PopUp Times

I'm shopping for our 1st popup & have a question.  

I feel strongly about having a potty/shower but am wondering if they actually are worth it.  It will add alot more $$ to our cost.  Are they prone to problems?  How often do you have to empty them?  Do I need special TP?  What about other chemicals/tools, etc...  

Also please share experiences about using the public showers at campgrounds, state parks, etc...  Do they usually have hot water, shower curtains, cleanliness, etc...

Thanks so much!  ~ Mrs. McBar

Get it. We love our porta potty, but sometimes I wish I had the shower and not have to traipse across the campground.

Larry

One of the selling points of our used PU was the indoor cassette toilet and shower.  You lose some cabinet space, but having an indoor shower and a cassette toilet is a godsend.  No more putting on the shoes and running out on cold nights to the nearest camp bathroom, which I find a little too crowded for my comfort zone (but clean most of the time).  Some campgrounds have just those green portapotties that no one likes.  Having a bathroom all to yourself is certainly a nice luxury (and you don't have to put on your shoes!).

And think of this: there might be times when you are dry camping somewhere (meaning not hooked up in a campground).  PU's offer a freedom that other heavy RV's don't allow, off-road camping.  Having an indoor shower/toilet for those times is almost critical (unless you park by a really big tree).

A cassette toilet is very easy to maintain.  Yes, you do have to have special RV toilet paper and chemicals to help break down the waste.  But there is a simple cassette you pull from the outside of the PU and dump it at the nearest dump station.  You can even hook it up to a sewer in a campground if you have full hook-up at your site.  To clean out we just use bleach and water, even though there might be better cleaning products out there.  

So, my vote is YES!  GET THAT INDOOR TOILET/SHOWER!  It's very well worth it.

yes get it...
 
some of the campsites you will go by will be kinda messy, and ya wont want the kids to go in there....
 
 
 
 
 
 

Quote from: CampDirtOne of the selling points of our used PU was the indoor cassette toilet and shower. You lose some cabinet space, but having an indoor shower and a cassette toilet is a godsend. No more putting on the shoes and running out on cold nights to the nearest camp bathroom, which I find a little too crowded for my comfort zone (but clean most of the time). Some campgrounds have just those green portapotties that no one likes. Having a bathroom all to yourself is certainly a nice luxury (and you don't have to put on your shoes!).
 
And think of this: there might be times when you are dry camping somewhere (meaning not hooked up in a campground). PU's offer a freedom that other heavy RV's don't allow, off-road camping. Having an indoor shower/toilet for those times is almost critical (unless you park by a really big tree).
 
A cassette toilet is very easy to maintain. Yes, you do have to have special RV toilet paper and chemicals to help break down the waste. But there is a simple cassette you pull from the outside of the PU and dump it at the nearest dump station. You can even hook it up to a sewer in a campground if you have full hook-up at your site. To clean out we just use bleach and water, even though there might be better cleaning products out there.
 
So, my vote is YES! GET THAT INDOOR TOILET/SHOWER! It's very well worth it.

We tent camped for many years, so when it came time to buy our PU, we never seriously considered an on-board shower or potty.  We were all used to using the facilities at various campgrounds, and DW and I both couldn't get the thought out of our mind that if we got facilities for the PU, it would be like sleeping in our bathroom.
 
And the on-board facilities would be just another thing to maintain.  We just didn't want to deal with the hassle.  
 
We've never been really disappointed in the facilities at any campground - we know we're not going to the Ritz-Carlton, so we set our expectations appropriately.  I think the biggest problem we ever had was one place ran out of hot water for 2 days.  But since that was in the middle of a 100-degree heat wave, we didn't care.
 
As you've read, many people swear by their on-board systems, and that's fine.  It just wasn't for us.
 
Bob

PUs (or any camper for that matter) are all a set of compromises and different things have higher priorities to different people.

We don't have a shower or cassette toilet. However, I have to admit, the cassette toilet would be nice. We use a Thetford Port-a-potty and find it quite adequate, easy to use and easy to dump.
http://www.thetford.com/portable_200.cfm#pp565

Every on-board toilet system will need chemicals (port-a-potty included). They are not expensive and easy to find at any camping supply store. The 2 of us can go 3-4 days with our port-a-potty (6.1 gal waste water tank). Then I just un-clip the holding tank and walk it to the CG toilet to dump it. They recommend special TP but we've never used it and never had a problem. The only tools that you might need is a pair of rubber gloves :D . One other tip, don't let the tank get full. Dump it early and more often. 6 gallons weighs nearly 50 pounds. I actually wish that I would have purchased the smaller toilet.

As far as the shower goes; it would be a large space that we would not want to give up in our PU. We have a shower tent that we set up if we are going to be more than just a weekend in a CG that has no showers. It works really well. It's a lot bigger than the built-in showers and we put the port-a-potty in there as well.

