Potty talk

[Colorado_Al]

We're looking to upgrade our onboard portable toilet. Currently we have a bucket. A fancy bucket made for going in, but essentially a bucket none the less.
http://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Produ.../dp/B000FIDZLI

Looking for something that will contain odors better and is easier to clean.
Looking at something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Sanitation-Equ.../dp/B000FBNWYK
or this:
http://www.amazon.com/Thetford-25112.../dp/B000WK1ZWA

I've never used one before, so tell me what I want to make sure I get.
Electric flush? Pump flush?

We try to use facilities at rest stops etc while on the road, but at night or emergency etc it would be great to have something better.

How do you secure it in the vehicle?
Tips on cleaning?

I know it's a dirty subject, but please help us out here.
Thanks!

[jmoller99]

We use the:

Thetford PORTA POTTI 465MSD 5.5 GAL 25110

(http://amazon.com sells them)

It works well and is easy to dump (without stinking up the place). It uses a few AA batteries to do the flush with.

Almost the same as the Thetford you suggested (only difference is the electric flush).

Originally I had it in the back, but we find being able to move it around in the van (held in place with a bungie cord) is very useful - my wife is handicapped and I need to keep it close to where ever she sits in the Sprinter. It does not take up much room.

If my wife is happy with it, I am happy with it.

[Aqua Puttana]

Originally Posted by jmoller99

...
It works well and is easy to dump (without stinking up the place)....

Of all the features worth checking, that is one I'd put high priority to. We got rid of a portable toilet for that very reason. It was difficult to dump. Everything else about it was fine even though it was a fairly basic (cheap) model. vic

Originally Posted by jmoller99

If my wife is happy with it, I am happy with it.

Another male who is familiar with the secret to success. vic

[Colorado_Al]

I contacted Thetford and they said that model has recently been discontinued. It is replaced by this one:
http://www.thetford.com/HOME/PRODUCT...6/Default.aspx

Their website was pretty sparse on details but they refered me to their European site which had more info.
http://www.thetford-europe.com/en/pr...xcellence.aspx

manual:
http://www.thetford-europe.com/en/pr...xcellence.ashx

Bought one that should be here by the end of the week.
They do not have the hold down plate in stock at this time, but I will secure it with a ratcheting strap or 2.

PS- That reminds me of a joke.
What are you if you're in France and you're taking a leak?
You're-a-peein' - get it? (European?) Anyway, thanks for the advice!

Double PS- Is there a safe antifreeze that can be used in both the flush tank and blackwater tank during winter?

[d_bertko]

My wife and I went from a Portapotti to a Luggable Loo plus pee bottles.

Zero smell (use an airtight container until you reach a convenient disposal point).

Feminine funnel works well for all my distaff friends that use it.

The Loo gets infrequent use in our camping and travel habits.

Dan

[rexagon]

we have yet to use ours (lack of use of van) but will incorporate baggy and bottle idea in planning for longer trips in wilderness.

[Colorado_Al]

Originally Posted by jmoller99

If my wife is happy with it, I am happy with it.

That is exactly why we are upgrading. Happy wife, happy life.

[autostaretx]

We use a "Sanipottie" brand (their 2.5 gallon model). We don't use the self-contained flush water, we use a 12oz water bottle for more accurate rinsing (to avoid getting paper stuck in the sealing gate).
With an appropriate teaspoon of odor-killer (not a perfume) pre-loaded after we empty it, it holds about 3 days of urine-only usage.
It's very well-sealed when the sliding gate is shut (so well that we like to cycle the gate to prevent it from ballooning if we go up more than 3,000 feet when driving).

We purchased ours at a marine supply store (West Marine) when they were having a sale. The "marine grade" includes a couple of metal U-brackets for securing it to the floor (we never installed them... bungee cords hold it down when in motion).

--dick

[Thanasis]

I used to have a Coleman chemical toilet used exclusively for #1. Got tired of having to haul it outside, separate the top from the bottom (tank) to empty it etc.

As a "proof of concept", I went ahead and built a stand ( see photo) and secured the top part of the Coleman porta poti on it ( this part contains the bowl, the fresh water tank and the pump). Hooked one end of dishwasher discharge hose to the opening at the bottom of the bowl using an adaptor, and the other to holding tank ( 5 gallon) which is strapped under the van. The stand is secured to the baseboard, and it also serves as a chair ( with the lid down for lol). Needless to say, this setup is for #1 duty only! No smells whatsoever!



T.

[beachbum57]

Al,
You can buy a non-toxic anti-freeze for RV's at Wal-Mart that will work in your portable toilet. It can go in your flush tank and black tank both. Have fun on your trip!
Jo Anne