7x7x16 V Nose Cargo Trailer Conversion, First Build

[jr9744]

So I'm trying to get this toilet installed. Cutting the holes and inserting the grommets were way easier than I pictured in my mind. I did go to HF and pick up a new set of hole cutters.

First Grommet


Second Grommet


And then this


The 'flange' won't lay flat on my existing floor with the grommet and pipe attached. I'm going to do some research, but what am I missing? Did I buy the wrong grommet for the toilet?

[jr9744]

Or is that grommet not even necessary? Do you just cut the hole and attach it to the tank with screws?

[flboy]

What is the White Pipe for? My flange was sized to go into the grommet directly? Do you have the correct sized Flange or grommet (depending how you look at it) ? The flanges come with different end pipe diameters and mine went right into the grommet.

What diameter is the grommet? They need to be matched up in any case with the flange. You need a grommet for that air tight seal and no stinky leaking to the outside.

Following is what my grommet and flange looked like. They go together. No intermediate pipe... but I can see how that would work if it was cut right.

[McDave]

I had a piece of 3" pipe glued to the flange then pushed through the floor and into the grommet. About 1 1/2" into the tank, then screwed the flange to the base/floor.

McDave

That grommet looks it has a stop at bottom. Mine did not and the flange did not have a neck that went through floor, so just the pipe went through floor.

[jr9744]

@flboy Is that a standard dometic 3" flange? If it is, where did you get your grommet from. My grommet is just the wrong size for my flange based off what you guys are saying. This is the flange have: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002PURO6Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

@McDave My grommet is not the right size for my flange. I expected it to work the way yours did, but my grommet stops my flange from going any further at a certain point.

I read that some people just glue the flange to the tank with marine adhesive. I see they sell this at HD. I was also thinking about using plumbers putty and just tightening it down good.

After I took off all the stuff, it fits well just in the hole. You can't see it, but it's loosely bolted in.


I'll wait to see what flboy says, but if I can't get the grommet quickly, I may just glue it or use plumbers putty and see what happens.

[flboy]

jr9744, I am sorry, I cannot find the details of the grommet or Flange. I do remember having an issue of some sort with what I ordered. I believe I got a Flange with an outside diameter of 3" from Home Depot or Ace Hardware to fit inside a 3" grommet. The Dometic Flange I bought to start I think had an Inside Diameter if 3" (to fit the PVC inside).. My memory is terrible, but as I recall, there were about three different sizes there used for repairs where pipes are cut off and things start to get smaller. I wish I could be more help, but I did insert the flange directly into the grommet. The toilet seal and etc. fit were the same as I recall. I think I just took the grommet down to the Home Depot or Ace Hardware and found a fit.

Looking at picture I attached, it may have not been the final configuration.. My tank is also right up against the floor... so the flange just have to go through 3/4" of plywood floor and then it dropped into the grommet.

[McDave]

This is the flange I used,
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lasalle-Bristo ... 25ddbf8fe8

and this is the grommet.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007H ... UTF8&psc=1

Sorry for the delay, I was playing Santa down at the Home for Wayward Girls.
Ok, so I also used ABS black pipe. In fact I'm not sure if you can glue abs to pvc. But I will go see if I can find a piece and measure O.D. and I.D. My tank is also mounted right up the floor but the toilet is in the shower pan and is elevated about 2" above the floor/shower drain. (Wet Bath style)
You may be able to remove that stop in the grommet or just get a flange that is shorter like the one I used or a flange that has the same size O.D. as the grommet I.D.
I' ll get back to you if I find that ABS tonight.

McDave

[McDave]

Check this guys solution, it may work for you.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-revi ... B002PURO6Q

McDave

[jr9744]

Thanks for all the information guys!!! I took flboy's advice and took my grommet and flange down to HD to see what I could figure out. I ended up finding a flange that went right through the grommet with no need for the pvc.

I am getting so close to getting my 'core' systems done that I can taste it!!!

Here is the new flange I bought that actually goes through the grommet


Grommet in place. I also changed to 3/4 inch wood for the floor. It feels much stronger. I'll have to add 1/4 inch to the rest of the floor.


Flange and floor in place


Toilet Installed!!


Behind the toilet


I also changed the drain outlet to use some flexible black drainage pipe. I got rid of the grommet and the pvc I had before.



The only thing now left for plumbing is installing the gray tank.

I plan to add some 'rv' antifreeze in my tank and refill the tank and do some testing tonight. I really believe all should be good. Keep my fingers crossed.

[flboy]

Glad to hear you got it figured out!

Nice work!

