RV toilet help

rfuerst911sc · 11-15-2016, 04:00 AM

I have a 1968 Avion truck camper that I am restoring. From the factory it came with a toilet and small black water tank with no grey water tank. It was plumbed basically to dump grey water on the ground or into the ground at a campground. The tank that came with the toilet obviously is very old and brittle. They are no longer available so that is my issue.
So my thoughts are to replace the toilet/black tank either with a self-storing porta potty or a composting type toilet. These are two totally different styles of toilet with huge cost differences. My plan is to use one of those styles of toilet which will allow me to add a grey water tank. Being a truck camper and vintage my space is limited so need to take that into consideration also. So any of you using either of these styles of toilet ? For the most part just me and the wife . For composting style I really like the Air Head except for the price

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billybek · billybek's Garage

You might find a custom plastic tank manufacturer in your area to make you another black water tank.

VincentVega · 11-15-2016, 06:08 AM

I went through this for my boat so close but not the same. Once I added up the hose ($$), tank and misc pieces the airhead was very close in cost. Not having to pump out is a nice thing too, not sure how that works with an RV. I havent pulled the trigger yet but for me the airhead makes sense.

jpk · 11-15-2016, 07:00 AM

You might look into a cassette toilet system; it's basically self contained and you pull out the waste tank to dump it.
Cassette Toilets | Products | Thetford Corporation

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

I'm sure you can find generic tanks out there to replace the one you have. I'm not a fan of chem or composting style because of the smell....

rfuerst911sc · 11-15-2016, 11:26 AM

I have no doubt I can find an aftermarket tank to replace my black tank. But I also want to add a grey tank and space is at a premium. By using a composting toilet I don't need a black tank so it frees up space for a grey tank. Just trying to consider all the options . I have read a fair amount about the composting toilets and if installed properly and vented correctly there is no smell..........so says the internet . The key is having a small computer fan running 24/7 in the exhaust tubing. This draws air across the feces which dries it. Peat moss or coconut fibers added to " the pile " starts the composting process .

Bob's Project · 11-15-2016, 11:30 AM

I have a porta-potty style one that I use in my Vanagon. I am very pleased with it.
I only use it for #1's though. #2's get deposited at Starbucks.

I find it to be discrete in terms of scent and not foul to empty.

They are not expensive so you could try one and not be risking much. I bought mine used since it was bundled with a nice cabinet, so if you didn't like it you potentially sell it.

Bill Douglas · 11-15-2016, 12:09 PM

Don't take a dump unless you are doing 60mph.

It sounds like you need a complete new toilet setup to be compliant.

tevake · 11-15-2016, 01:16 PM

I would think that your tank capacity would not be much more than the cassette in a self contained camping toilet.
If that's the case, the cassette would be easier to deal with, as far as dumping is concerned.

Either way you go you will probably look for another toilet when ever that is convient.

It is nice to have an onboard option at night, or during heavy weather.

I saw one of those Avion truck bed campers the other day, they sure do look nice!

Cheers Richard

legion · 11-15-2016, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I have no doubt I can find an aftermarket tank to replace my black tank. But I also want to add a grey tank and space is at a premium. By using a composting toilet I don't need a black tank so it frees up space for a grey tank. Just trying to consider all the options . I have read a fair amount about the composting toilets and if installed properly and vented correctly there is no smell..........so says the internet . The key is having a small computer fan running 24/7 in the exhaust tubing. This draws air across the feces which dries it. Peat moss or coconut fibers added to " the pile " starts the composting process .

What do you do when it's full? Get a shovel?

Oracle · 11-16-2016, 06:38 AM

Just put on the floor a container with a twist cap (just not an open bucket) for collecting the gray water and dump it when you're refuelling.
Composting style are a pain I was told. Seems like the idea is great but execution is not so much especially when you're camping in colder weather (I don't know why, didn't ask).

I'm all for saving your hard earned money with simple solutions (read cheap) :-)

No matter what, enjoy the camping life!

rfuerst911sc · 11-16-2016, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legion

What do you do when it's full? Get a shovel?

When a composting toilet gets full I am told if it has been composting properly you basically have fecal dirt. The toilet is designed so that the composting compartment is removable and you can either dispose of in the garbage or spread as fertilizer on flowers/trees or add to a home compost pile . Just going by what I have read.
In cold weather the composting process slows way down but I don't plan on camping in cold weather .