An Overview Of Thetford Toilets
When I was requested to write a Blog on
Thetford Toilets, the first thing that went through my mind was that I had left my "Lavatorial humour" in the playground some 30 years ago! Although to be fair my children give me a good rendition of this form of hilarity on an almost daily basis...especially my son! Toilets, however are no laughing matter and should be chosen with care. The time you take to consider your toilet will come into it's own when you are out and about adventuring in some far flung (toilet-less place!). Of course the great wilderness is private enough at times when you are caught short...I have a four year old and believe me it's amazing how much territory he has "marked" over the years! However for the more discerning (and adult!) of us then a leisure toilet is an absolute necessity. These toilets are normally made by one of two manufacturers: Dometic or
Thetford For the purposes of this Blog I am going to concentrate on
Thetford Toilets.
There are a number of different types of toilet that Thetford manufacture and it's amazing the selection of amenity details they possess considering they all perform one function. The Ancient Romans would be proud of the variety as I am sure you will be when you read the rest of this guide.
Thetford Cassette Toilets
This type of toilet combines the comfort of the RV permanent toilet design with the convenience of a portable toilet.
There are three models within this category: C402C Cassette, C403L Cassette and the C-200 CW/C/D Cassette. Each has it's own benefits as you will see below:
C402C Cassette toilets have a holding tank of 5.1 gallons and together with wheels and a retractable handle these facilitate easy disposal of the contents. The advanced level LED indicator is really useful as so you can immediately see when the tank needs to be emptied. It also has a push button flush system and features a built-in bench which can be located on either the left or right, so it's super versatile!
C403L Cassette toilets have the same excellent features as the C402C but with the added benefit of a freshwater tank that connects to the RV's central water tank.
However perhaps the most popular amongst the camping fraternity is the
C-200 Cassette toilet . Incredibly the bowl can revolve 180 degrees and locks into place by just pressing down on the seat. This design enables space to be optimised within the bathroom area. It has a slightly smaller holding tank than the C402 and C403 at 4.5 gallons but can be installed as a free-standing unit against any outer wall.
Thetford RV Toilets
Thetford do an incredible 10 different types of RV Toilet in three different models. Aqua-Magic, Aria and Tecma.
The Aqua-Magic range has six options:
Aqua Magic Hand Flush has been redesigned for an easier flush which covers the full bowl. It has a high and low profile enabling greater comfort and is lightweight and easy to install.
Aqua Magic Foot Flush is the same as the Hand Flush but logically is flushed with a foot pedal (Kind of implies that in it's name doesn't it?!)
Aqua Magic Residence has a residential seat and cover which allows the seat to be customised to the owners own taste and style. Wow! My toilet seats are white and obviously very boring...why have I never considered a customised toilet seat before?!
Aqua Bravura model is designed with elegance in mind as well as functionality. The pulsating flush enables an almost immediate full bowl wash down..does that mean the toilet brush is defunct? Yippee.
Aqua Magic Style 2 is a china toilet, pedal flush and has the advantage of flush valves that wipe clean with every flush and again a residential seat for those not as boring as me!
Aqua Magic Style Plus is again a china toilet but with the added advantage of an Anti Microbial seat which inhibits growth of stain and odour causing bacteria.
The Aria range has two options:
Aria Classic and is deemed to be suited for vehicles of distinction. It is again made of china, with a pedal, full residential seat and pulsating flush.
Aria Deluxe II has a step up from the pedal in that to flush it you just press a button and walk away!
The Tecma range also has two options:
Tecma Silence and Tecma Silence Standard are china macerating toilets with amazing Turbine Pumps and yet are extremely quiet with wall mounted controls and fingertip operation.
Having now given you a brief but hopefully stimulating view of a fundamental bit of camping kit, it must be stated that very occasionally these wonderful Thetford Toilets stop working. Should the unthinkable happen then don't panic! Just check out the list of
Thetford Parts we stock to get your toilet working again.
I must now however lead you gently by the hand to the slightly less desirable, but possibly even more important topic of toilet chemicals.
Toilet Chemicals
Thetford Aqua Rinse Toilet Fluid has been developed to give you better hygiene (no Delhi-belly for you if we can help it!), cleaner flushing and a lovely lavender aroma in your flush water tank. After you use this product it will leave a protective coating around the bowl of the toilet which prevents deposits from sticking which is a blessing! It also has the added advantage of a lubricating action on the blade of your waste tank making it easier to open and close. We sell Aqua Rinse in 1.5l bottles or in a more convenient 400ml flask
Thetford Aquakem Green Toilet Fluid stimulates the biological activity in your waste tank. It's a bit of a science experiment with all those micro organisms biologically breaking down the toilet waste in the tank, so why not give them a bit of a helping hand!? This product is particularly suitable when emptying the waste into a septic tank on camp sites. It prevents gas build up...golly that sounds terrifying and odour control (phew! Rather than pooh!) and just to show how great it is, it has been awarded a number of ecological quality hallmarks for those of us who wish to preserve the environment when we go and adventure through it!!
I am going to finish this Blog with a little Lavatorial Humour from the WaterAid "World Toilet Day". This is the Number 1 Joke by Bec Hill as voted by the public in 2014:
"For Christmas last year I was given Sudoku Toilet Paper. It's useless. You can only fill it with number ones and number twos!"
I will leave you with that happy thought!
