Thetford Porta Potti Curve 550E Review
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- čas přidán 8. 06. 2017
- Purchase on Amazon - goo.gl/p8M6iS
More Info - www.thetford.com/product/porta...
This truly is a fantastic portable toilet, and I highly recommend it to all campers out there who are looking for something to use for restroom use. The flush could be a little more powerful and the toilet paper dispenser could use a little re designing, but those are miner problems to a fantastic product. - Sport
Echo the other comments, but thanks for actually showing the sh#t for real and not glossing over it politely. I gagged a little upon the big moment but anyone considering this needs to see the truth!
I purchased a “Pack-a-Potty” , now called “Cassette toilets” from Sears in 1978 to use in my DIY camper van. When I sold the van, I kept the toilet and it still works great today. The trick to these toilets is the chemicals. You want a chemical that quickly breaks down the solids and controls the smell. I suggest the blue fragrant stuff. You want a greater ratio of chemical to holding tank than you would use in rv with holding tanks. So add a little extra. We only camp for about two or three days and only have to empty it once for that amount of time, when we get home. We wait a couple of days after returning home to empty it to let the chemicals do their thing, then it’s usually just dark blue liquid.
Ralph B. What is the name of the blue fragrant stuff?
We use the same toilet in our 10' x 14' weekend cabin. It works very well for two adults. When you empty, there is a white air admittance valve push button that lets it empty much better. I strongly suggest the use of the special toilet paper. It liquifies completely and quickly. We use Thetford green liquid chemical and take the bottom tank home to dump directly to cesspool. I rinse out with the garden hose and add a small splash of pine cleaner in final rinse. I store bottom tank empty. There has been no foul odor at all before , during and after use. A household cleaning wipe takes care of any residue in the bowl, which is very rare in my experience. Discard that wipe in the trash! Do not flush it! Remember to drain both tanks and pump completely if freezing conditions are expected.
+Troyken great comment, thanks for adding your thoughts!!!
👍👍
Great review, thanks. I wanted to point out a few helpful thoughts:
I tend to research stuff to death (much to my wife's dismay) before I ever pull the trigger to buy something and this certainly was no exception. Reviews for it have been stellar across the board with many referring to this toilet as "the Cadillac" or "gold standard" of portable toilets. As for exceptions, the biggest gripes I've found from reviewers by far is due to problems with the electric pump. Oddly enough, this model with the electric pump is only made for the US market (Porta Potti 565e), while the European version (565p) is identical, but swaps the electric pump for a manual one. If, as you point out, your batteries die or (worse) the electric pump floods or burns out, then what do you do? Now you're really up crap creek! Unfortunately Thetford does not offer the manual pump in the US market. So to get one to have on hand for when the inevitable happens, we ordered the manual pump from Europe. Do a simple Google search on "Thetford piston pump". You're looking for part number 92401. Often you'll find the part number with a three-digit suffix which indicates the trim color of the part. If you care, "111"=white and will match the Porta Potti perfectly. Sometimes the manual pump is available on Amazon.co.uk for shipping to the US, but we ended up getting ours from a retailer in Germany (thank you, Google Translate) whom we paid with PayPal and they shipped it via DHL. We had it in about a week.
You also point out a potential problem with the toilet paper door coming apart on uneven surfaces. Thetford also makes a mounting floor plate when installing the toilet in campers, RVs or van conversions. The plate mounts to the floor with four screws and has a latch on the front of it near the floor for quick release of the Porta-Potti when it's time to empty. We bought our Porta-Potti for a future van conversion, but mounted the floor plate to some plywood for camping trips in the meantime. The plywood prevents the toilet from tipping while driving - especially when it can get little top-heavy from the fresh water tank being full (on top) and the waste tank (on the bottom) empty. Shop for Thetford part number 92415 which you can easily find in the US (we got ours on Amazon).
