A bus of a rare but necessary profession. Mobile sanitary and hygienic complex. “Little by little” with comfort and in all situations

When deciding to purchase a motorhome (motorhome or trailer), the buyer will most likely compare characteristics such as price, quality, reliability, etc. It is unlikely that anyone will choose a trailer or motorhome depending on what toilet the manufacturer puts in the camper. Many, but not all. It turns out that for some caravanners the price of their own peace of mind and comfort in the toilet room is too high.
However, for the most part, what type of toilet is installed in the camper is unimportant for a caravaner. However, comparing several toilet models can give very interesting results and, perhaps, tomorrow you will think about “switching seats”.

Many people think that Thetford is the only manufacturer of dry closets. This is wrong. Dometic has entered the dry toilet market. Well, let's check and see which of the two manufacturers does their job better. For comparison, we took the three most popular toilets that manufacturers install in campers. These are Thetford C-250, Thetford C-402 and Dometic’s CTS 3110. So, the monopolist in the market is Thetford company against the strong manufacturer of accessories and caravanning equipment, Dometic. Who knows, perhaps next time we choose a caravan we will take a closer look at the toilet room.

The principle of operation of dry toilets

So, the principle of operation is the same for everyone cassette toilets. Biocapsule toilet(also often called a cassette) is located under the toilet seat. All waste goes into the biocapsule. Special blades at the bottom of the toilet bowl prevent the spread of odors, and also open and close access to the dry toilet cassette.

U Thetford a swivel toilet (model C-250), and a toilet in the form of a bench (model C-402). Dometic only presents toilets with a swivel seat. Models from Dometic CTS 3000 are equipped with an additional flush tank, which will in the future be built into the toilet structure (into the toilet cistern). All three models are this moment are new on the market. Optionally, each of the toilet models can be installed in almost any motor home.

No matter how or how often it will be used composting toilet in a camper, it must be hygienic (easy to clean) and comfortable. Thus, the seat height, shape and size of the toilet bowl are just as important as the ability to flush and conveniently clean the biocapsule. A standard toilet is a deep bowl toilet. Every home has one of these. Manufacturers of RV toilets strive to meet these standards. But there are size restrictions for toilets installed in motorhomes.

Comparing flush tanks in dry closets

All three toilets tested have a flush water supply that is powered by an electric pump. Please note that the drain tank must be filled with water before use. In the model C-402 from Thetford The volume of this tank is 15 liters, in C-250 only eight. This tank can only be three-quarters full. The water level mark that can be filled into the tank is much lower than the highest level in the tank. Since in CTS 3110 from Dometic water was collected in a temporary tank, an assessment cannot be given.

Checking the tightness of the dry closet in a motorhome

In order to check for leaks with the valve at the bottom of the toilet bowl closed and open, the toilet was filled with water with the valve closed. All three models passed the test. The only thing is that closing the valve in the CTS 3110 model from Dometic requires a little more force.
The toilet valve on the Thetford C 250 is on the right and is quite easy to open. The valve is less conveniently located in the toilet C 402, as it is located between the legs of the person sitting. Dometic CTS 3110, it seems to me, loses in this parameter, since the valve handle is located between the shins of the seated person.

Flush system in Dometic and Tethford composting toilets

Once the waste enters the tank, a splash is sure to follow.
The test results revealed the following:
a) in C 250 from Thetford only the left side of the toilet bowl remained dry.
But in Thetford C 402 the splash of water is significant. The Thetford has injectors on the side under the seat. Water is supplied through these nozzles and, thanks to a channel on the edge of the toilet bowl, a small whirlpool is created when flushing. b) in the C-250 from Thetford, drainage occurs according to the same principle. While the water supply is concentrated at the back of the bowl in the center, water is distributed in all directions. Draining in the Dometic CTS 3110 occurs a little differently. Under the seat there are many small nozzles from which water comes out. Because these rivulets are quite weak, the bowl walls in the CTS 3110 are made steeper than in the Thetford models.

