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Old 10-01-2008, 12:46 PM   #21
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I ordered and just received my porta potti: Thetford Marine 135 porta potti for $81 which includes $6 shipping, from www.discountmarinesupplies.com
It has a 2.6 fresh water tank and a 2.6 gal waste holding tank and is good for 27 flushes. 12.2"H X 13.4"W X 15"D. It is like the one I have in my trailer and the smallest I could find. The "Marine" means it comes with 2 plastic brackets you install on the floor. The back bracket hooks into the handle and keeps the pottie down. The front bracket keeps it from sliding forward. I use a formaldehyde free holding tank deodorant.

Angel

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Old 10-01-2008, 01:41 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Angel
What about this "Off-Road Commode?

go to www.northerntool.com and "search" for # 33057

Angel
I have no doubt that some of my friends would find it hilarious to start and drive my SMB while I'd be back there taking care of business.


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Old 10-15-2008, 12:57 PM   #23
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The Wag Bags which come with the Pett toilet are an interesting concept in themselves. The magic powder doesn't mask odor, it contains (or triggers?) some sort of bacteria which consumes the nastiness of the waste. Note that "kneading" your biz from outside the inner bag is critical to the effectiveness of the product. Having used many Wag Bags with mixed results, I think there may be a better spin on that concept:

http://www.whennaturecalls.com/

I think these Restop bags may be better in that the outer bag is gas impermeable. (Not so with the Wag. Cost is the same at $3 a bag.) I got a sample bag from Restop, but I gave it to a buddy leaving on a trip. I'll report back with his findings. What I'm hoping is that this product doesn't behave like a Wag--as daveb says, you can't store a used Wag in your rig. (Well you can...but eww.) It takes the magic powder some time to fully work, and the more waste, the more time.


We've decided we don't want black water in our rig, and I can't imagine allocating as much space for a john as the decked out rigs have. Obviously, very personal preference there. Being long-time aces at dealing with waste in the backcountry, we just don't need it. We always have extra Wag Bags (Restop bags henceforth, probably) for an emergency. Pair that with a small bucket and you're set in a pinch. (Couldn't resist, soory.)

Rock climbers deal with the waste issue on every multi-day climb. The "pipe bomb" or "poop tube" has become standard gear for them. Built properly, these thingies are the shee for containing odor. In the pre-Wag Bag days we'd go in a paper bag and chuck that bag in the tube. No smell at all except when the tube was opened. I think using the Restop bags with a tube may be a good non-black water direction for temporary waste containment. FYI, here's how I build a bomb-proof tube:


Home improvement store materials:

10' x 3" or 4" triple-wall drain pipe: $3 (±$1 per tube), cuts easily with hand wood saw, accepts standard PVC fittings, super light and durable. PVC is much harder to cut, is heavy and costs way too much.

PVC cap for bottom: ±$1. Roughen inside of it with a knife, etc., mix epoxy directly in cap, slide it on then duct tape onto tube around the lip (or use silicone seal, etc.). Get the minimalist, cheap white one and not the big black one.

Plumbing test plug with expanding rubber seal/wingnut closure (the red one that says "stand clear when in use" [haha] on top): ±$5.

Shave off with a knife any ragged edge inside the opening, maybe a LIGHT coating of veg oil in this area (or on the plug gasket) Both keep the plug easy to remove/insert.


The finished tube could be as small as 3" x 6". We make them larger for climbing, depending on the route and how long we think we'll take.

Cheers.
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Old 10-15-2008, 04:55 PM   #24
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Sorry but this thread is fascinating on so many levels. I'll stay away from puns and inuendo...oh sorry!
Anyway...my wife and I took a week long kayak trip out of Loreto MX a few years ago. All human waste had to be carried one mile out to sea and disposed of according to Mexican law.
A fold up porta potti measuring 10"x10" with a 6" opening was set up away from camp each day. This thing was only about 8" high so getting properly positioned was............not easy. The "seat" was a fold out afair with ridges on top to reinforce it. We affectionately refered to the potti as the "Goover" because of the marks it left. Our wonderful guide Javier pronounced it "Groober". He dutifully hauled this thing aboard his kayak everyday and paddled out a mile and back to flush it. He got a big tip at the end of the trip. The "Groober" we have now takes up more room but is much more comfortable...and we don't have to paddle out a mile to empty it.
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Old 10-15-2008, 08:28 PM   #25
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For the love of sanity, someone please explain why this has a lid?


I've used a 5 gallon bucket with a seat and lid that was normal, if a bit forshortened. I also have a walmart version that looks like a small fat barrel. For $20 you almost can't beat it, although I wish it sealed somehow.

Still we use the porta that came with the SMB and set it up outside in the Outback tent when we can. Dumping the black water from it is less than enjoyable, especially after any amount of time (not to mention driving offroad).

As far as the poop tube- I think I'd go with a screw on lid personally.
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Old 10-16-2008, 12:49 AM   #26
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Hilarious, jage. Or at least ridiculous.

I know of a few cases where the threads of the PVC tube fittings have bound up and left the tubes either very difficult to open/close, or in one case totally seized. (Yea, two guys on the cliff having to toss down "mud falcons" b/c their [unused] tube was literally stuck shut--bad scene in Zion.) Lots of pressure fluctuation from inside once in use, I think. It being in the shade/cool of a van would undoubtedly help in that regard. But I've really gotta prop the test plug for effectiveness and ease of use. I've used tubes and other minimalist systems a bunch, and IME the threaded PVC fittings leak odor unless you totally crank 'em down to the point of being almost impossible to open. FWIW.

BTW, great job moderating the forum. I've really appreciated your and others' input on many topics. Cheers...


Dealing with 20 days of #2 last month on the Captain:

The yellow bag down low is not a system I'd reco for vehicle use...
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Old 10-16-2008, 06:28 AM   #27
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"mud falcons"...now that's comedy!

I can see where someone might want to look up when "Fore" is yelled on the golf course...

but if you hear "mud falcon" near a cliff you just might want to run!...and forget about looking up!

sorry about getting off topic!
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Old 10-16-2008, 11:24 PM   #28
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BTW, the magic dust is available in bulk:

http://www.medexsupply.com/personal-car ... -4355.html


OT: Yep, Txn, it used to be an issue. Thankfully almost everyone on the rock is packing it out these days.
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Old 11-12-2008, 08:49 AM   #29
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Ahhh, to be young again!

There comes a time when the potti is a necessity and you'll want it comfi as possible.

Regards,

Keith
SMB Sprinter with a marine toilet . . .
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Old 12-17-2008, 09:53 AM   #30
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Damn it. Started reading this thread from the beginning and started thinking, hey I should invent a toilet that plugs into a receiver hitch. And, then, there it was, the bumper dumper. Guess I'll have to keep my day job and forgo the millions that little invention is sure to garner.

Our SMB was setup for a potra potti (open rear area with a privacy curtain). By the time we got it, the potti was long gone. The area around the potti area had some staining where the walls meet the floor, which I can only assume was the result of some wayward turd splash/tip over. I super sanitized the area and made it look like new again. For my birthday, my mom got me a porta potti from Wal-hell that uses bags. Guess my mom has always known I was full of... Anyway, we'll likely bring it along to Baja, but I certainly don't plan on using it or letting the kids or wife use it unless absolutely necessary. Can't imagine such a scenerio, unless we're in a populated area and the only toilet to be found is like that one in Trainspotting.
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