We have found the showers and bathrooms in the CG in California to be well maintained and clean. Separate shower stalls. Typically about $.25 for 3 minutes of hot water. I have no idea how the CGs are in your area. The conditions very widely from state to state.

Quote from: CampDirtYou can even hook it up to a sewer in a campground if you have full hook-up at your site.

Could you please explain how you hook a cassette toilet to a sewer hook up.  I have had a cassette toilet for 8 camping seasons and don't know how to do this and have never seen it done. :)

We don't have an on-board shower or potty and have never wanted one.  If we go to a campground with terrible facilities, we simply don't go there again.  Like someone has mentioned already, I think it'd be like sleeping in the restroom with the "facilities" in the trailer.

We do take a cassette potty and put it in our Paque-Que (sp?) tee-pee when we're out for a week or more.  We've used it once, I think, in 5 years of camping.  The tee-pee gets used as a changing room when we're at the beach, keeps tons of sand out of the trailer.  

JMHO,

Tena

We do not have a potty/shower in our camper, and to be honest, some of our friends who do have the shower now wish they didn't.  It cost them extra money and it is just an added mess.  I don't care how hard you try, you are going to get water in the camper from the shower when it is used.  Depending on who you are will decide how much water is splashed out, but it is another mess to clean.  The places we go have pretty good showers, and we have never had a problem.  As far as the potty issue goes, we use a porta potty (number 1 only) and we have had no problems.  If you use a potty/shower like we would (number 1 only) you are going to have to walk to the bathroom sometime anyway for #2.  If you don't use it like we do, then your camper is bound to smell like an outhouse.  I'm not trying to make anyone sick, but I don't care how sweet, kind, or beautiful your family is, the bottom line is #2 stinks.  But I guess it all comes down to what you and your family want and are willing to deal with.  Are you willing to put up with the splashed water, and initial #2 odor, or are you willing to put up with walking to the shower/bathroom.  The decision is easy for us, but it is up to you.

Quote from: EFAIIIIf you use a potty/shower like we would (number 1 only) you are going to have to walk to the bathroom sometime anyway for #2.  If you don't use it like we do, then your camper is bound to smell like an outhouse.  I'm not trying to make anyone sick, but I don't care how sweet, kind, or beautiful your family is, the bottom line is #2 stinks.  But I guess it all comes down to what you and your family want and are willing to deal with.  Are you willing to put up with the splashed water, and initial #2 odor, or are you willing to put up with walking to the shower/bathroom.  The decision is easy for us, but it is up to you.

EFAIII

Have you tried using chemicals in your porta-potti?

We use our porta-potti as a normal toilet and haven't experienced any odor issues (once everything is inside and closed :p ).

Where is Viking :confused: ...............he usually likes to participate in these types of threads. :J

We bought a new 01 Niagara because it had a shower / cassette toilet combination. After a year we had never used the shower so I decided to take it out because we sometimes take long trips and needed more storage space.. I removed the shower and cassette toilet and custom built a four drawer cabinet that is the exact size of the shower space. I removed the cabinet and folding shelf across from the galley and built a custom cabinet for the Thetford cassette toilet to go in it's place. This cabinet has a two piece folding lid and storage space behind the toilet for a redesigned folding shelf. Toilet now sits long ways in the trailer across from the galley and the cassette can be removed from the door space. The cassette is sealed when removed and there is no odor of any kind ..The new cabinets are  lighter and stronger than the originals and designed with minimal wasted space......
We would not have a popup without a potty.

WE don't have a potty inside but we do have a porta potti that we use in one of those outside shower/utility rooms that we bought at walmart... We set it up behind the trailer or next to the slide out and the kids use it at night instead of waking us up to trudge all the way to the restroom.  Also our trailer has a outside shower with hot and cold water so if we really want a shower, out comes the porta potti and you have your own shower!  which is great for hosing dirty kids off before they trudge it all inside!

We also purchased a used PU with a shower. I opted to take it out and use the space for storage and counter space. I made a mod to our PU  :cool: which created a spot for the portable potty we use at night or whenever and storage all other times. Since we had the shower orginally there is a curtain on one side (not a shower curtain) that slides the lenth across the PU for privacy or changing for guests.
 We are aware of the campgrounds we go to (research) that most of the time have clean facilities. I also agree about the mess with water in the PU. We do have hot water in the PU because of the shower, that's a plus for a quick clean up for everyone if needed.

Good luck on your search. This is (the fall) the best time I've found to try to purchase a used PU. Some people bought them for the summer and didn't like it, some are done with the season and want to get rid of it. They're out there.

Mike

I'm shopping for our 1st popup & have a question.  
  I feel strongly about having a potty/shower but am wondering if they actually are worth it.  YES, worth every penny

It will add alot more $$ to our cost.  Are they prone to problems?  No probems in the 6 yrs we've had oursHow often do you have to empty them?  Depends on how often you & others use it.   Do I need special TP?  Long as it's septic safe, we use the same as we use in the house.

