Toilet replacement for Bigfoot 17 - Fiberglass RV
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Old 04-21-2020, 02:59 PM   #1
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Toilet replacement for Bigfoot 17

Are rv toilets pretty interchangeable? I'm looking into the possibility of replacing mine. Not sure if any of them will fit, or if I need something specific.

It has a Thetford Aqua Magic IV. I don't mind if some bolt holes need rearranging, but I'm not looking to do too many mods to get something to fit.
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Old 04-22-2020, 10:33 AM   #2
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Thetford Aqua Magic IV link on RV.NET

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZachO View Post
Are rv toilets pretty interchangeable? I'm looking into the possibility of replacing mine. Not sure if any of them will fit, or if I need something specific.

It has a Thetford Aqua Magic IV. I don't mind if some bolt holes need rearranging, but I'm not looking to do too many mods to get something to fit.
Did you try Googling "Thetford Aqua Magic IV". I came up with a lot of links on the subject.
One that I found, has a lot of possible information. Check out the following link. I hope that this will help you in your quest.
https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/f...d/26211918.cfm
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Old 04-22-2020, 11:26 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZachO View Post
Are rv toilets pretty interchangeable? I'm looking into the possibility of replacing mine. Not sure if any of them will fit, or if I need something specific.

It has a Thetford Aqua Magic IV. I don't mind if some bolt holes need rearranging, but I'm not looking to do too many mods to get something to fit.
I believe that is the one I used for replacement in my 86 Bigfoot and it fit perfectly.
But the big mistake I made was opting for the "tall" model because I had the old one out and it looked so short that I thought it couldn't hurt to have a higher one. Now our feet barely touch the floor when using it.
So take measurements.
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Old 04-22-2020, 12:46 PM   #4
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The Thetford Aqua Magic IV is standard issue on most Casitas made in probably the last 10 years or so as well. Personally, I didn't really care for it. I always thought of it as a cheap plastic "porta-potti" that flushes. I changed mine out to a SeaLand 511. It has a real porcelain bowl and a real wooden seat like you would have at home. The build quality is far superior to the Thetford toilet. It required also buying a different adapter ring for the base, since it uses a 4 bolt mount as opposed to Thetford's 2 bolt mount, but not a big deal at all.

https://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/...eler_302651101

You'll also need this adapter ring, because the old 2 bolt Thetford mount won't work with the 4 bolt SeaLand bowl.
https://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/...toilet_83-1858

I think it was definitely worth the extra money, since the Thetford is a plastic POS in my opinion.
This is a pic of mine installed, right where the original Thetford was.
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Old 04-23-2020, 08:35 AM   #5
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Thank you.

I definitely don't want a direct replacement. I'm not a huge fan of my toilet. Sounds like the newer version has upgrades that do make it better, but I agree with Greg, there's no reason for such a cheap toilet in there.

I know it's not much more money, but I'd still rather stay in the $100-$200 range than bump up into the $200-$300 range.

I was also looking at tall versions. I'd be surprised if the tall was too tall for me...but I guess I should take your advice and measure to be sure!

I'll check out that link, too, thanks Bob.
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Old 04-25-2020, 01:15 AM   #6
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One thing I noticed when looking at various models was the importance of "bowel depth" A deeper bowl helps prevent splash backs which is a very desirable feature.
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Old 04-25-2020, 01:07 PM   #7
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Thanks. Yeah RV toilets leave a lot to be desired. For men especially, there are problems.

But I use mine rarely enough that I'm not too picky.

Rick, thanks for the heads up on the tall models. I don't know if they'd be too tall or not, but I measured my household toilet, and the tall model RV toilet is something like 1.5" taller than the household toilet. So that could be a problem.

I was throwing this idea around because of the stimulus check. But I just a wheel bearing go out on my truck, and after a very expensive tow, and looking into what a wheel bearing and axle seal job is going to cost, there's my stimulus check right there. So while a toilet is still on my list, it's going to just stay "on the list" for a while longer.
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Old 04-25-2020, 01:16 PM   #8
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A little bit of a drift off the main topic, but changing out a wheel bearing and grease seals is something that is done by most folks, even those with minimal mechanical skills, for pretty cheap and fairly easily. You should be able to get everything at your local auto parts store for around $20. Cleaning and repacking, or replacing the wheel bearings isn't complicated, and certainly worth looking into doing it yourself. Most shops will probably want to gouge you for $200-$300 for something that you can do yourself for about $20 bucks and an hour of your time. Just sayin.' No sense getting robbed.
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Old 04-25-2020, 02:32 PM   #9
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My mechanic repacked wheel bearings ( two wheels ) and adjusted brakes for $70 CAD.
He has a hoist, solvent tank and compressed air. Even if he charged me $60 a wheel, it's preferable to having to dispose of solvent and it takes him half the time it takes me.
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Old 04-25-2020, 05:29 PM   #10
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Thanks. This isn't that kind of job.

This job requires a 20-ton press, another specialized tool costing a few hundred to go along with the press, a bearing that costs $70 when on a discount, plus a few seals that add up to nearly $50 more (inner axle seal, dust cover and some o-rings). To do the job without a press means pounding the axle shaft on the ground till you slam the bearing retainer off. Then getting the new one on...

