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Old 08-17-2008, 10:58 AM   #1
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Thetford Style II vs. Sealand Traveller Lite

Well, I started the day off measuring toilets, both in the house and the Safari. Hmm... it looks to be an interesting day.

The 75 Safari 23' needs a new toilet. The current model is a stylish gold Thetford Aqua Magic GL and I want to upgreat it new toilet with a residential size seat. The current toilet seat high from the floor is about 18.5", with 8" being the base that covers the black tank and 10.5" height in the toilet themselves. So I'll need the low profile version... and for referance the seat heigth of a standard house toilet about 16.5"... based on my sample size of 3 toilets from 3 different manufactures.

I've done a bunch of searches and while most folks seem to have used the Traveller lite for upgrades, I can't seem to find a comparison with newer small Aqua Magic Style II. Most of comments seem a 18-24 months ago were about the larger depth AM Style Plus in interferance with secret compartment.

The contender for the new throne seem to be the Thetford Aqua Magic Style II and Sealand Traveler Lite.

Now the specs:
AM Style II LP
Flange bolt # 2
Width-seat 15.06"
Height-seat 14.0"
Lenght 20.0"
Flange-center to back 9.5"
Weight 26lbs
Material: china-bowl/plastic
Pedal side: right

Traveler Lite LP 211
Flange bolt # 4
Width-seat 14.875"
Height-seat 12.125"
Lenght 19.0"
Flange-center to back 10.375"
Weight 33lbs
Material: china
Pedal side: left

My observations:

Style II (pluses / minuses)
+ Shorter flange center to back of unit length - won't be crammed to the secret compartment
+ A bit lighter in weight
+ Easy access to the pedal (next to sink cabinet)
+/- No flange conversion, I think. There seems to be a 11o'clock - 5 o'clock flange pattern (vs. 9 -3 o'clock) on older models but have not pulled it check
- Height, with plastic cover the seat would be 22" above floor - 5.5" higher than my house toilets
- Not all china

Travaler Lite (pluses / minuses)
+ lower seat height - 20ish", but still 3.5" higher than house toilets
+ All china construction
- Flange conversion needed - if using the "universal flange" conversion, not sure how much height it adds
- Pedal is now on the far side, right next to closet door

- slightly heavier
  1. So... Has anyone have any opinion on Aqua Magic Style II?
  2. Any thought on how much work is needed ot the flange conversion is on Sealand 4 bolt flange?
  3. How much the universal flange kit adds to the height?
All comments appreciated.
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Old 08-17-2008, 11:24 AM   #2
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I saw one replacement toilet in a 76 TW that blocked access to the bathroom closet. Something to think about...
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Old 08-17-2008, 11:25 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ronstory View Post
[*]Any thought on how much work is needed ot the flange conversion is on Sealand 4 bolt flange?[*]How much the universal flange kit adds to the height?[/LIST]All comments appreciated. [/SIZE]
Remove toilet, unscrew old toilet flange from top of tank, replace with new 4-bolt toilet flange, if even needed.
No height difference.
If the old toilet flange has 4 holes, you won't need to do a thing.
Some of the original toilets had a plug in teh top casing that you can remove to access the rear bolt..with a socket and extensions.

A possible problem is that the old flange might be very stubborn towards removal. And, you might crack the black tank if you aren't careful.

I have successfully used Sealand porcelain toilets on projects. I do not feel the need to explore other brands at this time, the Sealands work so well, and alre easy to clean. Very little plastic on them. None where it counts.

Good luck with your replacement.
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Old 08-17-2008, 11:44 AM   #4
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Speaking of toilets.

I am missing one of the rubber pads on the bottom of the seat. If anyone is going to toss a Thetford Aqua Magic, I could use one of those pads. The parts pages at Thetford do not show the pads and I do not need a new seat.
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Old 08-17-2008, 12:42 PM   #5
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We also used the Sealand and are still happy with it. The old toilet had 2 bolts and the new one is set for 2 or 4. We rotated the old flange to meet the new bolt pattern and used a 2 bolt set up. We didn't use the universal adapter.

The seat that came with the traveler lite (a few years ago) was cheap flimsy plastic. But a standard household toilet seat fit and was an easy replacement.
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Old 08-17-2008, 12:48 PM   #6
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We installed the Sealand lite in our 1973 23' Safari.

