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09-26-2016, 06:21 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 5
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Interstate toilet use in winter
We use our 2015 Interstate all year in the midwest. We dump RV antifreeze in the toilet in the winter however have only made sure that liquids are going in. We would like to use the toilet 24/7 in places that do not have toilet facilities. We aren't sure if we would be able to find and/or use a dump facility after a weekend of 100% toilet use. We are concerned that the macerater hose will freeze and could potentially crack as we are pulling it out at a dump station. And we do not know what happens to solid waste in antifreeze. Our ultimate goal is to boon-dock and be able to use the toilet for a weekend of winter cross-country skiing where there are no facilities. And yes, we know we can use the woods. Is there anyone who can help us with this?
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09-26-2016, 06:26 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master 

2006 22' Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,909
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Those are all legitimate concerns.
I wouldn't put any waste in my tanks unless I was sure I would be able to dump them, as you don't want this stuff freezing.
Might make more sense to use a lidded bucket that you can then dump into a toilet.
Maggie
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🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚❤️
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09-26-2016, 07:46 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master 

2006 22' Interstate
League City
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,851
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Reading this, I was with amusement reminded of the Sprinter camper DIYer on Instagram (username escapes me) who mounted his commode on his hitch carrier. He basically took a commercially-available hitch carrier of size similar to the one my husband and I custom-made, but instead of a food cooler, he put a portable toilet on his. Of all the things he could leave in the open while boondocking and hiking some distance from his vehicle in remote areas, he could rest assured that no thief was ever going to do a crappy thing like walk off with his pottie. Someone else's used toilet is simply not a high-target theft item.
One step up from a lidded bucket and not too much more expensive is a portable toilet such as this one, which is what I used years ago while schlepping Girl Scout Brownies in unserviced areas. They actually do work, complete with flush water. Set it on the floor of your wet bath, add antifreeze to the water, and I think it might do the job for you with no worries.
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09-26-2016, 08:03 PM
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#4
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3 Rivet Member 
2014 Interstate Ext. Coach
Taylor Ridge
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 124
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Honeypooh
We use our 2015 Interstate all year in the midwest. We dump RV antifreeze in the toilet in the winter however have only made sure that liquids are going in. We would like to use the toilet 24/7 in places that do not have toilet facilities. We aren't sure if we would be able to find and/or use a dump facility after a weekend of 100% toilet use. We are concerned that the macerater hose will freeze and could potentially crack as we are pulling it out at a dump station. And we do not know what happens to solid waste in antifreeze. Our ultimate goal is to boon-dock and be able to use the toilet for a weekend of winter cross-country skiing where there are no facilities. And yes, we know we can use the woods. Is there anyone who can help us with this?
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Check out the Wendland's website on Roadtrekking. They routinely boondock in Northern Michigan in mid winter and use their coach's toilet using RV antifreeze to flush. While their rig is not an Airstream, it is similarly outfitted.
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09-27-2016, 06:55 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master 

2013 Interstate Coach
Townsend
, Tennessee
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 524
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The Wendlands do not put "solids" down the toilet when using antifreeze. At least what he told me in a message.
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FMCA # 436814
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09-27-2016, 07:05 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master 

2013 Interstate Coach
Townsend
, Tennessee
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 524
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What we have tried (successfully), is to put a "wag bag" liner in the toilet. Details here can get a little strange, but the "Double Doodie" liners and a couple handfuls of kitty-litter go a long way on those long cold winter nights......then visit the dumpster.
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FMCA # 436814
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09-27-2016, 10:26 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master 
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bellevue
, Washington
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 648
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How about using the tank heater for a few minutes before dumping? Wouldn't that work?
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09-27-2016, 01:10 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master 
2011 Interstate Coach
Overland Park
, Kansas
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,766
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amirm
How about using the tank heater for a few minutes before dumping? Wouldn't that work?
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Assuming that the inside of the AI is above freezing, the black tank would not freeze since it's above the floor. However unless the macerator, valve, and hose have antifreeze in them, they might be frozen.
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Glass half full or half empty to an engineer is the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
PM me for sale info on my 2011. SOLD! 
Upfitted Transit 350 sitting in driveway.
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09-27-2016, 01:25 PM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member 
2016 Interstate Lounge Ext
Pittsburgh
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 91
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 73shark
Assuming that the inside of the AI is above freezing, the black tank would not freeze since it's above the floor. However unless the macerator, valve, and hose have antifreeze in them, they might be frozen.
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Are you saying the toilet can be used even with solids so long as all the plumbing after the black tank has antifreeze. If so then it can be used then dumped and you would only have to put in more antifreeze into the plumbing after the black tank
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09-27-2016, 02:58 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master 

2013 Interstate Coach
Townsend
, Tennessee
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 524
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The tank heaters will protect the tanks, but not the piping and macerator pump all below the floor.
I considered filling the lower piping and hose with antifreeze and relying on the tank heaters until I could dump, but haven't tried it yet
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FMCA # 436814
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09-27-2016, 08:48 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master 
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bellevue
, Washington
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 648
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I thought the issue was solid waste freezing and causing problems for macerator. With tank heaters that should not be a concern then.
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09-28-2016, 07:51 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master 

2013 Interstate Coach
Townsend
, Tennessee
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 524
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Actually since the black tank is inside, as long as you heat the van, solids will not freeze.
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FMCA # 436814
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09-28-2016, 08:08 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,164
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two words
Porta Potti
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09-28-2016, 08:18 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master 

2006 22' Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,909
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I just simply would not dry camp in freezing temps, unless there was an absolute emergency.
There are an awful lot of weather related variables here, regarding using the inside toilet, then emptying with the macerater hose.
Keeping everything from freezing, inside and out, plus providing even moderate levels of comfort for living things inside, will use up your propane and/or battery at a pretty good rate...then keeping your battery charged to run a tank heater, etc.
Why risk it.
Maggie
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🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚❤️
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