Hello, I bought a used 5th wheel. I need to replace the toilet. I was talking to sale woman, and she said that the toilet will have no water in the bowel. Rv toilet's bowels are used dry. Is this true? Or am I being feed a line again. Has anyone used Thetford Aria toilets? I am looking at switching from Sealand to Thetford. I hate the cheap seat on Sealand. But I'm concerned about the shallow bowel,and 10v power connection on Thetford. Any advise would really be appreciated. Thanks

Two thoughts...can't see the need for an electric flush toilet...more stuff to go wrong. But, never had one so hopefully others with direct electric flush toilets will chime in.and..."no water in the bowl?" Not my choice either. Don't all toilets have water in them...home and RV? Except outhouses.

Except for a very small amount of water around the seal, an RV toilet is basically dry. If you want water in the bowl, you add it with the foot peddle before using it. When you push the foot peddle to flush, all the water and contents goes down and you hold the foot peddle until everything is gone. But, they are designed to not have water until you push the peddle. The do not operate the same way as one in the house. There is no tank to cause a flush, since all the contents simply drop out the bottom and go directly into a holding tank. You use only as much water as you need to clean the bowl out.These are similar to a toilet on an airplane, except they don't use suction to vacate the bowl. They rely on gravity instead.

Why do you think you need a new toilet?RV roilets do have water in the bowl. Normally you have to lift a handle or foot pedal to allow water into the bowl for poo. For pee most people dont dont worry about water.As for toilets, you cant go wrong with a porceline toilet. Plastic ones work, but do tend to scratch, so not the best choices.

Sounds like the sales person has never been in an RV, or used an RV toilet, and assumes you are as much in the dark as she is. I would shop somewhere else. However, if you do shop there, be prepared for anything. RV toilets can be used dry if necessary, but do need to be flushed well with water before leaving it dry. Ours is dry when travelling, to keep water from splashing out, but otherwise always has some amount of water in the bowl.

Welcome!Just some clarification....OKYou posted in 'folding trailers' but mention bought 5th wheel???RV toilets have water in bowl to act as a 'vapor barrier' (and to keep bowl seal wet)Residential toilets have water in bowl due to built in 'p' trap in toilet base casting.also for vapor barrierRV sales folks typically do NOT know their products so rarely listen to them or follow their adviceSealand toilet to Thetford.....OK but you do not NEED to go with the Thetford Aria Deluxe II toilet that requires 12V DC power to flush.You would not only need to R&R toilets but you would need to provide that DC power ------fuse/wires/connections etcCheck your Sealand against this Thetford replacement chart....LINKAnd whenever toilet is removed I always recommend adding a shut-off valve to toilet water supply line so that water to toilet can be isolated vs having to turn trailer water supply off.

toilet | Good Sam Community

Carl_n_Susan
Nomad II
Dec 09, 2016
IMO the Dometic 310 or 320 are the best toilets out there. The Thetford has a propensity to leak water around the seal (they should hold some water over the seal) before the pedal either breaks or sticks slightly open (the seal closes but the water keeps coming in = wet floor). I prefer the 320 for the extended bowl and its height.
buc1980
Explorer
Dec 09, 2016
If you don't have water in the bowl that means the seal lick.
Allworth
Explorer II
Dec 09, 2016
leak
sarahm
Explorer
Dec 09, 2016
sorry. I meant to post this on the 5th wheel forum. No need now. Thank you guys for the info, and advice. I have to replace the present toilet because the previous owner got dirt in the water line. Ruining the ball, and seal to the bowel. I could fix it. But that requires taking the whole thing apart. Replacing toilet would be easier,and more pleasant. I am surprised that the Sales Associate for Parts Dep wouldn't know more about what she is selling. Won't be going there for tech info. I bought the toilet today. I went with elec push button. Because of very, very small room my toilet is in. Reaching a petal at the bottom of the bowel on the outside wall side. Is a challenge. Thank you guys for your help.
2oldman
Explorer II
Dec 09, 2016
sarahm wrote:
Ruining the ball, and seal to the bowel. .
Ok, it's BOWL, not bowel. Your bowel(s) is what's inside you.
padredw
Nomad
Dec 09, 2016
As usual my friend "Old Biscuit" gets to the heart of the matter:

RV toilets have water in bowl to act as a 'vapor barrier' (and to keep bowl seal wet)

So my toilet always has just the right amount of water in the bowl as we are moving and as we are set up.
Coach-man
Explorer
Dec 10, 2016
?? The water in the bowl keeps the seal from drying out, it also helps sealing from oders! You do not have a couple of gallons of water, more like a pint of water, but water you have! Not to be picky, but if you had only 10 volts your battery would be stone dead! You have almost 13 volts, but it is referred to as a 12 volt connection! And I agree with another poster, why? Just more stuff to go wrong!

Forum Discussion

toilet

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

Toilet help!

toilet

Toilet Tissue...

House Toilet Cleaners Ok for Rv Toilets.

Toilet Mystery