DUSSELDORF CARAVAN SHOW: Thetford's dump master

??

It's a common curse of caravan and motorhome ownership. Every few days, or less, pull the toilet cassette from its side locker, haul it to the nearest ‘dump point', then clean, refill with water and chemicals, and return to its slot for further duty.

But now American-based mobile sanitation specialist Thetford is promising a much more pleasant not to mention convenient experience, with the invention of a machine that does the disposal, cleaning and topping up for you.

Developed with German CNC machinery specialist Walter, Thetford has so far built two prototypes of its so-called Thetford Cleaning Machine.

We'll have to take their word for it (and the promotional video below), but the machine apparently empties the cassette, rinses it and refills with new Thetford toilet additive, all in about three minutes and with no outside assistance.??

Thetford has been promoting the new machine at its stand at Caravan Salon Dusseldorf, although it didn't have one at the show to demonstrate. Instead, it had a walk-through exhibit which involved watching a video demonstration then being sprinkled with droplets of water (presumably to highlight the cleaning action!)??

The clever cleaning machines are currently on a road show throug Europe until October, after which Thetford will decide based on public reaction whether to put them into production, probably for use at caravan parks.

So far, the prototypes have got the thumbs up from those who've tried it, according to Thetford's marketing manager Norbert van Noesel, who said: “Consumers find the machine hygienic, handy and a very pleasant way of emptying the cassette."