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Best portable toilet for campervan travel

Why every van needs a portable campervan toilet

One of the most challenging aspects of vanlife can be finding a restroom. In fact, as we’re all aware, no other issue feels quite as urgent.

The solution? A portable toilet for campervan travel and comfort.

So even if I’m headed for a campground with great restroom facilities or even planning to stay some nights in motels, I always carry a portable campervan toilet.

Best portable toilet for campervan Top Picks

Laveo Dry Flush Portable Toilet for Campervan Travel

Cleanwaste Campervan Portable Toilet

Thetford Campervan Porta Potty

vansage Dry-Flush portable toilet for campervan travel  Our rating

portable toilet for campervan travel Cleanwaste vansage

Our rating

vansage portable toilet for campervan travel Thtford

Our rating

What is the best portable toilet for campervan travel?

We recorded an episode of The Campervan Podcast that answers this question. Please take a few minutes to listen to the show.

If you like it, please subscribe. Here’s a link with subscription and listening options.

That public restroom may not be very clean

Gas stations, restaurants, truck stops and rest stop toilets can be hit or miss with regard to how clean they are and some tend to be very dirty.

I’m not over the top with regard to cleanliness, but I am mindful of staying clean on the road and don’t feel the need to risk getting sick.

And if there’s family, kids, friends involved, I’m extra careful and definitely don’t take chances.

It’s worth it to have a portable toilet for campervan comfort to avoid less than clean public options.

Quick, convenient toilet use, any time, any place

Just pull over, climb in back, problem solved. No searching, no extra driving, no stress.

The time it can take to find a public facility can throw off your itinerary or even get you lost.

Hoping for a rest stop, gas station or truck stop to come along is a gamble that doesn’t always pay off.

Will they let you use their toilet?

With van life on the rise everywhere, gas stations and restaurants are less and less likely to let random travelers use facilities for free.

“Restrooms are for customers only” signs are more common than ever on the road.

Pretty sure some places bank on travelers needing a toilet and being forced to make a purchase. How many random packs of gum or bottles of water does one van need

I like to think that this one advantage, not having to make unnecessary purchases, has paid for my campervan portable toilet.

It’s 3 am, do you know where your toilet is?

Some of you don’t need this one explained. I’m talking to the very special club known as “men over 40”.

But it’s not only those of us with aging prostates needing a late night tinkle.

Kids, moms and pretty much everyone needs some middle-of-the-night-relief from time to time and that’s no time to be wandering off across the campground to the public restroom, or out into the woods.

Campervan toilet for campervan feature options

You can always tell how crucial a campervan accessory is by how many brands and types of products are on the market, and campervan toilets are one such accessory.

When it comes time to choose one, perhaps there even too many toilets for campervans.

And that’s what this article is all about: simplifying the process of choosing a toilet that’s just right for you.

So fear not and read on, the Van Sage has got you covered with all the details.

Dry Flush portable toilet for campervan travel

Many vanlifers consider dry flush toilets to be the best portable toilet for their campervans.

The advantages of dry flush toilets are many, Here are a few

  • No smell: The waste is wrapped in plastic immediately and so there’s no odor
  • No cleaning: Simply throw the plastic cassette away when it’s full
  • Light weight and easy to carry: The Laveo Dry-Flush weighs only 30 lbs and can be carried easily
  • No water required: Since it’s truly “dry”, there’s no water use and no plumbing required

Flushing Portable toilet for campervan travel

  • campervan portable toilets are fully self contained with fresh and waste water tanks. These include cassette style portable toilets.

    We’re surprised how well these work and, if you’ve got the space in your van, this is one of our top picks.

    Most like home: Designed to provide familiar comfort and a satisfying flush.

  • Clean: The waste is contained in a tank, so there’s little or no odor.
  • The waste tank fills up and needs to be dumped.
  • Mid range in size and price.

