Crazy thought on Thetford toilet

[chrismatteson]

I’ve been reading a lot about the recirculating toilet. Camped with it once so far and don’t mind it. One thing that has stuck out to me is the need to close the valve on the bottom to prevent the seal from going bad. I intend to dump when I’m home and leave it shut most of the time.

I’m wondering if could pull the toilet, install the valve backwards, extend and bend down the bar for the valve so that it comes through the floor. That way I could operate the valve from outside.

Invitation for others to tell me this is a dumb idea.

[ShrimpBurrito]

I wouldn't do it. Assuming you'd even have enough leverage for it to work, putting a slot in the floor is a very messy solution for a problem that doesn't really exist. I think you'd be inviting water intrusion and consequently rotting the floor boards.

When I had my Electra Magic, I had to open up the camper anyway to empty the fridge, get clothes out, etc. when we got home, so I used that opportunity to close the valve. And I still had to periodically replace that seal. It was definitely a hassle, but not a big deal. With the Electra Magic being discontinued, I'd buy some seals why you can, although if I remember correctly, they may have not been specific to that toilet, and so they may be available for the foreseeable future.

Dave

[Wavery]

Originally Posted by chrismatteson

I’ve been reading a lot about the recirculating toilet. Camped with it once so far and don’t mind it. One thing that has stuck out to me is the need to close the valve on the bottom to prevent the seal from going bad. I intend to dump when I’m home and leave it shut most of the time.

I’m wondering if could pull the toilet, install the valve backwards, extend and bend down the bar for the valve so that it comes through the floor. That way I could operate the valve from outside.

Invitation for others to tell me this is a dumb idea.

I'm not going to say that it's a "dumb" idea. Just not well thought out. That handle has to be pulled straight out, horizontally. What you are proposing is trying to pull it vertically which would simply jamb the valve.

My suggestion is to pull the inside valve before closing the trailer, tow the trailer home, hook up to your dump, then pull the outside valve. I've been doing it that way for years with no issues.

If you are concerned about the valve drying out, just spray them with silicone spray once in awhile.

[Shane826]

If you can figure out how to hard mount the toilet to the floor and plumb it directly to the toilet flange, just eliminate the EZ-Slide valve altogether and install a regular RV dump valve outside directly below the floor at the top of the dump plumbing. You’ll still be able to get that whoooosh clean out dump but be able to access it from the outside.

[ShrimpBurrito]

Originally Posted by Shane826

If you can figure out how to hard mount the toilet to the floor and plumb it directly to the toilet flange, just eliminate the EZ-Slide valve altogether and install a regular RV dump valve outside directly below the floor at the top of the dump plumbing. You’ll still be able to get that whoooosh clean out dump but be able to access it from the outside.

If you want to take that approach, you can just take a hacksaw to the pull rod that operates the valve gate.

Dave

[Shane826]

But that still leaves another set of rubber seals prone to leaking inside the bathroom.

[ShrimpBurrito]

Originally Posted by Shane826

But that still leaves another set of rubber seals prone to leaking inside the bathroom.

Yes, but earlier you said, "If you can figure out how to hard mount the toilet to the floor and plumb it directly to the toilet flange, just eliminate the EZ-Slide valve altogether..."

To me, that sounds like still having the pipe/toilet connection above the floor. Yes, with the EZ-slide valve, I understand that it adds another connection, such that 2 connections are above the floor (toilet/EZ valve and EZ valve/flange).

But the problem with the EZ slide valve gasket deforming is NOT leaking out onto the floor. If it fails, it will leak, but the leak just flows into the drain pipe, where it comes up against the 2nd and "final" gate valve. And that just takes you to the same point as having no EZ slide valve.

Dave