Best Modification Ever - RV-Dreams Community Forum

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

Best Modification Ever

Team Murc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hey Larry,
I admire your dogged determination! I'm sure that the elimination of paper from your tanks was not the main or only reason for your efforts but a worthwhile side benefit for sure!
Ever since we moved out of our pop-up into out travel trailer we have NEVER put any paper in our tanks. This tidbit of advice came to us from another camper. Here is what we do; we have a small stainless steel basket with a lid next to our toilet, we put a used/new dryer sheet in then a small plastic liner. When you are done place the toilet paper in the basket and close the lid. We empty each evening and dispose of in the dumpster along with our regular trash. We have never experienced an odor issue, even if we manage to go into the next morning. The dryer sheet keeps things plenty fresh.
Now I know this may have an "eeww" bleh effect on some but I'm telling you, for the benefits of not having paper in your tanks you will get past it.
Mike

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Interesting. One question Team, what is the problem with putting paper in the bowl....we have been doing it for years, never have we had problems.

RVRon · RV-Dreams Family Member

GENECOP wrote:
Interesting. One question Team, what is the problem with putting paper in the bowl....we have been doing it for years, never have we had problems.

Same here, Gene. As long as you use "septic safe" TP then there's no problem. I dissolves into small particles and goes out the hose with everything else. As for Team's idea about the separate container for used TP, I had a friend tell me that he encountered that in a foreign country once. Their sewage treatment situation was so awful they had to keep any kind of paper out of it. Public restrooms had a large trash can in the middle for paper disposal. I don't think the idea would ever catch on in America!

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

We also don't have any problems with the use of the right paper. Now, we do have the black tank flush system so that helps a lot. However, with just a little bit of management there are no problems with using the tanks. On the other hand, I'm not sure about the use of putting "soiled" paper in a dumpster as that is not necessarily the best system of disposal for it.

Terry

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'll put mine in the black tank thank you!

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

OK, what "benefit" have I missed by flushing paper into the black tank during a lifetime of RVs and 12 years of fulltiming. Never ONE TIME have we had a septic problem. We NEVER use chemicals, and we NEVER buy "special" paper. So what am I doing wrong?

RVPAINTER · RV-Dreams Family Member

X2 Jack.

RVPAINTER · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry - where do you dispose of the "poop bags" from your dog?

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

RVPAINTER wrote:
Terry - where do you dispose of the "poop bags" from your dog?

Good point, Richard.

On the few occasions when we've been in an RV park or campground, we've used the cans near the dog areas to dispose of the little bags. I guess I was presuming that the park owner had a specific method of disposal of the contents of those cans. If they are just dumping into a regular dumpster or trash system, then it is going into the normal trash system.

As for the other times camping, our dogs do like the bears and just "do their business" out in the woods and meadows, thus dispersed around in different places to serve as natural fertilizer..

Terry

Cheddar Yeti Travels · RV-Dreams Community Member

On the topic of the Bidet, I think it's a great idea. I would be concerned about the use of the fresh water only. We camp unhooked a whole lot and each drop is precious. Still, the idea/mod is smart!

On Papers and such... We HAVE had issues with using non RV type of papers. We live full time in a 1988. Maybe things have changed a bit for the newer models but our double elbow pipe from toilet to tank can get clogged if too much or heavy duty paper is used. I don't like the idea of the dirty paper hanging around either though... we've traveled in Central America where this is required and I'd rather not if I don't have to!

Tis' a delicate balance!

Another idea to consider, that uses no extra water and no extra paper are the 'wipes' - which say that they're flushable but surely not for RVs! Those have to be tossed in the trash too though.

As it seems, there are many ways to skin a cat here but none are without sacrifice. ;)

Thanks for the post... we're putting in a new china toilet this week and I'll look into this a bit more. It'd be a good time to consider such an option. Cheers!

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

Okay time to clarify.... The paper savings in the black tank by using the bidet is a very very small benefit considering the TP will break up and not take up much space. The real toilet paper savings is again a small benefit, cost for the TP. We will need to buy much less toilet paper.

