The Thetford 32812 Cassette Toilet: Yay or Nay?

The Thetford 32812 toilet is a well-made toilet perfect for installing in RVs, campers, or boats. In this article, we’re going to provide you with all the necessary information you need to decide if this cassette toilet is right for you.

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Last update on 2023-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Overview

The Thetford 32812 is a bench style toilet that measures 29”X17.2”X21.8” and weighs 22.1 pounds. The LED waste level indicator light can be installed on the left or right side. There is an electric flush button for adding water to rinse out the toilet bowl before dumping it into the waste tank. The waste tank itself has wheels and a retractable handle to make transporting the waste tank simple and easy. The waste tank has an automatic pressure release vent that ensures that the waste tank is ventilated. This also avoids excess pressure from building up. The waste tank capacity for the Thetford 32812 is 5.1 Gallons and the flush tank holds 4 gallons of clean water.

Unfortunately, there are not a lot of user reviews for the Thetford 32812 cassette toilet. Like I’ve said before, this is not a super popular item in the United States. Plus, these bad boys cost a lot of money so it’s a significant investment if you’re looking to get one. Furthermore, most people don’t have the money for an RV that they’re ultimately designed for. So, in my mind, it makes sense why they’re not flying off the shelves and popular. However, despite the lack of reviews the pros and cons of this cassette toilet are quite clear. Here is a look at some of the pros and cons of this toilet.

Pros

• More options of where you can dump waste.
• Dumps quickly and is less messy to dump than black tanks.
• Easy to clean as you only need fresh clean water.
• Don’t have to break camp and drive your camper to the waste station.
• Can winterize the tank and continue to use the cassette toilet during the coldest weather.
• An indicator light tells you when you need to empty the waste tank.

Cons

• The waste holding tank is actually quite small requiring frequent emptying.
• Toilet may sit a bit high for some users (This may be a benefit for other users).
• The full waste tank may be heavy for those people with shoulder and back issues.

Verdict

The Thetford 32812 cassette toilet is the perfect solution for the RV.  For those who do a lot of traveling and want a more permanent toilet solution, I’d highly recommend the 32812 cassette toilet. Portable toilets are great but they’re not designed to be for permanent solutions for people. Sometimes to empty a portable toilet, you have to carry the whole toilet where cassettes, it’s only the holding tank you have to worry about.

I’d only consider getting the Thetford 32812 cassette toilet if you meet these. First, you don’t want to get a portable toilet because you’re looking for a permanent solution for your mobile needs. Second, you don’t want to invest in buying a camper (or vehicle) with a built-in toilet. And lastly, looking to have more control over which cassette toilet you want to have installed. Even though the cost of the Thetford cassette toilet isn’t cheap, it’s a lot cheaper than buying a whole new camper with a built-in cassette toilet.

Overall, this toilet is highly recommended for those who want a permanent toilet and can afford the high ticket price. If you like to learn more or buy it, click the button below. All in all, this toilet is a personal YAY for me.

Last update on 2023-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About Thetford

The Thetford corporation was founded in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1971.  Thetford quickly became the world’s leading manufacturer of low water use permanently mounted toilets. These toilets were designed for RVs, campers, boats, and trucks. Later, Thetford got into portable toilets and other accessories.

For over 50 years, the goal of this company was to make products that were mobile and help people live more conveniently. The goal was to make mobile living more convenient, comfortable, easier, and cleaner. This is why Thetford focused on making quality cassette toilets for everyday users.

What is a Cassette Toilet?

Although cassette toilets have been a popular toilet in Europe over the last several years they have just recently started to become popular in the United States. It’s funny, the United States being so behind in this amazing trend. It’s only until the last few years, Americans have been aware of the power and usability of the cassette toilet.

But, you’re probably reading this section because you have no idea what a cassette toilet is. Well, a cassette toilet is a bench-style permanent toilet with a portable waste tank with wheels. The portable tank can be removed and rolled to a bathroom or dump station where it can be emptied and cleaned. These toilets are usually made for mobile homes or vehicles.

Although both a portable toilet and the Thetford C402C Cassette Toilet have removable waste tanks. Portable toilets, they’re designed for temporary usages such as camping, boating, and working (trucking). Cassette toilets were designed for more permanent solutions. From my experience, they’re usually built strong and with better materials. On top of all that, they’re a lot more expensive.

How Does a Cassette Toilet Work?

Since most of the cassette toilets work the same, this is a general explanation of how a cassette toilet works. In general, Cassette toilets are made up of 3 main components of the toilet itself. There are the cassette toilet, the portable waste tank, and lastly, the clean water source. The toilet itself is permanently secured to the outer wall of the driver’s side of the RV or mobile home.

Most bowls of a cassette toilet can be turned up 180 degrees on its base. This was designed to help buyers save space in their RVs or boat. There is usually a handle on the outside of the toilet bowl that opens and closes. It’s a valve to the holding tank below.

The flush button for the cassette toilet is normally installed on the wall of the RV above the toilet. Some cassette toilets have their own water holding tank and others have clean water connected to the RVs central water tank. Most cassette toilets have a light (normally located next to the flush button) that is the waste tank level indicator light.

The portable waste tank sits below the cassette toilet and can be accessed through a door on the driver’s side of the vehicle. There is a lock on the door to keep unauthorized people from accessing the waste tank and stealing it. And trust me, this actually happens a lot to campers and people alike. Do not think this is stupid and impossible. If you don’t believe it, just do a quick search online.

Installing a Cassette Toilet

While it is possible to install a cassette toilet, I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re inexperienced. Yes, it may save you a couple of bucks but in the long run, it can cost you more if done incorrectly. Saying that it can be a difficult process. It can be difficult especially since you need to put a door on the outside of your camper. Like I said before, if you’re inexperienced, do not attempt to do this yourself but you’re most likely going to screw this up and end up spending a lot more than you bargained for.

It is best to go seek the help of a professional when it comes to installing a cassette toilet. If you’re looking to get a cassette toilet installed just go to an authorized RV or camper dealer and they should have this service. It is going to cost some money but it’s going to be a better investment than doing it yourself. It’s better than doing it yourself and getting it wrong. A professional to do this for you. You can rest assured that the job will be done right.

Last update on 2023-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How and Where to Dump the Waste Tank

One of the main benefits of a cassette toilet is that you don’t have to drive your entire vehicle to the waste station. If you want to learn more on how and where to dump your waste tank, click here for our in-depth guide. If you like an overview, then continue reading. How and where to empty the waste tank is a simple process.

1. The first thing you need to do is to make sure that the valve is closed.
2. Open the outside door to the waste tank and remove the tank.
3. Carry or wheel the waste tank to the dump station or to the bathroom.
4. Remove the spout on the tank, lift the tank over the dump hole with the spout pointing down.
5.  You want to make sure it’s over the dump hole.
6. Press the vent button to remove the waste from the holding tank.
7. Make sure all of the waste is drained from the tank.
8. Pour clean water into the waste tank and swish it around to rinse out the tank.
9. Dump out the water. Repeat this rinsing process until the water from the waste tank comes out clear.
10. Put the waste tank back in its proper place and close and lock the door to the waste tank.