From composting RV toilets, to chickens in the RV -- our readers have plenty to say

Nearly every week we hear from our readers on a variety of published topics. We appreciate the opportunity to share viewpoints -- here's a compilation of some recent comments. Please direct your views to Russ at rvtravel dot com.

Composting Toilets

Just read your RV Tip of the Day by Chris Noble (RV Daily Tips Issue 716. September 28, 2015). I found this article is misleading because it leads people to believe that they can safely abandon their black tanks and keep on going by composting their waste. Not so.

I have had an Airhead composting toilet on my sailboat for a couple of years and the problems I have encountered there will show-up in an RV just the same. The problem is the urine bottle. It fills up very quickly and then what do you do with it? Stop by the road side to dump it? You cannot dump it into the toilet for obvious reasons. Depending upon where you are on the water, you have to make a personal choice. You cannot do this on the road.

I removed the Airhead composting toilet because I encountered a problem that could not be fixed. Namely, depending on what tack you are on when sailing (i.e. to which side the boat is leaning), you will at times be unable to control the flow of urine. By force of circumstance, it will go into the composter and then you ruined it. While I do believe in the principle of composting toilets and actually liked the Airhead very much, I removed it from the boat.

I would not even suggest to put one into an RV. It will cause problems that will be messy to deal with.

-- Ronald Hiemann


I have been thinking about putting a Nature's Head in my trailer for a while. I have been holding back on  a composting toilet because all composting toilets, in order to function, need to be maintained at a temp of 68 degrees F or above. People need to consider this parameter very carefully when considering a composting toilet. Below 68 F bacterial activity ceases or slows down a lot. It won't start again until proper temp is reestablished. This can be a big problem unless temps are kept in mind.

I'm no expert, so you should verify the above info for yourself before accepting it as correct.

--Tim (timsworld42)


Gas v Diesel

I believe Steve in his article (RV Daily Tips Issue 723. October 7, 2015) has missed a very important point in his assessment concerning CCC [acronym for Cargo Carrying Capacity]. Diesels do give you thousands of pounds for cargo plus. But there is something called safety in a higher number.

There are way too many gas models available with the CCC under 1000 pounds, maybe a little more, but since most first time buyers go with gas, they don't realize that they must include in this calculation their body weight. We know an overweight RV leads to many problems down the road. (pun meant)

--Dan Pankiewicz

One thing you did not mention, that I always hear in such discussions, is the quiet and leg room in the driver’s cab for diesel. In addition, though you mention power, pulling a toad uphill is supposed to be much better with a diesel. And basement space, with the engine in the rear, is better with a pusher. Finally, the CCC in too many gas models that I have looked at is very small, allowing only a few hundred pounds in shorter gas models like the Tiffin 31SA.

We are about to make a purchase after several years of planning and research. We are looking at about 33-36 feet in length to get the features we need. We will travel in the mountains pulling a toad. We want good basement space. What do you think?

-- Steven M. Jenkins 


Chicken Coop RV

Yesterday, in the news column ("Latest RV News," RV Travel Newsletter: Oct. 3-9. Issue 710) was a discussion of RV parking laws compared to chicken coop parking. You asked if an RV could become a chicken coop.

Way back in 1980s, just out of college and setting up on 20 acres, my wife and I hand built a  2x4 frame camper for our flatbed truck. This allowed us to stay in town near our employment on winter weeks if snow got over four feet deep on our one and a half mile walk-in to the mountain land. It had full frame insulation, stainless sink and counter, standard RV propane heat, skylight, couch/bed, lighting, and the door disguised to look like a cargo box truck so we could park anywhere.

Now, since it was always on jacks near the house and never used, we gave it to a new homesteader family to help them get started. Before we knew it, they had converted it to a chicken coop

--Steve Willey


On buying parts from RV dealers

I read Steve Savage's article (RV Daily Tips Issue 679, August 6, 2015), "Looking for RV parts? It's difficult if you're 'locked out' by the manufacturer."

Please convey my compliments to him on such a well thought out piece of writing. I've not had a lot of experience in the subject but I have listened to the stories of fellow travelers thru the years. No doubt my time is a'coming. Gulp.

Thank you for the work you do. It greatly supports 'us' out here.

--Austin J. Crehan, Jr.


I have had great success from online dealers either at Amazon or EBay.  I have an 2006 40' Gearbox Toyhauler and we are active fulltimers. I do a lot of maintenance. Brick and Motor dealers are my last resort, especially Camping World.

--Steve and Fran Rosenlund


All letters published subject to editing for clarity, brevity, and editorial standards. 
"Writers Room" photo: Shannon Clark on flickr.com