Finally, rather than rinse your waste tank at a community potable water spicket (which gave me Montezuma's revenge just WATCHING you do that), only to lug it all the way back to the outhouse or restroom, we just take a gallon milk jug (no part number required) full of water with us when we go to empty it. A gallon is the perfect amount of water needed to rinse the waste tank out twice, then we're careful to save the last 4-6 ounces of water for dissolving the waste treatment chemicals in the tank.
This is great. Thanks for the rinsing tip!
Just an idea: Bring a piece of plywood cut just slightly larger than the base of the toilet to use as a base on uneven ground to solve the toilet paper dispenser issue.
Also, I'm sure this has been mentioned already, but please, please keep that thing away from water spigots. YIKES. Just carry a gallon of water with you and use half for the final clean each time you dump it.
Oh, and nitrile gloves! Just get a box from Harbor Freight for when you do the dumping process.
Thanks for the review!
Can't believe I just watched a half-hour video on my new Porta Potti Curve, but I guess I just did! Aside from the same comment about bringing the black water tank to the fresh water spigot, this was a really well done video. Thanks for covering all the unpleasant details and showing how the actual emptying occurs. And thanks to other reviewers for the idea of using a piece of plywood to flatten it out on the ground.
You should fill an empty container and use that to rinse it, rather than filling directly from a potable water source
monkeynumber nine, YIKES, I guess so. Completely grossed me out. I will never use camp water again. Unfortunately, I left a rather nasty note expressing my disgust. I’m not proud. And , yes, you described EXACTLY how it should be done. Thank You!
It was so disgusting.
Going camping? Bring your water.
That's what I do.
Oh - I think I puked a little... That was really gross..
😥😥😥😥😥😥😥
Thanks for the vid first off. Good job. On the darker side from an ex combat medic; never bring any sewage item to a clean water source....ever! You contaminated the spigot, the base area under the water source, and the grass with splash back for any poor little kids that barefoot it to fill a water balloon. Fill a bucket and take it to your soiled item and discard far from camp. Your neighbors health will thank you. I thank you. God bless.
+Jase Johnson i would say that I was amazed at he pressure that the spigot gave off, but after the video was shot I went back and cleaned the area pretty thoroughly. I agree though, and have not followed the same procedure since. I now use one of my 5 gallon water jugs to pour water in, slosh it around, and pour again into the septic system.
Maybe you could add a caption to the video saying this? The method you showed is extremely dangerous and people need to know not to do it.
Yeah that’s disgusting what he did
Thank you for making such a candid video. It's been hard to find this kind of information delivered so clearly.
I am glad you enjoyed the video!
Use rechargeable batteries. Also cut a square of plywood to place underneath the toilet to give it base support and steady it on uneven ground. If and when the electric pump dies be aware that this is an extremely expensive part, over $90 (2017 Amazon). If mine should fail, I may plan on using a garden tank sprayer for bowl cleaning and flushing. I also use the RV dump station to empty my cassette as the spout fits right into the dump pipe. Also there is usually a hose right there for immediate rinse out. Glad you changed your rinse procedure. Bad form to risk contamination on a public potable water pump or spigot. This is where people get their drinking water. All said, this is one of the best units on the market. For a unit without the electric pump go with the Thetford 550P, with its manual piston pump.
+Nederlander thanks for the comment. Agreed, the dump station is where I typically do it, but wanted to show you can use a standard toilet to empty if needed. Some people just are not accustomed to using a dump station. A tank sprayer would work perfectly, or just a large jug of water that you could pour. Time will tell how long the pump lasts, but seems to be working great. As for the plywood, agreed, but they should have thought of that in he design process.
I use a small plastic cement mixing tub from HD under mine ---2 gallon jugs fit behind it too ---think about it .... if it ever over flows or leaks... keeping it in the tub camping and traveling keeps other things clean
Thank you for explaining an awkward subject. We learned what to do and what not to do. Better by watching your video than doing it ourselves. Thanks Camp Geek.
