thetford cassette
- Thread starter westyss
- Start date
This summer I managed to buy a Thetford C-403. Thetford USA is impossible to deal with (force you to deal with geographical distributor/retail network.....most of whom are unfamiliar with the product line). However, I had wonderful results with Marine Wholesale in Phoenix (www.marinewholesaleinc.com). Jack King was the person I dealt with; great customer service. PPLMotorhomes in Houston was also able to find it in their catalog and offered to order it. $850 is list price....you can do better.
Be careful to determine exactly which model Thetford you need. For example the C-403 comes in a left-hand and a right-hand model (no that's not the wipe hand). Lots of model variations, and Thetford USA is not a lot of help.
Mike Coffey, Prescott
Be careful to determine exactly which model Thetford you need. For example the C-403 comes in a left-hand and a right-hand model (no that's not the wipe hand). Lots of model variations, and Thetford USA is not a lot of help.
Mike Coffey, Prescott
We got ours from Darren Fink ( RUF http://www.ruf-inc.com/ )
Ithink it was 400-500 in 2004.
I think Camping World said they would order it for us as well.
Ithink it was 400-500 in 2004.
I think Camping World said they would order it for us as well.
chasespeed
Explorer
Funny, I just use the one that came with my boat... its a lower profile, but, that just makes it easier to to tuck in the truck, and use without being to uncomfortable...
Chase
Chase
mhiscox
Expedition Leader
Darrin started handling this hard-to-get stuff (and, importantly, Seitz windows, too) as an adjunct to his own camper builds, but he has helped out several people and--unfortunately, given that he's not really in the business--he's about as knowledgeable as anyone in the country.
So he's worth contacting, but remember that he's doing this as a favor to the community. He doesn't make any money off it, it's not a mainstream activity for him (he has a 9000 acre cattle ranch), and he's not responsible for the fact that the distribution and shipping of these products is often screwed up.
The point being . . . he's a good source, often the best source, and he's worth contacting. But be polite, tolerant of the apparent inevitable delays and mistakes at the distributors' end, tolerant of the fact that much of the stuff has arrived damaged from poor packaging, and mindful of the fact that Darrin does this mostly as a favor to overlanders.
In fact, the hassles with the windows have been so great recently that he told me he's near giving up on them. Which is exactly what we don't need. So use the Darrin resource, but with appreciation and realistic (which is to say lowered) expectations of how well it will go.
westyss
Explorer
Hi Peter, thanks for that, I didnt see that part of things in your build thread, did you have any problems mounting it and do you recommend it? Any advice on it? Really like your rig.
Yves
westyss
Explorer
thanks Mike, I shot him an email so will see what happens.
Thetford Cassette
We got our Thetford cassette toilet from Darrin Fink and he was great to deal with. We also got two Seitz windows from him. I'll second Mike Hiscox's comments - let's hope Darrin continues to import these products. They and he are great!
We got our Thetford cassette toilet from Darrin Fink and he was great to deal with. We also got two Seitz windows from him. I'll second Mike Hiscox's comments - let's hope Darrin continues to import these products. They and he are great!
Attachments
Accrete
Explorer
something to take into consideration?
my wife and i had the 403 in our prior rig (light off road trailer) and enjoyed the unit, though for the two of us, i found myself having to pull the cassette on about the morning of the 3rd day and properly disposing of it (in the PNW forestry area that means a sani hut or public rr, rather than digging a hole and dumping). Now that we are van/vehicle based and would have to break camp to empty the cassette we are going another route (airhead). Just thought i'd share that in case you've not considered your options for dumping.
my wife and i had the 403 in our prior rig (light off road trailer) and enjoyed the unit, though for the two of us, i found myself having to pull the cassette on about the morning of the 3rd day and properly disposing of it (in the PNW forestry area that means a sani hut or public rr, rather than digging a hole and dumping). Now that we are van/vehicle based and would have to break camp to empty the cassette we are going another route (airhead). Just thought i'd share that in case you've not considered your options for dumping.
westyss
Explorer
Right now I am using a porta potti that I had in my westy, its in the same location that is slated for the cassette, and to empty it, I have to carry the whole thing outside (take no risks with contents) and then split the components to dump. This method sucks, and I don't want a black water tank so option are limited, just was a little surprised with the cost, by the time the dust settles it will be over $1000, but it seems like a standard cost.