Looking for instruction on portable toilet

[butterflyfish]

Hi,  We are new to the pop up camping world.  We just bought a used one and went on our first camping trip last weekend.  My question is this.  The pop up we bought came with a portable toilet.  The brand name is Vagabond.  There were no instruction manuals on how to use it and coutless searches on the internet have come uo empty for the Vagabond brand.  It looks very much like the Visa brand toilet, though.  We have not used it since I have no idea how to work it or clean it or anything.  I guess I was hoping that someone here could either direct me to where I could purchase a new instruction booklet or explain to me how to use the thing.  I told my kids they could only use it in an extreme emergency on our first trip out (though my 6 year old is dying to use the thing!  LOL).  

Thanks in advance for any info anyone can give me on this toilet!

~Butterflyfish

[wavery]

Hi,  We are new to the pop up camping world.  We just bought a used one and went on our first camping trip last weekend.  My question is this.  The pop up we bought came with a portable toilet.  The brand name is Vagabond.  There were no instruction manuals on how to use it and coutless searches on the internet have come uo empty for the Vagabond brand.  It looks very much like the Visa brand toilet, though.  We have not used it since I have no idea how to work it or clean it or anything.  I guess I was hoping that someone here could either direct me to where I could purchase a new instruction booklet or explain to me how to use the thing.  I told my kids they could only use it in an extreme emergency on our first trip out (though my 6 year old is dying to use the thing!  LOL).  

Thanks in advance for any info anyone can give me on this toilet!

~Butterflyfish

WELCOME TO PUT!!!!


Most porta-potties work under the same general principal.

They normally have 2 tanks. The upper tank holds fresh water for flushing. The lower tank is the "Holding tank". That's where the waste goes. Think of it like a pit toilet that they use on construction sites or at some campgrounds. The only difference is the porta-pottie has a lever that you pull out to allow the waste to drop into the lower tank. That way, you don't have to look at it   .

Purchase holding tank chemicals from your local camping or marine supply store. Follow the instructions on the bottle for the amount to use. We use about 2oz per tank with about 1 qt of water. I use "Aqua-Chem" liquid. If you use the right amount, you won't smell the toilet at all. If you use too much, your camper may smell like blue flowers or heavy deoderant  :p .
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/categories/index.cfm/Outdoor-and-RV-Accessories/RV-Maintenance/Sewer-Chemicals/deptID=3:catID=63:subOf=19

Before sitting down, push the bellows down to "Wet" the toilet bowl. Do your business. CLOSE THE LID/SEAT and open the discharge handle to dump your business into the holding tank.

When your tank is close to full (max about 3/4 full), separate the holding tank and take it to the dump station and dump it (or home toilet). Rinse it with fresh water until clean, then store it or put it back in service. When dumping the tank, set the tank down with the discharge on top. Remove the cap (some tanks have a swivel out nozzle). Tip the tank down slowly and poor out the contents.

Some people use the expensive toilet paper made just for holding tanks. I never have and never had a problem. Even if it doesn't desolve, it pours out OK.
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How come I always get the dirty work around here..... :sombraro:

[wayner]

now I don't actually have a porta potty... but I assumed that they worked kind of like a normal toilet... you sit down on them and then you....   oh... you mean, how does the actual toilet work... sorry...   gotta start reading these posts better..  

[austinado16]

You might have a hard time seperating the top tank from the bottom tank....look around the toilet for a lever or handle that either slides sideways or pulls out. Becareful during that first "test" seperation so you don't break any clips or lugs that need to engage in order to hold both halves securely together.

Also, there's a little fun to be had when using it for the first time if you've had a significant change in elevation during the trip.  Sort of like turning your snowblower's shoot into the wind.   So be sure to open the "trap door" prior to that first use to vent the holding tank.

Someone on a previous potty post recommending crossing 2 lengths of toilet paper in the bottom before you poop :yikes:  in the thing and that makes for a clean exit when you flush :p

[butterflyfish]

Thanks for the replies.  I will have to tinker with the thing before the first use...  We will be going on our second trip this weekend so I should see if I can figure it out before then if not, it will still be off limits until I get to it!  DS still wants to use it badly!  I have no experience in this sort of thing what so ever, DH used to backpack before we met and I only camped twice, so this is all new to both of us.

Thanks for the advice about the elevation change.  Since we are in the Lowcountry, it is a really good thing to know when we head to KY this summer!      

~Butterflyfish

[TheViking]

WELCOME TO PUT!!!!
 
 
 
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How come I always get the dirty work around here..... :sombraro:

 
Because you are so full of .....information

[AZsix]

They're really not that hard to figure out. It tells you on the container of chemical how much to add. If worse comes to worse find another pup camper where you go and ask them. I'm sure they will be glad to help you. I'm also sure they won't make you feel silly for asking.

[AzRon]

Ok everyone is so wrong, one person was close. To use the loo,potty, can etc...
one first gathers reading material :book:  it can be the Readers Digest,crossword puzzle,a joke book etc... One should NOT bring War and Peace :yikes:

Once you have your material proceed to the Throne, announce to one and all that you will be "busy" you then get settled and arrange your material, resist the urge to hum, whistle or other things that will keep you from your business.
If at any time someone asks you to hurry or wonder when you will be done just say "just a minute" remember you have your papers/materials so you are "official"" just remember to not spend to much time doing your "business" as it can cause legs to go to sleep, adheison to the Throne :yikes: and other bad things.

So now you know "how to use the potty"  
 

[butterflyfish]

:p  :p  :p  :p ...

[wayner]

Ok everyone is so wrong, one person was close. To use the loo,potty, can etc...
one first gathers reading material :book:  it can be the Readers Digest,crossword puzzle,a joke book etc... One should NOT bring War and Peace :yikes:

Once you have your material proceed to the Throne, announce to one and all that you will be "busy" you then get settled and arrange your material, resist the urge to hum, whistle or other things that will keep you from your business.
If at any time someone asks you to hurry or wonder when you will be done just say "just a minute" remember you have your papers/materials so you are "official"" just remember to not spend to much time doing your "business" as it can cause legs to go to sleep, adheison to the Throne :yikes: and other bad things.

So now you know "how to use the potty"  
 

 Most definitely Reader's Digest.. or Uncle Jon's Bathroom Reader from the Bathroom Reader's Institute...     I also like the electronic games like - yahtzee, or the 20Questions, poker...   all making your time on the throne, educational and not just time flushed down the toilet...

[butterflyfish]

Most definitely Reader's Digest.. or Uncle Jon's Bathroom Reader from the Bathroom Reader's Institute...     I also like the electronic games like - yahtzee, or the 20Questions, poker...   all making your time on the throne, educational and not just time flushed down the toilet...

oh boy, oh boy, I opened a whole can of worms... didn't I.... :rolleyes:

BTW the nintendoDS is another alternative...   as my 2 ds (aged 6 and 3) recently figured out   and the 3 y/o  isn't even potty trained!!!  :rolleyes:

[wayner]

oh boy, oh boy, I opened a whole can of worms... didn't I.... :rolleyes:

BTW the nintendoDS is another alternative...   as my 2 ds (aged 6 and 3) recently figured out   and the 3 y/o  isn't even potty trained!!!  :rolleyes:

true enough... but expensive if it somehow falls in...  don't want to lose anything valuable in the crapper... unless of course one of our kids eats a diamond ring or something...  that's another story..