Great demo. I do like that you showed the uncomfortable aspects of operation and emptying, cleaning.
Thanks for being honest and straightforward about the use of this toilet.
I know you have addressed this in the comments...but may I suggest that you redo the cleanup part of the video for those who don’t read comments...because bringing sewage to a potable source of water is very very dangerous...not to mention other people might actually see someone do it and cause a major flay-lay. I actually gasped in shock when you did this. Please redo that part of the video and stress the importance to the newbies to NEVER EVER bring sewage to a clean water source.
Wow. Thanks for this video. I inherited this (unused) porta potti when I bought my vintage camper. To be quite honest, I hadn't used it yet because it looked complicated and I had had access to public restrooms. I am preparing for a trip in which I will not have access to a public toilet or even water hookups. I sat down to figure this thing out but your video was so thorough and answered all questions I had had. May sound silly but I am really looking forward to having this addition inside my camper. I didnt realize the hidden gem that I had been storing in my garage. Also, thank you for the link so I can purchase supplies for it.
Now that I have subscribed to your channel, I am going to go check out other things that I have been missing.
Thaankkk youuu for your patience to show the unit in action. Very thorough .
Awesome! Cheers!
thanks for being so thorough.
I have a small I think mine is a 2.5 gal Thetford hand pump Porta-Potty.. I'm glad mine is small so when I go to the restroom to dump it it won't be noticable ... I'm very thankfully for it ..I got it at a yard sale for $1.00 yes a $1.00 it has the blue stuff in a box that came with it opened that makes it smell good came with water and the blue stuff already in it looks as if someone was going to use it..Opened the chemical stuff put it in but never used it, it does looks new!! The seals are perfect..I was blessed by GOD.. Whooooooot I have not had a chance to use it yet.. I'm so happy with it it's a Thetford also..
Thank you for this very thorough, real life video. We just got the manual version of this toilet and are very confident with taking it camping now!
Omg! Thank You Thank You! For the ENTIRE REVIEW FROM OPEN TO USAGE TO DUMPING TO CLEANING! I am buying one just based on your review and countless others for my Bus 🚌! This was helpful af dude!
wow! Your video was great. My curve just arrived an hour ago. You gave me all the information I was looking for. Thank you.
Excellent, real world explanation of this system. Thank you!
I’m so glad you made this amazing video we need amazing videos like yours i been looking for a video like this I will buy my self one so thank you again for this amazing video!
I covered my nose when you started dumping that thing..
Great review. Thank u very much for putting it up. However, please use double gloves and mask when dumping. After dumping/flushing, Remove first gloves and you are now using the second set of gloves. Wish you had one liter of water in a dispoable bottle to rinse your gray tank. That way you prevent contaminating the out door water pump and the ground and grass with E.Coli. While you were still in the toilet, you could clean (lysol or chlorox wipes) the physical body of your gray tank to sanitize it before bringing it back to your camper. Prevent E.Coli contamination always.
I thank you for showing us the “Real Deal” because i’ve always wondered about it.
wow this is all the stuff you would actually think about but never ask. you really went there; i'm sold
I've been watching a ton of videos for the past week about living a self sufficient lifestyle and for going cross country in a self sufficient RV Van. Your video was very informative and I thought the comment you made after pulling the porta potty out of the tent enclosure into the open "so we (could) actually see it here in the wild...." was very funny.
I've never observed a portable toilet, sitting all by itself in the wild before and it was quite amazing!!!
Sorry, JK ~ I couldn't resist ;-)
Sr, you have done an amazing explanation. But please, use rubber gloves.
Appreciate your willingness to show us the actual dumping function of the unit.
Thank you for the very complete review. We had the 135 in our last camper and I'd like a bit taller one. This one looks like it will fit the bill.
Great review... After looking at many different models, I ordered this Toilet for my Narrow-boat. Based on your review, it looks like I made the best choice... Thanks.