This bearing failed. Grinding noise, so I pulled over. Smelled gear oil. Saw smoke starting to come out from the backing plate on a rear wheel, then saw gear oil start pouring out down the inside of the tire. It's not a matter of repacking. But I'd still need to pull the axle and press the bearing off to repack.

I would pull the axles myself and do the axle seals, and hand the shafts off to a shop to do the bearing pressing, but I'm moving out of my house Thursday, and between waiting for parts, and the shop to do the work, then putting it back together, there just isn't time. The guy at the shop wants to pull my rear differential to check the bearings in it for damage. We got as far as talking about finding an entire used rear end to save money.

But the more I think about it, I doubt the bearing contaminated the oil that bad. The seal didn't fail till right when I pulled over. I can't see a bunch of metal chunks getting past the seal and into the axle/differential housing.
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Old 04-26-2020, 07:44 AM   #11
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After that long response, I wonder if you missed that this was a wheel bearing on my truck, not my trailer. Sealed bearings. Whole different game than trailer bearings.

Anyway I'm sure you can tell from my response that yesterday was a frustrating day. I'm getting over it.
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Old 04-29-2020, 03:23 PM   #12
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That is quite a throne
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Old 04-30-2020, 07:19 PM   #13
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Just wondering why you want to replace your toilet. Is it broken, or do you want a taller pedestal?
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Old 05-01-2020, 01:21 PM   #14
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I've had issues with black tank smells making it into the camper. There's a chance that I only need to replace the floor seal, but the toilet is old, outdated, and many replacements are only around $120. Once I removed the toilet to reseal it...might as well just replace it.

I don't feel that way about everything, but with this toilet, I'm ready to have a newer, updated model.

On top of that I wouldn't mind one that was slightly taller and had a porcelain bowl.
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Old 05-01-2020, 05:50 PM   #15
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Quote:
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I've had issues with black tank smells making it into the camper. There's a chance that I only need to replace the floor seal, but the toilet is old, outdated, and many replacements are only around $120. Once I removed the toilet to reseal it...might as well just replace it.

I don't feel that way about everything, but with this toilet, I'm ready to have a newer, updated model.

On top of that I wouldn't mind one that was slightly taller and had a porcelain bowl.
Well, go for it! I’m a big believer in purchasing anything that will enhance your camping experience be it aesthetically more appealing, better operating, or more comfortable toilet.

FYI, I recently installed a 2.5” toilet riser for the Thetford originally installed in our NTU BF 21. The toilet itself worked perfectly, but was way too short for me. This riser perfectly matches toilet - no way you would know it was an newer than the bowl - and it’s the same height as a residential toilet. It sells on Amazon for $33 (Thetford 24818). Installing it does involve a new floor seal, included with the riser.

Hopefully, a new toilet or riser will solve your oder problem. If not, you may wish to research having your black water tank scraped clean. You’ll have to find a specialist and it is not cheap.

In answer to your original question, if you decide to purchase a new toilet and buy another Thetford, the hole will match perfectly. Thetford toilets are highly regarded.

If you want to go with another manufacturer and purchase from Amazon, you can send it back if it does not fit.

I have done a lot of remodeling for residential properties and toilets are interchangeable with respect to plumbing installs. I can only assume the same is true for travel trailers.

Good luck. I’d be interested in hearing what you decided to do, and how it work rv out.
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Old 05-03-2020, 10:16 AM   #16
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Thanks Jane! That's great to know they make a spacer. My current toilet is definitely lower than I'd like. The new one I have in mind (more expensive than I was originally planning but I pay attention to reviews...)will be taller, but it's good to know that if I want it even higher, I have options.

When I get my truck back and find out what I owe, I'll make the call on a toilet. Still not sure how far up the priority list to push it. I did a pretty good about avoiding using it the last summer.
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Old 05-03-2020, 05:45 PM   #17
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Thanks Jane! That's great to know they make a spacer. My current toilet is definitely lower than I'd like. The new one I have in mind (more expensive than I was originally planning but I pay attention to reviews...)will be taller, but it's good to know that if I want it even higher, I have options.

When I get my truck back and find out what I owe, I'll make the call on a toilet. Still not sure how far up the priority list to push it. I did a pretty good about avoiding using it the last summer.
That spacer will raise the toilet to residential toilet height. You really would not need to buy an additional riser if you buy a new, “high” Thetford (unless you’re ultra tall & all legs ). I suffered through the summer with the original, lower height Thetford. And I assumed that I would have to buy a brand new toilet.

But the spacer costs less than $40 and I did pay to have it installed. So I saved over $150 (including installation) over a new toilet. If your current toilet functions properly and does not look physically awful, why not try out the riser insert? If it doesn’t work, you can return it to Amazon.

Even though my toilet is 19 years old, it is a perfect color match (2 colors are available). The foot pad is larger than the toilet alone, so you may want to measure that area in your trailer.

Good luck with your truck.
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Old 05-04-2020, 04:28 PM   #18
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Thanks. The blade valve in the toilet is old, not-as-good technology, and there's an overflow opening in the toilet known to cause bad smells.

Like I said before, in general, I agree with "if it ain't broke" thinking. But for some reason I just want to get rid of this toilet.

We'll see!
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