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Becky B. · 07-23-2007, 07:55 PM

I need to take the toilet out of my trailer in order to change the carpet. (Yes, the same one that ate the PO's toothbrush!) Will I need a replacement seal if I pull the toilet out? I'd like to be prepared so I can put it back on & not have to wait for parts. I'm going to replace the carpet with some kind of linoleum & plan to place it under the toilet. Any words of wisdom with that whole can of worms? Thanks in advance!

Buttercup · 07-23-2007, 08:28 PM

I would imagine that it would be a good idea to replace it as the rubber will likely be a little hardened at best and may not come off cleanly. It is probably better to be prepaired for something simple as this. Besides it will be cheap.

klattu · 07-23-2007, 08:42 PM

Yes, replace everything that seals while you can get to it.
Imagine it leaking on your first trip.
Imagine that can of worms, then toss your cookies.

Put a turn off valve in line too.

dufferin · 07-24-2007, 08:43 AM

yes replace it, make it right once...
it is so much painful to remove a toilet that you don't want to go back...

crazylev · 07-24-2007, 09:14 AM

If the seal is like the wax rings found in home plumbing, I would definately replace. Even if it isn't, I'd be inclined to replace. Also make sure you clean the area where the old seal was placed. This might also be a good time to inspect, clean or replace any parts that would be a pain the tushie to do if it was all connected.

Are the seals wax like the kind you find on house plumbing???

Jonathan

Aria · 07-24-2007, 09:37 AM

Mark's RV has the toilet gasket. Very nice people to deal with. Very knowledgeable and fast service. His name was given to me by Mel on this forum. We are forever grateful.

Anon · 07-24-2007, 01:06 PM

Toilet gaskets dry out and crack.
They are really inexpensive to replace.
Most RV toilets are held down with two bolts sticking up through a flange. Sort of like your household toilet.
There are no wax seals.
I always look at it as if I am putting something back together that will not be replaced for a long time.

TomW · 07-24-2007, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beckybillrae

... I'd like to be prepared so I can put it back on & not have to wait for parts. ...

Unlike home toilets, I found that there are A LOT of different gaskets for RV toilets as the flange/toilet interface was not standardized in the earlier years.

You may want to make plans to take your old gasket down to the RV parts house to match it with a suitable replacement.

Tom

Becky B. · 07-25-2007, 06:09 PM

Thanks for your responses. I guess I should go with the new gaskets & turn off valve. I looked them up at Mark's RV & it comes to about $60 plus the shipping. I'm wondering if I would be better off putting in a new toilet, since you can get one on ebay for between $100 & $150. I think this is an original toilet & the people who I bought it from stayed in it for about 6 months out of the year. That's a lot of use! What do you guys think & what's a good toilet? We won't be using it much (men hunting/women using it for 1-2 weeks out of the year), so it doesn't have to be the queen's throne or anything. Are they universal to the hole in the floor, or does work need to be done to them to retrofit them? I have a Thetford Galaxy in there right now. Thanks

Ganglin · 07-25-2007, 06:26 PM

Maybe this will help:

Permanent Toilet Conversion Chart

lewster · 07-25-2007, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beckybillrae

Thanks for your responses. I guess I should go with the new gaskets & turn off valve. I looked them up at Mark's RV & it comes to about $60 plus the shipping. I'm wondering if I would be better off putting in a new toilet, since you can get one on ebay for between $100 & $150. I think this is an original toilet & the people who I bought it from stayed in it for about 6 months out of the year. That's a lot of use! What do you guys think & what's a good toilet? We won't be using it much (men hunting/women using it for 1-2 weeks out of the year), so it doesn't have to be the queen's throne or anything. Are they universal to the hole in the floor, or does work need to be done to them to retrofit them? I have a Thetford Galaxy in there right now. Thanks

Hi Becky,

I've worked on a fair # of bowls, and I always replace the flange seal when removing/replacing the unit. While it's out, it's also a good idea to replace the blade seal, as they wear over time as well.

OTOH, A toilet with a new porcelain bowl would definitely spruce up your rig! For the difference in the price of the new seal kits vs. the cost of a new toilet, that might be the way you want to go.

Plus, it will take way less time to install a new one rather than removing and disassembling the old one, replacing all of the seals and putting it back in.....and don't forget the water valves and pedal springs if you're re-building the old one.........maybe the new unit is looking better all the time.

Just be sure that the height of the new unit is the same or similar to your existing unit..........................

tamis · 07-25-2007, 07:04 PM

You always put a new seal in when you pull a toilet, home or RV.

T

Tarheel · 07-25-2007, 07:11 PM

The only right way to do it is to replace the seal, that being said I have had to pull the toilet when there was no replacement seal available. I soaked the seal in a 10 % clorox/water solution and reinstalled, did not have any problem, but I was on the road and had no choice.

klattu · 07-25-2007, 07:34 PM

Go ahead and re-use the old seal...
Whats the worst thing that could happen ?

eubank · 07-25-2007, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klattu

Go ahead and re-use the old seal...
Whats the worst thing that could happen ?

Oh, it'll leak, that's all. I did not replace the gasket when I had our toilet out a couple of years ago, and it's now leaking like crazy. I'm going to take a long drive down to human-inhabited country next week to buy a new gasket (and a bunch of other things that are only available where people live).

Lynn