Thetford Cassette Toilet ?

[Sierra86]

OK, so I just bought a Fleetwood E3 and it has the electric Thetford Cassette Toilet.  I just went over the instructions that came with it and thought that this little toilet is somewhat involved with all the maintenance and cleaning.  

So, to get it ready for use you apparently have to fill the water holding tank and add some Thetford fresh water additive.  Then add toilet fluid along with 2 litres of water in the waste tank.  When ready to empty, you remove the cassette and empty the tank by pressing the vent plunger.  Then rinse the tank and valve blade with water.  The instructions also talk about lubing the seals and cleaning everything by removing parts and all for storage.  

Does this sound right?  Do the chemicals have to be Thetford brand?  Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[ForestCreature]

It's really not as involved as it sounds. To lube the seal I spray it with a Pam type spray, Olive Oil. We have not taken anything apart to maintain it. It's going on 9 years and still works. We did have to replace a small 3amp fuse in that time.

We stick with the Thetford brand additives, they do work the best.

[ldgregory]

OK, so I just bought a Fleetwood E3 and it has the electric Thetford Cassette Toilet.  I just went over the instructions that came with it and thought that this little toilet is somewhat involved with all the maintenance and cleaning.

It's really not that bad for cleaning. Typically when I go to dump ours, I just unscrew the cap turn the nozzle so it's straight, dump in the toilet / portapotty. Once the majority is out , I flip it upside down and dump again (this puts the nozzle on the underside and more of a straight shot for the contents to run out). When I get home I slide the cover off (center top, and then turn the knob to open the trap which gives you direct access via a large hole to spray it out.

To prep it for use, I use the measuring cup in the nozzle lid to put 2oz of citrus toilet fluid in, and then I put about 32oz of water in. In the reservoir, I put about four oz of citrus toilet fluid in and then fill the rest of the way with water.

Had no problems with smell, and I prefer the citrus orange smell to the blue stuff. I do use the RV toilet paper as it really does break down very nicely. Some people don't like the fact that it costs more, but I don't mind. Baby wipes definitely don't dissolve and I had a long talk to the wife about that one. That was the only time I had to clean it where I was disgusted because it was a very hands on approach!

[kwatson51]

I'm in agreement with the others...it's no big deal. Takes longer to tell about it than to do it. I had the same concerns as you, but after having the one in our PUP for 3 seasons now, we won't ever go back -- it's just too convenient. We use the dump stations at the CG just like the "big rigs" do, and then I do the real cleaning and prep for the next trip when we get home.

Like "Forest Creature", we use the Thetford brand -- it works and I have no reason to change unless I were to run out and be forced to buy a different brand. But have not been there yet.

Enjoy!

[grcooperjr]

Hi There
 
I have a 2007 E3 myself and its a peice of cake. Like the others have said, real easy to take care of.
 
enjoy

[Sierra86]

Hi There
 
I have a 2007 E3 myself and its a peice of cake. Like the others have said, real easy to take care of.
 
enjoy

Well, my wife and I will be headed up to the Eastern Sierras in a couple of weeks so I'll be able to try it out then for the first time.  Thanks for all of the advice!

[grcooperjr]

Well, my wife and I will be headed up to the Eastern Sierras in a couple of weeks so I'll be able to try it out then for the first time. Thanks for all of the advice!

Enjoy the trip......

[PatB]

We have a Thetford model (though, not the electric one) and I had called Thetford one time for advice. They told me that it wasn't necessary to put the chemical in the fresh water tank unless we lived somewhere with bad water. They said they created that solution with the European market in mind where the water is apparently not as clean.

I had asked that question because it simply didn't make sense to me to have the solution in the fresh water as long as it was in the holding tank. We have small kids and I didn't like the idea of them flushing the toilet and possibly getting some of the rather toxic chemical on their hands.

[mspgray]

What do you guys use to clean the toilet when you return from camping?

[grcooperjr]

What do you guys use to clean the toilet when you return from camping?

Well ....
 
The cassette I hose out real good at the dump station. The chemicals in the cassette do a good job on keeping the criters under control. The rest of the toilet I use a plastic/fiberglass safe bathtub/toilet cleaner.
 
Works for me
 
Ray Cooper