Pop Up Camper Cassette Toilet Basics | How to Fill Up, Use, Empty, Clean & Maintain!

This video details how to fill up, use, empty, clean, and maintain a pop up camper cassette toilet, specifically a Thetford model cassette toilet. This video will help those of you unfamiliar with cassette toilets feel comfortable with their use and functionality.
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[@vanessaroache5293]

Officially watching this channel nonstop now for an hour and I’m really excited to see such an approachable person explain so clearly how to care for our popups.

[@speedtriprr537]

I want to approach his D

[@ItsPoppin]

Rule #1: Don't #2 in the cassette toilet unless it's an emergency! - lol Thanks for watching!

[@davevroege3962]

Maybe a dumb question: but is it WRONG to use the cassette toilet for #2 or just an inconvenience? I talked with someone in the campground the other day who says he uses his cassette toilet for #2.

[@ItsPoppin]

No, no problem, just personal preference

[@danielleotoole9823]

I've been a camper all my life. Never had a trailer with a cassette toilet until now thank you so much for teaching me how to maintain it.

[@deeterr1227]

OMGOSH!!!.. we just bought the "Americanizer"!!! GAME CHANGER!!! I don't love but don't mind dumping our cassette! A thousand times more sanitary and no mess at all. We always carry a spare cassette, this Americanizer is amazing. I tried to thank the fit RV channel guy but he's taking no comments on his channel. Anyhow just thought I'd mention that it's my two cents. happy New Year you two 😊

[@kimberlythurston733]

I just bought a pop up yesterday and am so excited to get out and about. Have been watching your videos and love them all. As for the toilet, I almost didn’t get a camper with one but them I remembered my drunken stumbles in a state park in Utah trying to find the toilet house. It was sooo dark and my headlamp didn’t help much. I got lost on the way back and got freaked from the remoteness of it all. Definitely a night to remember! So, now I have a toilet for those midnight potty breaks. 😁

[@greglarson7034]

Just finished our first weekend trip with our new pop up. This video helped a lot with how to deal with the cassette. I knew I missed something the first time I watched it. We had to “flush” the toilet using the shower nozzle. Though the toilet was hooked up to the water. Won’t make that mistake again! Thanks for the video!!!!

[@colinsmith1876]

Just bought my first pop-up!! This video was SO helpful in learning my cassette toilet!! THANK YOU!!

[@mandyfaltesek948]

Oh my goodness thank you So much! I've been looking for a while now how to work our toilet in our popup! I didn't realize it was a cassette toilet. I'll now be able to use it in the middle of the night!

[@joeferris2038]

Very appreciative of this channel, just became a pop up owner and this is making a world of difference

[@Sminuzninuz]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge of this crappy situation :)

[@justbrowsing8482]

Thank you! I have a cassette toilet in my camper van and didn’t have a clue as to how the system works. Thanks again!

[@silentraven37]

Thanks for explaining everything so simply and showing the process

[@samanthawilliams8611]

Thanks so much for this video! We have no clue what we are doing and this was super helpful!

[@njs454]

Thank you for doing this!

[@rockyortiz6620]

Thank you for this valuable information and great explanation!!!!👍🏼😉🙂

[@seanmyers227]

Fantastic video, thanks for making this!

[@margaretelam7829]

This is helpful to me, thanks.

[@dpoulos3633]

Thank you that was a very thorough and informative video.

[@AliciaEvery]

Super helpful, thanks!

[@starviolet6402]

Omggg thank you sooooo much for making this video.. went camping & didn’t know how to use the toilet 🤣🤣

[@chelseab5467]

Thank you!!

[@barbkeith8702]

Loving these videos, keep em coming...

[@ItsPoppin]

Thanks!

[@tigerslashii7097]

I was considering buying a pop-up camper and a piece of land out in the middle of nowhere that I could flee to whenever I got too tired of this fast paced city lifestyle. All the logistics looked easy enough to deal with except for pooping in the woods, that was the uncomfortable bit. And from this I can glean that pooping in a camper with a toilet is discouraged. This makes things even more complicated.

[@BK-hl2lh]

Great video bro!

[@TheSwanbackjacks]

Great video! Ty!!

[@peted7687]

Thank you, very helpful

[@dawg7915]

thanks for that, i will have one just like this soon

[@ItsPoppin]

What make/model are you getting?

[@AdventuresinPopUps]

Thank you for this video! We have used our new pup twice but I have yet to figure out the bathroom. 🙈 (We were right by the bathrooms anyway.)

[@JarkkoLaitinen211]

good video!

[@jonathanleslie9100]

great video. what is the exact model of the toilet in the video if you would please say?

