*update* We bought the new one~~ Help! Newbie question.... "cassette vs. porta"?

[pjtjmn]

Hi -  I am brand new to this board, and also new to pop ups, so I can really use your help!!

I am trying to decide between 2 pop ups that a local dealer has in inventory.

The first one is used a Viking 2107, year 2004 - no "cassette toilet".   The dealer rented it and now wants to sell it.

The second is for the same model (2107), but a new, leftover 2005.  It comes with the cassette toilet, and the warranties.  

The second one is about $1500 more, and I'm on a tight budget.  

Now, I understand the value of the warranty, and the "newness", but I don't get the potty.

I see you can get a porta potty for about $100, but the booklet makes it seem like the cassette thing is different.

Can anyone please explain the difference between the cassette and the porta potty?  

Thanks!

[wavery]

Hi -  I am brand new to this board, and also new to pop ups, so I can really use your help!!

I am trying to decide between 2 pop ups that a local dealer has in inventory.

The first one is used a Viking 2107, year 2004 - no "cassette toilet".   The dealer rented it and now wants to sell it.

The second is for the same model (2107), but a new, leftover 2005.  It comes with the cassette toilet, and the warranties.  

The second one is about $1500 more, and I'm on a tight budget.  

Now, I understand the value of the warranty, and the "newness", but I don't get the potty.

I see you can get a porta potty for about $100, but the booklet makes it seem like the cassette thing is different.

Can anyone please explain the difference between the cassette and the porta potty?  

Thanks!

Welcome to PopUpTimes

I have never owned a cassette so I can't comment on it. However, I can comment on the porta-potty. We have one with a 5gal holding tank. We love it. Can't even fathom how a cassette toilet would add a tremendous amount of value, other than it is built-in.  In our case, we put the porta-potty in an outside TeePee tent when weather permits.

As for the warranty, could have some value. $1500 is a stretch other than the fact that you would have coverage on the fragile roof that is inherent in these things. The warranty offers no resale value because it is not transferable. If you store your trailer outside, it may be a discernible value. If you store it in your garage, it may not be..........just my 2 cents worth......

BTW, be careful about "potty-talk" around here. Some people get sqeemish :p

[tlhdoc]

Welcome to PUT and the world of PU camping.  I would be leary of a rental unit.  The many people that have used the trailer may not know or care if they use/care for the PU properly.  A used trailer that only one or two people owned probably has had less abuse (intentional or unintentional).  The cassette potty is usually listed at about $750.  That is about half of the difference in the price of the two trailers.  It will also add resale value to the trailer.  If it were me, I would go with the newer trailer, IF I could afford it.

The cassette potty is a built in toilet.  It has a tank (about 5 gal./20 liters) that slides out of the toilet to be dumped.  I have had both a porta potty and a cassette potty.  I prefer the cassette.  Her is why.  It sits at a normal toilet height.  It doesn't have to be pulled out or set up outside to use.  I found the shape of tank easier to empty.  IF the cassette on its way to be dumped and there is an "emergency" the toilet can still be used (but the flap that separates the toilet bowl from the tank can not be opened=waste will not be spilled into the tank cavity).  In most trailers there is some sort of privacy curtain around the cassette potty.  The toilet will not slide around.
 
Good luck with the PU purchase and let us know what you get.  What area are you from?  Where do you like to camp?

[pjtjmn]

BTW, be careful about "potty-talk" around here. Some people get sqeemish


Ooops!!   Gee, I didn't even think of that when I started this thread!!  :p

I wouldn't want to get the reputation for having a potty mouth on my very first post!!!  

Thanks for your input, I appreciate your thoughts.  

I *can* afford the $1500, but I'm not sure if it's worth it.

Any other opinions are welcome!!

[pjtjmn]

Welcome to PUT and the world of PU camping.  I would be leary of a rental unit.  The many people that have used the trailer may not know or care if they use/care for the PU properly.  A used trailer that only one or two people owned probably has had less abuse (intentional or unintentional).  The cassette potty is usually listed at about $750.  That is about half of the difference in the price of the two trailers.  It will also add resale value to the trailer.  If it were me, I would go with the newer trailer, IF I could afford it.

The cassette potty is a built in toilet.  It has a tank (about 5 gal./20 liters) that slides out of the toilet to be dumped.  I have had both a porta potty and a cassette potty.  I prefer the cassette.  Her is why.  It sits at a normal toilet height.  It doesn't have to be pulled out or set up outside to use.  I found the shape of tank easier to empty.  IF the cassette on its way to be dumped and there is an "emergency" the toilet can still be used (but the flap that separates the toilet bowl from the tank can not be opened=waste will not be spilled into the tank cavity).  In most trailers there is some sort of privacy curtain around the cassette potty.  The toilet will not slide around.
 
