Changing to a low profile toilet

[mlowther]

Hello everyone - my apologies if there is a thread on this already, but I could not find it. My husband and I find that the standard toilet in our 2017 21C is like climbing Mt. Everest when ascending the throne - so we are looking to replace our toilet with a low profile toilet (and one with the foot flush! LOL).

Our question is in regards to switching to a porcelain low profile toilet - has anyone done that mod? Were there any concerns about the weight, since now we could be adding 30+ lbs? Were there any concerns about the flex with the toilet stand?

Any tricks with changing out the standard toilet for a low profile toilet, regardless if it is porcelain or plastic?

Thank you!

[Centex]

Be sure to check the spec distance from the center of the 'black pipe hub' to the back of the toilet being considered.

I've not done the mod in my 5.0 but some porcelain toilets I investigated out of curiosity at one time would conflict with my bath wall behind the toilet (IOW, not fit).

A 21C may have more space behind the toilet, I've no idea?

[davidmurphy02]

As for floor flex from the weight of a heavier toilet, the black tank is generally encased in a 3/4" plywood box which should be plenty sturdy to support a heavier toilet (after all, it has to support the weight of a person as well).

Here's a pic of that black tank enclosure in a 5.0, the 21 is likely very similar.

[Rockhead]

We replaced the toilet that came with our 21 with a Thetford low profile elongated one for the same reason we chose the elongated one for more room while seated if you know what I mean. Made momma very happy . Took about 30 mins to swap out. There is ample room in a 21 to swap out

[bborzell]

When we ordered our E23, I asked ETI about installing a porcelain toilet if we had it shipped to the factory. ETI passed on the suggestion.

I decided to wait and see what came in the E23 and then perhaps change it out myself, if needed. It wasn’t needed.

The new toilet is a a Thetford Aqua Magic VI. It is plastic, light, has an skirted base and a slow close lid. It comes in two heights and it flushes efficiently.

It is also some 20 lbs. lighter than some of the porcelain toilets that are available. That gives you capacity to load another 20 lbs. of unnecessary camping gear.😁

[HABBERDABBER]

Originally Posted by bborzell

It is also some 20 lbs. lighter than some of the porcelain toilets that are available. That gives you capacity to load another 20 lbs. of unnecessary camping gear.😁

One can NEVER have enough unnecessary camping gear.

[CharlesinGA]

A standard height toilet is about 15 inches. An ADA height toilet that the govt has forced on everyone is about 18 inches, and the RV low profile toilets which are designed to be mounted on elevated boxes such as the pic above are in the neighborhood of 12 or 13 inches.

Sadly, it appears that Dometic and Thetford have both ceased making standard height toilets. When I bought my used BF trailer the previous owners had seen fit to install one of the 18 inch high Dometics. The still had and offered me the original AquaMagic IV and I should have taken it (it was about 15 inches, I had one in my motor home.) Now you cannot get them.

I have considered buying a low profile AquaMagic VI which is just shy of 14 inches from floor to seat, little low but not bad. I would really want to see one in person however, as the older Thetford models had a flat surface inside surrounding the hole in the bottom. It was a ledge for "stuff' to collect on and necessitated that you flush alot and use a hand sprayer to spray in there to get everything to do down the tank.

My house was equipped in the mid 1980;s with 15 inch tall Mansfield toilets. Right height, but horrible otherwise. I finally found that Toto made a 15 inch high model and installed one. Very happy with it and plan to replace the other Mansfield soon.

Charles

[bborzell]

This is a new Aqua Magic VI as installed in our E23. If you can see past the artsy shadow work, you should fail to see any flat stuff at the bottom.

I am quite impressed by the toilet design/function. Particularly liked the step by step “how to use” video.

[mlowther]

Awesome! Love this forum! Thanks for the responses!! We will be switching out our toilet come springtime.

[DT6]

We replaced the Thetford plastic toilet that came with our 21C with a Dometic porcelean toilet. This is a standard height, so not the one you want, but it has been fine since installing it about a year ago. No issues with the weight, and the 21C has ample room. You should be fine with your choice.

[CharlesinGA]

Originally Posted by bborzell

This is a new Aqua Magic VI as installed in our E23. If you can see past the artsy shadow work, you should fail to see any flat stuff at the bottom.

I am quite impressed by the toilet design/function. Particularly liked the step by step “how to use” video.

With the water turned off, step on the pedal and keep the shutter open, and with a light look carefully down inside around the hole in the base of the toilet, inside, not the bowl like you show.

Charles

[lostskier]

If your not afraid of heights, I just use a small folding step stool to rest my feet on.

[Beekeeper]

Why go to all that trouble? We built a 3 1/2" deep frame to fit the floor and put two boards on top with a hole in each to make it easy to remove for showers, etc. Sorry I don't have a photo.

[mlowther]

Because we also want to get a foot flush toilet, instead of the hand flush we currently have now - so since we are changing, we will change to what we want! But that's a great idea you have to raise the floor!

[Beekeeper]

Hope it goes well!

[W@nderer]

Originally Posted by Beekeeper

Why go to all that trouble? We built a 3 1/2" deep frame to fit the floor and put two boards on top with a hole in each to make it easy to remove for showers, etc. Sorry I don't have a photo.

I thought of this but am concerned about damaging the floor. Has this worked and how did you do the base (the part the touches the floor)?

[Beekeeper]

We put an extra piece of linoleum, cut to fit, on the floor and then built a frame to fit the inside dimensions of the space. Topped it and it worked like a charm. Did the same in the Casita we owned before we bought the Escape. If you don't have linoleum you could use a car floor mat or even a bath mat to protect the fiberglass floor.

[Beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Beekeeper

Why go to all that trouble? We built a 3 1/2" deep frame to fit the floor and put two boards on top with a hole in each to make it easy to remove for showers, etc. Sorry I don't have a photo.

I didn't realize the photo showed up. Sorry we didn't have one without the dark blue bath mat we kept on it.

[tractors1]

Works great in our 21; slow close seat is very quiet. Ceramic is much easier to keep clean and flushing is superb: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073WXJQ8C...c_p_m_6_i&th=1