What about other chemicals/tools, etc...  
you have to use chemicals, or it will stink and not break down for emptying.  
 
 Also please share experiences about using the public showers at campgrounds, state parks, etc...  Do they usually have hot water, shower curtains, cleanliness, etc...  
I use our own most of the time, I don't like putting clean dry clothes on a damp body. Showering in the camper allows me the leisure time to dry off away from wet benches etc.

Hi,
I use my cassette porta potty in my camper usually for #1 only cause I'm too lazy to put a LOT of effort into scrubbing everything (light scrubbing ok) I need mine in the camper because I get up in the night at least two times (gotta get the Detrol LA)  :o anyway, it does not put out any smell.  I use scott tissue because it is septic safe.
As far as a shower - I just use the campground ones.
Good luck,

Quote from: EFAIIIWe do not have a potty/shower in our camper, and to be honest, some of our friends who do have the shower now wish they didn't. It cost them extra money and it is just an added mess. I don't care how hard you try, you are going to get water in the camper from the shower when it is used. Depending on who you are will decide how much water is splashed out, but it is another mess to clean.

You are wrong about everyone getting water in the camper from the shower.
 
With having the shower and toilet in the camper all these years, there has only been one time that I had to wipe any water off of the floor, because the shower curtain came out of the shower.  If this is a normal thing with your friends they must really throw the curtain around when showering.  We are not small people and we don't have a problem.  I wonder if your friends over lap the shower curtain, the way the instructions that came with my camper said to do?  Even the one time when the curtain came out of the camper and the floor had to be wiped up, it took less time to do than walking to a campground bathroom and back.  
 
Here are some of the reasons I wouldn't want a PU without a toilet and shower.  Waiting in line for a shower, trying to get dry in the humid campground bathroom, having to wear shower shoes so I don't get foot fungus, knowing I can shower any time (never closed for cleaning), showering in a warm (in cold weather) room, showering in a cool/dry not humid room, not having to worry about the boys being in the men's bathroom where I can't keep an eye on them, not forgetting to take something with me (or the kids) and having to return to the PU to get it, knowing it is safe to touch the curtain in the shower, being able to camp in campground that do not have showers and still be clean.  You get the idea.  I always have to laugh at the people that have never had a toilet or shower in their trailers and say all sorts of negative things about them.  It is a personal decision and depends on what you want.  As I posted earlier we don't always use the shower, but when we do it is great! :)

Quote from: tlhdocCould you please explain how you hook a cassette toilet to a sewer hook up.  I have had a cassette toilet for 8 camping seasons and don't know how to do this and have never seen it done. :)

I have seen it done!  I'll have to find pictures.  Many, many years ago, (two), a Highlander owner modified his Thetford Cassette so that you can connect a standard RV sewer hose to it.

All he did was cut out the plastic/steel handle that you normally pull on to get the cassette out.  He then cut a hole into the flat part of the cassette and installed an RV sewer bayonet.  He used a water hose with a spray nozzle to "flush".

From that point on he had the option of using it hooked up to the sewer.  Or, with a bayonet mounted plug, the same old fully contained cassette.

That guy also mounted a grey water tank, and he combined the two drain outlets to the curb side.  I think he had a 2004 Hemlock?

tlhdoc
"Could you please explain how you hook a cassette toilet to a sewer hook up. I have had a cassette toilet for 8 camping seasons and don't know how to do this and have never seen it done."

You're right!  I was duped by the dealer who said we had full-hook up capabilities!  To me that means sewer hook-up too.  After some extensive research (and asking the guy at Walmart) cassette toilets need to be physically removed and dumped.  My roomate and I did this with much effort when we dry camped the first time we used it.  The second time we were next door to the bathroom so we didn't bother.  The third time we were at a KOA and decided to use their bathrooms since we didn't have sewer in our spot.  Then I bought a sewer hose/attachment package at Walmart.  NOTHING FIT THE CASSETTE!  Asked the gentleman in the sporting section (who has an Alpine!) who told me the correct way to use the cassette.  

I am truly bummed out.  The last thing I want to do is drag that heavy thing to the dump station everyday! (My roomie and I are not physically strong and stuggled with it the first time).  And that leaves me to question - if I'm out in the backwoods where do I dump it??  I will not pollute our beautiful mountains.  I bought this camper for ease and convenience.  You would think that someone would come up with a way to hook up a cassette toilet to the camp sewer.  If I do figure a way (and I'm determined to) I'll let everyone know...
beacher - I have seen it done! I'll have to find pictures.
If you do find those pics please email me.  I want to convert mine.

By the way, I still LOVE my toilet (and everything else in my wonderful PU), wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!

Quote from: waveryEFAIII

Have you tried using chemicals in your porta-potti?

We use our porta-potti as a normal toilet and haven't experienced any odor issues (once everything is inside and closed :p ).

