Replacement commode

[mwilliams]

I thought that some of our readers might be interested in knowing that before a year and a half had passed we had to replace the Dometic commode because the ball which opens and closes the toilet was stuck in the open position. We replaced it with a Thetford commode and have been very pleased with its operation. Much better than the Dometic. I understand that the particular model of the Dometic is no longer being made.

[NewHomeowner09]

Thanks for the post. This could have been easily overlooked. How hard was it to replace the existing one?

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chicago plumbing

[mwilliams]

Newhomeowner09,

I wish that I were as talented as some (like Ralph Parello) but I am not. Therefore the replacement was carried out by a Camping World technician somewhere near Omaha, Nebraska. I don't think that it was a very difficult job, but I would rather rely on those who know what they are doing rather than attempting the task when I know that I don't know what I am doing!

[Loren B.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwilliams ...but I would rather rely on those who know what they are doing rather than attempting the task when I know that I don't know what I am doing!

Mike,

I also often don’t know what I’m doing with these things, but my philosophy is different. I’m reasonably handy with mechanical things and can usually figure them out as I go along. As a result, I will often tackle tasks before I really know what’s involved. I usually succeed, although I always require at least twice as much time as a trained technician would take. I have three reasons for doing it myself.

First, I learn about the item as I work on it.

Second, my costs are almost always lower if I do it myself. This is because even if I replace the wrong part initially, I will usually spend less on all the parts I replace than it would cost me to pay someone to troubleshoot the problem and replace the right part the first time.

Last, I absolutely care much more about the quality of the job than any mechanic who is paid to do the work. This is very important to me, and is the primary reason why I often choose to do my own work. Since it’s my trailer/truck/whatever, I will do a better job than the professional because I will have to live with the results.

To each his own.

– Loren

[dale60]

We're with Mike in that if whatever work needs to be done is not familiar to us, we will hire someone with expertise to handle the work. We are very careful of who we deal with and watch the work being done very carefully to make sure the work is done carefully and well.

[NULarry B]

I'm with Loren B, if I can fix it I would rather give it a try. Toilets aren't that hard eirther. I learned it on a trip years ago when I pulled my Mom's 5th wheel to Az for her and the toilet went out the day we got there.
There were some seasoned vets there that gave a little advice that made it a lot easier.

[Loren B.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NULarry B ... There were some seasoned vets there that gave a little advice that made it a lot easier.

Larry,

Never underestimate the value of seasoned vets.

I hate working on my trailer away from home because I never have the right tools. I was stuck one time, though, because our Airstream had a flat and I couldn’t get the wheel off. I don’t know if the lug nuts were from the factory, but the ones I had were aluminum with chrome sheet metal caps. The lug wrench would just spin the cap on the nut and not turn the nut itself. Naturally, this occurred at about 6:00 P.M. on a Sunday.

We were about ready to drive from the campground office back to our space when a couple of seasoned vets started offering suggestions. One of these gentlemen was a former metal worker and sent his grandson off to fetch a wood chisel from his toolbox. He then took the chisel to the sheet metal and tore the covers off of the two offending lug nuts. Fortunately, my lug wrench also had the smaller size to fit the nuts that were now missing the caps. They came off handily after that.

More amazing, the spare tire actually had air in it and I was able to retrieve it from its storage location. I carried spare lug nuts because I had needed to replace others earlier for exactly the same reason. We made it all the way home that evening on the spare.

– Loren

[87_Fixr]

There are definitely times when a seasoned vet can make a difference. Our camper was hit by lightening a few yrs ago. Altho I'm pretty good- I'm not that good, so out came the phone book. We wrote a check for $4200 and change- and it took 2 guys most of the day and til 9 pm to replace the fridge control board, the ac unit and wiring, the water heater, the stereo unit, the wiring to the furnace, the wiring and control to the slideout, the thermostat and its wiring, and I'm sure I left a few things out.Insurance covered everything but the deductible. (whew!)
Anyway Mike, glad you got your commode replaced. That's a pretty important appliance too!

[mwilliams]

Wow, you took a pretty good shot on the electrical system! Were you in the unit when you got hit? I'm glad that there wasn't a fire caused by the strike.

My issue with the commode was primarily aggravating because it was like driving/living on top of an open sewer. A quick repair while on the road traveling is always better than having to wait for the time/tools/parts etc for a personal repair not to count on the added time for the learning curve to be overcome.