Toilet recommendations other than Dometic

[RustyRMH]

Looking for recommendations for a replacement to the Dometic 300 toilet that came with my 2018 Rockwood Mini Lite 2506S. Just purchased camper from another individual about three weeks ago. Left on an eight day trip a few days after purchase. After about the 3rd day, noticed heavy urine smell in bathroom. Upon returning, searched the Forum and found out about design/manufacturing problems with 300 Model toilet. Contacted Dometic and learned that the 2017 toilet in my 2018 camper is out of warranty and they refused to offer any help since I'm not the original owner. The service rep politely referred me to a supervisor who never bothered to respond to voice mails or emails, which is a major pet peeve of mine!!
Therefore, I'm looking to replace the toilet with another brand other than Dometic as I don't want to give any business to a company with such poor customer service.
Any recommendations? It appears I have plenty of clearance all around so that shouldn't be a problem. Just wondering if toilet flange is interchangeable or if I will need to replace that as well.
Sorry my first real post on the Forum is such a downer. On the positive side, EVERYTHING else about our new camper seems perfect, which is good

[AlaskaErik]

Thetford and Dometic are the two big players.

[RustyRMH]

Originally Posted by AlaskaErik

Thetford and Dometic are the two big players.

Yeah, I knew that, I guess mainly looking for recommendations on Thetford models. Truth be told, everything I've read says the Dometic 320 is probably the best option, but their response (actually, lack of) has soured me on dealing with them.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by RustyRMH

Yeah, I knew that, I guess mainly looking for recommendations on Thetford models. Truth be told, everything I've read says the Dometic 320 is probably the best option, but their response (actually, lack of) has soured me on dealing with them.

For all practical purposes your choices are limited to one brand or the other.

Another limitation to consider is whether or not a different brand or model will actually fit.

I'd compare installation diagrams and make sure that you will have the necessary room from mounting flange on floor to wall. From what I read, the 300 can be replaced with the 310 and no fitment issues. The 320 requires more room between floor flange to back wall.

I'm sure that Thetford models have the same reqirements.

[CaptnJohn]

If you don’t want a Dometic I’d suggest a 5 gallon bucket over anything Thetford has to offer. Even if you have to pay for a bucket and Thetford gave their’s free. Get a 320 and be a happy pooper.

[Sarahcat]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

If you don’t want a Dometic I’d suggest a 5 gallon bucket over anything Thetford has to offer. Even if you have to pay for a bucket and Thetford gave their’s free. Get a 320 and be a happy pooper.

I agree. Our 2020 travel trailer came with a Thetford toilet that we replaced with a Dometic 310 with a porcelain bowl, a much better flush mechanism with a soft close, coated wooden seat (as those in home toilets). We also added a bidet washlet/bidet that attached to the standard seat bolts!

We went out to a local park for an overnight and the crappy Thetford was like using a portapotty. The Dometic 310 is excellent and we have an essentially brand new Thetford with a really nice sprayer/water saver attachment, sitting in our garage. Anyone want it for $25 and shipping?

[fgillies]

Hey Rusty. I can understand your frustration but he 300's ARE repairable if you are interested. Dirty job, but I fixed ours. It's lasted a couple of months so far. Don't know about the long run. They are two piece units and the 4 "bolts" securing them together CAN be tightened to stop the sewage from getting into the inside (rather than going down into the tank). Not sure if the fix is worth it since the 310 replacements aren't all that expensive (relatively speaking). Everyone in this site has said they are MUCH better.

[boogiejack75]

Originally Posted by RustyRMH

Yeah, I knew that, I guess mainly looking for recommendations on Thetford models. Truth be told, everything I've read says the Dometic 320 is probably the best option, but their response (actually, lack of) has soured me on dealing with them.

I just changed our 310 to a 320. Much nicer, if it will fit your camper. I understand your frustration with Dometic. No experience with Thetford.

[cariboo camper]

Just replaced our Dometic 300 with a 310, what a difference, the porcelain and different design are great. Sorry you had bad experience with Dometic but they really are the only choice in my opinion.

As far as the smell goes i am of the opinion that is caused by the porcelain finish and we solved that by mixing a solution of vinegar and Dawn dish soap in a spray bottle and spraying bowl a couple of times a day. Eliminates the smell.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by cariboo camper

Just replaced our Dometic 300 with a 310, what a difference, the porcelain and different design are great. Sorry you had bad experience with Dometic but they really are the only choice in my opinion.

As far as the smell goes i am of the opinion that is caused by the porcelain finish and we solved that by mixing a solution of vinegar and Dawn dish soap in a spray bottle and spraying bowl a couple of times a day. Eliminates the smell.

Home toilets are made of porcelain. Do you have a porcelain bowl at home? Do you have to spray your bowl at home?

Actually the smell is from trapped waste water in the bottom half of the 300 Design. There are pics on here.

I have a 320 and don’t have to spray the porcelain with vinegar and dawn and have no urine smell...

[cariboo camper]

Originally Posted by dalford

Home toilets are made of porcelain. Do you have a porcelain bowl at home? Do you have to spray your bowl at home?