Where is Viking :confused: ...............he usually likes to participate in these types of threads. :J

Agree. No problems at all with the chemicals (and the chemicals are not as bad as they sound, for all you anti-chemical people. Remember...water is a chemical.)

Larry

Quote from: CampDirttlhdoc
"Could you please explain how you hook a cassette toilet to a sewer hook up. I have had a cassette toilet for 8 camping seasons and don't know how to do this and have never seen it done."

You're right!  I was duped by the dealer who said we had full-hook up capabilities!  To me that means sewer hook-up too.  After some extensive research (and asking the guy at Walmart) cassette toilets need to be physically removed and dumped.  My roomate and I did this with much effort when we dry camped the first time we used it.  The second time we were next door to the bathroom so we didn't bother.  The third time we were at a KOA and decided to use their bathrooms since we didn't have sewer in our spot.  Then I bought a sewer hose/attachment package at Walmart.  NOTHING FIT THE CASSETTE!  Asked the gentleman in the sporting section (who has an Alpine!) who told me the correct way to use the cassette.  

I am truly bummed out.  The last thing I want to do is drag that heavy thing to the dump station everyday! (My roomie and I are not physically strong and stuggled with it the first time).  And that leaves me to question - if I'm out in the backwoods where do I dump it??  I will not pollute our beautiful mountains.  I bought this camper for ease and convenience.  You would think that someone would come up with a way to hook up a cassette toilet to the camp sewer.  If I do figure a way (and I'm determined to) I'll let everyone know...
beacher - I have seen it done! I'll have to find pictures.
If you do find those pics please email me.  I want to convert mine.

By the way, I still LOVE my toilet (and everything else in my wonderful PU), wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!

Why drag it every day? You did say you weren't physically strong, so I guess that's why you might. But I never thought they were very heavy anyway.

If you find a way to use it longer, you can often dump it at Interstate rest stops, or sometimes there are Interstate filling stations that have dump stations. Many campgrounds (all of the ones we use) have dump stations. That way you don't have to pollute the land, as I agree shouldn't be done.

Larry

Quote from: tlhdocYou are wrong about everyone getting water in the camper from the shower.
 
With having the shower and toilet in the camper all these years, there has only been one time that I had to wipe any water off of the floor, because the shower curtain came out of the shower. If this is a normal thing with your friends they must really throw the curtain around when showering. We are not small people and we don't have a problem. I wonder if your friends over lap the shower curtain, the way the instructions that came with my camper said to do? Even the one time when the curtain came out of the camper and the floor had to be wiped up, it took less time to do than walking to a campground bathroom and back.
 
Here are some of the reasons I wouldn't want a PU without a toilet and shower. Waiting in line for a shower, trying to get dry in the humid campground bathroom, having to wear shower shoes so I don't get foot fungus, knowing I can shower any time (never closed for cleaning), showering in a warm (in cold weather) room, showering in a cool/dry not humid room, not having to worry about the boys being in the men's bathroom where I can't keep an eye on them, not forgetting to take something with me (or the kids) and having to return to the PU to get it, knowing it is safe to touch the curtain in the shower, being able to camp in campground that do not have showers and still be clean. You get the idea. I always have to laugh at the people that have never had a toilet or shower in their trailers and say all sorts of negative things about them. It is a personal decision and depends on what you want. As I posted earlier we don't always use the shower, but when we do it is great! :)

I agree with Tracy 100%!  We love the pottie and shower, and never have had a problem with water getting everywhere, it just never has happened.  My sister has a camper without a pottie, well, she swore that she would never have a pottie in the camper...how gross....a pottie where you sleep....gross.  We, she camped with me at the ocean and she is now a true believer in both the shower and pottie in the camper.  She loved taking a nice hot shower after being in the sun and sand all day, and not having to leave the camper at night for the night bathroom trek.  She has now bought a porta pottie and keeps it in her camper, she loves it.  I would not even consider a camper now without a shower and pottie, but then, I like to camp in more remote places and away from the big campgrounds.  JMHO

Ok, lets get some things straight about my post.  I DO have a port-a-potty, and we do LOVE it, so my reply has nothing to do about the potty.  Wavery, let me respond to you first, I am assuming your flatulence does not stink, but for most of the world it does.  That is the smell I am referring to, not the product itself.  And yes we do use chemicals, but we still only use #1 in the camper.  Unless your rear is formed just right to form a perfect seal around the potty, some smell WILL get out during the initial "droppint".  That is what I am talking about.  Hope that cleared it up for you.  Now back to the original post about the shower...tlhdoc, how do you know I am WRONG??? Have you been camping with me or my friends????  I did not see you.  Next time come up and introduce yourself, because unless you were there you don't know what it is like in my friends camper.  So how can you say I am wrong?  They have 3 YOUNG boys who tend to be rowdy, and water DOES get on their floor.  I can only speak for them, but it does happen.  If tlhdoc would like pictures to prove this, I may be able to take them the next time, but tlhdoc can only speak for tlhdoc.  I can speak for myself.  Thank you.  I am not saying get the shower, or don't get the shower.  The original post wanted to know what we thought.  That is what I gave, my thoughts.  I did not expect to be informed that I was WRONG and that my experiences were WRONG.  I am just telling what CAN happen, and no matter what tlhdoc says, it is possible.