[@RedGrayBeard1218]

Well I would like to thank you for your videos. I told my family no one is allowed to use it. Well we are currently camping and I get some kind of bug and the showers area is on the other end of our loop. Lol.

[@bobareebop]

Thank you for this video. I'm looking forward to cleaning and maintaining our cassette toilet - once I figure out how to remove it from it's enclosure! Doesn't seem to want to come out...

[@ItsPoppin]

Make sure the toilet lever is closed from the inside of the pop up

[@CathrynBarker]

Hello I really liked the video. Do you know anything about the solenoid part for the cassette toilet?

[@Lapeerphoto]

7:25 - So the seal is some type is super secret proprietary rubber compound that only lubricates with the manufactures overpriced super secret lubricate!! Right, got it...Vaseline in a tube. LOL Other than "Only use manufactures products", this was a super informative and well demonstrated video. Thanks!

[@theprepperfrog167]

I'm at 3/4 of your videos, liked them all, great job! Beautiful drone footage in your intro; what kind did you used? Thank you very much, guys.

[@ItsPoppin]

Mavic air 2

[@angelvargas4486]

Hello buddy How are you? Which drain adapter do you use for this type of shower? Is it a 2”x3/4” adapter?

[@jamesgasero5095]

That button you push for the solution to go into the toilet is that run on batteries or when you plug into the breaker panel when I push the button on mine I do not hear nothing mine is a starcraft and mine has the round one that you turn to flush it down please get back to me as soon as you can thank you

[@Mauriceandcarolyn]

Very nice thank you . I have an older StarCraft popup with the circle holder for the flush. Is the water supposed to work for the toilet just being hooked up to the campsite water hose? Or do I need to have the electric pump on which I thought was supposed to be used for the water holding tank? I don’t have water running when I twist the circle.

[@rafaelcasero2822]

Hi, greta video ... I have to repair my floor, anyway you can guide me in removing it and reinstalling it so I can repair the floor under it.. Thanks

[@starviolet6402]

How would you winterize the cassette toilet? Where do I add the antifreeze fluid? Please advise thank you

[@nanb7149]

Thanks for the video. Do you find that the toilet stinks while the camper is in use from this kind of toilet?

[@duaneberney3120]

Can I add water to my toilet storage flush tank at home before traveling to my favorite camp site? I just want to make sure the water will not leak out while traveling or on bumpy roads.

[@mariapeth6251]

Thank you so much for your videos. I bought my first new pop up last year and have been using your videos ever since. The winterization was very helpful. I did have a question if you guys ever use the shower portion or if you have video on the steps for that with the water heater and what to do to use it correctly.

[@ItsPoppin]

Not quite yet

[@robertruiz5110]

My electric control is not working. Is there a trouble sooting guide ?

[@davevann2925]

I'm thinking about using a pop up camper for my 6 mo. ( April - October) seasonal asphalt job, some of the guys live on boats as well as campers. What are your thoughts on living in one for 6 months or would It be better to get a hard sided camper with the septic hose attached all 6 mo.?

[@dschroeder144]

Excellent video. Thanks. We have a Rockwood Freedom 2318G with the shower-toilet. It has served us really well during a two week camping trip this summer. My question is about winterizing the water system for the toilet. Should I be putting RV antifreeze into it’s water reservoir? I watched your winterizing video and followed your steps for the trailer main water storage tank. I opened the low water points, blew it out with compressed air, emptied the hot water tank, set the hot water tank lines to by-pass, and then added 4 litres of antifreeze to the water tank. It seems odd that the toilet water system doesn’t require a similar process.

[@ItsPoppin]

No, you can completely drain the cassette toilet so you don't need any antifreeze.

[@JonathanScott]

Do you use a generator for your camper? Just bought one, picking it up soon and wanted to see what other people run for power setups.

[@dschroeder144]

@@JonathanScott We do have a Honda 1000. It is great, nice and quiet and fuel efficient, but we aren't using it anymore. I have a 200 watt Renogy Solar Suitcase and a 100 AH Lithium battery. This provides us with plenty of power when we are camping off grid. I also just got a GoLabs R500 power station. I'm looking forward to seeing how useful it will be in the mix. There seems to have been a lot of recent advancements in solar and battery storage.

[@ericbrewer07]

I have a 2008 StarCraft RT 13 I bought used. I followed all of your instructions and for some reason cannot get water to pump into the toilet. The pump is not activating. I checked the fuse. Good. Any other pro tips?

