Community Forums

Richard 5th · 12-18-2024, 10:46 PM

I recently acquired a 1988 Alfa Gold 5th Wheel. I put in a new water pressure regulator that said it was factory set at 40 lbs. so I didn't double check it. Well I learned a lesson there, it was letting 80 lbs. pass through. Luckily I had just replaced all the plumbing so I wouldn't have to fix leaks and avoid possible water damage from unnoticed leaks in the 37 year old plumbing. It was a few days before I noticed the wet spot in front of the toilet. I figured I blew out the valve but after lifting it off the floor I noticed a hose with a loose clamp. I also noticed that all the seals need replacing. Some of them are discontinued and all of them are a pretty penny.
I'm thinking that I would like to put a residential porcelain throne in and was wondering if anyone has done this and am looking for advice. I have almost a foot from the wall to the center of the flange opening and plenty of room on the sides. I live in my rig full time at an RV park and don't plan on moving it so there are no worries about ter sloshing around from the tank. Any and all thoughts and advice is appreciated.
Thanks,
Richard 5th

Old-Biscuit · 12-19-2024, 09:30 AM

Your talking about a tank toilet vs a 'RV" toilet?

12" off set may be enough for toilet base but not including the tank

Check out the RV Residence Style Toilets

https://thetford.com/us/thetford-sup...ic-style-plus/

https://www.dometic.com/en-us/outdoo...0?v=9108781896

How about going with a 'Pull Chain' Toilet?
Tank mounted above
Always liked those

Richard 5th · 12-20-2024, 08:09 AM

I am talking about putting in a tanked toilet and ditching the RV toilet altogether. There are several reasons for this line of thinking: Everything made for RV/Trailers/etc. is so damned expensive and I live on a very limited income. Seals only seem to last a few years and the fact that there is no P-Trap to block odors drives me nuts. I live in California's corner of the Mohave Desert so the summers are a tad warm. Who would have thought that living in a metal box in the desert would be a bad idea?

Also, I kinda miss a real toilet.
I have been living in a 1983 30' Fleetwood Southwind since 2017 and I learned a lot about RV maintenance in that time. the first of which is don't hire someone to do what you can do. I thought that the parts were expensive but they are nothing compared to the hourly rate of the "professionals". Luckily I am handy with tools and not afraid to learn something new. Got off topic, I apologize for that. I am doing a complete refurbishment/update to my Alfa Gold and there are a few RV specific items that are on the endangered species list. Along with the toilet are the fridge and water heater.
I have been doing some toilet research and there are a few low profile thrones available that look like they will fit in the space. As far as the rough in, I was thinking that measurement would take the tank into account. There is not much room where the toilet is and behind it is a sliding door so unless I want to ditch the slider and frame up a swinging door 12" is all I have. All the rooms in the Alfa are so much roomier than in the motorhome except for the bathroom. The Fleetwood had the shower separate from the head so there was plenty of room in both. I can barely turn around in the Alfa shower. I am seriously considering removing the fridge and expanding the bathroom. I have a full sized refrigerator in the shed so I can actually go shopping.
I apologize for the long winded reply, I get excited when I start talking about the renovation and can easily get carried away.

Richard 5th

Cajun 143 · 12-20-2024, 08:47 AM

Since it won't be mobile and splashing water out of the tank, and if thers room to fit ,I don't see why you can't do it.

Richard 5th · 12-20-2024, 09:59 AM

I have found that there is a wide selection of 10" rough-in models designed for smaller spaces which would give me extra room and they don't look too bad. There are even a few under $200 so there is hope.

Richard 5th

Old-Biscuit · 12-20-2024, 07:33 PM

Keep us updated as the renovation progresses...........

Pictures would be nice!

Richard 5th · 12-28-2024, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Keep us updated as the renovation progresses...........

Pictures would be nice!

Your wish is my command. I have completed the changeover to a standard residential toilet. Well, it's not a Standard it is a Project Source multi-flush. It has two buttons for flushing, 1.1 gpf and 1.6 gpf. I picked it up from Lowe's for $99, which is less than the seals for the Thetford so can't complain about that. I added a silicon closet seal because this is my first toilet install and I figured that it will probably take more than one attempt before I got it right. (I wasn't wrong there.) the old commode had offset bolts and the flange was glued to the pipe so I had to cut off. Tried to get the saws-all in there but that was a no go but the multi-tool was a perfect fit. It all came out with little drama and I slid the new toilet in and it was a quick no tools needed job. Large plastic nuts wiere easy to hand tighten.
The next day I found the carpet in front of the toilet was wet, Ugh! I couldn't see any leaks and realized the holding tank was full. I kept an eye on it and found that the tank was filling very fast so it looks like I have to leave the valve open, which shouldn't be a problem with rhat much water per flush. (I hope) this morning the carpet was wet again. The water inlet needed a 1/2 turn beyond finger tight. With the 30+ year old carpet being wet for 3 days (who puts carpet in the bathroom anyway?) I desired it was time for it to disappear and noticed a small amount of water coming from the flange. Silicon seal was the culprit. Glad I caught that. Before putting the wax ring in I desided to water proof the floor and had to wait for the wood to dry. A whole day without a toilet didn't sound good to me so I got out my Makita heat gun and 20 minutes later I was brushing on the waterproofing agent. Gave it 2 coats and after it dried I reinstalled the toilet without any more problems. It looks good but I still need to put some flooring down but that will be done when I do the kitchen after the roof is done. I'm calling this project a success and I think I'll be happy with it for many years. Thanks for letting me ramble.

Richard 5th