By the way water use is about the same because you don't have to fill the bowl to flush...the water from the bidet helps fill the bowl.

Here's the best benefit...my DW is very happy with the bidet. She has two bad knees and has trouble standing or squatting for any length of time. With the bidet it's just a matter of sitting there to get clean.

I have to admit, I've grown to like having a bidet. We put one in our home a year ago and I really missed the very clean feeling when I have to use a non-bidet toilet. That's why I spent so much time trying to find a bidet that would work in the RV.

So for me it's the happy wife and the very clean feeling the bidet provides.

Alie and Jims Carrilite · RV-Dreams Family Member

Now if I could install that model from Japan with thte heated seat, air drying, etc it would be great!!

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jims carrilite wrote:
Now if I could install that model from Japan with thte heated seat, air drying, etc it would be great!!

Can't suggest anything for the heated seat, but the "air drying" brings to mind two words.........

.......air compressor.

(Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

G 2015 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks for the tip. I have a bidet at home and it is the best thing you can have. Not sure why more people don't want to use a bidet. If you get mud on your boots you clean it with water.....if you get dog poop in your shoes, you clean it with water....so why not use a bidet???

Sushidog · RV-Dreams Family Member

2 words. Cold Water.

I can't imagine the water having enough time to get hot before it "fires for effect." I have to let my shower run for about 10-15 seconds to get hot water all the way from the water heater to the shower head, then I adjust the temp with cold and step in. How would the bidet be any different? Do you stand up for a few seconds to let the water get warm and sort of ease into he stream?

My sphincter is puckering already just thinking about it.

Chip

PD CFK · RV-Dreams Family Member

Uhm. Don't you have to use just as much paper to dry your drippy bottom as you would otherwise? Or must you keep a towel for that purpose close at hand? Sounds like a lot of wash. I must admit I've wondered about using a bidet, but where would one have a chance to check it out? I've been to a few fancy hotels, but none with a bidet. So many questions. Curious. Makes me want to run over to Home Depot and price them. pk

Oh dear, I forgot. I'm on the internet. Price and all the information I could possibly want are just a click away

-- Edited by PD CFK on Saturday 19th of September 2015 02:35:27 PM

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sushidog wrote:
2 words. Cold Water.

I can't imagine the water having enough time to get hot before it "fires for effect." I have to let my shower run for about 10-15 seconds to get hot water all the way from the water heater to the shower head, then I adjust the temp with cold and step in. How would the bidet be any different? Do you stand up for a few seconds to let the water get warm and sort of ease into he stream?

My sphincter is puckering already just thinking about it.

Chip

is that "potty" humor?

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes the water is cold but we spend most of the time in Southern California so it's not freezing. The bidet model I chose uses both hot and cold water with a mixing valve so you could control the temp of the water. I only hooked up the cold water because it is tolerable. If we were in cold climate then I would have spent the extra time to plumb in hot water. Not hard to do since there is a hot water source in the storage compartment below the toilet area.

It doesn't take long for your sphincter to get used to the temperature of the water being shot at it....just one quick "Yeow" and then all is ok.

Carl · RV-Dreams Community Member

I am not sure, but I think I read somewhere that you (The Bear II) have a Toto Washlet at your home. I have been using a Toto Washlet for over a week now, and would very much like to install one in my motorhome. I will definitely have to change toilets to do so.

My question is: Do you think a Toto Washlet can be installed on a Dometic 310 toilet?

Thank you.

Carl

-- Edited by Carl on Wednesday 18th of November 2015 09:41:39 AM

Camper Chronicles · RV-Dreams Family Member

Somehow I missed this post originally and so glad it was revived. I had not idea this was even possible. Leave it to Bear :) In the past I wasn't a fan of Bidet's but with the unique challenges of RV toilets this could be a real winner. I really don't like scrubbing the toilet after some usages (sorry) so Bear does the bidet help remove the need for this??