[@grpere1]

I opted for the 5 gallon bucket with snap-on toilet seat. I place a bag in it, put some cat litter in it, and toss the bag once or twice a day depending on how many people use it. I also use a large instant shower/restroom popup tent as I would never want to use the restroom inside of a popup or a tent. Hell to the no for bacteria concerns. Cleaning a cassette toilet just seems cumbersome and unsanitary.

[@carolinecolbert197]

Thanks for this! Have you ever had to change the seal on the black water holding tank? I think I need to and I'm not sure how. Was hoping you did! Thanks!

[@ItsPoppin]

Thankfully no

[@SusanHernandez-h7q]

How do you know how much water to put in the tank?

[@michaelmullins7920]

I did realize there was a way to use the water level sight glass as a drain off. That fact alone was worth watching this video. Q Your cover photo shows you holding two cassettes, do you see a need for a spare? Just for record do you have a part number? Thanks for an excellent video!

[@ItsPoppin]

Thanks! We have a Thetford model: C-402 RH (right hand) and no we don't have a spare, we just have two pop ups at the moment.

[@zxDILLIGAFxz]

New to pop up life…wife and I are looking to get one for our own adventures now that kidos are grown…question….how difficult/expensive would it be to actually install a cassette toilet in a pop up that does have a toilet at all??

[@tahocker]

OK has anyone had an issue with the cassette going in to far and then you can not get it out? I have the thetford c402c. Noticed this past weekend as i was setting up that the cassette was in way to far. And now cant remove it. I pulled and pryed with no luck. Any suggestions.

[@DanielGarcia-pf4sx]

Nice video Can you show how to turn on the furnace please?

[@ItsPoppin]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHqreZp5odWtaJo

[@SwastikaHinduSansrkit]

One time I had to go badly and just got a plastic bag and dumped into it. Wet wipes work as well. Then just tie the bag and toss in trash can. But the cassette system looks more "humane".

[@ToddFornelli]

Thanks for all the knowledge! I'm having trouble getting water to flow into the flush reservoir. The PUP is fully level, but fills up out the spout and doesn't move past that or show in the water level sight glass either. Any suggestions??

[@ItsPoppin]

We run into this same issue. Two options: 1. Raise or park the cassette toilet side so that it’s a bit higher when filling or 2. Lift gently on the fill spout while your filling to encourage water to enter the flush reservoir.

[@aaronheinberger5884]

Thanks for a helpful video. Very new to pop-ups and have a newbie question. Can I fill the cassette toilet water tank at home, then drive to the wilderness campsite or will that damage the water holding tank?

[@ItsPoppin]

Yeah, we’ve done it. Just account for the extra water weight.

[@Ciangi87]

We just bought are pop up camper used and I have done everything but this because its not my poop in it 😂I’m dreading this part because even though they said they cleaned it it still smell bad when I left the toilet seat up 😬

[@nickchevrier4134]

Hey, great vid any thoughts on why the same model electric flush will not work? I changed the fuses and they are good to go, does the campers water pump need to be on or does the cassette toilet have its own individual pump that could be malfunctioning? Would there be any other switches that I am missing?

[@ItsPoppin]

It’s self contained and does not use the campers water pump.

[@helenkroll6571]

My cassette panel quit working as far as pumping the water around the toilet. I think it is the panel itself. Is it easy to install a new panel. Or any other suggestions? Love your videos! Just found them and am excited to learn more!

[@ItsPoppin]

We’ve never had to do that. Out of curiosity did you check the fuse inside the cassette compartment along with the fuses in the converter box?

[@btamayo782003]

Just got a pop up and been going through all your videos! Anything new coming soon?

[@daveprintup3362]

question I have , the little pouch you put in to help the smell, does that go in the toilets or in the water holding tank for the potpie? never had one before.

[@ItsPoppin]

Toilet

[@johnhurley9673]

I have plenty of water in my holding tank from my cassette toilet but I will not flush any water what do I do

[@jamesgraham7549]

I have lost the key to the access door ...does anyone have an idea as to how to get into the compartment? There's no way to get in from inside the camper. TIA

[@downhill615]

So what our we doing wrong with our system. If i leave flush water in the bowl. It leaks out and ends up where the cassette sits.

[@musicfan405]

I have a cassette holding tank also. My question is: Can I connect to the bottom of the toilet to run the sewage straight to the campsite sewage drain? Or am I always going to have to dump the holding tank?

[@ItsPoppin]

Maybe? I imagine it would involve some serious modifications! There are some larger pop up campers, primarily high wall campers, that do have black water/waste holding tanks that aren’t cassettes. These would be much better suited to running sewage straight to the campsite drain. Maybe this would be a good excuse to upgrade or maybe that would be something you can take inspiration from to do your modification?