The test also showed flush quality is greatly improved if the toilet bowl is wet before use. Also, the quality of flushing is better if you use appropriate flushing products. The Thetford C-250 gets the highest score in this test. Even after several attempts, the quality of the flush did not change and remained at a high level. The ratio of the force of the water flow and the amount of water for flushing is correct. The CTS 3110 model did not receive a high rating in this parameter due to poor flushing. Didn't help either ceramic coating bowls, nor steep walls. Also the drainage in the Thetford model C-402 leaves much to be desired.

Toilet cover

The clear advantage is that Dometic covers the toilet bowl with porcelain. This makes the toilet more resistant to dirt and damage. However, the weight of such a toilet increases to 12.4 kg. For example, Thetford's C-250 weighs 8.9 kg and the C-402 8.8 kg.

We decided to compare how easy or difficult it is to open the toilet lid. The Thetford C-402 and Dometic CTS 3110 lid can be easily opened without touching the toilet seat. To open the lid of the C-250 model, you will have to touch the toilet seat.

Seat comfort

The comfort of sitting is no less important than the quality of drainage and splash of water. Therefore, it was decided to “sit” on the three test toilets properly.

In addition to the personal feelings of the experimenters, when deciding on the convenience of a particular model, the size of the toilets was taken into account. The seat height of the C-402 model from Thetford was 47 cm. The C-250 model from Thetford was slightly lower - 46.5 cm. The height of the Dometic CTS 3110 was 51.5 cm. The total height of the toilet seat depends on whether a shower is installed or not cabin).

The task of those who tested was to feel at home on the tested toilet. Dometic CTS 3110 is the most comfortable toilet. He received this rating for his wide seat. The C-402 was considered less comfortable due to its narrow seat. Some experimenters even thought that the C-402 model was less stable compared to others.

Men especially criticized all three models for their lack of notch or internal volume to accommodate a man's frame. In this sense, the CTS 3110 toilet was most suitable for men.

Cleaning the toilet biocapsule

Users of all three toilets can always know exactly biocapsule filling level. This is reflected in a special indicator. In all three toilets, the biocapsule is easily removed. There is a door on the outside of the trailer or motorhome that, when opened, allows you to easily remove the capsule. The Thetford cassette is removed without any problems at all. But with Dometic you will have to tinker a little, but this is only the first time.

All cassettes are equipped with two wheels and a folding handle, which greatly simplifies the transportation of biocapsules. The Dometic cassette has very good dimensions, but very small wheels. Thanks to the wide U-shaped handle, the cassette does not fall over during transportation.

The Thetford C-250 cassette can be pulled to the desired location. If you have to transport the capsule not on asphalt, but, for example, on pebbles or grass (such a surface is not uncommon for camping), the “suitcase” will become less stable. The long narrow cassette of the third bench-like toilet being tested gets the most a large number of points in this test for its large wheels and stable handle.

Biocapsule volume

Biocapsules also vary in volume. Dometic biocapsule volume is 19 liters. C-402 from Thetford - 19.3 liters. Testing has shown that Dometic does not deceive and the volume of the cassette corresponds to the declared one. While Thetford biocapsules are smaller than indicated. Initially

it seems that 0.3 liters is a critical difference for the competitors. In practice, it turns out that Thetford holds only 17.5 liters.

Cleaning the toilet biocapsule always happens the same way. The biocapsule is removed. Next, the lid is unscrewed and the waste is poured into a specially designated place. The C-402 is not that difficult to clean thanks to the long cassette shape. The Dometic cassette is much easier to clean, since the handle is quite strong and you can hold the biocapsule directly by the handle during cleaning.

Cleaning the toilet

All three toilets are very easy to clean. There are special cleaning products for plastic models. The benefit of the CTS 3110 is not only the porcelain coating, but also the rinsing nozzles. The C-250 is the most difficult to clean due to the structure of the toilet bowl.

A comparison of the three models showed that Dometic did not invent anything particularly new with the CTS 3110. But it did provide a good alternative solution. And even if buyers of new homes on wheels X will not have the opportunity to choose a toilet, we hope they will benefit from the comparison presented. And by the way, representatives of the Thetford company said that perhaps a serious competitor to porcelain Dometic will soon appear on the market.