Trace

Cowdog353 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ok folks, I belive in to each his/her own, but for me leave mine alone. No bidet for me.
Jim

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lee and Trace wrote:
Somehow I missed this post originally and so glad it was revived. I had not idea this was even possible. Leave it to Bear :) In the past I wasn't a fan of Bidet's but with the unique challenges of RV toilets this could be a real winner. I really don't like scrubbing the toilet after some usages (sorry) so Bear does the bidet help remove the need for this??

Trace

Trace,

I don't know what kind of toilet you have, but we have one that allows everything to just drop straight down into the black tank. When Jo cleans the toilet, she also opens the valve to dump into the black tank and scrubs around the seal there. We've been in our RV full time now for 4 1/2 years or so and have never had to replace the seal. So, there is an advantage to cleaning the toilet.

As for the bidet, I've never had one, but I think it sprays upwards to clean the person afterwards, so you'd still have "deposits" in the toilet.

Terry

JonRV · RV-Dreams Family Member

Might have to make that mod! Any uptick in water usage?

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

The Bear II wrote:

It doesn't take long for your sphincter to get used to the temperature of the water being shot at it....just one quick "Yeow" and then all is ok.

..................TOO much info. there......

Camper Chronicles · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry ours does not drop straight down and the water flush pressure is not enough to clean it. I don't mind cleaning my toilet, just not crazy about having to clean it every time someone goes poo. Maybe we are doing it wrong lol

Can't believe I am talking about this

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lee and Trace wrote:
Terry ours does not drop straight down and the water flush pressure is not enough to clean it. I don't mind cleaning my toilet, just not crazy about having to clean it every time someone goes poo. Maybe we are doing it wrong lol

Can't believe I am talking about this

If the evidence is still there after you clean it... you're doing it wrong.

Sorry couldn't resist. More "Potty Humor"

Camper Chronicles · RV-Dreams Family Member

LOL

Clay L · RV-Dreams Family Member

Cowdog353 wrote:
Ok folks, I belive in to each his/her own, but for me leave mine alone. No bidet for me.
Jim

That is the way I felt for many years. But age, lack of muscle flexibility causing reduced range of motion, and hemorrhoid skin tags can make it very difficult to do a good job of cleaning ones self. I now plan on putting a bidet seat on the toilet in my house - with electrically heated water.

Jo And Craig · RV-Dreams Family Member

Trace, no more scrubbing! Before pooing, simply place a single layer of toilet paper across the bottom of the bowl. When flushing, the poo goes down the hatch on a toilet paper slide. Nothing left behind, for the most part. Simple and easy solution.

Camper Chronicles · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jo that is awesome!!! I will definitely try that and thanks for the tip! Your the best

Cummins12V98 · RV-Dreams Family Member

What a Shi++y subject.

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

Cummins12V98 wrote:
What a Shi++y subject.

Didn't want to "go" there. Clearly this subject should not be poo-pooed before it's fully "flushed" out.... sorry Howard, more potty humor.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well, it doesn't take this "doofus" long to figure some things out. When we first moved into our RV, we'd have "residue" on the sides of the bowl, and the toilet paper would tend to stick to the sides of the bowl. After that, I learned to add water to the bowl after flushing by lifting up on the flush lever (foot pedal) and put it between 1/3 and 1/2 full. Since doing that, we don't have a mess after each use and the paper goes down because it is suspended in the water and not against the side of the bowl.

EDIT: OK. I have to correct myself. We fill the toilet bowl to about 1/4 full, not what I said before. It's roughly about 5 seconds of filling after flushing.

Terry

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jo And Craig wrote:
Trace, no more scrubbing! Before pooing, simply place a single layer of toilet paper across the bottom of the bowl. When flushing, the poo goes down the hatch on a toilet paper slide. Nothing left behind, for the most part. Simple and easy solution.

That's exactly what I do if I have to "Doo-Doo"........Just didn't want to bring it up. I will also add a bit more water if needed like Terry said.

hawkswin2015 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hello

How does the bidet get the water pressure if there is no tank?

