Cassette toilets and mountain passes.

Last autumn whilst en-route to Spain for a few months we stopped for a mid morning break at the parking and helipad area near the French entrance to the Somport Tunnel. We enjoyed stretching our legs, a bite to eat and cup of tea, whilst admiring the mountain views.

We had left a site on the edge of the Landes early that morning and by now required the use of the loo. Ugh! the flap won’t budge, must have got jammed, so outside to jiggle the tank. After ten minutes of shouting instructions, more jiggling and frustrated expletives it was out with the tool box. The only palatable solution appeared to be knock the flap into the tank, so with a hammer and screw driver I duly did. This solved the immediate problem and we were on our way to our long term destination near Alicante.

On arrival at our site and with wifi access I contacted the dealers who were very helpful and gave me instructions on how to take the flap mechanism off the tank and stated that any parts we needed they would send straight out to us. Having taken it apart, and rescued numerous pieces of plastic from the tank, I then realised it just clipped back together and still continues to work fine!

This summer we were again in a similar situation, stopping for a late breakfast at the top of the Simplon Pass (Italy –Switzerland), the flap on the loo again failed to budge. This time a careful push on the flap with the handle of my hammer released the pressure in the tank and allowed the mechanism to operate normally. However, be aware, the escaping pressure from the holding tank can blow back some of the contents of the pan!! On this occasion there was a mountain stream of freezing snow melt beside the lay-by to wash both the hammer and my hand.

On both occasions we had last used the toilet at low altitude and the increase in height had obviously built up enough pressure in the tank to force the flap against the seal.

Moral of the story, if up a mountain pass check the operation of the toilet flap before commencing with the call of nature (!!!)