So as you've all been so helpful - here's another question as we start getting our gear together.
We have 3 children under 5 so we will be getting a porta potti for trips during the night.
We're currently looking at the Thetford Porta Potti 145 as it's the smallest, cheapest and perfect for our needs.
Question is, do we get a second hand one or buy a new one?! I'm a bit particular about things being clean, well to a certain extent, but I'm not sure whether it's gross to buy a second hand one or not!!?? They seem to be much older models the ones I've seen second hand, so I'm guessing they last a while.
You can purchase a second hand one then chemically clean it all over with an anti-bacterial spray. You just have to ensure that if you are buying a used one that the manual bellows flushing pump is working properly and the rubber sealing lip between top and bottom tank is not leaking which the best way to test is to part fill the top tank with water and check as required.
The toilet chemicals have a purging effect so after emptying and flushing out with water, inside is clean as a whistle. Spares are availale no probs. Mine started leaking from the drain button while carrying to tip but I got a new kit with seal for £3 and easy fit.
Yep, we started of with a used Thetford Porti-Potti, over time I replaced the Bellows and Flush Tube, the unit is still going strong, must be 20 years old or so.
Back in 2012 we bought a new Porta Poti from Aldi and that turned out to be a Thetford as well.
At the time the same Thetford model as the Aldi one was £100 in the camping shop, the Aldi unit was just £40 bargain.
Both Aldi and Lidl do Porta Potti's from time to time, so it could be worth waiting for the next offer to come along, in fact if you phone the Aldi help line they can advise of products coming into store upto 6 months in advance, no prices though.
I would also keep an eye on Ebay. I bought a Thetford 165 brand new in its box last year for tent camping.
I paid £26 + £7.99 p+p, it was from a private seller.
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We bought ours second hand earlier this year. It was virtually new, cant have been used very much. Complete with chemicals and toilet tent for £25. Bargain.
Have a look on your local gumtree etc prob bargains to be had now as coming to end of season.
regards
Keep a sachet of anti-bac wet wipes - we clean the seat etc that we're in contact with, then just bin the wipe. Friends use their potti as a seat by putting a cushion + valence on top.
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Topic: Porta Potti - new or used?
