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Rhino33 · 04-18-2019, 09:53 AM

We are in the process of replacing our original pieced-together copper lines with pex and are contemplating the toilet. According to our 1966 22' Safari owner's manual, the toilet is a Thetford Slide-O-Matic. "...employs a new principle: a sliding, self-cleaning, positive-seal blade which replaces the conventional clapper valve. To operate, step on the foot pedal and hold down until the inrush of water cleans bowl. When pressure is removed from pedal, unit will automatically shut off and refill bowl."

The PO said the flush had not worked in quite a long time, but there are several rubber tubing patches on the copper lines in the rear of the toilet which feed into what we now know is the vacuum breaker. The line tees off of the cold water supply at the floor to the left of the toilet, tees again for the sprayer, meets a wheel shutoff, then comes up to the left rear of the toilet on the brass flat fitting, comes out of the flat fitting on the right, around the battery, up to the bottom of the sink, through the vacuum breaker, back down and around the battery and into the top rear of the toilet. (whew!) I'm not sure what the purpose is of the clear rubber tubing? Thetford does not have any information that old and I don't know if the vacuum breaker is preventing the flush feature to work or if the flat fitting is the issue? The pedal still operates the sliding blade to empty the toilet bowl, it just does not have water in the bowl.

The toilet is okay, but since it is built into the fiberglass cabinet (excuse the misc things piled on top of the toilet cover), we would rather see if we are able to get the flush to work. But - if not, has anyone found a replacement toilet which does not require a new build around it?

Thanks so much!

Bubba L · 04-18-2019, 10:29 AM

Robb, we removed the old toilet that was original to the 66 and replaced with an updated Thetford hand flush. I had to remove the old toilet lid cover and cut a larger opening for the new toilet. I think I also had to raise the toilet base a couple of inches at the black tank so the new toilet was flush with the existing thermoplastic. It works well and wasn’t that difficult to modify and much lighter. Let me know if you need pictures and more info.

Rhino33 · 04-24-2019, 10:53 AM

Bubba -
Thank you so much for the recommendation! If you have photos you can either post or send, we would greatly appreciate it. We're not familiar with the hand flush unit, but will try to take a look for one.