4 issues

1. It is higher than normal

2. Flange, but adapters make it work (it adds 5/8 in to the height)

3. It is too long at the back and I had to get creative and indent a portion of the back wall to allow it to fit.

4 The flush pedal on the front left sits to far to the left. I had to shorten its mounting bracket so the plastic pedal could be installed and removed if needed without hitting the wall. I have pics somewhere if you want to see the mods.

The sealand works great once installed.
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Old 08-17-2008, 12:53 PM   #7
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Richard... when I toss the toilet, the rubber feet are yours... as well as the rest of the toilet.

Ron
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Old 08-17-2008, 12:55 PM   #8
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Going out to do more measurements....
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Old 08-17-2008, 01:21 PM   #9
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OK... here's the scoop

Center of flange to left wall 10.5"
Center of flange to back wall 10.5"
Center of flange to right bath cabinet 11.5"

Front of current toilet to back wall 19.375"
Backrest / secret compat door sticks out 1" from rear wall
Backrest / secret compat door bottom to floor 13.25"

Closet door clearance @ 6" open - dooredge to rear wall is 21" (Thank's Richard for reminding me of that dimension)

... now to look at the diagrams again.
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Old 08-17-2008, 01:28 PM   #10
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All--

Here is the illustration borrowed from the VTS website for the Traveler Lite. Based on the height of 14" at 10.375 rearwards of the flange... the compartment door would ahve to be modifed and would only leave about 0.25" of clearance ot the rear wall.




Now to find some detailed Style II dimensions...
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Old 08-17-2008, 01:44 PM   #11
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PPL has a lot of info on their website - maybe you can find what you need here. They have a large collection of schematics. RV Toilets, Holding Tanks & Sanitation
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Old 08-17-2008, 05:15 PM   #12
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OK... got distracted by some silicone I missed before...

Back to the toilet... the current Aqua Magic GL is about 19.5 longs and tucks right up to the rear wall. If I use the new Style II, it will give me about 0.75" more room in the back and move the front forward about 1.25" forward, which should allow the closet door to still open. Now the problem is that it's 3.5" taller... which will interfer with opening the secret compartment door... and I'll probably need a build a platform to put one's feet on. (sigh)

Life is never simple.
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Old 08-17-2008, 06:55 PM   #13
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We put a Style II in our Sovereign (high profile), a caveat is that the plumbing standards have changed in the last 30+ years. You will need to change the fitting from the pipe to the toilet (for any new toilet).
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Old 08-17-2008, 07:16 PM   #14
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My closet door clears the toilet by almost 3 inches, you should be fine. I did not find out about the secret door until about a year after I bought the trailer. Went down a bumpy dirt road and it opened up. The PO left me a nice plastic mug from ghost ranch. Thanks Ken...
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Old 08-17-2008, 08:55 PM   #15
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What is this secret door you speak of?
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Old 08-17-2008, 09:19 PM   #16
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What is this secret door you speak of?
A tempting opening....


Some trailers had a small compartment directly above the throne with a door, hinged at the bottom. The door on ours looks a lot like the wall or like it might just be a plate covering plumbing. Many folks have cut into this section to install a new toilet.
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Old 08-17-2008, 09:44 PM   #17
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A look into my secret compartment.
Q-Tips, a 12 volt curling iron (my wifes) and Ken's - I mean my Ghost Ranch cup.
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Old 08-17-2008, 10:20 PM   #18
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I see. Mine has a wet bath and the compartment behind the toilet has a very conspicuous lid on top of it.
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Old 08-17-2008, 11:28 PM   #19
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A look into my secret compartment.
Q-Tips, a 12 volt curling iron (my wifes) and Ken's - I mean my Ghost Ranch cup.
Mmmmm,

Yeah, I want to keep my cup right above the toilette!
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Old 08-17-2008, 11:29 PM   #20
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Ok... it'ls looking like I might need to take a risk and try the Style II and report back. Worse case, I'll cast it off to another forum member and I'll try the Sealand.

Thanks to all for the help and opinions.

Richard... if you still want the rubber feet for the "lid"... PM me.
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