Many people now have cars, and in large cities almost every second resident considers purchasing a car a necessity. As a result, the number of traffic jams on city streets is constantly increasing, and the time that residents of the capital and residents of cities with national significance spend on traffic jams is also increasing. The city authorities are solving this problem little by little, but there is a problem that is associated with this.

Why

In every large city (and especially in megacities) there is a disadvantage that is not very convenient to talk about. However, getting rid of this disadvantage always has a chance of becoming in a wonderful way make money while helping the city. In this article we will talk about paid toilets, but not ordinary ones, but mobile ones. Recently, entrepreneurs in Moscow and several other large cities have been very active in opening various projects that are related to traffic jams.

Selling fresh newspapers and snack bars on wheels, as well as unique bathhouses on wheels are now already operating, not so long ago they began selling audiobooks in traffic jams, but the most important thing is still missing to create a toilet on wheels. This business has only recently begun to be developed, because the competition here is quite low and this business will certainly become successful, since in a long traffic jam you will certainly find many people who want to go to relieve themselves, since this desire, unlike hunger or boredom, is extremely difficult to overcome. But the business of installing mobile toilets, of course, is better suited for large and densely populated cities, where it will become more in demand than in the outback.

Story

Belgian Marc Callant thought of adapting a box with a toilet to his own car. The toilet stall has two compartments: the actual toilet on wheels and the waiting room. The opportunity to wash your hands is also available, which makes the device stand out from most familiar dry closets.

Of course, this is just a development for now. The price of such a box may well be approximately six thousand euros.
Not long ago, one businessman opened a mobile toilet, converting an Oka car for this purpose. The design of the mobile toilet is patented by the developers. It is a self-contained device that is suitable for all seasons and can fit almost anywhere and move extremely quickly to literally anywhere in the city. A toilet on wheels can be used not only in traffic jams, but also, for example, in mass events, and also send it to order, for example, for corporate events or outdoor picnics. Very practical, isn't it?

Sometimes the car has to perform so unusual job, which is even difficult to imagine. Everyone is accustomed to mobile X-ray and dental rooms, mobile television studios, auto shops, etc., but the order of the St. Petersburg mayor’s office, which was carried out by employees of the bus branch of the Minsk Automobile Plant, caused at least a confused smile with its unusualness.

And the story is this...

A little over a year before the 300th anniversary of the “city of Petrov”, the administration of St. Petersburg turned to AMAZ with a very exotic order - to manufacture on the basis of a Minsk bus... a mobile public toilet!

In anticipation of the upcoming celebrations, and therefore a huge number of guests on the streets and in places of mass celebrations, the mayor's office could not help but think about how to satisfy a natural human need. Experts from city utility services have come to the conclusion that the “capacity” of the public toilets available in the city is clearly not enough for the expected influx of city guests, albeit short-term. In this regard, it was decided to install additional stationary dry closets. However, after calculating how much this method of solving the problem would cost the taxpayer, the city administration abandoned this idea. And then another option was found: if you make the toilets mobile, for example, on the base of a bus, then you will need much less of them. Such a mobile complex can be transferred in a matter of minutes to where it is most needed at the moment.

The residents of St. Petersburg addressed the Minsk bus builders with this delicate request. It should be noted that Belarusian buses are well known in the Northern capital and are popular due to their reliability and reasonable price. The order was so unusual that the Minsk residents initially refused it. There was even an opinion expressed that the production of this kind of vehicles would do no less than damage the image of a reputable enterprise, but the management of the branch and its director Gennady Sinegovsky decided to take a risk. By the way, when the developers studied the information available on this topic, it was discovered that in the 1960s, similar sanitary vehicle complexes made on the platform of Czech koda buses successfully operated in the city on the Neva.

Specificity obliges

The principle of operation of such sanitary vehicles is not complicated and is as follows: the bus drives up to a service location where there is a well with access to a fire hydrant and sewer drain (there are plenty of such places in any city). The machine has two couplings in the lower part of the body - for supply hoses cold water and discharge of feces into the sewer. After the storage tank is emptied and washed, the “plumber” bus is ready to receive a new batch of clients.

