'm attempting to explain in words.
Check your local Craig's List for parts. Keep the commode as close to the external wall so your pipe
run is as short as possible. Be sure to include a blade valve to keep the pipe end secure and
leak proof. http://www.valterra.com/product/bladex- ... at_id=1444
Valterra I will recommend as a satisfied customer and their stuff is pretty much industry standard.
Follow that link back a page or 2 and you'll see most of what you'll need to do the complete install.
The 3" black pipe you can get at a local hardware store (box color of choice).
There's my thoughts for your question.

hank

[gbowman]

I was just talking with someone and they basically suggested the same thing.
The other idea was to install the RV toilet and run it without the tank but make a rule that it's for #1 only. #2 has to been done in the Park restrooms. Except in an emergency where you could just flick it really well.

[EZDog]

It has been my understanding that you need a holding tank regardless really if using the toilet in general?

Whether a porta or plopping to the tank there needs to be somewhere to hold onto the waste until it is dumped down the drain at the site with full hookups.
If you use an RV toilet and just straight into the tank and then leave it open into the site drain then you run the risk of the "Black Pyramid" as the liquid will always just run down but the "Solids" will not unless there is some liquid in the tank to help it go?
The Black Pyramid is BAD!
So with the tank the liquid and solid are aloowed to splash together and flow more easily when the tank valve is opened which you don't want to do until the tank is more than 1/2 full as a general rule of thumb,I have been schooled.

If you try to use a standard toilet straight into the site drain there will be nasty smell without a Trap and I have never heard of that technique really working out in the real world?
So I think a tank of some kind is a required evil and the porta potty is just a really small one and overall not that bad to deal with,or at least not as bad as I thought it would be.

I too use a porta potty instead of the tanks that I do have on my Casita if I need to as I just don't want to deal with the tanks at all and can usually make do(no pun intended!)with real restrooms or the great outdoors when camping.

So in the Cargos that I am converting I am also committed to having no tanks and using a Porta if I have to in the trailer at all?
Overnight I like a laundry detergent bottle or Stax/Plastic Pringles Can can for a single night and I am usually OK with that till morning.

[arm]

I have yet to build my conversion, but I have researched the newer cassette toilets, and they are used in many of the Euro "B" builds, and some small US built trailers. Have only seen 4 or 5 in my travels in last few years, but the users seem quite happy with the ease of use and versatility of dumping into regular dump station, pit toilets in national parks and even a regular toilet if you have to.

Keep us posted on your choice.

Still travelling in my 21 year old RT 190P.

[MtnDon]

IMO, connecting an RV toilet direct to the outlet pipe / hose will not work as there will not be sufficient water flow to move the solid waste and TP through the drain hose.

I theory a household toilet would work better but may still not have enough water flow to move a dump out the far end of the hose.

With a black water dump tank the solids and liquids get mixed around into a slurry. When the level gets high you then connect and dump the black waste and then follow with a grey water dump to clear out the hose. Even when sitting in a full hookup campground you have fewer problems with the pyramids building up directly under the toilet if you leave the dump valves closed until there is a slurry of liquids waste, solid waste and flush water.

Porta Potti is simple though you do have to deal with emptying it every so often.

[jwhite]

this is the best thing to do and was cheap also just added the drain to the bottom of the toilet

[gbowman]

Jwhite,
That is what I was thinking about doing plus. I was considering adding a trap and then connecting the shower drain close to where the toilet connects so that daily it would be flushed with the shower water. I'm sure it would help but realistically would not have the large flush power of a toilet tank!

[defjr333]

Just received this last week. Can not wait to get everything started. For roughly $500 came with the toilet, cassette, and exterior door assembly. A black tank would have been $150 plus another $100 for shipping, $100 for a "regular" rv style toilet, plus all the plumbing and work to install. This unit just gets bolted in place, and the hole cut for the door, plus water and power connection. Looks nice. Great reviews.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252826222448?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT