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jhelm

My brother here visiting from the US wondered why most EU campers use the little Thetford units rather than a bigger tank with a hose to dump it. I couldn't give him a good answer. I suppose in a camp ground it's easier to carry the box to the dump site. But otherwise it seems less practical. I mean with my family wildcamping we are searching for a place to dump the toilet every other day. And the idea of a second one sloshing around in the locker under my bed doesn't have a lot of appeal.

I just wonder what the thoughts are on this.

Superk · Last edited by Superk on Wed Sep 03, 2008 12:06 pm; edited 1 time in total

I don't know why this has been posted on the Computer Help section - perhaps a MOD could move it to something more appropriate.

Maybe ask your brother why one of the most expensive American-built Expedition vehicles uses a Thetford cassette in preference to the typical RV tank?

The explanation is here:

AberdeenAngus

Good point. Boats on inland waterways have tanks and just visit pump out stations every week or so.
Mind - I do like the ability to give the Thetford Cassette a good wash oot wi soapy water when I know its going to stand for a while !

The idea of a second cassette is good too.
I was thinking of getting gas tanks fitted and freeing up the bottle locker. Perhaps could make home for a spare cassette in there.

It is vented for explosive gasses after all Shocked

bandaid

If you actually go to an American Campsite, pretty much all pitches have waste disposal points, both for grey and black tanks. I know its posible, but the cost and location of campsite in the US, ( or the ones we stayed at) makes it unusual for Americans to wild camp, or at least thats what I was told, and noticed.

Because of the proximity of waste disposal, the use of chemicals in the black tanks is superfluous and therefore perfectly it is acceptable to dump the contents of the toilet directly with waste water.

OF course, the facitlities in Europe and the Uk are different, so practically and historically we have got trained to pick up a tank full of waste matter, carry it across to a dump point, pour said disgusting filth into a recptical, then flush everything out, with the consequent risk of getting cr*p all over ourselves, Coupled with the need to disguise the stink, we perpetuate the need for chemicals.

I know which method I prefer, and would love to see all campsites with on pitch disposal.

Dunno about what I'd do about wild camping, cos with my behemoth, bunging it in a layby or a car park or similar aint really an option.

peejay · Campsite DB Admin

jhelm

Sorry about putting this in the wrong place. I still haven't gotten use to the system. I guess the toilet think is almost a tradition. We only have one slide locker. I suppose I could clean it out and put the extra toilet in there. Or just keep going as is, it's not that bad. A similar problem is with the water, even if we do minimal bathing it has to be refilled ever 2 or 3 days. An extra tank takes up more storage and ads more weight. It's all about compromise.

Spacerunner

You can now buy a second cassette kit. Consists of a thetford waste tank and a storage slot to keep it slung underneath the van.

I find one of the best ways to keep the cassette emptying intervals down is to pee in the woods. Obviously discretion is needed where and when, but as urine makes up the bulk of the toilet waste it does cut down the need to empty so often.

AberdeenAngus