If you spend a lot of time camping, you know how important it is to have a good portable toilet. Even when you are roughing it, you want to make sure you have access to the amenities that you are used to.
Even if you’re not headed out into the woods, a portable toilet can be handy when you are on a family outing or having a nice picnic, or, if we’re staying true to the apocalyptic theme of our site, the grid goes down and all things sanitation stop working!
Best Portable Toilets for Camping
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Thetford 92360 Porta Potti 550E Curve Portable Toilet
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Camco Standard Portable Travel Toilet
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Dometic 972 Portable Toilet 2.6 Gallon
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Sanitation Equipment Visa Potty
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Earthtec ETEC Non-Stick Sanitary Portable Toilet Bowl
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There are a lot of options these days when it comes to buying a portable toilet, so here are a few things to look for when deciding upon the best portable toilet for your needs.
Important Factors to Consider with Portable Toilets
Size
Having the right size toilet is important. Portable toilets come in a variety of weights and sizes. On average, portable toilets can weigh up to 20 pounds making them pretty easy for anyone to carry. Choosing a portable toilet for camping purposes requires something that is pretty compact, but something that can also handle the use required of a portable toilet and the environment it will be used in.
It is important to consider how many people will be using the toilet on your camping trip as well as how big all the individuals are. For comfort reasons, consider everyone’s height, like taller individuals, who may need a toilet that sits a little bit higher. Also look for something that has a lid that can be secured, especially if you will be using the toilet in a van or on the road (not literally!…or maybe it is!!) and can’t dump it out frequently.
Most of all, you want to make sure you choose a size that will cover your needs. If you get something that is too small and uncomfortable to use, it will be totally unusable. However, if you are hiking, you will want to look for a smaller toilet while larger toilets are good for camping since they will remain in one place the entire time.
Volume
No matter what type of toilet you are buying, the volume is a big thing to consider. Portable toilets often are flushable, so they use water. With a flushable portable toilet, you can expect somewhere between 30 to 80 flushes. The way it works is that you get a certain amount of flushes with one full tank. After all the water is used up, the tank will need to be refilled.
The volume of water in the tank will tell you how many flushes your portable toilet will give you. On average, a tank should hold between two to six gallons of water. You can also choose either a low or high volume water tank. Keep in mind that a lower water volume tank is more portable, but also requires more refills. Higher volume tanks are better for large groups of people since they need to be refilled less, and you don’t have to move it a lot.
Make sure to check with the manufacturer to see how many flushes you will get per tank. This will allow you to calculate how much water you will need, so you can make sure you bring enough water to use in your toilet tank. You definitely don’t want to end up using your drinking water just so you can flush your portable toilet.
Other Features
As we mentioned, many portable toilets are flushable. However, they don’t deposit into a waste tank during the flushing process. You actually have to pull another button or lever for that to happen. It is possible to get a portable toilet that does both though if that’s important to you.
Some portable toilets will come with plumbing options if you don’t mind some added set up. This is a good feature if you plan to camp for a while or are camping with a large group of people. Resembling your home toilet, having plumbing will give you more features and comfort that creates a more enjoyable experience.
Other features you can find on portable toilets include easy to clean systems, secure latches to hold the seat shut, and toilet paper holders. Not that any of these features are required for the toilet to function properly, but they do make camping life just a bit easier.
Cleaning and Maintenance of a Portable Toilet
Any portable toilet will need basic cleaning and maintenance. When you are camping, it is important to make sure your toilet runs effectively from regular maintenance. Every time you use your portable toilet, make sure it is set up correctly. And whatever area you use to place it needs to remain clean to prevent unpleasant smells and unwanted visitors.
Toilets that have a flush system will require you to bring extra water allowing you to rinse out the toilet after you flush it. This prevents extensive cleaning after your camping trip is over as well as reduces the change of clogging and other issues.
Most portable toilets that don’t flush are usually easy to clean as long as you keep up with it and make sure the holding area does not overflow. When you are ready to hit the road, clean out the toilet completely and sanitize when you get back home. The most important thing to remember with a portable toilet is to keep up the cleaning, so it will continue to work well.
Common Problems and Issues with Portable Toilets
Toilet height – A common issue with portable toilets, make sure the toilet fits the height of the users. Most toilets will fit an average height, but there are some that come with a larger bowl size that makes using it more comfortable for those that are taller.
Trip duration – Make sure you consider how long your trip will be so that you will have the right number of biodegradable toilet bags with you or enough extra water for flushable toilets. Not being prepared can make the whole experience, as well as your camping trip, smelly and unpleasant.
Waste disposal – Since proper waste disposal is essential for avoiding stomach illnesses, you want to make sure you empty your toilet of waste in the right way. Waterless toilets are pretty easy since you are using a biodegradable sack, plus they sometimes even include a powder that converts liquids into solids. Make sure to bury these bags deep enough and away from a water source.
Flushable portable toilets need to be used in a regulated place where you are able to empty them. If you are in a restricted area, you will have a problem emptying it which can be a huge pain when you are camping. Also, remember to use toilet paper that rapidly disintegrates to help with waste disposal.
Cleaning – If you don’t clean your toilet properly, it will become a major problem. Waterless toilets are easier since they use a disposal bag, but flushable toilets will require cleaning agents or deodorizers. Find a product that is most appropriate for where you are camping and the type of toilet you have to avoid smelly problems out at the campsite.
Privacy – The biggest problem with a portable toilet can be lack of privacy. This is an easy solution if you also buy a privacy shelter or tent to put over it.
Pin – Best Portable Toilets for Camping
