Cassette Toilet

[apopj]

Well, after research, it seems composting may just be too much. So, my next question is... does anyone have experience with cassette toilets? Is it possible to get one installed aftermarket or must they be factory installed. If so, which factories install them as an option? It seems, to me, that it would be easier to remove the cassette from outside the RV and simply carry it to a toilet at a rest stop and dump it. But again, don't know enough about it... Thanks

 

Jeff and Diane

Houseless Not Homeless

[kayakbob]

Why are you shying away from a " regular " RV system , which several million of us use with few complaints ? I had a cassette toilet on a boat and it was more difficult by far than than an RV system . Lugging it out and down thru and then taking into a public rest room , hope I can dump with out making a mess .

[AFchap]

According to Thedford website, "Northstar Campers is the only manufacturer that installs Thetford cassette toilets as standard equipment on all of their hard-side and most of their pop-up campers. Many other pop-up camper manufacturers install Thetford cassette toilets as either standard or optional equipment including Alaskan Campers, Hallmark RV, Four Wheel Campers, Coyote RV, and Palomino RV."

 

It appears many do install it so the waste tank can be removed from outside.

[bigjim]

I am sure many are better now than the one I used as it came with a 13 Ft. Scamp I had years ago but my experience is they are only slightly better than no toilet at all for going No. 2.

 

Additionally I believe I have occaisionally seen some campgrounds that did not allow them. I don't know why but I can speculate that it has some problem with the dumping. Also I don't know how they would know without inspection or you telling them or them catching you dumping.

[apopj]

I am planning on doing a lot of boon docking. I would think the ability to take the cassette into a restroom to empty would be easier than packing up and trying to find a dump station. Also, since it uses it own fresh water to flush, you would not be using your drinking water in such an inefficient manner. That is the main reason for the cassette over a marine toilet. Perhaps I am wrong, hence the post on this site... and if no manufacturers use a cassette, guess it would become a moot point. They really seem popular in Europe and Australia. Guess they say, "millions are happy with cassette toilets, why use the marine type" ..... thanks for the input....

 

Jeff and Diane

 

Houseless Not Homeless

[bruce t]

If you were to go and Google cassette & Australia you will see lots of information. They are very common. Americans are spiolt with full hookups hence their popularity. Where dump points are far and few between the cassette is a good option.

There are even forums to help. http://caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=22322

 

Installing one maybe an issue though. But you can have ones which don't require any hard installation.

 

Google is a great help.

 

regards

[RV fan]

A couple of years ago I saw one of the high end Sprinter type class B RV's with a cassette toilet and the tank portion was designed to be removed from the outside with access through a hinged door. It was a very well designed system. It would be nice if you could remove the whole thing from the outside but that is certainly not necessary. In an older trailer we used a cassette toilet and it worked great for us. A while back we lived in a house that had constant sewer problems in the street and kept the cassette toilet around for times when the street sewer was unavailable, which could be 4+ days. Recently, while staying in the RV at my son’s property with no sewer hookup we would use it during the night. The cassette toilet made things very convenient. The 6 gallon one is what we used. It is great for boondocking. After a few dumps you will figure out how to do it without any splashing or spillage when "things" plop out. The drain on mine is located on the top of the tank. I have seen some of the newer ones with the drain on the back. I believe that would be a bit harder to get a clean dump. Look at the pictures of this one in the links provided and see how the dump chute is made. That is similar to what I have and still keep at my son’s house. It is over 25 years old and looks like new except for a few scratches on the outside. I put some silicone grease on the rubber parts once in awhile and have never had any leaks on any of the seals in all that time. You won't get that kind of service from a ""regular" RV system".

We used to use a toilet chemical to keep the odor down but now use some scented laundry detergent and it works fine.

Good luck,

 

https://www.amazon.com/Sanitation-Equipment-Passport-Potty-Liter/dp/B017NQJO7I

 

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Global-Passport-4.8-Gallon-18-Liter-Portable-Toilet/12321234?action=product_interest&action_type=title&beacon_version=1.0.2&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&client_guid=04f62da5-ad55-4dea-8837-ef8f9f195b5e&config_id=106&customer_id_enc&findingMethod=p13n&guid=04f62da5-ad55-4dea-8837-ef8f9f195b5e&item_id=12321234&parent_anchor_item_id=10966280&parent_item_id=10966280&placement_id=irs-106-m2&reporter=recommendations&source=new_site&strategy=PWVAV&visitor_id=Ql3g9Y-RGey7aubD2WKuKY

[Rosita]

Keep in mind that cassette toilets (and porta-potties) usually have a waste tank capacity of 4.5-6 gallons; this is very little, particularly if one doesn't have frequent and convenient access to a dump station or toilet. Also, a full waste tank can weigh anywhere from about 35 to close to 50 pounds; that can be a load to heft up to an outhouse hole or a toilet rim to dump (and flushing the toilet several times), and/or manage without spilling the "contents" all over when at a dump station.

 

For some people, a cassette or porta-potti works; I'm not one of them.

[greenacres]

Millions of people all over the world are using composting toilets every day with no problems. We have been using one every day for more than 20 year's with no problems. Follow the instructions and you'll have no problems.

[2gypsies]

In addition to be heavy when emptying it, I would think you'd want to clean it. If using an outhouse, there would be no water available. Also, if you were planning to empty it at a rest area that would mean you'd have to drive there. Why not just drive the RV to a dump station?

 

What size are your RV's holding tanks? I would think that's a way better option. We could last 2 weeks boondocking before having to dump and by that time we'd be ready to move on.

[oscarvan]

Pros and cons to them, nothing prohibitive. And, to answer your question, can readily be installed after the fact with simple tools.

 

Yes, easy removal from outside and dump anywhere there's a toilet, so no dependency on dump stations. Also, better frost protection as it is ALL in the heated envelope. Also, if after a few years the tank gets a little grungy, get a new one for not too much money. Very little to break on them.

 

As stated above, less capacity, not light to carry and often the need to be somewhat stealth when dumping. Also takes up more volume in the living space.

[Yarome]

Cassette toilets do have their place. For dry camping for short periods (2-3 days) a cassette might work for you. For actual boondocking for any length of time though it isn't really ideal since the tank size isn't sufficient to sustain you.

For the most part, standard RV blank tanks will be large enough to allow.. with judicious use.. a good 10-14 for 2 people. While there are LTVA's, for the most part, you're only allowed 14 days in a single location so you'll be moving your rig just about the time you're due for a tank dump anyway.

 

NOTE: I said "judicious use" in a boondocking scenario.. not using it like a stick and bricks toilet with full water hook-ups.

I, personally, consider only having to deal with waste disposal once every 2 weeks or so more of a convenience than more convenient locations... but every couple of days. You also should keep in mind that you can't really get completely away from dump stations. You still have your gray water to contend with.. as well as fresh water fills.

As others mentioned.. you also have no practical way of rinsing your cassette tank. I've known folks to use a water bandit and length of hose, but personally, I would never be caught dead rinsing my pooper pot in or near any public facility or potable water source. That's just nasty!