Hello. Can it handle long shit ? Or you have to eat fiber to smoothen your shit? Thanks!
@@thanasisathanasi4965 For your everyday crap, just add some Toilet blue or a Bio laundry tablet, and you should be fine. However, if you're gonna lay some serious coil, I'd suggest using a proper Bog!
@@davicoo69 Man if you really need to lay a big shit, you can always trust it in the vastness of the ocean !
Pretty good video, thanks and thanks also for being brave enough to show the real thing when dumping. There is one thing you missed that every other video I've seen on the Porta-Potti also misses: The pressure equalizing button right by the handle of the dump tank. Hold that button down before and during dumping and you won't get the glug-glug-glug while pouring out the waste.
I have this unit. If the batteries die or the pump fails, you can still flush by pouring a little water into the toilet bowl, and using the flush handle as you normally would.
I just watched a video about a crapper and poop streaks. Thanks for the video!
you made a great, informative video! from beginning to end. All the videos I've seen, you're one of the few videos that are thorough!
+Nora Steel thanks. I made some mistakes that I won't make again though. It really is a solid product.
Thanks for this demonstration. Good job in explaining how to handle the "stuff". Glad you did not demo you using it!! Informative and entertaining. (never would have thought I would say a video about handling stuff would be informative.)
I am happy to show what I can. Thanks for the comment!
Very good job on explaining operation of unit....
Best review video I've found for this unit. Thank you.
Thank you
This was a very useful review.
I do agree with the reviewer below about *not* cleaning your porta potti at a fresh water source.
Thanks!
Correct, that’s the reason I kept it in. I didn’t enjoy the 30-45 minute off camera cleanup, however the toilet was already pretty clean prior to the video being shot (I had cleaned it at a different location but the video turned out bad).
Thanks heaps for this video. Answered all my questions! Subscribed after watching this. Cheers!
I am a trucker and let me tell ya, I am headed out to make this purchase! lol
@Logan 2w,
Great review!
You should send your recommendation straight to Thetford, it's a excellent point!
Thanks for the review from start to finish.
Excellent review. Very thorough.
Wonderful review. I ordered one and you explained absolutely everything. I know just what to do and what to expect when it arrives. I do have one question though. Do you put both the liquid freshener bottle pour chemical and the dry packet or liquid pod each time you empty the waste tank before you use it again. Thank you.
Thank you for such a helpful and thorough review. I find myself face to face with homelessness because family I had been staying with after a troubling divorce and abusive relationship has decided to throw me out (political and religious differences, sadly), and I am in the process of converting a van to a camper to live in, and this was to helpful and provided so much peach of mind. Thnk you!
Good review! I'm not in the market for one right now, but I like learning about options. BTW, that must have been a "dung" beetle crawling around in the TP holder!
Excellent. Very detailed review. Thanks so much.
I was totally weezed out by the coloration of the fluids but that's what a great review is made of, real world use. A few things: #1, is there a #1 position of the seat for the little boys? #2, A splash shield/ring for dumping combined with the pressure relief valve you forgot to utilize would be great. #3, A hand truck would be a nice accessory for hauling 5 gallons of $#!+ water(lol) to the dump location of choice. And lastly a pump/sprayer with a little more juice would be nice, that is if the Thetford people are listening. Thank you for sharing. This is a good product and video. You helped me to see what I think is a great option.
I can’t believe that he rinsed it from water pump I go for my cooking water....... I don’t use that anymore... oh no...
I think i will wear rubber gloves and bring a small jug of water/bleach with me into the restroom so i can dump the toilet and then rinse it all in one trip
Wow great review, thanks for taking the time to make this video.
Of course!! Thanks!
Thanks for the video for tent camping~
+Patty W no problem!
Man , great review ! , think im gonna go for this
I respect and appreciate showing us how to dump it out.
