I need some ideas of which toilet to purchase.  I want one that is somewhat reliable but for sure one you can get parts for.
In May 07 I bought a new Doubletree Elite Suite that came with a SEaland/Dometic Concerto toilet.  After 3 months of nothing but trouble (the last time waiting for weeks for parts) I gave up and had a THetford Aria Classic installed at D&N Campers in Memphis. They told me this one would be no problem getting parts.  After 1 month the water valve went and it took over a week to get one.   2 weeks ago the water stopped flowing and a call to Thetford disclosed that this toilet is no longer made and Thetford does not stock parts for it.  They manufactured a water valve for me and I paid $40 to ship it air.  I  installed it  today but it  still doesn't work.  2 local RV shops say the toilet is not worth repairing (I paid $800 for it last Nov) and I need to replace it.  I agree I need a new one but which one??
Give me an idea of a good one if you know of one.

Thanx

It's kinda hard for anyone to recommend a specific toilet because they all have their problems. We have a Sealand Traveler 500 Plus in our RV. The biggest problem that we have had is the gasket leaking water and the toilet going dry. The gaskets are expensive (almost $40) each but fairly easy to change out. I called Sealand and expressed my dissatisfaction and they asked me what I used to clean the toilet. They recommended using "Barkeeper's Friend" once a week and brushing around the bottom of the gasket while holding the foot flusher down to remove any build up on the gasket which is what causes the leaking (just be careful to brush in a circular motion so that you don't splatter yourself). This seems to have worked and we have found that "Barkeeper's Friend" is good for scouring the kitchen sink as well. The Traveler 500 Plus is a china toilet that you push down on the foot pedal to flush and lift up to fill. We have used it fulltime for two years now and gaskets have been the only issue - hopefully we have solved that problem as well - the gaskets should last three to five years before requiring replacement. By the way, the Traveler 500 Plus is priced at around $270 at Camping World. Hopefully this helps but, again, it always comes down to personal preference.

Darrell & Judy Thanx for the info. While the last 2 have been china, we are leaning towards plastic. If we have to replace the toilet every year they are less than half the price of china. I would really like a china bowl but DW won't go for a new china bowl every year. Unfortunately there are no Camping Worlds in Canada where we will be for the next few months so we'll be paying a premium for whatever we get.. We plan to hit the RV places tomorrow and I'll look at the Traveler. Maybe Dometic/Sealand has improved their customer service since the non-service I received when the Concerto had problems.

I was impressed with their service - they even sent be another set of gaskets at no charge. But the Barkeeper's Friend tip was worth it's weight in gold. Don't jump for a plastic toilet too fast (besides I don't think that there is going to be a big cost difference between plastic and the Traveler). Plastic toilets just tend to be uncomfortable but I certainly understand about buying a new toilet every year. I think the key is to purchase a simple one verses the"fancy" ones with all kinds of bells and whistles. Like I said, the Traveler is easy to service, however, servicing a toilet is never pleasant. The Plus part of the toilet is the sprayer which I would not be without. By the way, you should be able to get Traveler at any RV supplies store. Good Luck Guys and Happy Travels to you.

I'm glad I saw this post.

We had just discussed replacing our toilet with a new taller china model. Now I'm beginning to wonder if there's some inherent problems with all china toilets.

We have a plastic Dometic Aqua something or other that came with the 5er (manufactured in 1994). it is the same model that was in our 1978 Nomad as well.

The only thing I've ever had to do was relace the floor gasket after 8 years or so, because they became hard and wouldn't seal.

Maybe I'll just buy one of those spacers to raise this toilet up higher and be happy with it.

Looked at a bunch today. The cheapest Sealand Traveller was $377 plus installation. We went with the Thetford Aqua Magic 5 for $137. Hope we have better luck with it but if we don't its only $137 down the drain. Most of the RV places we looked at had parts in the store for the Aqua Magic as well which is a good sign. Thanks for your suggestions.

Darrell and Judy wrote:

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 But the Barkeeper's Friend tip was worth it's weight in gold.

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or Bon-Ami: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/441170

I'm pretty sure I got mine at Walmart in Tucson. I went in looking for Bon Ami and they didn't have it so the Barkeeper's Friend was recommended as an alternative. I'm not sure that all Walmarts carry it though.

Wow, Sorry Linda. I haven't been paying attention. We get Barkeeper's Friend at Wal-Mart. It is in with the other cleaners generally on the bottom shelf. It is a powder like comet cleanser and is in a brown can.

igotjam wrote:

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Looked at a bunch today. The cheapest Sealand Traveller was $377 plus installation. We went with the Thetford Aqua Magic 5 for $137. Hope we have better luck with it but if we don't its only $137 down the drain. Most of the RV places we looked at had parts in the store for the Aqua Magic as well which is a good sign.
Thanks for your suggestions.

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Hi, in 2006 we bought a new Cedar Creek that came equipted with the china bowl toilet.  There was a lot of hype over the thing by the dealer (bless his pointed head), but honestly, it was junk.  Thats why the manufacturer is so eager to supply replacement parts for free.  I believe he's trying to buy time.  After playing with this thing for the first year we had it,  I said, enough!  I replaced it with the old, reliable, plastic, flush lever on top, RV toilet.  No it's not like in a house, but it's virtually TROUBLE FREE!   Trouble free is what us full timers look for.   Hope yours is trouble free too.    Dave

Dave....so far so good. Peeing in it gives a different sound (like dribbling water into a tupperware bowl) but it seems to work great.

Linda wrote:

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Darrell,

Where can one find Barkeeper's Friend?

 

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I've been able to buy it in just about any supermarket.  It is great for stainless steel.
gypsy