Hooking Up A Camper Toilet: A Step-By-Step Guide

Setting up a camper toilet is a relatively easy task, but it's important to understand the differences between camper toilets and home toilets. Camper toilets have a basic plumbing system that moves waste, water, and toilet paper from the toilet to the black water holding tank, which needs to be emptied at a sewer port or dump station. Before setting up your camper toilet, you'll need to measure the rough-in, which is the distance from the centre of the floor flange to the wall, to ensure your new toilet fits. You'll also need to ensure there is enough space forward of the flange and that all doors are operational with the new toilet's dimensions.

Understanding the controls

• Water System Pressure: Ensure your water system is under pressure before using the toilet. This can be achieved by turning on your water pump or connecting to city water with a pressure regulator.
• Pedal Controls: Most RV toilets have a pedal located at the front or side of the base. This pedal controls flushing and filling. Partially depressing the pedal dispenses water to fill the bowl, while fully depressing it flushes the contents into the black water holding tank.
• Spray Nozzle: Some toilets have a spray nozzle connected to the water supply hose. Even with this feature, the pedal usually needs to be partially depressed to activate it.
• Pre-Filling the Bowl: It is recommended to pre-fill the bowl with water before each use, especially for solid waste. This helps prevent clogs and aids in breaking down toilet paper.
• Toilet Paper: Only use RV-friendly toilet paper to prevent clogs and false sensor readings. Alternatively, you can dispose of toilet paper in a dedicated trash can.
• Bowl Cleaning: Keep the toilet bowl clean to maintain proper functioning and prevent stains. Some toilets have an attached sprayer for this purpose, or you can use a small plastic cup or water gun with toilet cleaner.
• Ball Valve Seal: Lubricate the ball valve seal annually to prevent drying and cracking. Clean the seal with warm water and mild detergent, then apply vaseline or plumber's grease.
• Holding Tank Chemicals: Add chemicals to the holding tank to control odours. You can use products like liquid Aqua-Kem, following the manufacturer's instructions for proper application.
• Flush Knob: In some models, like the Thetford C4 Cassette Potti, turning the flush knob fills the bowl with water. Ensure it is turned several times to fill the bowl adequately.
• Valve Blade: This is a rubber flapper inside the bowl that, when opened, empties the bowl's contents into the holding tank. Keep it closed after use to prevent odours.
• Tank Level Indicator: Monitor the tank level indicator during your trip. Empty the tank when it turns red or before it becomes full to avoid difficulties.
• Emptying the Waste Tank: To empty the waste tank, close the valve blade, push the safety catch, and pull the tank outwards. Rotate the emptying spout, remove the cap, and empty the tank into an appropriate waste receptacle.
• Cleaning the Waste Tank: After emptying, thoroughly rinse the waste tank, valve blade, and emptying spout with fresh water. You can use a mild detergent like Woolite for a deeper clean.
• Privacy: Ensure you have adequate privacy when using the camper toilet, especially in bear country or other areas with potential wildlife hazards.

By understanding and properly utilising these controls, you will be able to efficiently operate and maintain your camper toilet, ensuring a pleasant and problem-free experience during your camping adventures.

Pre-filling the bowl

How to pre-fill the bowl

The process of pre-filling the bowl will depend on the type of camper toilet you have. Some camper toilets have a pedal located at the front or side of the toilet base, which controls the flushing and filling mechanisms. To pre-fill the bowl, partially depress the pedal to dispense water and fill the bowl.

Other camper toilets may have a knob or handle that you turn to fill the bowl. For example, the Thetford C4 Cassette Potti has a flush knob that you turn to fill the bowl with water.

Benefits of pre-filling the bowl

Additionally, pre-filling the bowl can help to keep your toilet bowl clean by preventing waste from clinging to the sides of the bowl. This makes it easier to flush and keeps your toilet in good condition.

Tips for pre-filling the bowl

• Always use fresh, clean water to pre-fill the bowl.
• If you are boondocking, ensure your water pump is turned on and your freshwater tank is filled.
• If you are connected to city water, use a water pressure regulator to protect your plumbing.
• Consider using a tank treatment or deodorizing chemicals to reduce odours and break down waste.
• Use RV-friendly toilet paper that breaks down quickly to help prevent clogs.
• Keep a small plastic cup or sprayer next to your toilet to add extra water as needed.

Using the right toilet paper

Using the correct toilet paper is essential to maintaining your camper toilet. The type of toilet paper you use will significantly influence your RV septic system's performance. Using the right toilet paper will lower the chances of having a clogged or broken system.

Toilet paper designed for RV use, such as Scott's RV toilet paper, is ideal. It may be a little pricey, but it breaks down quickly, making tank emptying easier. However, it is not mandatory to use RV-specific toilet paper. All toilet paper is designed to break down quickly in water, so you can use your preferred brand as long as you use a high-quality, solid-reducing tank treatment.

To further reduce the risk of clogs, you can also install an RV bidet, which will significantly reduce the amount of toilet paper your system has to process. Alternatively, you can opt to not flush the toilet paper at all and dispose of it in a dedicated trash can. This method can help prevent clogs and maximise the accuracy of your sensor readings. However, it is important to use a covered or sealed trash receptacle to minimise odours.

Maintaining the bowl

Use the Right Toilet Paper

Use only RV-friendly toilet paper. Regular toilet paper can cause clogs and stick to your holding tank sensor, leading to false readings. RV-friendly toilet paper breaks down quickly, reducing the likelihood of clogs and keeping your sensors accurate. You can also consider installing an RV bidet to reduce the amount of toilet paper used.

Pre-Fill the Bowl

Before each use, pre-fill the toilet bowl with water to at least one-quarter of its capacity. This is especially important for solid waste, as it helps to start breaking down waste and toilet paper before flushing. Pre-filling also reduces the chances of unpleasant odours escaping from the bowl.

Clean Regularly

Use the attached sprayer, if your toilet has one, to keep the bowl clean. If not, keep a small plastic cup or water gun beside the toilet. Fill it with water and a mild detergent, and pour it around the bowl as you flush to remove residue. Regular cleaning prevents unsightly stains and keeps your toilet in good visual condition.

Lubricate the Ball Valve Seal

The seal around the ball valve at the bottom of the bowl can dry out and crack over time. Lubricate this seal at least once a year to maintain its integrity. Empty the tank, clean the seal with warm water and mild detergent, and then apply a lubricant like Vaseline or plumber's grease. This helps keep water in the bowl and prevents odours from escaping from the holding tank.

Treat the Holding Tank

Use holding tank treatments to break down waste and toilet paper, allowing for a cleaner rinse when emptying the tank. Look for environmentally-friendly options if possible. These treatments are essential for maintaining your RV toilet and can be done monthly for full-time RVers or after each outing for occasional users.

Lubricating the ball valve seal

To lubricate the ball valve seal, start by emptying the black water tank and clearing the bowl to minimise odours. Put on some rubber gloves and depress the flush valve pedal with your foot. Clean the seal with warm water and a mild detergent. Once the seal is clean, apply a thin layer of Vaseline or plumber's grease (not plumber's putty) to the top of the seal.

To test if you've successfully lubricated the seal, fill the bowl with a small amount of water and observe whether it leaks. If the water remains in the bowl, the seal has been lubricated successfully. However, if the water leaks, you may need to replace the seal. In this case, refer to your RV owner's manual for instructions on how to remove and replace the toilet. You can also find tutorials online for replacing the ball valve seals on specific toilet models, such as Dometic and Thetford RV toilets.

Frequently asked questions