I have never been camping, but I am seriously considering building out a van to live in. I appreciate your thoroughness with this video. I am trying to decide what type of toilet I want. I walk with a cane and don't have the strength to carry anything to heavy or walk very far.
This is the most comprehensive review of a product ive seen. Thanks a lot. Been looking to get one of these. So I reckon you need spare batteries for the flush? is there a manual override in the event of battery failure or the flushing electronics failing? Oh and as Jese Johnson suggests one would need a separate water jerry can for the potti right? Thanks very much.
Greatly appreciate the more realistic usage video
Fantastic review ! SOLD
I am in Australia and came across your interesting & informative site. Thank you for that! We are about to go camping on a popular island here, and will need to get our porta potti out (many years since used last!). I concede that this system does require at times a strong stomach to deal with, but is preferable to 'no toilet'. We have a family, and if used properly, this system will do the job. Anyway, I thought I would share the following info in case anyone is interested. Eventually, we plan to build a small camper, though using an incinerator style toilet. (e.g. Cinderella - 'travelling' version, called 'Motion' that uses gas as a power source). It would though be much more expensive than the 'Thetford', but is waterless, and might suit people who do a lot of camping/travelling. Basically, do a 1 or no. 2 into the toilet (does require small paper liner to be placed in bowl, which I think helps with the incinerator side) Anyway, finish going to toilet, then press the 'flush' button. Your 'business' then drops into a bottom chamber, (much like a trapdoor that opens over an ashtray), where the sewerage will literally be burnt to ashes. There is very minimal smell, thanks to its unique design. Over time, ash will fill up in the bottom chamber (allows about 70 plus uses) before system lets you know the ashtray needs emptying. The beauty of this system is that once the sewerage is burnt to ashes, it is free of germs, is reduced to a very small amount that can be emptied anywhere e.g. in a garden etc. I like the idea that it doesn't require any water, also saving weight (black water) that would otherwise require carrying to a dedicated dumping point. We haven't got one yet, but are in the process of speaking to a company representative about it. I am aware that they are available in USA, as of recently. They aren't cheap (a few thousand to have installed in a camper), but beauty is they can allow travelling to any place without worry of finding the dump point. Here is a short video I think of one model (electric) that is used in houses (bigger system), but principle is the same! I only thought I would post this, in event people are looking for another alternative to the portable toilet. Cheers! czcams.com/video/V-0uF5dOhrE/video.html I THINK I HAVE POSTED THIS MESSAGE TWICE - SORRY ABOUT THIS!
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I should add as importantly, that probably a toilet (Cinderella, 'Motion') is probably limited to fixed positions, in a caravan or camper, needed to allow for the fixed venting etc. (thus, if pure camping in a tent, nothing beats the porti-potti!), but as these chemical toilets are also put in vans, the Cinderella incinerator style could be an option for some people. Cheers!
The gas Cinderella is the way to go. It is however expensive, but addresses a major problem .
very informative. everybody poops, so there's no need to skirt around being blunt. very well done!
Nice demo review.
HELL YA! Finally someone showing how to empty one of theses! Your Da Man!!
GOOD JOB ..... LEARNED A LOT
Very informative video! Can you tell me what the dimensions are. TIA
For the toilet paper door issue, fish the paper through the door (finger) opening and use it as a dispenser as opposed to having to open and close it. Also ensure that the roll pulls over itself instead of under for a smoother movement.
Nice video, congratulations!
great review
Thanks gonna get one, do you think the holding tank would last a week before having to empty for one person??
thanks for the curve review but as a brand new newbie into camping what does all those chemicals do? do the break the poo down or just mask smells?
Hi! whit what kind of products do you wash the waste panel when you arrive at home? Guylaine
Good review.
That was the most realistic review, I have seen and the honest truth straight up about everything. THANKS MAN..A VIDEO WORTH WATCHING ..I think 🤔 I would rather have the hand pump. But the same toilet 🚻 THANKS again for your honesty.
