Last updated on October 30th, 2023 at 06:07 am
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RVing is such a comfortable form of camping since most RVs are equipped with a bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, and living space. Comfort is high on the priority list for many RVers, but when it comes to the bathroom space, some campers find themselves wanting a more traditional toilet. This is tricky as RVs require very different plumbing from common houses, but changing the toilet seat may help make things more comfortable, especially for full-timers!
So, will a regular toilet seat fit an RV toilet?
RV toilets are often smaller than house toilets, so a regular toilet seat may not fit well. Sometimes regular toilet seats will fit an RV toilet, as long as the seat and toilet are a good match. Buying an RV with a toilet size close to a house toilet means a regular seat should fit.
As most RVers will confirm, camper vans are never fully complete! We are always changing things around in our adventure wagons, improving comfortability, and making upgrades each year. If you’re looking to replace your RV toilet seat with a regular household one, you’ll first need to measure your toilet and see if it’s possible.
Let’s dive deeper!
How To Measure An RV Toilet Seat
Measuring is the primary step to take in identifying whether or not you can fit a regular toilet seat onto your RV toilet. Jumping into a toilet seat purchase before making measurements is a gateway for issues, causing more time and money down the line if it doesn’t fit. It’s advisable to measure the width of the bolts, along with the width and length of the toilet itself.
Width
To measure the width of your RV toilet seat, you’ll need to use a tape measure and extend it from one side to the other, doing so at the widest point. Measuring the seat at the narrowest point won’t provide an accurate reading for a new seat, so make sure you measure from the widest points.
Length
For the toilet seat length, measure from the front of the seat to the very back where the bolts secure it to the frame. I always find it best to repeat measurements a couple of times for increased accuracy, and I’d suggest doing the same for your toilet seat!
Bolt Width
The bolts sit towards the very back of the toilet, attaching the seat to the frame of the toilet. When measuring, you can afford a bit of leeway in the width and length of the seat compared to a regular toilet. The bolts, however, must have identical measurements! To measure the bolts on your RV toilet record the width from the center of one bolt to the center of the other.
Are RV Toilets Universal?
Finding the right seat after measuring can be confusing as RV toilets are not universal. Replacing a toilet with a regular one rather than just the seat isn’t very achievable. RV toilets work very differently from regular toilets and can’t be replaced with one at all.
RV toilets are specifically designed to handle the demands of RV travel and life on the road, hence why they aren’t compatible with regular toilets, and why replacing the seat comes down to such precise measurements. There is quite a variety of RV toilets available, though if you’re replacing the one in your rig, it’s vital to measure the space you have to play with.
Bathrooms in an RV tend to be on the smaller side unless you’re driving around a huge Class A rig with a couple of toilets on board! Generally speaking, toilets in RVs are on the smaller side of things, but this doesn’t mean they have to lack luxury. Upgrading the seat to a soft close is a small change that can make all the difference for travelers not looking to leave home comforts behind.
Different Types Of RV Toilets
RVing is a huge industry, and with it comes endless choices, such as different types of RV toilets. Some styles suit certain rigs and travel styles better than others, and it’s wise to keep budget in mind, as upgrading from a standard cassette toilet can be a big change and a considerable investment. Let’s explore some of the different types of RV toilets and weigh up which one works best for you!
Standard Gravity-Flush Toilets
Gravity-flush toilers are the most common type found in RVs. If the toilet in your rig features a foot pedal to flush, this is an indicator of a gravity-flush toilet. These RV toilets are hooked up directly to a black tank, using gravity to flush waste with support from water provided by the fresh tank. Gravity-flush toilets are easy to use and aren’t too much of a fuss to clean either, thanks to the black tank collecting all of the waste.
Cassette Toilets
Ah, the familiar cassette toilet. These toilets are an affordable, all-in-one model, meaning they essentially come with their own waste tanks. Rather than being hooked up to an RV’s black and fresh water tanks, these toilets sit above two small tanks, one for waste and one for fresh water, as shown in the video below:
These tanks hold anywhere from 2 to 5 gallons and can be emptied from outside a rig. Because of their design, they are typically smaller than their standard counterparts and are found in RVs such as camper vans.
I don’t know if I’ve just been unlucky, but I have tried 2 cassette toilets in the past and I didn’t get on with either of them! I found the emptying process less than pleasurable, and there was also an underlying smell I couldn’t get rid of.
Cassette toilets are a breeze to use, but the main issue is getting up close and personal with the toilet and its contents. Along with needing regular emptying, especially if there’s a family on board, cassette toilets aren’t my no.1 RV toilet option.
