Full Size Toilets for RVs: An In-Depth, Expert Guide

Looking to upgrade to a more spacious, comfortable toilet for your recreational vehicle or camper? If your current RV toilet feels cramped and outdated, installing a full size residential-style toilet can be a game changer.

As a home improvement expert specializing in RV renovations, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about full size toilets for RVs. We’ll cover sizing, measurements, installation, accessories, and maintenance. Let’s get started!

What Exactly is a Full Size RV Toilet?

A full size RV toilet essentially brings the comforts of a household toilet into your recreational vehicle. These toilets feature a roomy, elongated bowl and a tall, comfortable toilet seat like you‘d have at home. The key difference is that they are compact and made with durable materials to withstand RV travel.

Here are the defining features of full size RV toilets:

Elongated bowl – Offers additional room and surface area for more effective flushing. Approximately 18 inches long.
Spacious rectangular seat – Roomy seat is around 18 inches long by 15 inches wide. Provides ample leg room.
Comfort height – Bowl height is taller, ranging from 17-19 inches high. Makes sitting and standing easier.
Powerful flush – Flush performance rivals residential toilets thanks to increased bowl size.
Durable construction – Crafted from vitreous china, enameled steel, or plastic to withstand vibrations.
Compact base – Low profile base is optimized to fit RV space constraints.

RV Toilet Dimensions and Measurements

Let‘s get into the specific dimensions and sizing details of full size RV toilets. This will help you select the right toilet to fit your RV bathroom space:

Seat length – Approximately 18 inches long front-to-back. About 2 inches longer than standard RV toilets.
Seat width – Around 15 inches wide. Gives ample room for maneuvering.
Bowl length – Usually an elongated bowl around 18 inches long. But some models may be closer to 15 inches.
Bowl width – Ranges from 8.5 – 9.5 inches wide. Wider than a standard RV toilet.
Height – From floor to bowl rim, comfort height models sit between 17 – 19 inches tall.
Base size – Full size RV toilet bases measure 14 – 17 inches wide and 18 – 21 inches long.
Distance from wall – Install at least 15 – 18 inches from rear wall for cleaning access.

As you can see, the overall footprint is larger but low profile models can still fit most RV bathrooms. I‘ll cover installation specifics later on.

Why Choose a Full Size Toilet?

Here are the main benefits that come with upgrading to a full size RV toilet:

Spacious Comfort

The residential-style elongated bowl and rectangular seat provides ample room to sit comfortably. No more feeling cramped on a tiny toilet! There‘s plenty of leg room and space to move around.

Convenience

The additional bowl surface area allows for more effective flushing. You‘ll rarely have to flush twice or deal with clogs. It‘s just like having a toilet at home.

Accessibility

The higher bowl height ranging from 17 – 19 inches makes it much easier to sit down and stand up from the toilet. Great for those with mobility issues.

Style

Full size RV toilets come in stylish designs and colors to match your RV decor. Durable porcelain models replicate a home feel.

Improved Functionality

Cleaning and maintenance are easier with the added space between the toilet and wall. There‘s room to maneuver a brush, plunger, etc.

Flexible Installation

Low profile and upsizing kits allow full size toilets to fit into tight RV bathrooms. With a bit of handiwork, they can go nearly anywhere.

So in summary, upgraded comfort, better flush performance, easier accessibility, and more interior space are the key perks. Let‘s now go over the toilet options.

Types of Toilets Used in RVs

There are several varieties of RV toilets available. Here‘s an overview of the most common types and how they work:

Gravity Flush Toilet

This is the most widely used type of RV toilet. Gravity flush models use the weight and pressure of the water in the toilet tank to push waste down into the holding tank.

They flush effectively while using very little water per flush – usually 1 to 1.5 gallons. The flushing mechanism is typically a simple pedal or lever.

Gravity flush toilets are inexpensive, low maintenance, and don‘t require any power. But they lack flushing strength compared to residential toilets.

Vacuum Flush Toilet

Vacuum flush RV toilets employ a vacuum pump system and macerator blades to liquefy waste and draw it into the holding tank. This results in a stronger, more efficient flush that uses less water.

They are perfect for RVs with smaller water tanks since they only use around 1 pint of water per flush. Vacuum flush models have an electric flush switch. Downsides are the higher price tag, noise, and repairs.

Electric Flush Toilet

As the name suggests, these RV toilets utilize an electric motor or pump to power the flush rather than gravity siphon or vacuum pressure. The electric motor gives added flushing performance.

Many electric RV toilets come with additional features like a heated seat, deodorizer, foot flush, and touch controls. But they require an electrical hookup or 12v battery to operate.

Macerating Toilet

Macerating toilets are best suited for RVs without built-in waste tanks. They use a motorized blade to grind waste into a slurry for pumping away.

A macerating RV toilet can pump directly into an external portable tank or sewer hose for easy and sanitary waste transfers. Just hit the flush switch. Drawbacks are higher electricity use and blade jams.

Portable Camping Toilet

As the name suggests, these are small, lightweight toilets designed for tent camping, pop up campers, and small RVs. They collect waste in detachable holding tanks for easy and hygienic disposal.

Their small size and removable waste tanks make them highly portable. Just empty the waste tank at dumping stations. While convenient, they have lower flush performance and capacity.

How To Install a Full Size Toilet in an RV

Here are the key steps to install a residential-style full size toilet in your RV or camper:

Selecting a Toilet

Choose an elongated bowl toilet between 17 – 19 inches high.
Make sure the base size fits the bathroom space. Customizable bases help.
Account for extra weight. Pick a lightweight toilet model if needed.
Choose the ideal toilet type for your purposes – gravity flush, vacuum, etc.

