Addressing RV Cassette Toilet Concerns & Usage Questions
Addressing RV Cassette Toilet Concerns & Usage Questions
Video tutorial with helpful demonstrations and explanations.
Do you consider a cassette toilet to be a “deal breaker” when looking for your first or next RV? James and Stef Adinaro (The FitRV) felt the same way before they moved into their Winnebago EKKO – one of multiple Winnebago models that include a cassette toilet. Now, they are happy to own an RV with this convenient option!
In the video below, learn why they decided to buy an RV with a cassette toilet, how it works, and solutions to some of the major concerns about using this option …
If you have questions or comments for James, please join the conversation on this page of The FitRV website.
What is an RV Cassette Toilet?
If you have never heard of a cassette toilet, it is a toilet that is permanently attached to the RV with a portable waste tank underneath that is accessed from the exterior of the RV. (There is a cassette toilet included in the Winnebago Solis and Winnebago Revel camper vans, in addition to the EKKO!)
The toilet has a lever to flush instead of a pedal, a button to fill the tank with water when needed, and a tank level monitor to alert you when it is time to dump. The removable tank has wheels and a handle to make transporting it easier when it is time to dump.
Learn more about RV cassette toilets from other owners in this article.
Photo by Noel Fleming & Chris Miller.
Top Concerns of Having a Cassette Toilet in Your RV
Here are some of the major questions about using this type of RV toilet that James addresses in the video, as well as his insights regarding these potential issues.
1. Is dumping a cassette toilet gross?
There is a “gross” component to dumping a cassette toilet, but dumping a standard black tank can also be unpleasant. The main concern here is having to pour out the cassette toilet. Since dumping a black tank isn’t such a close-up job, this can be concerning to new and long-time RVers.
However, there are solutions to this that James outlines in more detail in the video – including an invention he came up with to be able to use a standard sewer hose when dumping a cassette toilet!
Most RVers with cassette toilets feel the convenience of being able to dump in more places than a standard RV black tank makes up for any short-term unpleasantries. Plus, since it is only five gallons, it is a pretty quick task when it is time to dump it!
2. Is the five-gallon capacity too small?
For James and Stef, they tend to dump their five-gallon cassette toilet about every two days, but since they have so many options of places to dump it, they don’t see it as an issue. They also make sure to limit how much water they use to flush it, how much toilet paper they use, and are conscious of the smaller capacity.
Some people do travel with an extra cassette toilet in case they fill up the first one too quickly, but James and Stef haven’t needed to do that so far. To get insights from other Winnebago owners traveling with cassette toilets, join one of the model-specific groups for your current or future RV.
3. Is it going to smell all the time?
It is key to use the right sanitation chemicals to prevent your cassette toilet from smelling. Any RV toilet can smell if not sanitized correctly, so it is important to understand how to best clean and maintain whatever toilet and tank system you have. (Note: Check back in on The FitRV’s YouTube channel for James’ experiment to see which chemicals work best!)
To learn more about the differences between RV toilets, read this guide.
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