Quote from: EFAIIINow back to the original post about the shower...tlhdoc, how do you know I am WRONG???

I know that you are wrong, because I don't have water splashed out of the camper from the shower. I don't have another mess to clean up. That is how I know your statement is WRONG.
 
Please READ what YOU posted.
 

Quote from: EFAIIII don't care how hard you try, you are going to get water in the camper from the shower when it is used. Depending on who you are will decide how much water is splashed out, but it is another mess to clean.

What I understood you to say is that everyone will get water in the camper if they shower in their camper. Did I miss understand what you wrote?
 
Please read MY response to what YOU wrote.
 

Quote from: tlhdocYou are wrong about everyone getting water in the camper from the shower.
 
With having the shower and toilet in the camper all these years, there has only been one time that I had to wipe any water off of the floor, because the shower curtain came out of the shower.

Yes I said you were WRONG, because your post says that everyone will splash water out of the shower in their PU and have another mess to clean up. I don't. So you are WRONG! Sorry if you have a hard time being wrong, but you are.:)

REPLY Part II
 

Quote from: EFAIIIHave you been camping with me or my friends????

No
 

Quote from: EFAIIIyou don't know what it is like in my friends camper.

You are right. I don't know what it is like in your friends camper. I never said I did.
 

Quote from: EFAIIIThey have 3 YOUNG boys who tend to be rowdy, and water DOES get on their floor. I can only speak for them, but it does happen.

I never doubted that your friends have problems with water getting on the floor. I even offered a possible solution for them. You say they have 3 rowdy boys, maybe the boys need to be taught how to shower indoors.
 

Quote from: EFAIIIIf tlhdoc would like pictures to prove this, I may be able to take them the next time,

No I don't need pictures.
 

Quote from: EFAIIItlhdoc can only speak for tlhdoc. I can speak for myself. Thank you.

Yes I can only speak for myself, and you can speak for yourself and I guess your friends?

Quote from: CampDirt.....
beacher - I have seen it done! I'll have to find pictures.
If you do find those pics please email me.  I want to convert mine.....

Here you go! :-()



Thats from a thread on 1/9/2005 by raul33141 on RV.net.

Quote from: beacherHere you go! :-()
 

 
Thats from a thread on 1/9/2005 by raul33141 on RV.net.

Thanks for posting the picture.  I wonder if the tubing is big enough to handle the solid waste?  I think the standard RV black water pipes are 3 inches around and dump out of the bottom of the tank.  It looks like they have a hose connected to the fresh water supply too.  Do you have any  other pictures of this set up?:)

Quote from: tlhdoc..... Do you have any  other pictures of this set up?:)

Go visit the link on the thread by the guy who did the mod, (see the highlighted word "thread" - click on it).  He has a bunch of pictures posted on his MSN website showing this and a few other interesting mods made to his 2005 Niagara.

I don't know about that set-up, it looks like a lot of work and rather messy.  I think that just emptying the cassette would be alot easier.  JMHO

You guys/gals are great!  Thanks for the advice about potties/showers.  We went ahead & got one without a cassette or a shower but does have a porta potty stored in a cabinet by the door.   I am so excited to get out & go!!  

Thanks again.  Mrs. McBar

Quote from: mcbarYou guys/gals are great! Thanks for the advice about potties/showers. We went ahead & got one without a cassette or a shower but does have a porta potty stored in a cabinet by the door. I am so excited to get out & go!!
 
Thanks again. Mrs. McBar

What did you get?

We had a 1995 Palomino Mustang DD from April until October of this year.  It only had a spot under a seat for a porta-potti.  We camped out around 36 nights in it and had a Thetford Porta-Potti that was great.  It was easy to use, easy to clean, easy to empty, and easy to prep for use.  We have 3 kids & not having to make any late night trips to the restroom was wonderful.  We used it like a regular toilet (#1 & #2) and never had any problems with it.  I wouldn't have a pop-up without at least a nice porta-potti.

We sold our Palomino and bought a 2003 Jayco 14SO with a shower / Thetford Cassette combo.  It's even nicer, cleaner when dumping, and easier to deal with than the porta-potti.  We camped in our Jayco 2 nights and three days before winterizing :(.

It's all personal preference but it's an option you really can't add at a later date.  HOWEVER if I found a good deal on a pop-up I wanted I wouldn't let it be a deal-breaker.  The top of the line Thetford porta-potti is pretty nice.  With 3 small children & a wife you kind of loose your concern about some momentary smellyness and opt for the safety & convienience.  We don't have intestinal problems so no one is making the place smell like a bar bathroom & the chemicals keep everything under control.  I have always used latex gloves and clorox wipes when dumping.  Both the gloves and wipes are pretty cheap.

