RVer gets hilarious lesson in ‘porta-potty pressure dynamics’

We received this letter and hilarious story from reader Steve Comstock. Steve wrote, “I am sending this in response to Chuck’s ‘RVers are like Kindergarteners‘ story in the newsletter. I hope he will find it to be entertaining. Regards, Steve”. Well, Steve, we all find this story entertaining!

Here it is:

Normally, I would say this subject is relatively simple for most folks to understand on a basic level. The weather lady tells us that a big high-pressure airmass is headed our way, followed by a low-pressure storm system. We all know how our ears pop when we change altitudes in a plane. When you can your tomatoes and the mason jar cools, the pressure decreases inside, sealing the top closed tight. However, there are ways that one can be fooled, especially into an unwary sense of security.

That’s where this story starts—with the item sealed tight. Show of hands: How many have ever serviced and used a porta-potty?

In the late ’80s when we lived in Arizona, we needed our summertime getaways from the oppressive heat. In a little more than two hours, we could leave our home at 1,500 feet elevation and set up camp at 7,500 feet in the tall pines, enjoying a much cooler temperature.

Many times for us, it was the Mogollon Rim, a spectacular place with rustic camping everywhere and incredible views down into the lower valley.

In preparation for our forays into the forest, we gathered up everything that would fit into the car and the Coleman pop-up tent trailer, including the previously mentioned potty. The potty required servicing with water and chemicals before being used, so of course, that was accomplished during trip preparation, too. And… the unit was then completely sealed up.

Upon reaching our campsite, the trailer was set up, the campfire lit, food prepared and a few adult beverages were consumed. As I recall, this was a Boy’s Campout, so the womenfolk were spared the comedy of this next event.

Yours truly was the first to admit the need to answer nature’s call. When I was finished, the potty needed to be “flushed,” which occurs by turning a valve handle on the front that allows the contents to flush into the holding tank.

Can you say “sh*t-faced,” boys and girls? Imagine my surprise when the waste headed in the opposite direction I expected it to, instead of down the drain hole!

Remember our discussion of pressure differentials? Serviced at 1,500 feet (read “high” pressure), and operated at 7,500 feet (read “low” pressure), caused the contents to be blasted upwards instead of being flushed down into the drain!

After cleaning up and joining my fellow campers, the story took on an indelible status, never to be forgotten. Needless to say, more beers were then consumed in front of our bonfire, which I’m pretty sure was large enough to have been seen from space!

I now consider myself to have acquired a PhD in pressure dynamics as it relates to porta-potties. This may also be applicable to RV toilet setups; however, the black tanks may act as a buffer. I don’t know for sure because we haven’t challenged that theory by camping with our 25-foot trailer in varying altitudes yet. Feel free to comment if you can verify this theory with your own experiences.

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##RVT1199