How to Install a Toilet in the RV

There’s no way to travel comfortably without a toilet in your RV, so be sure to get one installed before you hit the road. A portable toilet for an RV may be set up and taken down without any problems. Before purchasing a new toilet, make sure you know exactly where the old one was and what kind of floor flange it was attached to. Before proceeding, ensure the new toilet will fit in the bathroom without touching any walls or other fixtures. Once you have found a replacement RV toilet that meets your needs and preferences, removing the old one and installing the new one will go quickly.

 How to Install an RV Toilet 

Keep in mind that not every RV has the same toilet. This is a rough guide, but always check the manual that came with the toilet to assist with the installation process. Sometimes, you need only the tools you used to take out the old toilet to install the new one.

  • Turn off the water before you start

Turn off the water pump and flush the toilet to remove all the pressure and water in your water lines and toilet bowl. To dry off the dish, use some towels or napkins. Your first task is to turn off the water pump.

  • Remove your old toilet

The toilet’s base likely has a plastic cover. It might be attached to the wall on each side of the lavatory or wrapped around the bowl’s base. Raise it. If it doesn’t move, try pulling it towards you. There should be bolts and nuts securing the toilet to the floor now. Disconnect all of the screws and bolts that are keeping it in place. Next, examine the hose attached to the commode by bending over and looking behind it. Loosen any fasteners that are attached. 

Take the hose off its connection. Prepare the rags and newspapers. To uninstall the toilet, lift it up and out of the wall if it isn’t too heavy, and rock it if necessary. When you take the toilet out of its mounting, you’ll need to find a place to set it. Some old newspapers, rags, or towels will do. It’s easy to see how different an RV toilet is from a standard toilet when you disconnect the previous one. 

  • Drain the RV waste tank

You shouldn’t disconnect your RV’s old plumbing pipes while the waste tank is still full. Wear rubber gloves for protection, and avoid touching your face, eyes, and mouth during this stage. Remove the gloves when done, and wash your hands immediately.

  • Take off the damaged gasket and replace it with a brand new one

The RV toilet’s rubber gasket must be removed. Pry it off with a screwdriver if necessary. Reinstall the new gasket after removing the old one and cleaning the floor well. 

A replacement gasket is included in the packing. To ensure the replacement gasket is placed correctly, refer to the manual for your specific model. Most of the time, you only need a snug fit into the existing opening.

  • Set up the new toilet

Place the gasket ring on the floor, then carefully set the RV toilet on top of the ring, making sure the bolt holes align. Once you’ve made sure the toilet is level, you may secure it with bolts. Use the wrench to snug up the bolt nuts, but be careful not to strip them out. Then, sit on the toilet to make sure it’s not loose.

  • Check the system after reconnecting the hose

The hose connection is made behind the toilet. Once again, not too tight. Check that there will be no leaks when the toilet is flushed, but don’t overdo it. 

Check for leaks around the base and behind the toilet, then flush the toilet a few times and turn on the water pump. 

The work is finished if there are no leaks. Depending on the source of the leak, you may need to adjust the bolts or move the toilet to fix the problem without worsening the situation.

 Tips to Help You Successfully Set up a Toilet in Your RV  

If you don’t want to turn to professionals, here are a few extra tips to help install the toilet in your RV on your own.

  • Choose the right toilet.

Choosing the proper toilet seat is the first step in installing a toilet in an RV. It’s important to remember that RV toilets, like RVs themselves, come in a wide variety of sizes and styles. RV toilet reviews, the size and layout of your vehicle, and the types of excursions you intend to do should all go into your decision. You’ll need to decide on a price range before shopping for a toilet because some models have more options and higher prices than others. You should also check that you have an RV sewer hose.

  • Get the necessary tools.

You’ll also require the proper equipment. To start, you will need basic things like screws and nails. The waste disposal components, such as a macerator pump and pipelines, must also be considered for efficient waste removal from the vehicle. Do your research to find out which resources will be necessary for the job at hand.

  • Fix the toilet in place.

After selecting a toilet seat and gathering the required equipment, you may begin installing the toilet and making any necessary adjustments. Before hammering in screws and nails, you’ll need to measure the area where the seat will go. Most toilets have their own set of instructions on how to install them properly. If the user doesn’t discover the manual on the toilet, they should hunt for a more in-depth set of instructions elsewhere, such as online.

  • Consider disposal options.

Setting up the RV toilet is a breeze. So that your trip goes off without a hitch, you should also give some thought to the various disposal choices you have. You may need to remove waste from some toilets manually, as flushing may not release the excrement from the vehicle. 

The garbage from certain restrooms may be automatically dumped at a designated area. Longer excursions, during which you may not always have the time or energy to dispose of garbage yourself, may benefit more from this second group.

  • Keep the toilet maintained.

After the toilet has been installed and tested, regular care is required to keep it in good operating order. Be sure to clean all of the disposals regularly to avoid any jams. If you want to avoid more serious issues in the future, you should replace broken components as soon as possible.