Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 10:35:03 -0400
Reply-To: "Joe L." <jliasse@TOAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Joe L." <jliasse@TOAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Delicate Question? Has anybody installed a ...
In-Reply-To: <00e301bfc49a$30a21700$5738273f@amy>
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The best treatment I have seen in a Westy is one where this guy cut a
Potty-shaped hole in the front of the bench seat. The hole was then lined
with the same trim seen on the table edges and a length of 2 inch(?) wide
"heavy duty" color coordinated elastic stretched across the front like a
bungee cord. When inserted in the hole the potty protruded about a half inch
and the arrangement looked VERY factory. In use the bungee was unhooked and
the potty pulled out like a drawer.
The guy told me that the only real trouble he had with the install was in
the beginning when he had used an elastic strip that was just as wide as his
present one but made of light elastic he picked up in a fabric shop. The
ends of this strap he secured with Velcro. All was fine until one day he had
to break fairly hard. His loaded Potty slid forward against the light
elastic, streched it out and detatched the velcro allowing the potty to bash
the back of the passenger seat.
By the Grace of God the potty was only loaded with water and the blow
against the passenger seat was no where near hard enough to cause a leak but
the vivid mental images of what could have happened prompted a replacement
of that light elastic with a regular rubber bungie; not as pretty but
secure. This rubber bungie was also replaced when he found the HEAVY elastic
strap in a hardware store. One end of the new heavy strap was secured with a
wooden plate, the other with a heavy metal belt keeper that locks into a
j-channel screwed into the seat. This arrangement had been secure for 2
years when I spoke with him.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Puzerewski
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2000 5:33 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Delicate Question? Has anybody installed a ...
Try using a 5 gallon joint compound bucket with a heavy trashbag inside.
Cheaper and serves same purpose.
Puzerewski
81 westy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marshall Ruskin" <mruskin@PANGEA.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2000 2:39 AM
Subject: Re: [VANAGON] Delicate Question? Has anybody installed a ...
> I wonder if a porta potti - or a similar system could be put into the area
> under the bench seat. I think the passenger side would be best.
>
> To use it, obviously you'd have to hook up a clip or something to keep the
> seatback from whopping you, especially at such a critical moment.
>
> Marshall Ruskin
> 84 Westy
>
> >Bob,
> >
> >The reason it doesn't come up often is because a Thetford PortaPotti (or
> its'
> >look-alikes) works so darn well. Plus there's none of the attendant
> problems
> >associated with emptying the onboard black water tank, hose storage, and
> dump
> >area clean up.
> >
> >Don't forget the Vanagon is very short as far as RV's go. It's less that
15
> >feet! Most Class B vehicles with plumbed toilets are in vans 17-19 feet
> long
> >that have engines mounted in the front. They have more available floor
> space
> >than a Vanagon. After the necessary camper fixtures are installed there
is
> very
> >little floor space left in a Vanagon.
> >
> >In addition, there isn't much room on the Vanagon's underside for a large
> >traditional black water tank. On my van the gray water tank holds 13
> gallons and
> >occupies the area opposite my propane tank (the reverse of the
Westfalia).
> For
> >black water you would want a tank with a larger capacity. Another option
is
> a
> >recirculating toilet like those used in the Xplorer van conversion. An
RV,
> which
> >at 20 feet, is 5 feet longer than a Vanagon.
> >
> >So you don't get the wrong idea, I like the smaller footprint of the
> Vanagon and
> >am willing to forego some of the "luxuries" found on its' larger
brethren.
> >
> >BTW, I do have a plan that might work for someone provided they are
willing
> to
> >sleep at night while sitting on the toilet . <G>
> >
> >Garrett Adams
> >83.5 Adventurewagen GL
> >Stockton, California
> >
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