anybody replace toilet with porta potti

gerrym51 · 05-03-2014, 01:35 PM

looking at roadtrek ranger.

mainly will use as touring vehicle and will be mostly off grid.

has anybody just replaced their van toilet with a porta potti permanently for ease of dumping and conserving water.

just wondering

eric1514 · 05-03-2014, 03:02 PM

I'm not sure what you're going to gain, by going through all that trouble. If you don't want to move your rig to dump the tanks, perhaps you could empty them into a tote like one of these.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...ste-tank/67069

Other companies like Thetford or Barker also make them.

Eric

Johnny R · 05-03-2014, 09:05 PM

If the toilet was broken I might consider a porta potti. In our younger years we took one along when we camped in a tent trailer. They were not a lot of trouble, and smell-free with the right chemicals.

accrete · 05-05-2014, 03:56 AM

Greetings,
You might do some research on marine/rv separating toilets. One place for some good info is at _this link_. One firm i know that has incorporated such technology in their van conversions is OutsideVan in Oregon.

The idea might be to allow the liquids (that are separated by design) to flow into the existing black tank. Then allow the solids (again, separated by design) to be disposed of properly as needed (they claim ~2 adults full time @~ 2 to 3 weeks use between "dumps"). . . your millage may vary

Anyway, i think the general separating concept is sound for marine/rv use...one just needs to think outside the commode.

P.S. we utilize the separating concept/design in our van conversion.

Cheers,
Thom

gerrym51 · 05-05-2014, 01:14 PM

I've decided to do this

use this just for Number 2 and use tanks just for liquids

http://www.amazon.com/New-DOMETIC-972-P ... le+toilets

Mike · 05-05-2014, 11:18 PM

I think you could probably get away with the RV bowl liners that are like bowl baggies, if the object is to separate the 1 from 2 situation. It might be cheaper and less hassle, long run, than adding an extra piece of hardware to the cargo list. Bag it, and toss it when convenient.

booster · 05-05-2014, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

I think you could probably get away with the RV bowl liners that are like bowl baggies, if the object is to separate the 1 from 2 situation. It might be cheaper and less hassle, long run, than adding an extra piece of hardware to the cargo list. Bag it, and toss it when convenient.

I agree with Mike. We do almost always separate 1 and 2, but is done with using campground, park, retailer, attraction restrooms for 2.

Mike · 05-05-2014, 11:33 PM

Actually, that's our preference, too.
Only 1 in the Roadtrek, 2 anywhere else.
So to speak.

booster · 05-06-2014, 12:43 AM

An interesting thing about the tank capacity and the above discussion. At least on the Chevy Roadtreks, the grey and black tanks come directly together right after the dump valves. If you have a macerator, that area is isolated from the dump hose, and the contents of the tanks can run either way between tanks if both valves are opened. If you only have liquids in the black tank, you shouldn't have any clogging or other problems in the smaller discharge pipe grey tank, and the drains all have traps so no smell. If you aren't grosses out by the thought of mixing the tanks, you could have 30 gallons of combined capacity.

Mike · 05-06-2014, 01:01 AM

I hadn't thought about that the way you explained it, but I've wondered if it was possible to have the lower black tank capacity backed up into the grey somehow. Since we only use the sink rarely, and the shower never, our grey tank is just kept partly filled and used as a rinse for the pipe after dumping. If there's no rinse hose at the dump facility. If you were to try to use the grey capacity for some black overflow, make sure the shower aisle/floor drain plug is securely in place. If it were to accidentally back up onto your floor, it could be problematic.

gerrym51 · 05-06-2014, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

I think you could probably get away with the RV bowl liners that are like bowl baggies, if the object is to separate the 1 from 2 situation. It might be cheaper and less hassle, long run, than adding an extra piece of hardware to the cargo list. Bag it, and toss it when convenient.

wagbags-and their ilk can run into big bucks if used extensively-also the wifey would go nuts.

I picked the dometic 972 because this one is the smallest.(2.6 gallons) thetford has a porta potti the same size-B60-but it does not have a guage that tells you how much is filled-the dometic does

accrete · 05-06-2014, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booster

...the grey and black tanks come directly together right after the dump valves. If you have a macerator...you shouldn't have any clogging or other problems in the smaller discharge pipe grey tank, and the drains all have traps so no smell. If you aren't grosses out by the thought of mixing the tanks, you could have 30 gallons of combined capacity.

This is basically what Parkliner, the manufacturer of our 15ft fiberglass TT, has done. In the options list it shows the "SeaLand 8100 series" macerating toilet. What takes place is the waste from toilet is macerated before it enters the plumbing to the 30 gallon "grey" tank (there is a marine grade bilge pump that moves the liquid 8" vertical and ~8ft horizontal distance from front shower/pottyroom to tank).

accrete · 05-06-2014, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerrym51

wagbags-and their ilk can run into big bucks if used extensively-also the wifey would go nuts...

I agree on the cost factor of wagbags. Though in our case i went ahead and ordered 100 wagbags for $99 on amazon a year ago. Why? Well... because some places we camp the rangers will not allow our DIY wagbags (basically same as emptying the kitty litter box, but hey, somethings just aren't worth fighting about!)... so as long as one can show the ranger there are wagbags available they leave satisfied that the "plumbing" is in compliance

Oh, and fortunately for me...all this potty mod talk is as much my wife's idea as mine. She really likes the simplicity and passing by the "dump stations".