Gathering Supplies

Adjustable toilet base kit or riser
Wax ring, bolts, washers for securing toilet
Additional plumbing supplies – pipes, joints, seals
Basic tools – wrench, screwdriver, pliers, hacksaw

Removing the Existing Toilet

Turn off water supply and drain toilet tank completely.
Disconnect and remove water lines. Unbolt toilet from floor.
Remove old mounting hardware and wax ring.

Installing the New Toilet

Position toilet correctly and bolt to floor using new wax ring and hardware.
Reconnect water supply lines. Add any needed extensions.
Attach discharge pipe and ensure tight seal.
Make plumbing adjustments as needed to fit space.
Turn water on and test for leaks. Seal any gaps.

Tips for Smooth Installation

Allow proper clearance from walls for swiveling, cleaning.
Shim toilet base if floor is uneven.
Make sure toilet is aligned squarely and anchored tightly.
Apply sealant liberally around base and connection points.

Take your time and the end result will be a home-like toilet fitted perfectly within your RV!

Replacing or Switching RV Toilet Seats

Over time, the hard plastic toilet seats in RVs can become grimy, discolored, chipped, or simply uncomfortable. Replacing the seat is an easy and affordable way to refresh your existing toilet.

You can also swap out the factory toilet seat with a cushioned seat for added comfort. Here are some tips on selecting and switching seats:

Measure the existing seat length and width to get the right replacement size.
Check that the bolt pattern matches on old/new seat.
Choose from plastic, wood, or upholstered seat materials.
Remove old seat & clean bowl. Install new seat with provided hardware.
Ensure seat sits level and tighten bolts evenly. Don‘t overtighten!

RV toilet bowls run shorter than residential ones so be sure to get a toilet seat designed specifically for RVs for proper fit. The installation process is quite straightforward. Just take your time and ensure even, snug installation.

Maintaining Your RV Toilet

Proper maintenance is crucial to keeping your RV toilet clean and functioning optimally. Here are my top tips for keeping your full size RV toilet in tip-top shape:

Clean regularly – Wipe down bowl frequently using RV toilet cleaning solution. Scrub away stains and mineral deposits.
Flush often – Flush at least 2-3 times weekly even if not in use to clear smell and waste.
Check seals – Inspect seals around bowl and connections. Reapply sealant if any cracking or shrinkage.
Add water treatment – Use special RV holding tank deodorizer and treatments to control odor and prevent waste buildup.
Inspect mount – Verify mounting bolts are tight. Tighten or adjust if looseness or rocking is noticed.
Pump out waste – Empty black and grey water waste tanks regularly at dump stations or via mobile pumping service.
Replace valve seals – Worn or dried out seals on valves will cause leaks. Know signs of deterioration.

Following these maintenance best practices will maximize the longevity your RV toilet and holding tank plumbing.

How to Safely Dump RV Waste Tanks

One unavoidable part of RVing is properly emptying out the waste tanks once they become full. Here is the sanitary step-by-step process for dumping waste at a designated RV dump station:

Supplies Needed

Holding tank sewer hose
Gloves and eye protection
Sewer hose supports or foam donuts
Tank flush wand
Sewer hose thread tape or adapter

Prep Work

Put on protective gear to avoid exposure.
Remove sewer hose and connect threaded end to RV outlet using tape or adapter for tight seal.

Empty Black Tank First

Pull black tank release valve to start emptying. Let it fully drain.
Rinse tank using flush wand inserted into toilet.

Empty Gray Water Tank

Pull gray tank valve to empty soapy gray water, which helps flush out hose.
Let it fully drain before turning valves off.

Finishing Touches

Add RV holding tank deodorizer via the toilet.
Disconnect, clean, and store sewer hose properly.
Remove gloves/gear and wash hands thoroughly after.

Dump stations provide a sanitary way to dispose of waste. Just be sure to follow proper protocol.

Full Size Toilets for Camping

For camping in a spacious RV, a full size residential toilet is ideal. But for tent camping or minimalist trailers, that‘s not practical. Here are some tips on selecting the right camping toilet:

Portable Camping Toilets

Look for a 5-6 gallon capacity toilet with detachable waste tank for easy dumping and cleaning. Double-dome tanks like Thetford‘s are most hygienic.

Choosing the Right Size

Consider number of people, length of trips, bathroom usage frequency, and waste tank capacity. 5 gallons is fine for 1-2 people on short trips. For groups or longer trips, 10+ gallons is better.

Maintenance

Empty holding tanks regularly, clean with RV chemicals, and apply tank deodorizers. Bring toilet paper, cleaning brushes, gloves, disinfectant, and odor eliminator.

Disposal

Dispose of collected waste only at designated RV dump stations or restroom toilets if emptying manually. Review campsite guidelines.

For tents and pop up campers, compact portable toilets are the way to go for convenience and sanitation. Size appropriately for the amount of use.

Top Full Size RV Toilet Models

If you‘re ready to upgrade, here is a comparison of the leading residential-style full size toilets for RVs:

Model	Height	Bowl Shape	Flushing Type	Weight	Price
Aqua Magic V	18 inches	Elongated	Gravity Flush	22 lbs	$$$$
Dometic 300	18 inches	Elongated	Gravity Flush	20 lbs	$$
Thetford Aqua-Magic Galaxy	19 inches	Elongated	Electric Flush	24 lbs	$$$
Nature‘s Head Composting	18 inches	Rectangular	Composting (waterless)	28 lbs	$$$
Camco Travel Toilet	17 inches	Standard	Portable (5.3 gal)	12 lbs	$

This covers all the key details on full size RV toilets – from models to dimensions to installation. Let me know if you need any guidance selecting the perfect toilet for your RV lifestyle!