Potty Talk

[alphaa211]

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

[wavery]

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?

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.

[EFAIII]

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.

[wavery]

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

[wavery]

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

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.

[sandykayak]

Ok, 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.

[sandykayak]

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

[CampDirt]

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

[tlhdoc]

tlhdoc, 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.
 

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.

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!
 

But 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.
 

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.

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.
 

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.

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.

[wavery]

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 :-() .

[EFAIII]

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.

[TheViking]

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.

[TheViking]

Here 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.

[EFAIII]

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.

[wavery]

Here 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.