Good luck with the PU purchase and let us know what you get.  What area are you from?  Where do you like to camp?

Hi -

This is true, I didn't consider the "abuse" issue, (intentional or not.. except that honestly, I was glad that it wasn't rented with a potty.... Didn't want anyone to think that strangers got the idea that it was okay to go *inside* the PU.  "Well... we're just renting it"  :yikes: )  


Wow!  $750 for the cassette...  boy that really is a factor now..  An associate at work mentioned the "ick" factor

[fritz_monroe]

We went with a pup with a cassette.  However, the cassette would not have made the sale.  We looked at the floorplan.  I prefer new.  I've run into issues with stuff I've bought used.  But if I was looking at 2 almost identical pups and one had the cassette, I'd look at the cabinets to see if the porta potty would go into one of the cabinets.  If it did, then I'd really have to look at the shape of the rest of the pup.  Our family takes the occasional day trip, and a porta potty would be pretty convenient on a long drive.  You can't take a cassette with you in another vehicle.

[OC Campers]

One of the reasons we bought our model popup was because of the cassette potty.  I also have 3 kids and wouldn't buy a trailer without it.  Trekking to the bathhouse at 2am is well worth the extra dollars.IMHO.   The cassette is very easy to use and dispose of its contents.  I have never owned a porta potty so I don't know how easy it is to dump

I also wouldn't own a popup that was a rental.  Too many people don't know how things work in a camper.  Which may put undue stress on certain popup parts.
 
Welcome to PUT.  You will find a wealth of info here.
 
Jacqui

[zamboni]

We decided to get a camper after a holiday weekend with a large group.  The campground's porta-potties were, to say the least, a disaster by the last day.

We found decent, used, Starcraft.  My wife's only requirement was a potty (she'd NEVER been in a camper her entire life!).  The previous owners had a porta-potty that fit perfectly in the little space between the kitchen and sofa.

We had it about 2 years, before moving "up" to my parent's Niagara they wanted to get rid of.

Having had both, I'd say they were of equal value to me.  Cassette was easy in that you could "unload" it from outside.  However, they both served their purpose equally well.

How much would I value a "built-in" cassette over a porta?  Assuming the porta had a "convenient" space were it could sit all the time and be used... then not worth much extra.  Certainly not $750, DEFINITELY not $1500.  Maybe about $200 for convenience...

[beacher]

I think that there should be a vast difference in the price of a rental vs. a brand new leftover 2005 PU.  The rental should be at least 45% below the normal MSRP, not a simple $1500.  Just because of the "silly" price difference game that the dealer is playing, I'd go price check at other dealers, and on the web.  Also keep in mind that a new PU also has new appliances, awning, brakes, tires, .....everything, and the warranty.

The big difference between a porta potty and a cassette toilet is that the cassette toilet is built-in to the PU.  When it comes time to dump, a cassette is built to make the exercise as painless as possible.  The removable cassette unit has multiple handles, a long neck for the waste to flow directly into the dump sewer opening, and an air vent button to help prevent splashing.  A cassette unit is also a little bigger than a porta potty, so you will be emptying it less often.

[pjtjmn]

Update 2/24 ---

I want to thank all of you who chimed in with your quick responses.  After thinking about it, we agreed that the risk of buying the rental unit was just too high for us.  My husband was sooo excited, and we went back to the dealer tonight to buy the PU.  

We bought the new one, and now we are officially PU owners!!  :#

Time to plan our first trip!!

[wavery]

Congradulations.

I think that you made a wise choice.

Enjoy!!

[tlhdoc]

Congratulations on the new PU.  Any idea where you are taking your first trip?

 

Update 2/24 ---
 
I want to thank all of you who chimed in with your quick responses. After thinking about it, we agreed that the risk of buying the rental unit was just too high for us. My husband was sooo excited, and we went back to the dealer tonight to buy the PU.
 
We bought the new one, and now we are officially PU owners!! :#
 
Time to plan our first trip!!

[fritz_monroe]

Congrats on the new pup.  I agree that you probably made the right decision.

[brainpause]

I know you've bought it already, but I'll chime in on the potty issue.

I've never had the cassette, but as part of camp breakdown, I always have to travel to the dump station to dump the porta-potty. I could just dump the cassette on the way out of the cg after loading truck and camper.

On the other hand, I usually have to go to the dump station anyway, to dump the gray water tank.

Oh well. Either way, you'll get to camp.

Larry

PS: Having a separate "room" for privacy will be priceless for little girls. Even with just the two of us (me and DW), privacy sometime is an issue.

[unitydnk]

I think you made a wise choice.. if it was a rental lets say it was use 15 weekends for two years = probably 30 people who have never used one or didn't care cause it was not theres... what body fluids are all over it?
We bought ours used but people who own it take better care because they have to repair/resale it... just my thoughts