Taking a trip in your RV to explore the great outdoors? Chances are that you’re going to need a toilet for those times when nature calls. There are several types of RV toilets that you could have installed that provide different benefits, according to your RV type and needs. One of these options is a marine toilet.
Today, we’re going to talk about marine toilets, how they work, and the difference between this option and a standard RV toilet. Stick around and learn how to be more prepared for your next trip!
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What is a marine toilet?
A marine toilet is a special kind of commode that is commonly used on boats. They were invented to comply with maritime laws on sewage waste and accommodate the unique conditions of using the restroom at sea.
How does a marine toilet work?
These toilets work a bit differently than the standard that you would find at home. Because they are equipped to handle the challenges of “going” while moving, the toilet bowl stays dry until you need to use it. This is called “wet” pumping.
It also has a dry pumping mode where, when the vehicle is moving, you can pump the water out of the bowl so that it does not splash or spill out.
Marine toilets use either electric pumps or hand-powered. In this way, they are similar to the standard RV toilet.
The waste is stored in a tank both on boats and RVs to reduce pollution and safely contain all waste until it can be dumped at the appropriate time.
What are the benefits of installing a marine toilet in an RV?
You may wonder why you may choose a marine toilet for your RV instead of the standard model. After all, how different could they be? That’s what we’re here to talk about; learning how this toilet may be the best for your RV will make your future trips that much more convenient.
- Marine toilets come in a wide range of sizes
Standard RV toilets can be limited in size range, but marine toilets were made for smaller spaces. If you are using a converted bus, perhaps, or smaller coaches, you will be able to save space and “go” more comfortably when you need to.
This can be a huge relief because you won’t have to rely on a portable toilet, which can be less than ideal for those who want to enjoy the comforts of home.
- They can be easy to replace
Though these toilets are not always so easy to install if you already had a standard RV toilet, some models line up with previous toilets and don’t require a long and costly installation process. It depends on your distributor, the size of your marine toilet, and the system that you had previously.
- Marine toilets come in a range of colors
Though this benefit isn’t quite as important as others, marine toilets often come in a wide range of colors, the most popular being white. If you want to elevate the visual aesthetic of your RV, marine toilets can add some unique accent that a standard RV toilet could not.
- There are several types to choose from
There are four main types of marine toilets that come with their own benefits.
One popular type is electric, meaning that you only need a button to push and flush or pump.
Manual marine toilets require you to hand-pump and flush.
Composting marine toilets use little energy and no water, so you are being more environmentally conscious by using one.
Portable marine toilets are easy to use in a small RV.
What are the downsides of installing a marine toilet in an RV?
Installing a marine toilet in your RV comes with its fair share of pros, but there are cons to be considered that could make or break your decision to ditch a standard RV toilet.
- Marine toilets can be more difficult to install
If your system is not compatible with a marine toilet, then it can be harder (and more expensive) to install. Again, it depends on your already existing sewage system, your previous RV toilet, and the distributor that you buy from.
- Based on which marine toilet type you use, you could be facing unique challenges
If you are using an electric toilet, you may be pressing the button for too long or too little, wasting water and power or backing up the pipes, which can cause a real mess later. These toilets are also often noisy, which can be annoying in the middle of the night.
Manual marine toilets clog easily if you don’t know how to use them correctly, again causing a frustrating situation and leaving you with nowhere to relieve yourself. Again, if you pump too much, you waste precious water that you need in your tank. This can lead to more frequent waste disposal and more frequent refilling.
Composting toilets are eco-friendly, yes, but if you do not balance the compost and solid waste amounts, you could end up with unpleasant smells or even bugs in your RV. You have to pay close attention to this toilet’s maintenance and allow time for the waste to compost, which can take weeks.
Portable toilets are not comfortable for many people, as they don’t flush away the waste. This can be smelly, and your marine toilet’s capacity is quite limited. You will have to dump the waste more often. This is true of any portable toilet, though.
In short, though marine toilets are typically used on boats, they can be great options for your RV as well. There are many benefits to using one of these in your RV. They take care of water in the toilet bowl, pump the waste out well, and fit many types of RV models no matter the size. You just have to be sure that you can deal with delicate pump timing, waste maintenance, and potential clogging as it comes.
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