Help me, Help you. Weight savings, toilets other favorite things.

[bclemens]

Currently we run the 310 Sealand toilet on all our Class C's. Porcelain bowl, plastic parts and shroud.

With all the questions about weight the new Thetford Residence caught my eye. At only 9.5lbs with a very residential look, it looks like a viable option.

I like the look better (more modern seat and cover), but worry about giving up the porcelain in lieu of a composite toilet. Both offer a residential seat and size. The Thetford would come with a sprayer (310 currently does not). The switch would save almost 20lbs.

Thoughts?

Note, click on the photos to see them better.

Current 310:


Possible Thetford Residential:

[Herk7769]

Don't own the Solera, but that round seat has to go.
Try to make room for an oval one please.
Other manufacturers take note.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

Don't own the Solera, but that round seat has to go.
Try to make room for an oval one please.
Other manufacturers take note.

X2. I despise round seats - I think it is because MY seat is too big.

[bclemens]

It's sitting here in my office and seems roomier than most round seats.


I guess the question is...how much does a porcelain bowl weigh into the buying decision and/or perception of quality.

[bclemens]

Admin. Why do the pictures seem so over exposed??? When I click on them they are fine, but as a thumbnail its a white out.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by bclemens

Admin. Why do the pictures seem so over exposed??? When I click on them they are fine, but as a thumbnail its a white out.

Well, the photos are down sampled on upload to fit the maximum pixel size allowed by the software. The algorithm used must "file off" the white nuances and give it the washed out look in the thumbnail. When you click on it you get the uploaded photo.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by bclemens

Admin. Why do the pictures seem so over exposed??? When I click on them they are fine, but as a thumbnail its a white out.

I haven't got the foggiest idea. I've just tried downloading each, resizing it to a smaller size and reposting them. Didn't help.

[fonzie]

I think you need to keep a porcelain bowl, ask the ones who cleans it??

[Dodge Guy]

Is 20lbs a big deal in a C that can weigh as much as 12,000lbs? while I don`t have a C, I have had 3 TT`s with the plastic toilet and have never had an issue other than them being small. I am currently searching class A`s and C`s and never even give the toilet being porcelain or plastic a thought in the buying decision. in regards to cleaning it, the plastic cleans just as well as our porcelain at home. personally I don`t care about the size of the toilet as long as I can stretch out a bit (leg room ), give me another foot in the bathroom and I`ll be happy!

[bclemens]

Dodge Guy, you bring up other good points. The Residence rough in distance is smaller...meaning it can go closer to the wall (more leg room in front). The bowl is 1" longer and 1" wider on paper. I'm going to sit them side by side to look.

Is 20lbs a lot? No. But if I can save 20lbs there, another 20lbs somewhere else. I might just be able to double the LP tank size. Most of the Class C's are rated at 14,500 so we're ok. The Solera is just over 11,000. A little tighter there.

[Nats]

Wow bclemens, a toilet in your office!

You must be really moving up in the organization.

Weight is very important in a Solera and gaining an inch would be an improvement, but I would be more concerned about longevity. What's the history on the Thetford?

Porcelain looks good from an advertising perspective but I doubt if it really adds much from a performance standpoint.

[bclemens]

Longevity, the only thing I have to go on is a large rental account. They have requested the Thetford models because their techs say they never require any work. They seem to hold a seal better. Take that with a grain of salt.

[Taylorgso]

I'd say go for the Plastic model. With the close rough-in, it would be nice to have an inch or so more room. I've had two coaches with plastic toilets. Plastic has not been an issue. One of them I had to replace the flush valve, and that could have happened with porcelain. I'm all for gaining 20 lbs.

[Oakman]

I don't own a Solera but I gotta tell ya, that sprayer would be a strong selling point if I were in the market to buy a motorhome.

[Taylorgso]

Originally Posted by Oakman

I don't own a Solera but I gotta tell ya, that sprayer would be a strong selling point if I were in the market to buy a motorhome.

Spot on, Oakman... X2

[Timex]

I wouldn't be scared of a plastic bowl. The porcelain wouldn't impress me to the point where I would buy it because it had one. I'm sure it will be functional and (no pun intended) if you stayed on top of it, cleaning wise, there should be no problem there. Aren't most of the moving parts plastic anyway? I'd say go for it!
And put residential style faucets in, instead of the cheap plastic ones that we have to replace when the plastic faucet fails.

[mckirby50]

Could I replace the one currently in the Solera without modifications ?

[bclemens]

Don't see why not. Rough in is a bit different, but I don't think 1" would make much difference.

Final weight difference was 9.5lbs versus 22.5lbs. The seat opening on the Porcelain was 10" long by 8.5" wide. The seat opening on the Thetford was 10.75" long by 9.5" wide. Definitely a bigger opening.

[bclemens]

Here they are side by side. I like the looks of the one on the left better. Plus it gives you a slot to lift the seat.

[MikeA]

What I like most is the foot flush. I had a plastic toilet with a hand operated flush in an earlier TT. I was very glad to see the foot operated flush like our last MH ( a Georgetown). The china bowl looks more substantial and has the look of quality.I like the china bowl for the easy of cleaning and durability but would accept a plastic unit.