[@tedhederich3600]

You ever jave issues with priming the pump on your cassette toilet? Its seems oike i may have a vapor lock, and no water coming

[@regvelez]

My cassette is leaking in the pop up. Water seems to be coming from underneath. I noticed it after the first time the cassette was used. What’s happening 🙁

[@supertiger72]

When you pull it out of rv does it automatically close as you pull it out?

[@und4287]

You can't pull the cassette out while the valve in the bowl is open.

[@timpitzer4925]

Do you need a holding tank if you have your water connected to a connection at the campground?

[@ItsPoppin]

No

[@ianscottlewis]

When you insert the cassette does anything need to be opened or closed? We just bought a camper with toilet but it is unclear if we need to open a valve, etc? There is simply a cassette under the commode… Is it ready to use once inserted? Again, valves etc? Tks

[@ItsPoppin]

This is going off memory, but if you insert the cassette with the large opening in the top “open,” I believe it will automatically close as you slide the cassette in. Once the cassette is inserted, you just need to actuate the “handle” from the inside of the pop up in order to open and close the large opening in the top of the cassette. I do know, however, that if the large opening in the top of the cassette is left in the open position, the cassette will not be able to be removed from the camper - for good reason!

[@chrislennox8237]

We have the same cassette toilet in our popup that we bought this summer. Upon purchase, there was a green light on by the electronic flush button. Everytime we have used the camper though, it doesn't light up or function. The holding tank is full. What would you recommend for diagnosing this issue?

[@ItsPoppin]

Check the fuse(s)

[@barrychamberlain9319]

I have never used the toilet in my camper - worried that the whole camper will smell like waste for ever after. What is your experience with odor control? also, does it stink up your garage when it is stored for the winter? Thanks

[@ItsPoppin]

We have a #1 rule and the deodorizer does a great job at masking the odor. As far as the garage, I make sure to give it a deep clean prior to storing it for the winter and haven't had any problems.

[@terrymay618]

Help my cassette toilet has water damage in the flooring area im gonna have to remove toilet shower to fix floor underneath any idea how hard this will be to do worried on how to unhook shower drain just don't wanna damage toilet shower so I can rebuild floor and put back in any advise please your my only hope

[@ItsPoppin]

We've never had to rebuild a floor, but I imagine it's quite involved and will take some time and effort. As far as the drain, ours simply unscrews underneath, but yours may be different. Whats the year make and model?

[@maf5567]

So here's a stupid question. When I am reading the cassette toilet to use, do I remove the "slidey thing" or does the opening mechanism on the inside push it aside? Thanks

[@ItsPoppin]

It automatically moves the slidey thing for you

[@lcampbell6470]

How does he waste go into the tank with the “slidey thing” over the hole?

[@ItsPoppin]

It automatically opens when the cassette is inserted into the camper

[@skipwilliam5639]

We do the exact same thing you do. We do have a rule though No number two its your turn to clean it if you do ..lol

[@ItsPoppin]

Same - lol

[@aerospacecadet9781]

I'm a pretty regular guy. No way I can go 2 or more days without doing the 2! You must be ready to explode when you get home. Oh and if you meet me out camping I recommend you skip my famous "Build your own Burrito Tuesday"!

[@skipwilliam5639]

@@aerospacecadet9781 LOL Im just refering to the toilet in the popup camper.. We camp in National Parks here in Canada were alwys within 5 minutes of a outside washroom.. The toilet in the popup is so my gf doesnt get spooked. Last year the racoons decided to say hello right in the middle of her doing her business and wow did she scream. That was the last time with a tent and no toilet..lol

[@suerogerprice5249]

We have the same cassette toilet in our pop-up that we purchased new last year. The toilet worked great until our first use this year. The water in the bowl doesn't disperse when we press the button. We can hear the motor working but no water is released. Our camper was full of water and level. Any thoughts?

[@ItsPoppin]

Haven't run across this problem before. It doesn't sound like the fuse if you can hear the motor running. Maybe check to make sure all of the pipes/tubes are connected and/or not blocked.

[@andradefamily3957]

After having this exact same problem, I found that I had not put enough water into the holding tank! Keep on filling it up with water until the clear indicator tube shows that you have enough. You might be surprised (as I was) at just how much water you have to put in!

[@randalllester702]

I have thus system I'm my pop-up but when I push blue button to flush nothing happens like no power have checked all fuses have any idea what I need to check

[@ItsPoppin]

There is a hidden 3 amp fuse in the compartment that contains the cassette. I believe ours is on the left hand wall of the compartment.

