Archive for May, 2009

Like to have the toilet in your RV a little taller? It can be done and without too much effort.

There is a Thetford kit that simplify things. The kit contains longer bolts, new nuts and two seals in addition to the riser which will lift your toilet 2.5 inches. It is not a difficult job …not even in the tiny second bathroom in our 5er… I just got my “narrow” son to do it. He definitely fit in the small space better than I would have.

Follow the instructions that come with the kit, but simplified they are:

• Check the water supply line. The toilet will be 2.5″ higher and you may have to increase the length of the supply to reach the additional 2.5″. Ours did.
• Shut off the water to the RV, drain the toilet and disconnect the supply line. Remove the nuts that secure the toilet to the floor. Lift the toilet up and off the bolts. Clean the base and the flange area and set the toilet aside on newspapers or rags.
• Put the seals in place. Install the long bolts. Position the riser over the bolts. You may need to make a hole in the riser for the waterline.
• Slide toilet down over the bolts and tighten the nuts until the toilet feels secure.
• Check waterline connection once more before turning water back on. With water back on, check for leaks.

If your toilet has a leaking supply valve or flush valve you should make sure you have the parts on had to do those repairs while the toilet already removed.

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There are times when no amount of readiness can solve problems created by natural disasters but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to be prepared. Storage space in your RV and the distance of your location from your family and friends may be special considerations for RVers, especially full timers.

Some things you can do to be prepared, some of which may already be part of your ‘camping/traveling’ lifestyle.

• Have a two to three day supply of water …about a gallon or more per person per day… for drinking, cooking, washing hands. Your fresh water tank could contain additional water.
• Check your First Aid kits to replenish used items and check other items to determine their freshness.
• Make sure flashlights are handy and functional. Have extra bulbs of the types your flashlights use.
• Keep a supply of batteries of sizes you need for flashlight, radios, the battery operated can opener (smile), etc.
• Make sure you have a working, battery powered radio.
• A set of two-way hand-held radios with good batteries.
• Paper maps in case your GPS doesn’t function.
• A generator and fuel would be nice also.

And how ‘bout a positive attitude because once a disaster happens you can not make it back as it was. The only way to go is forward and, as Theodore Roosevelt said: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

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