As the base model, the developers chose the MAZ-103 low-floor city bus, equipped with a pneumatic kniling system (tilting the bus body). It was the “low-floor” that met the customer’s requirements in all respects, and one of the main conditions was the ability to serve people with disabilities. Just a few months after the start of work, Minsk residents produced two experimental self-propelled sanitary and hygienic complexes, which received the factory index MAZ-163. The doors of the toilet stalls and interior partitions were manufactured at the MAZ-Kupava plant, which specializes in the production of plastic panels and isothermal bodies. The flow of fresh air and ventilation of the cabin was provided by three powerful electric fans. The drive for opening the entrance doors was controlled by duplicated buttons from both the driver’s and cashier’s seats. There were booths specially designed for disabled people. They made a special entrance and exit for their strollers.

If there were no particular problems with the choice of the base model, the layout of the cabin and the layout of the equipment in it caused heated debate among the developers. Several options were worked out, of which two were chosen, receiving conventional indices in the form of the Latin letters M (man - “male”) and W (woman - “female”). The first option was equipped with three toilets and five urinals, the second option – with six toilets. Both models had two washbasins.

Representatives of the leadership of St. Petersburg, led by Mayor A. Yakovlev, liked the first presented samples of the MAZ-163 so much that twelve more “toilets on wheels” were immediately ordered. True, the first copies had Finnish plumbing fixtures, and the subsequent ones, in order to reduce the cost, were made in Russia.

The order was completed on time and with high quality. As a result, all fourteen cars, at the request of the buyer - the St. Petersburg Vodokanal - painted in the company's blue and white tones, worked successfully during the celebration of the anniversary of the city on the Neva. They can still be seen on the streets during public festivals.

It remains to add that the development of the Minsk bus builders is protected by utility model patents in the Republic of Belarus and in Russia.

Making a mobile home with your own hands is not a very difficult task for any craftsman. The design will be improved as construction progresses and because of this, production times may be delayed. To prevent such a situation, it is necessary to think through the interior design in advance and get rid of inappropriate elements. This approach is important when converting small vehicles when assembling a motorhome, for example from an old trailer.

A mobile home is a type of transport that is both housing and a means of transportation. This type of housing gained its popularity at the beginning of the last century.

Motorhome structure

By standard, a mobile home must accommodate eight people. Each resident has his own sleeping place, and there is also a small kitchen. Other amenities and equipment may vary depending on the specific model, but in most cases there are also:

More expensive models have a bathroom consisting of (often replacing a chair, which gives several additional meters of free space), a washbasin and a shower. Mobile homes are sometimes equipped with showers.

Note! In a motorhome, the driver and passenger seats are movable, as a result of which they become an addition to the living space when parked. The tail is often equipped with a separate room with U-shaped furniture.

Story

Mass production of mobile homes began in the last century, although some historians believe there were earlier home-built equivalents. They were small vans equipped for living people (mainly cattle breeders).

The first mobile home mounted on a conventional automobile chassis was introduced in 1938 by Jennings.

Types of mobile homes

There are several classifications of motorhomes. So, according to the design features, they distinguish:

Depending on their purpose, they are divided into:

those used as long-term/permanent housing;
those used for travel.

In the first case, more comfortable conditions take place, while frequently moving structures are extremely rarely divided into the actual living area and the cabin.

About the name

The term “motorhome” (another name is “camper”) often means a car caravan.

Note! Campers are called B- and C-class trailers, while motorhomes are exclusively A-class models.

It is also worth noting that in some countries, all motorhomes without exception are called vinebago.

Turning a car into a motorhome will require a lot of effort and time, as well as the appropriate equipment.

Note! First, you should study this issue from a legal point of view. Different registration organizations view home-built motorhomes differently, and it would be a shame if the vehicle ends up being illegal.

Stage 1. First, the number of residents is determined and, based on this, the vehicle and internal “stuffing” are selected. A detailed design plan is drawn up - this can be done on paper, but it is better to use a computer.