[@Ciangi87]

Where would I buy a new toilet tube to drain the water? mine is leaking, I have the same setup as you for the toilet.

[@ItsPoppin]

Search for thetford part #51804

[@Ciangi87]

@@ItsPoppin that you so much!!

[@ericdouglass3515]

Where do you put the deodorizer in? Just in the bowl and flush it?

[@ItsPoppin]

Drop it inside the casette holding tank and then add however much water is recommended.

[@ericdouglass3515]

@@ItsPoppin Thank you, we just bought a pop up last weekend, getting ready for the first trip! Binge watching all your videos! Thank you!!!

[@trictu]

Important to note that the cassette toilet isn't properly sealed with the toilet bowl when it's closed. You can't just pee in the toilet bowl and then open it after and flush. It must be open before you pee otherwise you'll have a big mess.

[@ItsPoppin]

Good to know!

[@seanthompson7592]

I dump mine in the claeanout outside my house and use the water hose to clean

[@robertruiz1112]

I watched your video on cassette toilets but my electric flush did not work. It just made the inside lights go dimmer. Can you help me trouble shoot this ? Thank you Bob

[@ItsPoppin]

There are two fuses hidden in the cassette toilet compartment. Check those in addition to the fuses in the converter? Are other 12v appliances working?

[@robertruiz1112]

@@ItsPoppin I found one fuse power 5 in good shape. The converter has the row of fuses correct. They are all in could shape. The microwave worked fine when plugged in. Do you know where the other fuse is located ? Thank you so much for reaching out to me. I really enjoy your video’s

[@ItsPoppin]

Remove the cassette toilet itself and it should be on the left hand wall if you have the same model as us. Should be a 3 amp fuse.

[@angeliquegriggs4250]

We have a 2014 Forest River Rockwood 2516 g with a cassette toilet and wet bath. I'm wondering how your shower drains as well as your sink

[@ItsPoppin]

Our sink drains right out the wall next to the sink. We connect a shortened piece of hose into an aquatainer to collect the water. Our shower drains to a PVC pipe which is then re-directed to the side of the pop up. I move the aquatainer to collect the gray water when the shower is in use. You can also get nicer, but more expensive gray water tanks that are purpose built and hold more water.

[@angeliquegriggs4250]

@@ItsPoppin Thanks for the info

[@cowboy60cowgirl62]

I had a Starcraft Centennial 3612 with the cassette Toilet my son broke the plastic pin that opens the valve and I had to fix it, because theftford wanted $370 something for a replacement so I fixed with a stainless steel Nylon nut and bolt. I now own a 2018 Rockwood Premier HW296 with a regular rv toilet no cassette this time. My wife and I are on site with sewer hookup so we dump direct when the 12 gal tank is full, just like a travel trailer. Here is my Popup when I get it new in 2017 but it's a 2018. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hX2zfJ1-dthmis0

[@mattsenft4810]

I know how to use it. Throw it in garbage next to the sink and stove you took out earlier.

[@ItsPoppin]

Ha! Too funny!

[@ChiefDoesStuff]

Or stop off at a random porta-pottie and dump it in there lol.

[@ItsPoppin]

Ha, that works!

[@tatianapanea7565]

I would never bring it in the house.

[@spiritwings4592]

Why not.

[@jonathanleslie9100]

I can definitely see you have a point: I'd be less that enthusiastic to bring the cassette into my house as well. I have a septic system and as such, it has a clean out pipe in the lawn that is a great pour location for a cassette. That and the garden hose is what I would do--- I'm planning on doing if I go ahead with this.

[@jaytabac6525]

possibly the grossest thing anyone can do. i have passed on purchasing 2 camper vans already simply due to the fact that they have cassette toilets. no matter how careful you are, you will inevitable end up with disgusting situation from time to time.

[@GordonShumway1910]

No way I'm hauling my shit around. If you're at a campground wouldn't they have facilities? Isn't that the point of dealing with campgrounds. Dont know, I boondock. I'll go in the woods first

[@victoriacarr6148]

Uggh. This was a tough watch! First, you touched inside the spout with your bare fingers and then you took the cover off in the bathtub and set it dirty side down on the rim of the tub. 🤮🤮🤮 I couldn’t watch anymore after that… 😂

[@Nothern_King]

Lol, people are so soft these days

[@markarzuaga5690]

You say "essentially" a lot

[@timplumb21]

I don't know about anybody else, but I am dumping my cassette toilet at the bathrooms at the campground not going to bring that home

[@downhill615]

So what our we doing wrong with our system. If i leave flush water in the bowl. It leaks out and ends up where the cassette sits.