A Comprehensive Guide To Camper Van Toilets - Long And Short Term Options
Upon opening the door of one of our vans, any nearby van life novice first question is always “where do you go to the bathroom?” Never before has so many people been interested in where I do my business! When it's the middle of the night and your tummy gets to rumbling.
There’s a plethora of options when it comes to “doing your business” on the road. Whether you want an eco friendly option that saves space or want to prioritize ease of use and olfactory sensibilities, there's an option out there perfect for you.
Before we jump into the world of camper van toilets, let's break down the pros and cons of including any type of toilet in your build.
PROS
emergencies - without the confines of living in a van I've had more than a few closes calls. After a long day on the road the last thing on my to do list is find a public bathroom, or worst, dig a hole. The convenience of having your own bathroom can make or break your trip.
comfort - having your own throne brings a level of comfort that few things can compare too. Foregoing using public amenities in favor of a private lavatory can really feel like a luxury once you're on the road.
sanitation - I've visited my fair share of Love's, Buc-ees', and 7/11's to know that there are some gnarly bathrooms out there. The peace of mind that you're only dealing with your own germs is priceless.
CONS
black waste - from porta potty to incinerating toilet you'll have to manage the contents that exists inside your waste tank. Different types of toilets offer more manageable ways of handling waste but there's no fun way to deal with poop.
oder - with proper precautions, your rv toilet should not smell. Frequently emptying the tank and using appropriate biogel and deodorizer will help conquer the smell but there's only so much you can do in a small space.
sq ft usage - generally speaking campervan toilet options don't take up a lot of space but when you decided to include a permanent fixture in your build it can really impact your floor plan. While planning your build its important to keep in mind that you'll need access to the toilet seat and holding tank.
The Great Outdoors!
Say no thanks to formal toilets and become one with nature. Foregoing a toilet in your build is a great option for people who don't want deal with solid waste and want to take advantage of as much space in their van as possible.
When you're in more populated areas you can utilize apps like Flush to find public restrooms, but if you find yourself in the wilderness you should be prepared to bring your own toilet paper and shovel.
If you're going the no toilet route you should familiarize yourself with the Leave No Trace guidelines and how to properly poop outdoors. Land managers across the country tell Donielle Stevens and Aaron Hussmann of Leave No Trace that “Improper disposal of human waste is our number one issue.” Invest in WAG bags to properly pack out your toilet paper, or pick up a portable bidet and skip the toilet paper all together!
Cassette Toilets
By far the most popular type of toilet on the market, cassette toilets are ideal for vandwellers who want regular access to a toilet without sacrificing space or permanently adding something to your build. Cassette toilets are most similar to a home toilet, with the added step of dumping your own tank. Think of it as having a micro septic tank on board.
The biggest downside of a cassette toilet is dealing with the waste. Using a hefty amount scented deodorizers can help tackle the oder but will eat up space in your waste tank. Deodorizers aren't cheap and can be hard to find, especially if you don't have access to a mailing address. Our go to holding tank treatments is Happy Camper and Walex Porta-Paks.
Outside of the smell, smaller units need to be dumped pretty frequently. When you hit that fill line all of your plans become secondary to finding a dump station, leaving poop to take precedence over your adventure.
When it comes to TP and cassette toilets, your best friend will be a portable bidet. Toilet paper adds weight and complicates the cleaning process, so the less you use the better. If you want a few rolls in case of emergency we highly recommend septic tank safe brands like - Freedom Living or Scott's Rapid Dissolving.
With its 5.3 gallon waste tank this toilet gives you up to 50 flushes while on the road. SereneLife is one of the more affordable options currently on the market. Some users complain that the seat is not fit for a full grown adult but measuring in at 9 inches long and 8 1/4 inches wide, while your average toilet seat is closer to 13 inches by 13 inches.
If saving space is your top priority, this is the toilet for you. Clocking in at 3.54 x 12.13 x 15.12 inches; 8 Pounds you could fit this porta potti in most any drawer, closet, or even under your bed! While you're saving space in your van, you're left with almost half of a waste tank other options offer. Unless you're only using it in emergencies, you'll be emptying it twice as often as other models.
If you're looking for bang for your buck, Camco is a great option. For around $100 you get a 5.3 gallon waste tank and 2.5 gallons of fresh water. Made with durable polyethylene, this tank of a toilet will keep you and your waste on the road.
Thetford has a handful of portable toilets on the market, the Porta Potti 92306 feels most like a home toilet. When doing van life, creature comforts like having a comfortable throne go a long way. This unit also offers one of the largest fresh water tank, affording you more flushes than other units.
Composting Toilets
If waste management isn't your thing, a composting toilet might be right for you. These toilets are ideal for folks who go off grid or on longer trips affording you bigger tanks and different styles of breakdown. In contrast to most cassette toilets, composting toilets require more built infrastructure. From floor brackets, 12-volt power, to outside ventilation these toilets are not plug and plays.
Composting toilets separate liquid and solid waste, having you manage each byproduct separately. Disposing of the pee is as easy as taking the tank to a dump station or even a regular toilet. When it comes to poop, your waste is transformed to soil like substance with the help of composting fibers like coconut husk, peat moss, and wood chips. These materials help break down your poop leaving you with a nutrient rich soil substance.
We do not recommend using your "humanure" for agriculture use. Since the soil contains human poop it potentially contains bacteria like E. Coli and Salmonella. Alternatively, you can actually dump your solid waste with regular trash if handle properly. Our friends over at Live Small Ride Free going into great detail on how to properly dispose of solid waste from a composting toilet.
This high end waterless unit is the only toilet on the market certified and listed by the National Sanitation Foundation in accordance with Standard 41 composting capability. This 3 chamber setup offers a completely odorless option for your van.
Our personal favorite when it comes to composting toilet options. The Nature's head toilet has two compartments, one for liquid waste one for solid. The pee tank can be dumped virtually anywhere - a rest stop bathroom, outhouse, or even outside. If you're dumping waste outside please be mindful of others and local regulations. Holding 2.2 gallons the pee tank needs to be dumped every 1-2 days if used regularly by 2 people.
When it comes to the poop tank, there are two styles of handles available. A spider handle that adds 2 inches to the width and a crank that adds 5 inches. At the end of the day it comes down to preference and your space needs but we find the crank to be easier to use.
Cuddy is a totally different animal than anything listed above. The Compo Closet Cuddy Half the size of its competitors and doesn't need to be vented to the outside. We backed Cuddy on Indiegogo in July 2021 and should be receiving it any day now. As soon as we can get our hands on it, we'll be posting an in depth review.
Sort of a wild card on the market, the Laveo Dry Flush is a waterless cartridge base unit. Using Jiffy Pop-esque self sealing bags to enclose waste, leaving you with no smell or mess to deal with. Each cartridge is good for about 15-17 flushes, then you can dispose the cartridge in the trash with provided bags. If you get serious ick from dealing with anything poop related the Dry Flush is your best bet.
When it comes to doing your business on the road you've got a lot of options to consider. We hope that this guide is helpful in making the right choice for your adventures.