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[McDave]

That a'boy! Just keep chipping away at it. Seems every time you run up against a problem you turn it into an opportunity to make a few other things better. That's the right way to do it. And you are really getting quite the education as well. By the time we get these things finished we have had a chance to taste just about all the trades. From Mechanics to Plumbing to Electrician to Carpentry to Upolstery to Welding to HVAC to Solar to Aerodynamics to Engineering to Decorating to Refrigeration to Appliance Repair and more. What a great way to gain new skills and use some of the old ones. And for the most part these are 1 man projects from start to finish. I know mine was. My wife never looked in there once till she decided she wanted to go to the Ironhorse Rally with me. I found out pretty quickly that I know nothing. The towels in the bathroom don't match anything, even themselves. And an old sleeping bag is not a bedspread... Who knew? She's got me straightened out now, but I was a mess. Can't help it, I was raised by wolves.

McDave

PS It must be pretty handy having a Home Depot nearby. I am 200+ miles from the nearest big box store.

[jr9744]

That a'boy! Just keep chipping away at it. Seems every time you run up against a problem you turn it into an opportunity to make a few other things better. That's the right way to do it. And you are really getting quite the education as well. By the we get these things finished we have had a chance to taste just about all the trades. From Mechanics to Plumbing to Electrician to Carpentry to Upolstery to Welding to HVAC to Solar to Aerodynamics to Engineering to Decorating to Refrigeration to Appliance Repair and more. What a great way to gain new skills and use some of the old ones. And for the most part these are 1 man projects from start to finish. I know mine was. My wife never looked in there once till she decided she wanted to go to the Ironhorse Rally with me. I found out pretty quickly that I know nothing. The towels in the bathroom don't match anything, even themselves. And an old sleeping bag is not a bedspread... Who knew? She's got me straightened out now, but I was a mess. Can't help it, I was raised by wolves.

McDave

PS It must be pretty handy having a Home Depot nearby. I am 200+ miles from the nearest big box store.

I've learned a lot so far. I also feel good about the fact that if something goes wrong down the road, I'll know exactly how to diagnose and fix it myself. I'm also a one man show.

My HD is like 5 minutes away. You must be in the literal boondocks.

So I added water and rv antifreeze back into the tanks, and all seems well. No leaks. Sink pressure is better than my house, toilet flushes great, and shower streams out. I'll keep everything pressurized and then check it later tonight and in the morning.

I may focus now on sealing up the shower and the gray tank. Then I think i'll be officially ready for a test run to Florida. (Still thinking about popping in a window first....weather is warmer this week).

It felt so good to flush that toilet and fill the bowl with water. I think I filled it and emptied it about 5 or 6 times.


I don't think I posted this, but you can see what under sink ended up being. I changed to 3/4 pex for the drains. Used better vinyl hosing for the water pump and moved the one way filter before the water pump.

[jr9744]

Also, how do you guys keep all the debris and stuff from your shoes out?

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[McDave]

Also, how do you guys keep all the debris and stuff from your shoes out?

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Well, I'm sure Don is way better at that than me, He's pretty darn tidy. Maybe a little too tidy....Just sayin... '
But probably the most effective way for me is to have a ground cover of some kind, I use a canvas drop cloth like Painters use. It is the same size and shape (8'x10') and color beige/white as my awning. I have 10 spikes to hold it down and I'm painting a Harley Bar and Shield logo in black and orange about 6'x6'. I paid 6.00 or something like that at Ace. You can buy RV patio mats for about he same price. Then I move most of the chaf to the outer perimeter with a leaf blower or broom, then I have a outdoor mat/rug like you would see at Home Depot before the electric doors open to greet you, 3'x5' right under the step in front of door. Then I have a black Harley door mat right inside the door. Lastly, I have a cordless dust buster so I can get stuff sucked up, but it is a lost battle. You just gotta live with it, it's campng, yo....

McDave

[flboy]

Jr9744, your toilet looks just like the one I have. I like the nice deep porcelain bowl and the jets keep it clean. I am glad it all is working for you. It is a good idea to pressurize the system and let it set for a day or so. I had a couple very slow leaks (drips) that I found out after the water was on for about a day. One was in a wall which I had to access to fix.

I do the same thing as McDave to keep the junk out of the trailer. I use a polypropylene type RV mat that is 9*12 which goes under the awning for ground cover. Lets water and etc. through. You can put it right over sand. Also have a doormat to wipe the feet on by the step and a small rug right inside the door. Anything gets that far, and I can just shake it off outside. Following is the RV mat I have from Amazon. You can see it in the pic I posted at the bottom.

I don't have a vacuum. A guy has to draw a line somewhere.. but I do have a broom.

https://www.amazon.com/Reversible-Mats- ... tdoor+9x12

McDave, you may not have a Home Depot nearby, but I am willing to bet you have one of those cool General Hardware/Farm Stores that have just about one of anything you could ever need to fix or fabricate something. A lot of small towns have them and they are the ultimate do it yourself places. People in those small towns are so much more self reliant because they have to be. If I could do what I do for a living in a small rural place... I'd be there already.