Stage 2. Next, the car body is cleared. If dents are identified, they are removed and the peeling paint is cleaned off. Several windows (if there were none) are installed in the building for lighting and fresh air.

Stage 3. Cut out ventilation holes and valves for gas supply. All areas of bare metal are coated with a primer to protect against corrosion and aggressive environmental influences.

Stage 4. The house is finished with thermal insulation material.

Note! To do this, you need to use only high-quality materials; saving is highly undesirable. In addition, the material from which the hardware (metal fasteners) are made must be similar to the metal of the car body - this is for additional protection against rust.

Stage 5. The inner surface of the motorhome is finished.

carpet covering;
moisture-resistant plywood.

Thick panels with padded strips for mounting furniture are inserted into the side walls. It is typical that first it is better to level the ceiling, and only after that move on to the walls.

Stage 6. After installing the furniture, you should take care of the water supply. To do this, you can place several cans of water under the sink and install small pumps. In addition, you can install large tanks - for example, for taking a shower.

Note! Don't forget about wastewater - another tank is installed for this. An ordinary garden structure can be used as a toilet.

Step 7. For cooking and heating, as noted earlier, it is better to use propane gas. The cylinder is located in the lower part of the body, as well as an additional hole for ventilation. This can be explained quite simply: propane weighs more than air, so in the event of a leak, such safety measures will prevent dire consequences.

Stage 8. All that remains is to take care of the energy supply. The best option is a powerful battery equipped with an external charging outlet.

Mobile home made from an old trailer

Our trailer-trailer costs about 500,000 rubles. The amount is impressive, so if you have the opportunity to purchase an old car trailer, you can build a small motorhome with your own hands. For this you will need:

trailer (necessarily with a strong chassis);
wooden elements (slats, bars, carriage planks);
plywood;
metal profile (for roofing);
fittings made in the same style;
a set of appropriate tools.

Manufacturing technology

Such a motorhome will be a trailer with a rear part. By the way, it is better to make the bed the entire width of the structure - this way it will connect the side walls and thereby increase rigidity. The bay window will be manufactured later and equipped with a custom block. The door is installed of the Dutch type - it will consist of two halves.

Stage 1. The trailer is disassembled, the chassis is thoroughly cleaned and coated with anti-corrosion paint. A frame is constructed from pine boards, and supports are cut out in appropriate places.

Stage 2. A frame is constructed from slats with a cross-section of 2x2 cm; an oak slat with a cross-section of 3x3 cm is additionally installed in each corner. A horizontal slat is tied on top of the frame.

Note! For thermal insulation, you can lay the lining in two layers.

Stage 3. The floor is covered with plywood sheets. Poplar beams are used for the roof - they are screwed along the frame in increments of 30 cm. Plywood is fixed on the beams, on top of which a moisture-resistant material and a metal profile of a small cross-section are laid.

Stage 4. There will be only one window in the building (if you do not count the door) - at the top of the back wall. It is advisable to make the window in the form of a bay window.

The door lock in such designs is located at the bottom, but you can put another one - an additional one - at the top. In addition, the door is equipped with a small casement window.

Stage 5. It is recommended to equip a table that extends from under the bed (as was once the case on Great Britain trains). For this purpose, special lockers are formed under the bed. By the way, the lower space can also be used as a sleeping place.

In addition, shelves and a removable ladder are built from wood.

Letter of the law

No additional permit is required if the dimensions of the mobile home do not exceed:

400 cm in height;
255 cm wide;
100 cm in length (excluding the part that does not protrude beyond the trailer).

If the dimensions are larger, then the motorhome is transported according to special rules (flashing lights, escort, etc.). Of course, this only applies to caravans.

Organizing a mobile home business

You can organize your own business in the construction of motorhomes. There are four options for developing such a business.

Option #1. Production of houses for sale for summer holidays or living in the country. This will not require serious material costs, since the houses will be of a simplified design - for example, without insulation.

Option #2. Rent out mobile homes. It's relative new business, and everything new can be very expensive. The number of motorhomes in this case increases as the customer base grows.

