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DraginRat's avatar
DraginRat
Explorer
Jul 27, 2013

Installing standard household toilet in a RV??

I know it sounds like a silly question, and I agree.

But, have some friends that are thinking of going the rv lifestyle in the near future. He has no problems jumping in both feet, but she just insists she cannot live with a RV toilet. There is no logic here, and no amount of talking is going to change her mind. It is probably a deal breaker.

So, snoozing in my lazy-boy, the thought occurred to me about installing a standard toilet. I am not an expert at any of this stuff, so I need some insight as to whether or not it would be do-able.

Again, don't need arguements for or against doing it, just if it would work.

Thanks

Ken Gasbarri
  • Not that the thread has opened up a little…

    I would say we are going to eat off of paper and plastic, and that will work fine for getting rid of it to…
  • OK, that's is what I was looking for.

    Hadn't thought about moving down the road. We seldom move our 5er anymore, so I've forgotten some things. Although, I am thinking the tank could be drained before heading out, it still is a problem.

    Perhaps the best idea would be to find a unit where the toilet is not setting directly over the tank. I think her main issue is opening directly into the tank. Maybe if it were offset, she wouldn't mind so much. Then again, maybe she is using the toilet issue as a reason to not go RVing period.

    I don't think he will drag her into one, kicking and screaming, so it probably won't happen. Too bad.

    Thanks for the insight.

    Ken Gasbarri
  • I'm with the other posters. Fool the misses with a top of the line fancy full sized, made for adults, RV toilet.

    You said you didn't want agruments. I'll go against the gain here and say it ... It won't work. It is like using a red flyer wagon to drive to Toledo. Yes it is physically possible with enough work, but it no it won't practically work.
  • Get a tall porcelain bowl with a foot flush and tell her to fill the bowl before she sits down, or fill it for her maybe she won't notice what kind it is.
  • Let alone the issue of the water volume a residential toilet uses -- where is the water stored in that tank going to go when you hit the brakes, or drive over one of our lovely bumpy Interstates?

    It won't be a pretty sight.
  • “I need some insight as to whether or not it would be do-able.

    Again, don't need arguements for or against doing it, just if it would work.”


    Pretty limiting…

    Without arguments, anything is do-able…

    There are plenty of reason why you shouldn’t, or why it’s not a good idea… most of them opinions and therefore somewhat argumentative…

    Dutch, listed some good reasons why it’s not the best idea…
  • Hi,

    Even a low flush model will fill the black water tank FAST. It may also drain the fresh water tank quickly. In a campground with water and sewer those are not at issue--but don't expect to boondock long with a residential toilet.

    Look for a tankless model that uses a high pressure flush.

    As others have suggested this won't be an easy or cheap modification.
  • Turtle n Peeps wrote:
    Yes it will work.

    I was going to say why it's a bad idea but you said you don't want that info for some reason? :h So I will skip that part.


    Oh, I don't know. If the wife says it is a deal breaker, maybe the reasons why it is a bad idea are important. Better to find out now before the money for an RV is spent.

    I can think of bouncing down roads and the tank leaking would be one reason it is a bad idea. There are probably many more.

    Just because it CAN be done doesn't mean it SHOULD be done.
  • DraginRat wrote:
    I know it sounds like a silly question, and I agree.

    But, have some friends that are thinking of going the rv lifestyle in the near future. He has no problems jumping in both feet, but she just insists she cannot live with a RV toilet. There is no logic here, and no amount of talking is going to change her mind. It is probably a deal breaker.

    So, snoozing in my lazy-boy, the thought occurred to me about installing a standard toilet. I am not an expert at any of this stuff, so I need some insight as to whether or not it would be do-able.

    Again, don't need arguements for or against doing it, just if it would work.

    Thanks

    Ken Gasbarri

    Take a look at a standard residential toilet and notice how little that tank full of water on the back has securing it to the base. How well do you think that would hold up out on the highway? Also consider whether the water will remain in the trap or not under road travel conditions. Another issue is the "setback" distance from the center of the drain flange to the wall. RV toilet's typically have a much shorter measurement than residential toilets, and the drain is usually not easily relocated.

    The most common complaint I hear from women (and some men as well), regarding RV toilets, is about the plastic "toy" look and feel of some of them, particularly the seats. If that's her concern, then have them look at a few of the porcelain bowl RV toilets that use standard residential seats. I installed an Aqua Magic Style Plus porcelain bowl toilet in our coach, and we've been very satisfied with it.
  • Yes it will work.

    I was going to say why it's a bad idea but you said you don't want that info for some reason? :h So I will skip that part.

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