The folks who had our Jayco before us installed the AC unit in the vent so we currently don't have a vent.  Next spring I'm going to install a 12 volt powered fantastic fan vent near the toilet area to use when someone is a little stinky or when we cook inside due to the rain or wind.  One thing you usually have a pop-up for is all the openness with windows and screens so you can almost always let the breeze in and any foul odor out.
_____________________________________
Me, wife, & 3 kids (4, 6, & 9)
2003 Jayco 14SO
1997 Mercury Mountaineer AWD
Days Camped in 2006: 39

Quote from: tlhdocThanks for posting the picture.  I wonder if the tubing is big enough to handle the solid waste?  I think the standard RV black water pipes are 3 inches around and dump out of the bottom of the tank.  It looks like they have a hose connected to the fresh water supply too.  Do you have any  other pictures of this set up?:)

2" hose is standard on marine holding tanks. They both handle the same waste. The one for the forward head on my boat had a 30' run to the holding tank, aft. I never had a problem with it.  Although the hose that you see in that picture is drinking water hose. They make a special sewage hose that doesn't allow the smell to permeate it and you don't see the sewage flowing through the hose.

I think it's a nice set-up if you want to hook your cassette to a sewage dump in your campsite. I don't think that you could get the RV holding tank hose and fittings to fit in that tank. However, if you could, it would make a much nicer installation that would be easier to use and clean out.

tlhdoc, I am sorry if I got you all upset.  I didn't mean to start an argument.  All I was trying to say is that water from a shower will get out no matter how hard you try in some way.  You say that it does not happen to you, well that is great.  Great Job tlhdoc!!!!  But honestly I don't buy it.  I am not saying the Atlantic Ocean will get on the floor, I am saying some water will.  Wheter it is from splashing out of the shower, under the curtain, over the curtain, or even dripping off you.  I don't care how.  But by your own admission it has happened even to the great tlhdoc.  I doubt you could say that after you shower there is not a splash of water on the floor anywhere.  Or maybe you just don't really shower and are of terrible hygeine.  I am going to say that last statement is false because I don't know you and I am going to assume you are a clean individual and possibly a exceptional housekeeper.  I don't know you so I will not say anything.  I think you should also keep that opinion of my friends children to yourself.  I have never insulted you, your family, or your friends so why are you trying to say these boys don't know how to shower correctly.  I guess in your words they are WRONG.  I don't know if you have kids, and quite frankly I don't care, but boys will be boys and they will make messes, and they may even get water outside the shower.  That is a fact that you will have to accept.  I will say no more on this issue because I can tell that trying to reason with you and give factual information is a dead issue with someone who thinks every opinion other than there own is WRONG.

EFAIII

 :-() WELCOME TO PUT :-()

Just like any forum on the internet, there are some people that just take things personally on PUT (you and I are not excluded). I have found that it is just better to not respond to those people when they get offeneded (they/we get over it). It helps keep the peace :p .

Please feel free to offer your opinion, freely and openly. There are many people that appreciate that. Not everyone will agree with anything that we say but we do have the right to say what we feel and sometimes newcomers help put a new perspective on things and offer a lot to others.

Thanks for your input :D

Quote from: alphaa211The folks who had our Jayco before us installed the AC unit in the vent so we currently don't have a vent.  Next spring I'm going to install a 12 volt powered fantastic fan vent near the toilet area to use when someone is a little stinky or when we cook inside due to the rain or wind.  One thing you usually have a pop-up for is all the openness with windows and screens so you can almost always let the breeze in and any foul odor out.
_____________________________________
Me, wife, & 3 kids (4, 6, & 9)
2003 Jayco 14SO
1997 Mercury Mountaineer AWD
Days Camped in 2006: 39

The electric vent is a good idea. I had a few of them on my boat and they were solar powered. They were quiet, trouble free and ran 24 hrs a day from sunlight.

I would caution being VERY careful when installing it. Make sure that you use plenty of the appropriate sealer. Putting holes in your roof is always a tricky prospect.

Quote from: EFAIIIOk, I am assuming your flatulence does not stink, but for most of the world it does.  That is the smell I am referring to, not the product itself.  

I got married (3rd time's supposed to be a charm, isn't it? ;) about 10 months ago.  Hubby lives in New Orleans and I live in Miami (gotta stay where your paycheck is), so we manage to get together about once every 4-6 weeks.  We both like our privacy - especially in the loo!  (john/can...)

Apart from the odor, I'd have a really hard time with the sound effects.  Y'all are quite comfortable sitting there, say, reading a book with grunts and plops in the background?