Thank You

gemert · RV-Dreams Community Member

Two thoughts:
1. Only on an RV forum or group will there be so much talk of "sewage!" Pretty funny.
2. I am a retired Navy Chief and I have to tell a "Sea Story!" On my first Med. Cruise a bunch of us rented a room in a nice Italian Hotel in Napoli. In that room there was a strange device sitting next to the toilet. You guessed it, a bidet. Well we were young and American so we had never seen or even heard of a bidet. One of us, don't remember who, decided that it was a drinking fountain! Yup, that's what we used it for the whole 3 days we were there. Luckily it was a nice Hotel so it was clean with no obvious ... ahhh... issues. I do not think that I will ever install one in my rig!!
Happy camping folks.
Jerry

geds · RV-Dreams Community Member

The Bear II wrote:
Yes the water is cold but we spend most of the time in Southern California so it's not freezing. The bidet model I chose uses both hot and cold water with a mixing valve so you could control the temp of the water. I only hooked up the cold water because it is tolerable. If we were in cold climate then I would have spent the extra time to plumb in hot water. Not hard to do since there is a hot water source in the storage compartment below the toilet area.

It doesn't take long for your sphincter to get used to the temperature of the water being shot at it....just one quick "Yeow" and then all is ok.

Speaking personally (and I think we all are with this topic), I prefer my visits to be less shocking and at least slightly more than "tolerable...." Was it Winston Churchill who said, "There is nothing so overrated as sex and underrated as a good sh_t"......?

srenovo · RV-Dreams Community Member

My plumbers dad (The companies owner) said when I called about getting then to help install the Toto Washlet seat was that they did not work in motorhomes BUT if I had everything necessary he would send his son (who I like working with) and he would see that everything was taken care of - if and only if I had all the parts necessary for the job. So I did my research - got the Toto Washlet toilet seat - ordered the one special part needed from the toilet manufacturer (Dometic). Then I discovered that the plumbing tee sent with the Washlet seat was made with metric threads on one end and it had to be used and there was no substitute as the connection port for water to the Washlet seat was also proprietary to Toto.

I spent a half a day in hardware stores looking for a solution. Finally came up with the solution late two nights ago on my own.

Below is my explanation of what I did -

As for the Toto in the MH – there is only one RV toilet model that easily allows such an installation and as luck would have it our RV came with the correct toilet. Therefore, I did not need to buy a new toilet. That is the Dometic 310/311 series.

My plumber had the job done in much less than an hour. I did the most difficult parts of the job for him before he got to my RV. One part required “Southern Engineering” and the other part was to have the special piece that had to be ordered on hand. There are other RV owners that have done the same thing to their RV so I had an idea of the special part that had to be ordered plus I talked with staff at Dometic to verify all that I had learned.

Each of these RV installations is probably a little different but for my installation I had to re-engineer the Toto tee that sends water to the Toto Washlet. Normally the Toto tee attaches to both the water supply from the house and the bottom of the toilet tank and has a connection port for the hose from the Toto toilet seat. I had to plug the end of the tee that would attach to the bottom of the toilet tank. I did that by removing the reverse threaded brass insert on the end that would attach to the toilet tank; tapping the inside of the inner round end of the brass reverse threaded insert to 5/16 X 16; and screwing in a 5/16 X 16 set screw using thread sealer to be extra sure that it would not leak. Finally I reinstalled the reverse threaded brass insert with the same Allen wrench used to remove it. This plugged the hole that would normally let water into the toilet tank – RV toilets do not have a tank. The pressure of city water when connected to a city water hose bib or the pressure of the RV water pump when using water from the RV’s water tank provides the flow necessary to feed the Washlet seat as well as rinse out solids – if the solids are sticky there is a spray wand for final cleaning. Because of their design RV toilet and simple marine toilets are directly above the “black water” tank and operate using gravity.

