Thetford toss ins (drop ins)

WARNING IF USING THE THETFORD TOSS INS (deodorant for holding tank)

I just wanted to warn anyone using the Thetford toss ins for the holding tanks (they look and work like the laundry pods).  The plastic wrapper that you toss in is suppose to dissolve.

I was given six of these by Thetford.  I have used four of them.  This past summer I had to replace the impeller on the sani con but never knew what had caused the problem.  I replaced it and all was fine until our trip down to Florida this year.  It has been discharging water at a very slow flow.  I took it apart and found the culprit.  Those toss ins do not dissolve and the “plastic” wrapper was wrapped around the chopper preventing water from flowing. I cleaned the chopper and now all is well.

 (nod)thanks

Suzanne and I find it interesting that these chemicals (often with a sickly sweet odor) continue to be used in spite of many, many experienced RVers using only water.  Back in 2000 we bought our first RV, a pre-owned Airstream trailer which came with Thetford toilet chemicals.  We had noticed the above described odor but being new to RVing thought that was inherent with all RV's construction.  We learned from an experienced RV couple that fresh water is a natural deodorizer if used in sufficient quantities; this theory later being supported by a septic system technician.  We have always used just water (but not excessive) with no added chemicals; and in all the years of being very sociable RVers with lots of people visiting in our rigs, we have never had any unpleasant odor issues.  We do flush the black tank at each emptying (location permitting).  But, to each their own  . . . .

We just performed a simple experiment with a Thetford toss in.  We simply dropped one in a mason jar full of water to see how well it dissolved.  With a little shaking the pod dissolved quickly, but the pod casing left an undissolved slimy residue. My wife captured the residue on a spoon and let it dry. After a few hours the residue turned into a thin flexible solid film similar to plastic.  It's a cool idea, but I will never use this product in my holding tank !!!!!!!!!

Yikes! Guess ill stay with liquid chemicals,

We use the pouches from Wal-Mart that come in a mostly blue bag and have never had a problem. We put water in first then drop the packet in. We haven't done the dissolving test. We don't sit in place for an extended time and we dump before storing so our tank is cleaned out before it dries. John flushes whenever there is a hose with threads available at the dump station.

I just stick with the old tried and true.  I have used this for at least twenty years and never had a problem of any kind, including odor.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Campa-Chem-DRI-RV-Holding-Tank-Treatment-Deodorant-Waste-Digester-Detergent-10-x-2-oz-packets-Thetford-20742/4004