Thetford toilet. Number two. Hi just asking. I've been caravaning for 20 years. I've always open the flap and a quick flush before using my loo in my caravan for a number two. Right or wrong or doesn't it matter. Thanks in advance for any replies. Mick.
Regardless of what’s about to be done, the instructions that came with our MH toilet 20 years ago was a quick flush first to wet the surface of the bowl. The theory was that it made the second flush (after you’ve finished) more effective at cleaning the bowl.
I’ve not tested this fully however, as our MH loo is strictly liquids only.
We've only had a toilet in this latest 'van, so it is a new concept for us. However, at the 'teach' when we collected the van from the converters, they said you must open the flap before any sort of use. I've only ever done the odd wee in it, as we are mostly on campsites. OH uses it when he goes on his hobby weekends, I haven't asked how he uses it, but we did have a discussion about it smelling, and he went through the instructions with me, so I assume he opens the flap too.
When I first started caravanning back in 2005 I bought a book on all things caravan related. There was a section specifically on toilets and the advice was to close the flap, put some sheets of toilet roll over and around the bowl and when finished on the toilet, flush the toilet before opening the flap. The waste contents fold into an envelope in the flush water and fall straight into the waste tank which the result is a clean bowl every time so no need to use a toilet brush.
Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 27/9/2022
When I first started caravanning back in 2005 I bought a book on all things caravan related. There was a section specifically on toilets and the advice was to close the flap, put some sheets of toilet roll over and around the bowl and when finished on the toilet, flush the toilet before opening the flap. The waste contents fold into an envelope in the flush water and fall straight into the waste tank which the result is a clean bowl every time so no need to use a toilet brush.
Ancient advice, which doesnt take into account iffy seals - which lead to the compartment flooding. And it also uses twice as much paper, so bad for the environment.
Open flap, do your business - usually straight in without touching the bowl, flush, close flap. How hard can that be.
According to my van instructions (Thetford toilet fitted), it doesn't matter if you use the toilet with flap opened or closed.
On the logical side, if it's open, it's one less surface to become soiled, and 'number 2s' can drop straight into tank without 'accumulating' in pan and again soiling it.
I follow tango55s method with the exception of having the flap open, and flushing before use to coat the pan, rarely is it necessary to clean the pan as any 'contact' is with the lining paper which gets flushed away. My toilet brush has never been used in 4 years!
As I use proper Elsan chemicals, there is never any odour from the waste tank when the flap is opened.
When I arrive on site I open the trap door.
I then use the toilet like I would use the toilet at home, albeit wee only. I Keep the lid closed, like I do at home.
I close the trap door before emptying and before moving off site
Anything else is (pardon the pun) too much pi$$ing about)
Quote: Originally posted by trog100 on 27/9/2022
reading threads like this makes me think there is definitely something a bit weird about caravaners.. he he
trog
The truth of the matter is that nature calls to every single human being on the planet and every animal for that matter so I can't see any reason why this topic should be weird in any way. It's a way of life that none of us can't divert from including caravanners.
Quote: Originally posted by trog100 on 27/9/2022
reading threads like this makes me think there is definitely something a bit weird about caravaners.. he he
trog
The truth of the matter is that nature calls to every single human being on the planet and every animal for that matter so I can't see any reason why this topic should be weird in any way. It's a way of life that none of us can't divert from including caravanners.
I think he refers to the 'rituals'. 'Lining paper'? Its not a wall. The loo at home isnt lined...or is it?
Leaving the flap open all the time on site?? Cant believe there are no odours, even if only chemicals. Again, your home loo is equally flushed, but it disappears miles away, not just a foot lower.
Quote: Originally posted by trog100 on 27/9/2022
reading threads like this makes me think there is definitely something a bit weird about caravaners.. he he
trog
.... and it took 'yet another' in depth 'toileting' post to drive you to that conclusion?
Dragging a big tin box all over the place at a snails pace, hanging a big tent on the side and calling it home for a week or so was not strange enough for you then!
I'm WEIRD and proud of it! 'Normal' is SO overrated and dull!
We have not used the toilets on a site for about five years. We are away for over 100 nights each year. I open the flap when we arrive on a site and only close it when I need to remove the cassette to empty it. We both give a quick flush before using it and that all seems to work well for us. If we expect a large issue we use a Happy Bowl and these work well for us both. https://www.buyhappybowl.com/
------------- We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.