He hasn't had a chance to go out with me in the PU yet, but I have taken other friends.  I have a PETT porta-potty system that is only used for #1.  (The Wag bags are too pricey so I use scented plastic bags and buy extra crystals (SBG 1 ? google Throne porta potti).

If I'm alone, the potty is inside.  Outside (with or without the privacy tent depending on location) if I have company.

Oh, I have a small (8' box) PU, perhaps sounds and smells are not an issue in the larger ones.

Here are the links for the system I use:

SBG1 crystals for porta-potti
http://www.urinbiz.com/sbg1.htm

PETT  Portable Environmental Toilet System
http://www.baproducts.com/pett.htm

Thanks for the info and pics, beacher! ;)
This set up looks doable, but want to experiment a little first.  Might have to get a used cassette so I don't ruin my good one.  However, I'm thinking positively - if I don't over do it, maybe carrying and dumping this thing will strengthen my shoulder... :p

Quote from: EFAIIItlhdoc, I am sorry if I got you all upset. I didn't mean to start an argument.

You did not get me upset.  I thought this was a discussion.
 

Quote from: EFAIIIAll I was trying to say is that water from a shower will get out no matter how hard you try in some way. You say that it does not happen to you, well that is great. Great Job tlhdoc!!!! But honestly I don't buy it. I am not saying the Atlantic Ocean will get on the floor, I am saying some water will. Wheter it is from splashing out of the shower, under the curtain, over the curtain, or even dripping off you. I don't care how.

I don't know why you insist that everyone will have water out of their shower on the floor.  My shower curtain overlaps (as per the instructions that came with it) itself about 6 or 8 inches.  The bottom 3 inches or so lay of the floor of the shower pan and from the ceiling to top of the shower curtain is only about an 2 inches.  NO WATER GETS OUT OF THE SHOWER ONTO THE FLOOR, in the normal course of our showering.  We do most of our drying off in the shower just like at home.  The curtain keep you a little bit wet, but no anything that drips off.  Dry hair and most of the body, dry one leg and step out onto the floor with that leg.  Dry the other leg and then do a final wipe down of the body.  NO WATER ON THE FLOOR!
 

Quote from: EFAIIIBut by your own admission it has happened even to the great tlhdoc.

Yes one time DS didn't put the shower curtain in the shower pan and there was water on the rug.  One rug and one towel cleaned it up.  DS also laid down the syrup container one time and the syrup ran out all over the cupboard it was in.  I wouldn't tell anyone that syrup makes a mess in everyones cupboard.  That no one can have syrup in the camper without making a mess with it.
 

Quote from: EFAIIII think you should also keep that opinion of my friends children to yourself. I have never insulted you, your family, or your friends so why are you trying to say these boys don't know how to shower correctly.

Excuse me, but you were the one that posted that your friends have 3 rowdy boys and that they make a mess in the camper when they shower.  I did not post that.  I have had many children camp in my camper and none of them made a mess and got water on the floor so that it had to be cleaned up.  Use of the camper shower was always explained to them and when they were younger I always turned the water on and off for them (they couldn't reach the on hose shut off, because the shower head is mounted on the ceiling).  Towels were handed into them and they were told to dry off in the shower and then dry one leg/foot off and then put it on the floor.  Dry the second leg off and then put it on the floor.  Then give the entire body one more go over.  This kept the floor dry and the kids clean.  Maybe you would explain this to your friends and they could have a more enjoyable shower time in their camper.
 

Quote from: EFAIIIboys will be boys and they will make messes, and they may even get water outside the shower. That is a fact that you will have to accept. I will say no more on this issue because I can tell that trying to reason with you and give factual information is a dead issue with someone who thinks every opinion other than there own is WRONG.

I have no problem with the factual information that you have stated about your friends three rowdy children making a mess in the camper when they shower.  I never did.  What I take exception to is your assumption that everyone that has a shower in their camper has to clean up water that gets on the floor and makes a mess.  You state that as a fact, not an opinion and I will stick by what I said the first time.  You are WRONG.  With a little bit of planning you don't have water on the floor or a mess to clean up.

Personally..........I still get water on the floor when I shower at home :yikes: ............and I'm 60-years-old. Although........I'm still pretty rowdy :-() .

tlhdoc,

Thanks for your final input it was well received (NOT).  As I have said this is a dead issue as far as I am concerned.  The original post wanted our opinion based upon our experiences.  I gave that.  Upon what they read and researced on their own, they made their decesion (I believe without the shower).  Thank you again for all you said.  I am sure you and your perfect dry camper will have many great  dry shower experiences in your perfect little dry world, while most of us who are not perfect will enjoy ours also.  I guess that is my problem, I lack the perfectionism that you do.  For that I will bow to you kingdom.  Thank you Thank you Thank you.  This is now a dead issue, let it go.  You will be much happier if you do.

