Peggy, you've been active in the RV world and since I have a boat & a TT, I thought you'd be the person to KNOW the answer to my question. Why are the toilets in RV's always called "marine" toilets? As you know, they are almost always "direct drop" systems like the sealand traveler. However, most small boats have systems that pump the poop from the toilet to a remote tank. I've never seen a system like this on an RV. What's the deal?
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Actually, RV toilets aren't marine toilets
They're either self-contained, with their own flush water reservoirs, or they're designed to use pressurized water. A true marine toilet, manual or electric, draws in sea water. So what you're really seeing in many cases are RV toilets on boats, not marine toilets in RVs. The RV market is MUCH larger than the marine market...it's actually Thetford's main market and gravity (direct drop)toilets are a big part of SeaLand's. The marine market is just an add-on for 'em. As for why boat holding tanks on boats are always in a remote location that requires pumping waste to them...There's a lot more clearance under the floor of most RVs than there is under the sole of a boat...so most RV tanks can go directly under the toilet. But there's no way to put a holding tank directly under the toilet on mosts boats...and no other location that isn't at or even slightly above the level of the toilet...so the only way to get the waste from the toilet to the tank is to pump it. However, some "low slung" RVs don't have enough clearance either...and have electric pump toilets.
They're either self-contained, with their own flush water reservoirs, or they're designed to use pressurized water. A true marine toilet, manual or electric, draws in sea water. So what you're really seeing in many cases are RV toilets on boats, not marine toilets in RVs. The RV market is MUCH larger than the marine market...it's actually Thetford's main market and gravity (direct drop)toilets are a big part of SeaLand's. The marine market is just an add-on for 'em. As for why boat holding tanks on boats are always in a remote location that requires pumping waste to them...There's a lot more clearance under the floor of most RVs than there is under the sole of a boat...so most RV tanks can go directly under the toilet. But there's no way to put a holding tank directly under the toilet on mosts boats...and no other location that isn't at or even slightly above the level of the toilet...so the only way to get the waste from the toilet to the tank is to pump it. However, some "low slung" RVs don't have enough clearance either...and have electric pump toilets.
I tend to write more than my simple question, so..
...let me try again. If you read the glossy literature for new RV's, they often refer to the installed toilet as a "marine toilet". Why? What makes it a marine toilet?
...let me try again. If you read the glossy literature for new RV's, they often refer to the installed toilet as a "marine toilet". Why? What makes it a marine toilet?
D'd if I know--'cuz it's also used on boats?
Or maybe it's the only word they can think of to distinguish toilets that actually flush from portapotties. Or...maybe they think it just sounds classier.
Or maybe it's the only word they can think of to distinguish toilets that actually flush from portapotties. Or...maybe they think it just sounds classier.
Marine(product name) means $$$
Preface the name of any item with the word "marine" and I don't mean USMC, and you know what happens to the price. You ought to see what happens with items prefaced with "aviation". I don't think I could afford both at the same time. -Roland s/v Fraulein II
Preface the name of any item with the word "marine" and I don't mean USMC, and you know what happens to the price. You ought to see what happens with items prefaced with "aviation". I don't think I could afford both at the same time. -Roland s/v Fraulein II
More often than not it's justified
The marine market is miniscule compared to mass market...so anything that's ONLY marine costs more to make--it's always cheaper to make 10 million of the same thing than 10,000...for one reason, because materials bought in larger quantities cost less. And for another, R&D, overhead etc cost the same whether you sell 10,000 a year or 10 million. Many things used on boats must be modified for marine use--made more corrosion resistant, spark protected...and even those that don't have to be must be advertised and promoted to the separate marine market. Contrary to popular belief, there's nothing wrong with making a profit. However, when it comes to boats and marine products, profits are small. In fact, the two most popular sayings among boatbuilders and marine product mfrs are: If I'd know the marine business was gonna be this much fun, I'd have brought more money and How do you make a million in the marine business? Start with two million and get out quick!
The marine market is miniscule compared to mass market...so anything that's ONLY marine costs more to make--it's always cheaper to make 10 million of the same thing than 10,000...for one reason, because materials bought in larger quantities cost less. And for another, R&D, overhead etc cost the same whether you sell 10,000 a year or 10 million. Many things used on boats must be modified for marine use--made more corrosion resistant, spark protected...and even those that don't have to be must be advertised and promoted to the separate marine market. Contrary to popular belief, there's nothing wrong with making a profit. However, when it comes to boats and marine products, profits are small. In fact, the two most popular sayings among boatbuilders and marine product mfrs are: If I'd know the marine business was gonna be this much fun, I'd have brought more money and How do you make a million in the marine business? Start with two million and get out quick!
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