Bag toilet

  • Just like it sounds; a disposable bag is attached under the seat that gets tied off and thrown out after use.

    Some vanners will add some kitty litter to the bag so they can get a few uses out of a bag.

  • Simple: No fancy moving parts or needing to get water. Just use it and throw out the bag.
  • Inexpensive options available.
  • Often collapsible, easy to fold up and store away. Easy to set up outside the van at the camp site.

Cassette Campervan Toilet

  • Cassette refers to a tank section that can be easily removed for emptying and cleaning. Some cassette toilets have a lower section that slides out, other are held on to the upper section of the toilet with clips.
  • Some cassette toilets are designed to be removed from outside the van, requiring modification to the van. This allows for the cassette to be cleaned outside the van.

Camper van Composting Toilet

  • Composting toilet for campervan travel break down and compost human waste through bacterial activity that results in a very clean, no-odor system.

  • They cost more than the others but, Cadillac style, Cadillac price.

  • There’s a learning curve that includes adding a microbe mix and other sciency stuff, but it’s pretty straightforward and worth the effort.
  • A composting campervan toilet sits taller than the other types so if you’ve got a low roof van, you might want to avoid these or plan on using them outside the van in a tent.

Can you use a composting toilet in a campervan?

Yes you can. Please give a listen to our episode of The Campervan Podcast that answers this question.

Bucket portable campervan toilets

  • DIY and commercial options available
  • Cheapest, simplest
  • Typically single use then need to be emptied.
  • Least expensive and simplest to use, but not always the most stable.

Toilet tents

  • Privacy tents are a great addition to your portable toilet for outside-the-van privacy.

    Check out our Campervan awning tents article, which can also provide the necessary privacy to use your campervan toilet.


Our portable toilet for campervan travel Top Picks

Laveo Dry Flush Portable Toilet for Campervan Travel

vansage Dry-Flush portable toilet for campervan travel

Our rating

VanSage Top Pick. We love this portable campervan toilet for its brilliant design, portability and innovative odor elimination system.

  • NO WATER: No plumbing, light weight
  • No Black water to clean up
  • Simple cartridge clean up system
  • NO SMELL
  • No Installation: Set it anywhere, remove it from the van… Totally portable

Click now to see images & pricing for the Laveo Dry-Flush Portable Toilet for Campervan

Camco 41541 Portable Toilet – 5.3 gallon

Vansage Camco portable toilet for campervan travel

Our rating

VanSage Top Pick. We love this portable toilet for campervan travel for its brilliant design, portability and innovative odor elimination system.

  • 2.5 gallon flush tank, 5.3 gallon removable holding tank
  • Less odors and leakage with slide valve seal lock
  • Tank is secured to the toilet with side latches
  • Under type flush
  • Solid, tough build
  • 15.5″ H x 14″ W x 16″. Seat Width, 13 inches

Click now to see images & pricing for the Camco Portable Campervan Toilet

Dometic – 974 Portable Toilet 2.6 Gallon

vansage portable toilet for campervan travel Dometic

Our rating

Two sizes to fit your family and offgrid vanlife needs. The comfortable lid and tank indicator make it a top option among campervan toilets.

  • 2.6 and 5 gallon versions
  • Tough ABS build materials
  • Easy to clean, smooth finish
  • Comfy, latching lid, secure for travel
  • Holding tank prismatic level indicator
  • Simple cleaning with splash free emptying, automatic tank vents and longer discharge swing arm
  • Mounting brackets available on 2.6 model

Click now to see images & pricing for the Dometic Campervan Portable Toilet

 

Reliance Products Hassock Portable Campervan Porta Potty

vansage portable toilet for campervan travel Reliance Products Hassock

 

Our rating

This bare bones campervan portable toilet serves the most basic urge without frills, complexity and does it all at a great price.