Here are a few of my opinions:
 
1. This discussion has nothing to do with a Potty.
2. Who cares if a little water gets on the floor.
3. Since it is titled "Potty Talk", I would be more concerned if it were poop leaking all over the floor, that would be quite the discussion.
4. I also have the feeling that EFAIII is somewhat of a Smart A$$.
5. Oh yes and, EFAIII, welcome to PUT!
 
 
 
Remember, By calling this a dead issue will only make it live, please see the thread started by Austin Boston titled "Threadkillers"........they never die.

Quote from: TheVikingHere are a couple of my opinions:
 
1. This discussion has nothing to do with a Potty.
2. Who cares if a little water gets on the floor.
3. Since it is titled "Potty Talk", I would be more concerned if it were poop leaking all over the floor, that would be quite the discussion.
4. I also have the feeling that EFAIII is somewhat of a Smart A$$.
5. Oh yes and, EFAIII, welcome to PUT!

By calling this a dead issue will only make it live, please see the thread started by Austin Boston titled "Threadkillers"........they never die.

Hey viking,

Thanks for your opinion, and thanks for your assumption about me.  That is really appreciated.  Tells me a lot about you.  By the way, if anyone knows where the best place is to get parts for a porta potty are let me know.  We have the small Thetford with the billows pump for the flush, and the billows has a hole in the seam.  Kind of nasty when you push down on the pump and water comes out of it.

Quote from: TheVikingHere are a few of my opinions:
 
3. Since it is titled "Potty Talk", I would be more concerned if it were poop leaking all over the floor, that would be quite the discussion.
.

Now that you've brought it up...........I have a porta-potti that has developed a crack in the bottom.......YUP!!!!......gooey blue stuff leaks out :yikes: .

We purchased a new potti but I would sure like to put a patch on the cracked one. It is a Thetford and it is made of polyethylene. Does anyone know of a system to patch polyethylene, that doesn't cost an arm & leg. I know about welding the stuff but I'd rather find something like fiberglass that I can layer over the entire bottom, to reinforce it.

Viking,

Have I got on your bad side now????  Let me apologize, yes, I can be a smart a$$ at times, and maybe I just read some comments wrong or took them wrong.  I will set the record straight now. tlhdoc, I apologize if I offended you, you are correct.  I guess not everyone will splash water on the floor.  I should not have said that everyone will.  I guess it depends on the person, and how they do things.  You are correct.  I will state now that I was wrong.  Sorry about any of my comments.  I hope to continue in a friendly manner now.  I will keep all of my comments to a general nature based solely on my experiences and not assume that it applies to everyone.  If I have offended anyone else, I do apologize and will watch what I say from now on.  Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this board.  I have gathered a great deal of information from it, and have very much respect for those posting.  Again I am truly sorry for the offenses I portrayed and will try to control my replies and keep them on a friendly and professional basis.  Happy camping to all.

Quote from: waveryNow that you've brought it up...........I have a porta-potti that has developed a crack in the bottom.......YUP!!!!......gooey blue stuff leaks out :yikes: .

We purchased a new potti but I would sure like to put a patch on the cracked one. It is a Thetford and it is made of polyethylene. Does anyone know of a system to patch polyethylene, that doesn't cost an arm & leg. I know about welding the stuff but I'd rather find something like fiberglass that I can layer over the entire bottom, to reinforce it.

Call up "Plastic Depot".  They will tell you whether it can be solvent welded.  If so I would think you should first repair the crack then laminate a piece of polyethylene sheet to cover the whole bottom.  

They also have complete fiberglass supplies.

Personally I'd just toss the thing.  Maybe save it for parts.


http://www.plasticdepots.com/
758 West 190th (at Vermont)
Gardena, CA 90248

Phone: (310) 217-7080
Fax: (310) 217-7084

Quote from: JimQPublicCall up "Plastic Depot".  They will tell you whether it can be solvent welded.  If so I would think you should first repair the crack then laminate a piece of polyethylene sheet to cover the whole bottom.  

They also have complete fiberglass supplies.

Personally I'd just toss the thing.  Maybe save it for parts.


http://www.plasticdepots.com/
758 West 190th (at Vermont)
Gardena, CA 90248

Phone: (310) 217-7080
Fax: (310) 217-7084

Thanks for the tip. They are located fairly close to me so I gave them a call.

They just confirmed that NO adhesive will stick to that stuff. It must be heat welded with a special polyethylene welder and welding rod.

I'm kind of a tool fanatic so I may just buy a welder. Not just for this thing but a lot of stuff is made of polyethylene these days (like our kayak).

Quote from: EFAIIIHey viking,

Thanks for your opinion, and thanks for your assumption about me.  That is really appreciated.  Tells me a lot about you.  By the way, if anyone knows where the best place is to get parts for a porta potty are let me know.  We have the small Thetford with the billows pump for the flush, and the billows has a hole in the seam.  Kind of nasty when you push down on the pump and water comes out of it.

Thetford sells the bellows.
http://www.thetford.com/parts_145.cfm