Great review tx for sharing!!!
Of course, glad you enjoyed it!
Does anyone know what campground that was? I need to contact them and the health department.
That is super awesome
Very informative...seriously 😁🤩🙏
how long after use does it take for the chemicals in the waste holding tank to liquify waste? I'm interested in emptying waste tank as quick as possible in only liquid form. Also, there are different brands of waste tank treatment, like aqua max, aqua bio, and campa fresh. Do they all perform the same?
Absolutely helpful
There is a couple I follow for years, he has the THETFORD CURVE, & have carried it through 3 different campers , there is a TP HOLDER THAT IS ON BOTTOM RIGHT as you sit, but not ANY of these people ever mentioned. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
That's an amazing technology!
How much is the cost and how can I get one to buy??
Hello, that little white button on the front releases pressure from gases before you open any lids or anything so that liquids do not splash out of it at all.
EEeek um some gloves, yes potty empty gloves will be on the list!
Thanks for such a video..... Thank you so much...
nice review
23:00 - You could also cut a 4' x 4' piece of 3/4" plywood, put it flat on the ground and set the toilet on that. Then it would not sink into the ground, and also provide comfortable space for folks to put their feet on a floor-like surface. Also, it would provide a more stable, less tippy surface for the toilet to rest on.
Question: Do you have to manually open the slide after use and flush? Then close it again? Maybe the
Thetford rep did not understand my question when I called, but I felt she said all you do his push the button. This is not correct, I gather? Thx
You did amazing presentation on this item and definitely got me very interested in purchasing one. You were very thorough throughout the entire video TO THE POONT of dumping the black tank. If I may, I’d suggest recommending viewers to use disposal gloves, take an extra pair in your pockets when you go dump. Just a thought :-)
The only question I have and I believe you may have mentioned it at the end of this great video, of the pump goes out/ or batteries die, can you switch to manual?
Thanks and again, congratulations for such a well done video !
Yeah, I understand where you are coming from. After using it now for multiple of seasons I have the dumping very well down and never splash even anymore. I have actually had the batteries last more than one year in the unit, but I don't know about switching to a manual pump. May have to look into that.
Do you have to open the trapdoor before you no 2 or after? Can someone answer ASAP
Excellent!!
BTW, I'm appalled that you rinsed your black tank at the campground fresh water supply!!!!! You said you wouldn't touch the water spigot with the tank emptying port, but when you turned on the water, it splashed contaminant all over the spigot, the handle, and the ground around it! Did you sanitize the spigot, post, and drain area after you made this faux pas? What you should have done was filled a small container with water in the restroom, put on nitrile gloves to empty the tank and clean up afterwards, pour the clean water your brought into the tank to rinse it, then put on a clean pair of gloves to sanitize (with a bleach solution of bleach wipes), the water bottle, that bathroom flush button that you contaminated, wipe the toilet rim again, and wipe the outside (including handles) of the portable waste tank (using separate paper towels or wipes for each). Then dispose of the gloves and wash your hands thoroughly (without contaminating the water handles). It takes a little longer, but is necessary for your own safety and that of others. Your review needs to be re-filmed with the right way to do this!!! Please think of others and stop being so selfish and careless.
This is awesome. Thank you! :)
Can you smell the chemicals after you add them and the toilet is sealed?
How do you put the top back on the bottom? Is it supposed to lock in place or does it just sit on top?
Suggestion: measure the size of the porta potti, add a few inches around, go to Menard or a similar store and have wood or a tile flooring cut to place under it providing a constant even foundation. Keep a hand cleanser next to it for those cleanup wipes you showed.
Thank you!
wow it smells good !!!
Do you know why there are 2 different prices on the Amazon link you gave? One says White one says Grey. Even though you run the mouse over both links and colors do not change.
How can you tell when it is full without opening up?
I'd suggest laying a row of toilet paper (3 squares) prior to doing #2. That should keep streaks to a minimum.