Thetford® Since 1963
1963: First Slide-Action Valve for RV Holding Tanks
Thetford® Engineering was founded in a Thetford Township garage near Flint, Michigan. Unhappy with the stock black water drain valve on their RV, Frank Sargent and his two sons designed the first Slide-Action Valve for RV tanks.
1964 – 1966: First Low Profile RV Toilet and First Water Saving Hand Sprayer
In just a few years from designing the valve, Sargent and his sons bring even more innovation to the RV industry by developing the first low profile RV toilet, the first Water Saving Hand Spray Attachment for RV toilets, and the first low-water-use RV toilet.
1967: Thetford® Introduces Aqua-Soft® and Aqua-Kem®
After the successful launch of the new RV toilets line, the company starts focusing on two new products made specifically for holding tanks. 1967 brings the first toilet paper made for RVs, Aqua-Soft®, and the first concentrated RV holding tank treatment, Aqua-Kem®.
1968 – 1970: Porta Potti® and Aqua-Magic® RV Toilets Revealed
Between 1968 and 1970, the Thetford® team works on two new projects that would later on turn into two of the most iconic product lines for the company and the RV industry: the Porta Potti®, first two-piece, hand-carried portable toilet, and the first all-polypropylene permanent RV toilet.
1990: First Battery-Powered Portable Toilet
1990 marks a new first for the company and the camping scene, with the introduction of the Porta Potti® Electric, the first battery-powered portable toilet. Over the years, the Electric evolves into what is known today as the Porta Potti® 565E, a sleek toilet with integrated toilet tissue compartment and level indicators for both freshwater and waste water tanks.
1997: Thetford® acquires Norcold®
After over 30 years of innovation in the RV sanitation segment, Thetford® moves to enrich the product offering and expand to other sections of the camping lifestyle. The opportunity came in 1997, when Norcold®, one of the biggest RV refrigeration manufacturers, joined the Thetford® family.
2016: B&B Molders® and Protect All® Join the Thetford® Family
2016 brings two new manufacturers under the Thetford® umbrella: Protect All®, producing professional-grade cleaners, protectants, and lubricants for RVers and power sports enthusiasts, and B&B Molders®, a manufacturer of high-quality plastic injection-molded products since 1963.
2016: Thetford® Launches Titan® RV Sewer Hoses
After almost two years of researching, designing, and testing, Thetford® announces its revolutionary new sewer hose system. With the need for a rugged, long-lasting RV sewer hose, Thetford® created Titan®, a puncture and abrasion-resistant sewer hose that would last for years.
2021: Titan® Totes are Revealed
2021 comes with an entire line of new products. Following the success of the Titan® RV sewer hoses, Thetford® launches the Titan® Totes, a new generation of durable portable waste tanks, ready to use right out of the box and available in 3 sizes, with both 2 and 4 wheels.