Incinerator Toilets
Incinerator toilets, as the name suggests, use chambers that heat over 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, turning waste into ash. There’s no need for any water during the process, and there’s no smelly waste to deal with afterward. As terrifying as it sounds, they are very safe and the bathroom can even be used while the incineration process is taking place.
Incinerator toilets are innovative and hygienic, but expensive! When compared to gravity flush or cassette toilets, the price of incinerator toilets is sky-high, but if you have the budget, you’ll never have to deal with bad smells or a messy tank-emptying process!
Composting Toilets
If the idea of an incinerator toilet sounds a bit too intense or the prices are simply too high, composting toilets are another waterless option. Composting toilets separate solids and liquids, with the liquids going into a small tank attached to the toilet and the solids entering a composting bin. The bin uses different natural materials such as moss and sawdust to kill any odor and as long as it is emptied around once or twice a month, you should be good to go!
Just over 2 years ago, I swapped to a composting toilet and I haven’t looked back since! Granted, they take a little while to get used to, and they are a bit of an initial spend, but they are natural and have no smell. With two of us in our rig, we empty more regularly than once a month, but solo RVers will get away with a longer period without needing to empty their composting toilet!
Sometimes it’s easy to tell just by looking at different RV toilet types why they aren’t compatible with regular toilets. Household toilets usually feature standard plumbing, not incineration or composting, and the seats of these toilets can also be a reflection of this.
What To Look For In An RV Toilet Seat?
When shopping around for a new RV toilet seat, there are a few things to look out for! There’s no point in returning to your rig without taking measurements of your old toilet seat first and working out the option best suited to you and your needs. Full-timers may prefer to invest in the most luxurious option for ultimate comfort, whilst weekend explorers may not have an issue with the most basic RV toilet and seat.
Size
We’ve already spoken about how vital taking measurements of your toilet seat is, after all, RVs are designed right down to the last inch, and the toilet is no exception! Ensure any new seat fits well, and lines up perfectly with the rest of the toilet to avoid issues in the future.
Finding a regular toilet seat compatible with the unique sizing of your RV’s seat, and the unique design of the toilet itself can be difficult. This is why even though it’s possible to use a regular toilet seat in your RV, it’s best to look for other RV toilet seats to replace your existing one.
Style
Believe it or not, there are many different styles of toilet seats. From various colored seats to cushioned, soft-close, luxury options, there’s a seat out there for you. Choosing an RV toilet seat style to work well for you may take a bit of thought. It’s worth considering the type of RVing you enjoy doing, the number of people on board, and the maintenance of the toilet and seat in general.
Material
Plastic is the most common material for RV toilets, though it’s also possible to source wooden seats, and on occasion porcelain seats. Plastic is undoubtedly a popular RV toilet seat choice since it’s a breeze to clean and maintain. When compared to wood, however, plastic no longer seems very durable! Wooden toilet seats are long-lasting, but may not have the desired white, fresh look, you might be looking for.
Porcelain RV toilet seats are a rare find, and it’s not too difficult to figure out why! Sometimes, an adventure in a rig may take you down a bumpy track, and the last thing on your mind will be potentially damaging the fragile porcelain toilet seat in the rear of the wagon. Since porcelain RV seats can cost considerably more than plastic or wooden seats, this is something to consider!
Price
Budget, budget, budget! Having a figure in mind of how much you want to spend on your RV toilet seat is essential! Budgeting for RV items can make things far less daunting, and can also avoid any unnecessary spending. RV toilet seats range dramatically in price, usually due to the material used and the features included.
Durability
When I invest in something new for my RV, I want it to last! Traveling around the country already costs enough, without needing to spend hundreds or thousands inside my rig.
Replacing an old toilet seat with a new one will, of course, incur some spending, but opting for a durable seat from the offset means less spending in the future. Toilets are commonly used items, and the seats, in particular, can become worn over time, so opting for a durable option is the way to go!
Closing Thoughts
While replacing your RV toilet seat with a regular one might be possible, it’s not the best idea. After taking the time to make all the tedious and specific measurements, you may not be able to find a regular toilet seat that’s compatible with your RV toilet.
Focussing on replacing your RV toilet seat with another RV-specific seat can save time, effort, and money down the line. After all, there’s a reason RV toilet seats are categorized separately from regular ones! More often than not, trying to mix and match will end in frustration, so for happier camping, it’s wise to opt for an RV seat replacement.