Light sewer smell behind toilet

[dmctlc]

Originally Posted by Qwkynuf

Sounds like a lot of the time, they are actually *selling* replacements (upgrades), and at $75, probably making a little bit of profit on them, too! So they sell the original 300 to the manufacturer, and then sell the upgraded 310 to the consumer - sounds like a win/win.

The Manufacturers of Dometic probably a massive amount of them for the RV industry. Then the RV Manufacturers were probably told if they want to eat the cost of the inventory or place a new order they wouldn't get the latest models. Bet the RV Mfgs. thought they got a bargain by probably 1000's of them. You always save the more you buy in high usage industries today.

[Qwkynuf]

Originally Posted by dmctlc

The Manufacturers of Dometic probably a massive amount of them for the RV industry. Then the RV Manufacturers were probably told if they want to eat the cost of the inventory or place a new order they wouldn't get the latest models. Bet the RV Mfgs. thought they got a bargain by probably 1000's of them. You always save the more you buy in high usage industries today.

I was mostly commenting on the idea that a lot of people seem to have reported that when they contacted Dometic for warranty, they were able to upgrade to the 310 for "only" $75. My guess is that this actually results in either a savings or a neutral cost for Dometic.

If they send out the 300 under warranty, they are out the fixed cost of the part - 50 bucks? If they upgrade you to the 310 and you pay $75, they save the cost of the 300 they didn't send you, and since the 310 retails for around $200 it seems likely to me that they are at least covering their cost.

So, from Dometic's standpoint, they were able to sell a 300 AND a 310, and the end user feels like they got a bargain by buying their toilet a second time!

[Dotsos]

Exactly how I feel. Stop making it.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by Qwkynuf

... sounds like a win/win.

That's a win-win for the manufacturers but not necessarily the consumers.

[Dotsos]

I completely agree Chris. Greed wins out.

[dmctlc]

Exactly what I meant. Win/win...consumers lose/lose but thats life in the RV industry for some...

[chriscowles]

As TitanMike said, though, we look for the cheapest trailer we can find that meets our needs. Cheap components is one of the ways manufacturers get us consumers to choose theirs.

[rk06382]

Dometic 300 is installed to save weight. Dometic 300 is 8 pounds vs Dometic 310 - 38 pounds.

The payload is the goal of the lighter components in the RV industry. That is why the kitchen cabinets are made with ultra-thin plywood. Faucets are made from plastic. If you replace the Dometic 300 with a Dometic 310, you lose 30 pounds of cargo capacity.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by rk06382

Dometic 300 is installed to save weight. Dometic 300 is 8 pounds vs Dometic 310 - 38 pounds. ...

Minor correction: the 310 weighs 23#; the 320 weighs 37#. But you're right - you do lose some cargo capacity when upgrading from the 300 to either of the other two.

Comparison table of 300, 310 and 320 on Dometic.com

[dmctlc]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

Minor correction: the 310 weighs 23#; the 320 weighs 37#. But you're right - you do lose some cargo capacity when upgrading from the 300 to either of the other two.

Comparison table of 300, 310 and 320 on Dometic.com

IMHO I don't think the manufacturers worry much about 14-30 lbs. (maybe 2Xs if a bath and a half or two) on a MH that weighs in the 20-30,000 plus . It would be more about the cost savings. $130-150 for the 300, $180-200 for the 310 and $270-290 for the 320. Profit is the key motivation in any business. I remember years back in my town, Darden closed a Red Lobster restaurant at the entrance to the mall, down even though it always was packed. It was completely overhauled took better part of a year and reopened as Smokey Bones. Reason we were told it would generate a higher profit. Really think about the loss for the cost of the reno and business for a year. Anyway that's IMO.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by dmctlc

IMHO I don't think the manufacturers worry much about 14-30 lbs. (maybe 2Xs if a bath and a half or two) on a MH that weighs in the 20-30,000 plus . It would be more about the cost savings. ...

I agree, but many subscribers of this forum have lightweight trailers in the range of 4-7,000 pounds, not 20-30,000 pounds. For those, I suspect that cost is the driver but weight is a consideration.

[dmctlc]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

I agree, but many subscribers of this forum have lightweight trailers in the range of 4-7,000 pounds, not 20-30,000 pounds. For those, I suspect that cost is the driver but weight is a consideration.

Very True

[JLeising]

Repaired this problem on my Dometic 310 last year:

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ml#post2114221
Post #2

That problem has stayed “fixed”, however this month the flush ball stopped responding to the foot pedal. Have a replacement toilet on order.

My belief - the seal between the upper (on my toilet ceramic) section and the lower (plastic base) section gets compressed each time someone sits on the toilet. We are both over 200 pounds. The seal eventually stops sealing that joint, allowing leakage into the cavity in the base. Suspect the seal life may be related to the weight of those who use it. Ours lasted about seven years and over 300 camping nights before the seal leaked enough that we noticed a problem.

Reports here indicate the ceramic upper / plastic lower (310, 320) toilets last longer than the plastic / plastic (300) toilets before the seal between the sections fails. Not sure why this is - possibly differently shaped seal surfaces? As noted, my 310 (plastic base, ceramic upper) failed after about seven years and 300 camping nights, being used by a couple of >200 pounders. I’m considering that an acceptable lifetime and replacing with another 310.

FYI, Jim

[chriscowles]

I just replaced my Dometic 300 with a 310 today. It was a 5 minute job. I haven't tested yet to be sure the flange seal doesn't leak but it's a good fit.

Be aware that, although the doco says the dimensions and offset from the wall are the same, they're not. It worked for me because our 300 had a gap between the top of the toilet and the wall behind it. The 310 has none. It's snug against the wall.

If your 300 doesn't have much clearance, the 310 may not be a direct replacement.

[Half Ton Heavy]

The program to replace the 300 for the 310 is now over.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by Half Ton Heavy

The program to replace the 300 for the 310 is now over.

As of when? Mine arrived yesterday.

[sherakay]

We just started having a really pervasive smell this last weekend during our trip. Two weeks ago it was more faint and I assumed it was the holding tank. But after thoroughly cleaning the holding tank I think we are having the same issues as we have the cheaper plastic toilet for sure in our 2020 EPro.

[mchristensen]

We called Dometic and they replaced toilet free of charge,

[billskenney]

I had the same issue and covered it here...

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...de-214588.html

Short story. It was WAY faster and less hassle for me to just buy the 310 model and install it myself. I got it from Camping World online in 4 days. Before taking that route, I was on hold for hours in my first and failed attempt to get it covered and ordered through Dometic. I had camping to do, saving 100 bucks wasn't worth the 5 week turnaround and paper work.

[tyler811]

Had one (300) myself go bad, shout out to all those that helped me out.


Called Domestic and had one a week. Easy peasy to replace and no more smell