My plumber cut the existing PEX tubing bringing water to the toilet. He next used the PEX valve I purchase as well as a short toilet water inlet hose and to hook up the water to the toilet. The only other job for him was to install the Dometic “vacuum breaker apparatus the stood further back from the rear of the porcelain bowl (to replace the existing one) which I ordered from Dometic (The toilet manufacturer). This part allows enough room for the seat to fit properly. I am not the first person to do this but I may have had the easiest installation as I figured it all out for my plumber in advance. Toto does not make a modified tee adapter for RVs so I believe as does my plumber that I was very creative in solving the problem. Since this Washlet was made for installation in Mexico and accidently sent to the USA the threaded portion at the top of the Tee was metric instead of SAE. There was no plug available locally to block the flow of water headed to the non-existent toilet tank. Toto’s fittings are specialized to Toto products so my solution was clever.

The advantage of the Toto seat that I used is that the fit is perfect, there is a separate remote control. The seat is heated, The water is heated, it has a blow dryer and all temperature are adjustable. The disadvantage is the cost BUT I did this whole job for less than $400 including the plumbers bill as I was able to find a round cotton White S300 seat that was "new" but listed as used because the box was open and it was accidently sent to the USA instead of Mexico. I found this on ebay for $200 plus shipping. Toto makes other models that cost less than this model and they would work as well. the plumber's bill was $50 and the new vacuum breaker was ~ $50 including shipping.

carolinakids · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our Vilano has one. It came with it.

hostage · RV-Dreams Family Member

LOL what a dumb topic I say I simply use wet paper towel if things are greaser than normal
works for me

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jack Mayer wrote:
OK, what "benefit" have I missed by flushing paper into the black tank during a lifetime of RVs and 12 years of fulltiming. Never ONE TIME have we had a septic problem. We NEVER use chemicals, and we NEVER buy "special" paper. So what am I doing wrong?

I hope nothing ... I do the same thing.

hostage · RV-Dreams Family Member

RonC wrote:
Jack Mayer wrote:
OK, what "benefit" have I missed by flushing paper into the black tank during a lifetime of RVs and 12 years of fulltiming. Never ONE TIME have we had a septic problem. We NEVER use chemicals, and we NEVER buy "special" paper. So what am I doing wrong?
I hope nothing ... I do the same thing.

If you were in HOT temperatures like us in the winter and your tank is getting full you will need chemicals;; been living in hot temps in SC 12 years and 4 different RV,s and have Always needed

chemicals ;; now if you dump often most likely get away with it;; but we only dump every 6-7 days

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

I live in Texas ... I dump every 10 days (on average) ... what else can I offer?

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

RonC wrote:
I live in Texas ... I dump every 10 days (on average) ... what else can I offer?

TMI Ron, TMI.... biggrin

hostage · RV-Dreams Family Member

RonC wrote:
I live in Texas ... I dump every 10 days (on average) ... what else can I offer?

Iam only talking the about the chances of sewer smells;; that's the reason we use tank deodorizer;decomposer;; dumping every 10 days tells me u use your BT sparingly

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

FYI - This is an old thread, started about 5 years ago. Anything you read in this thread with regards to parts and products needs to be verified as some of the information and availability may be out of date. When posting a comment on threads, check the posting dates that are under each user's username and avatar. Generally speaking, anything over one year old is best left alone and if desired, start a new thread about the same topic.

Terry Miller

RonC · RV-Dreams Family Member

BiggarView wrote:
RonC wrote:
I live in Texas ... I dump every 10 days (on average) ... what else can I offer?
TMI Ron, TMI....

Hey ... it was three martinis in 😜

Pattimom · RV-Dreams Community Member

It appears that most of the people responding to your post are focused on the toilet paper issue. I was thrilled to find your post for a separate reason. I have inflammatory arthrites with severe stenosis in my back. In addition I have had multiple surgeries (both repair and replacement for my shoulders and knees). As a result I can no longer perform my personal toilet hygiene. I have a brondell swash 1000 bidet for home use; however, my husband and I are wanting to spend more time on the road in our RV. It is awkward (and humiliating) to have to ask for assistance with your toilet regimen. This modification should give me back my independence. In addition it appears to be a very affordable modification. Thank you so much for sharing. I know there are many physically challenged people who enjoy RVing. This will be a big assist to them. It certainly will be for me.