How to Add a Porta Potti to a Pop-up Camper

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Porta Potti toilets, made by Thetford, are ideal for pop-up campers because they are completely self-contained and do not require plumbing or holding tank hookups. Thetford makes several models of self-contained Porta Potti toilets. The various models differ in size and appearance, but have the same basic installation and use instructions.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Installation

Step 1

Find a location in your pop-up camper to put your Porta Potti toilet that offers the most privacy during use. If your camper does not have a private area, place the toilet at one end of the camper, where you can hang up a privacy curtain to offer discreet use. Because Porta Potti toilets are not permanently attached to the camper, you can tuck the toilet away in a cabinet when you are not using it.

Step 2

Attach industrial strength Velcro to the pop-up camper floor and to the bottom of the Porta Potti toilet. The Velcro stops the Porti Potti from sliding around when the camper is traveling, but still allows you to remove the toilet for emptying. Alternatively, instead of attaching Velcro, secure the toilet in a cabinet during travel.

Step 3

Pull the top tank off of the bottom tank. Depending on your model Porta Potti, twist and pull up or simply pull up to remove the tank.

Step 4

Open the holding tank valve to access the tank opening. To open the holding tank valve, pull the lever located on the front center of the toilet. Add holding tank deodorant to the tank, following the deodorant manufacturer's instructions. Thetford only recommends the use of its own brand holding tank chemicals.

Step 5

Close the bottom tank valve by pushing back in the lever. Place the top tank back on top of the bottom tank, making sure the top tank snaps into place. Depending on the Porta Potti model, twist and push or simply push the tank into place.

Step 6

Remove the fresh water inlet cap on the top tank.

Step 7

Attach one end of a garden hose to the tank's fresh water inlet. Attach the other end of the hose to your pop-up camper sink or to an outside water hookup. Turn the water on and fill the tank. Turn off the water when the tank is full and remove the hose.

Step 8

Replace the fresh water inlet cap on the top tank.

Step 9

Install a battery in the upper tank battery compartment, if you have an electric flush model Porta Potti. Refer to the toilet manufacturer's instructions to find the appropriate battery type needed.

Porta Potti Use

Step 1

Open the bottom holding tank valve located on the front center of the toilet before using the toilet. The open position allows excrement to flow from the top to the bottom tank. The closed position seals off the bottom tank to prevent odors.

Step 2

Push the flushing bellow on manual models or the flush button on electric flush models to flush the toilet and remove the waste to the bottom tank. You may have to push the bellows or flush button several times quickly to efficiently remove waste. Close the holding tank valve and the toilet lid to control odor.

Step 3

Check the bottom holding tank regularly to see if it is full. Some Porta Potti models have an indicator gauge that tells you when the tank is full. If your model does not have an indicator gauge, you have to remove the upper tank to visually inspect the bottom tank to check for fullness.

Step 4

Empty the bottom tank when full. Close the holding tank valve and separate the top tank from the bottom tank. Carry the bottom tank to a plumbed toilet. Remove the pour spout cap. Tilt the holding tank over the toilet, while simultaneously holding down the air relief valve and empty the contents of the tank into the plumbed toilet. Holding the air relief valve stops the waste from splashing as it empties into the plumbed toilet.

Step 5

Re-attach the top tank to the bottom tank and add new holding tank deodorant, using the installation instructions.

Article Written By Rose Kivi

Rose Kivi has been a writer for more than 10 years. She has a background in the nursing field, wildlife rehabilitation and habitat conservation. Kivi has authored educational textbooks, patient health care pamphlets, animal husbandry guides, outdoor survival manuals and was a contributing writer for two books in the Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader Series.

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