  • Portable, self-contained. Includes 1 Eco-Fresh packet
  • Removable inner bucket for easy disposal
  • Works with Reliance “Double Doodie bag”
  • 14.7 by 14.7 by 14 inches. 5 pounds
  • Five year warranty against manufacturer’s defects

Click now to see images & pricing for the Reliance Products Campervan Porta Potty

Cleanwaste Portable Campervan Toilet with Waste Kit

 cleanwaste vansage portable toilet for campervan travel

Our rating

VanSage Top Pick.Smart design, compact size and easy waste disposal. This campervan toilet takes simplicity to the next level, and at a great price.

  • Easy setup with 3 locking legs
  • Folds to small size for compact storage with carry handle
  • Up to 500 lbs weight allowed
  • standard toilet seat and bowl dimensions
  • Mesh holder prevents waste bag slippage
  • Drip edge prevents bag contact with waste

Click now to see images & pricing for the Cleanwaste Portable Campervan Toilet

 

Nature’s Head Self Contained Composting Campervan Porta Potty

Vansage Nature's Head Composting Toilet portable toilet for campervan travel

Our rating

VanSage Top Pick.The Cadillac of campervan toilets, this product is loved by vanlife travelers for its  remarkable ability to break down solid waste into odor-free, easy to dispose of compost.

  • Made in the USA
  • Full size long seat for comfort
  • Empties in seconds
  • Includes Vent hose and fan

Click now to see images & pricing for the Natures Head Composting Campervan Porta Potty

Thetford Porta Potti Curve Portable Campervan Toilet

Vansage Thetford Porta Potti portable toilet for campervan travel

Our rating

The essence of innovative campervan porta potty design, function and all at a reasonable price.

  • Award winning portable toilet
  • 4 gallons fresh, 5.5 gallon waste capacity
  • Comfortable height with larger bowl
  • Electric power flush with battery
  • Tank level gauge
  • Sealed valve to reduce odors. Leak proof
  • No back splash empty

Click now to see images & pricing for the Theffford Camervan Porta Potty

 

SereneLife Campervan Portable Cassette Toilet

SereneLife portable toilet for campervan travel Vansage

Our rating

  • Comfortable to use anywhere campervan porta potty
  • Highly rated portable cassette toilet
  • 5. 3 gallo tank holds more than most portable toilets
  • Easy to empty, splash free, when full
  • Odor resistant so it doesn’t retain smells
  • Includes a handy carrying case

Click now to see images & pricing for the  Serenelife Campervan Portable Toilet

WolfWise 6.6FT Portable Pop Up Privacy Shower Tent 

Wolfwise privacy portable toilet for campervan travel vansage

 

Our Rating

The WolfWise Pop-up privacy tent is made of high-quality material that’s waterproof and durable.

It’s great for a campervan shower.

It’s reliable in windy conditions. The polyester fabric in black and silver coating can protect you from UV rays.

Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who want to have a private place to change clothes and take a shower.

The mesh roof and window allows good air circulation and it’s equipped with a hanging pouch to store small things like your keys or phone.

No complex assemble since it pops up in seconds. The “T” style door makes it easier to go in and out of the tent.

When opened, the dimension of this tent is 47.24*47.24*78.74. When folded into a flat circle, it’s 25 x 25 inches.

Click for more images and info about the WolfWise 6.6FT Portable Pop Up Privacy Shower Tent 

 

 Campervan Porta Potty Recap

  • You can’t rely on rest stops, gas stations, restaurants and truck stops for your restroom needs.

  • Public restrooms tend to be dirty. It’s nice to have your own clean toilet, any time you need it.

  • A flushing cassette toilet is a great choice for comfort and middle of the road price.

  • For the ultimate in simplicity and lowest cost, consider a bag toilet with a folding frame.

  • Composting campervan toilets are considered the high end.

Thanks for reading!

Questions or Comments about a campervan portable toilet?

Please leave your questions in the comment section below. We’d love to hear from you and we’ll do our best to answer or find a resource for you.

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