Option #3. Make mobile eateries or shops.

Option number 4. He's the most interesting. It consists of creating a car park and its further use as a hotel. The main thing here is to divide the trailers into budget, premium and middle class.

For a more detailed introduction to construction technology, watch the thematic video.

Video - DIY mobile home

TOP 10 best motorhomes

	Name	Rating
Top 5 best motorhomes
#1		⭐ 100 / 100
#2		⭐ 99 / 100
#3		⭐ 98 / 100 3 - votes
#4	POSSL ROADCRUISER	⭐ 96 / 100 4 - votes
#5	Motorhome KAMAZ 43118	⭐ 90 / 100 2 - votes
Top 5 Best Fleetwood Mobile Homes
#1	Fleetwood RV Jamboree Sport	⭐ 100 / 100 1 - vote
#2	Fleetwood RV Tioga Ranger DSL	⭐ 99 / 100
#3	Fleetwood RV Storm	⭐ 98 / 100
#4	Fleetwood RV Bounder	⭐ 97 / 100 1 - vote
#5	Fleetwood RV Discovery	⭐ 96 / 100 3 - votes

This real palace on wheels is based on MAN. The length of the motorhome is almost 9.5 meters, which requires the driver to have absolute skills to drive vehicles of this class. Everything here is subordinated to the main thing - maximum passenger comfort. The interior is designed in the style of finishing expensive yachts - the elegant narrow doors of numerous cabinets suspended from the ceiling contrast with the high-quality leather trim of the sofas and armchairs of the living area. Every lamp, every, even the smallest, interior detail (curtains, for example) fills the space with luxury and splendor.

Characteristics:

the most luxurious mobile home;
spacious bathroom;
average price: RUB 23,602,000

The base of the camper was created on the basis of a Fiat Ducato truck, as a result of which the vehicle has good handling and stability on the road - the camper's windage does not exceed the permissible values for this chassis. The spacious and bright mobile home is designed for four people. Light penetrates not only through the side windows (all have curtain systems, including the windshield), but also through the transparent hatch located in the front of the camper. Expensive and sophisticated interior trim accentuates the interior space, and swivel driver and passenger seats make the living room simply enormous by integrating it with the cabin.

Characteristics:

better comfort;
country of origin: Germany;
average price: 13,367,000 rub.

The motorhome is based on the Mercedes Sprinter 316 CDI and has all the driving capabilities of this reliable and trouble-free vehicle. And if from the outside the integrated camper doesn’t particularly stand out and can easily get lost in city traffic, then inside it is a real compact house for 4 people. One drop-down bed is located above the driver's seat, and two others are located in the rear of the house, behind the toilet and shower. It is noteworthy that these two beds can be transformed into one huge one for maximum comfort.

Characteristics:

unique body protection;
large luggage compartment;
country of origin: Germany;
average price: 9,176,188 rub.

MERCEDES 308D converted for use as a special vehicle - a mobile toilet.

The van body is divided into 2 compartments by a continuous rigid partition. Additional equipment was installed according to the diagram Figure 1.

Interior layout of Mercedes Benz Special - “mobile toilet”

The first compartment contains tanks: tank for clean water, technical water tank and waste water tank. The waste water tank forms the floor surface.

The second compartment contains 2 cabins, separated from each other by a solid partition. Entrance to the cabins is through hinged doors. Each cabin is equipped with a toilet, washbasin and hand dryer.

Electrical wiring, internal lighting and ventilation are installed, designed for connection to an external power source with a voltage of 220V. On the right wall of the van body there is a waterproof socket for connecting an external power source (220 V).

The design and installation of non-standard electrical devices and high voltage sources were carried out in accordance with the requirements of GOST 14254 regarding the protection of personnel from contact with live parts of equipment. The electrical equipment of a standard car is not designed for increased voltage and current consumption.

All additional equipment installed in the van is securely fastened.

All actions determined by the functional purpose are carried out only in a stationary state of the vehicle. It is not allowed for people to be in all compartments except the cab while the vehicle is moving.