Actually the smell is from trapped waste water in the bottom half of the 300 Design. There are pics on here.

I have a 320 and don’t have to spray the porcelain with vinegar and dawn and have no urine smell...

Sorry. bad choice of words, I meant to say "plastic finish" not "porcelain" causes the smell.

Not necessary to get snarky dalford, just saying wherever the smell comes from we handled it with a spray mixture. Worked well for us, sorry to upset you with my hopefully helpful suggestion. Again, my apologies for a blunder on my part.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by cariboo camper

Sorry. bad choice of words, I meant to say "plastic finish" not "porcelain" causes the smell.

Not necessary to get snarky dalford, just saying wherever the smell comes from we handled it with a spray mixture. Worked well for us, sorry to upset you with my hopefully helpful suggestion. Again, my apologies for a blunder on my part.

Sorry I misunderstood what you meant to say. Sorry for coming across snarky, my apologies

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by RustyRMH

Contacted Dometic and learned that the 2017 toilet in my 2018 camper is out of warranty and they refused to offer any help since I'm not the original owner.

Therefore, I'm looking to replace the toilet with another brand other than Dometic as I don't want to give any business to a company with such poor customer service.

think about that first statement. What company could afford to warranty their products forever?

If you dont' want a Dometic that is fine but Ive had nothing but great experiences with them.

[Daycruiser]

If you think Dometic is bad Thetford is worse. Toilets are not that expensive, just jerk the thing out and put in a new Dometic Porcelain model and be done with it. Will take you all of 15 minutes to change it out.

[KKonyha]

We had a Thetford in our 2011 Flagstaff and the foot flush had a design problem sealing against the bowl. Thetford told us it was a design problem that is why they stopped making it. Unfortunately, both companies have had blunders. They didn't offer us any help. We went with a Dometic 310. All around better toilet. I do understand not willing to deal with a company that cannot stand behind a problem they created. Not enough players in the game though.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by Daycruiser

If you think Dometic is bad Thetford is worse. Toilets are not that expensive, just jerk the thing out and put in a new Dometic Porcelain model and be done with it. Will take you all of 15 minutes to change it out.

I wholeheartedly agree. IF you have the room Id suggest the Dometic 320 series. All porcelain and an elongated bowl with a self close seat.

Id also add the spray for an additional $10 or so (NO more toilet brushes needed)

I have attached a copy of the installation rough in dimensions. Some have had issues with not having enough room to install the 320 due to the toilet flange being installed too close to the wall............

You can check it before you order one by measuring the distance from the two toilet mounting bolts on either side at the bottom back to the wall behind the toilet..

Scroll down and look at the left hand side ...drawing 3, Dimension A and then drop down to the Rough In Dimensions and find you need 11". The 310 series only needs 10".

Good Luck

[spicercars]

We just replaced our 300 with a 310 only because I didn't have the room for a 320 and we are very happy. No more smell.

[hikerjohn7]

Originally Posted by Sarahcat

I agree. Our 2020 travel trailer came with a Thetford toilet that we replaced with a Dometic 310 with a porcelain bowl, a much better flush mechanism with a soft close, coated wooden seat (as those in home toilets). We also added a bidet washlet/bidet that attached to the standard seat bolts!

We went out to a local park for an overnight and the crappy Thetford was like using a portapotty. The Dometic 310 is excellent and we have an essentially brand new Thetford with a really nice sprayer/water saver attachment, sitting in our garage. Anyone want it for $25 and shipping?

Our RV came with a Thetford toilet that has a porcelain bowl and it flushes OK and stays clean. My only complaints with it are that the rinse water jets are right under the rim so it doesn't rinse above a certain level. But then, stuff doesn't usually get up that high anyway. And it's flush valve does not seal totally unless you kind-of let it slam shut. I've just got into the habit of letting my foot slip off the pedal so it slams shut. Then it seals so I can put fresh water back in the bowl and it will not leak out.

[RustyRMH]

Thanks for all the input.

Just to clarify. I wasn't really expecting them to do a full replacement and would have accepted "NO" as an answer, if they would have bothered responding at all. What I couldn't stomach was being IGNORED. I'm in a service industry and sometimes I have to deal with issues I don't want to or give people answers they don't want to hear, but I always communicate with them. The one thing I would NEVER do is fail to respond to a customer's inquiry.

That being said, based on what I've read so far, it looks like I just need to swallow my pride, hold my nose and buy the 320. At least I'll be able to stop holding it when I'm in my RV!

[Mike223]

Originally Posted by RustyRMH

Thanks for all the input.

Just to clarify. I wasn't really expecting them to do a full replacement and would have accepted "NO" as an answer, if they would have bothered responding at all. What I couldn't stomach was being IGNORED. I'm in a service industry and sometimes I have to deal with issues I don't want to or give people answers they don't want to hear, but I always communicate with them. The one thing I would NEVER do is fail to respond to a customer's inquiry.

That being said, based on what I've read so far, it looks like I just need to swallow my pride, hold my nose and buy the 320. At least I'll be able to stop holding it when I'm in my RV!

Like you I hate to be ignored by service people. At least have the decency to acknowledge me. Sorry you have no other option.
Mike