5 Best Camping Toilets for Van, Cars & RV’s – ToiletsGuide

As in other areas of our lives, the small things are those that really matter and the same is true for camping toilets. Most toilet facilities in camp sites are usually not well-maintained and you need to find the best camping toilets to maintain your personal hygiene levels outdoors.

But when you first start looking for portable camping toilets you’ll be surprised at all the different variants and types available. We reviewed today’s most popular portable camping toilets and shared how they fared with you. With this guide, you’ll be able to make an informed buying decision for a more pleasant outdoor camping experience for you and your family.

5 Best Camping Toilets Tested and Reviewed

01 Thetford 92820 Porta Potti 365 Portable Toilet (Editor’s Choice)

Why It Stands Out to Us

Thetford PORTA POTTI 365 is the kind of toilet that brings compactness, efficiency, and ease to the same table at once. This portable toilets is an ‘all-in-all’ when it comes to securing the dump, maintenance, and of course, emptying the tank.

It’s designed in a way where you’ll hit the ceiling of comfort but without feeling a little ‘stinky.’

Our Experience with the Thetford Porta Potti 365

• At first glance, we thought it was just another random plastic-made toilet with the tag ‘portable’ on it. But proving us wrong, the toilet was holding up pretty well with the feeling of solidness. Otherwise, it would’ve been tough for it to keep up with users of all segments.
• In the name of durability, it didn’t get any heavier. The weight is within 4kg, and we think it’s pretty lightweight compared to most of the toilets out there. If that’s heavy for anyone, they can easily disassemble it in two parts and carry those separately.
• The combined capacity of both flush-water tank and waste tank is more than 35 liters. For camping, we think that capacity is sufficiently high.
  Filling up the flush isn’t a hard nut to crack as there’s an opening with a lid to get the job done. Plus, even with this amount of capacity, the tank gives 57 flushes in a single refill. To flush the discharge, the toilet got a piston pump too which we felt was a bit tight but tolerable; nothing that your kids can’t push or pull.
• Even if you keep the lid closed, there’s a chance of some bad odor coming out of the tank, but not in this one. You better thank its valve for blocking the opening of the waste tank.
• What we found interesting is this toilet comes with a tank capacity indicator. No, not on the flush tank but the waste one. This way, it’s easy to track the timing of vacating the tank. Besides, we liked how its vacating process has been so mess-free and easy.

What We Didn’t Like

• It comes with no carrying bag, and if you want a compatible one, you’ll have to buy it separately.

Who Is It Great for

• Regular campers and anyone with a plan to build up a temporary home in the woods will find it nothing less than the best camping toilet they’ve ever used.

What Could Be Improved and Why

• Having a level indicator on the flush tank would’ve been great as there’s no way to know how much water it got left in the tank.

Specifications

Pros

• Durable construction
• Easy to use
• Compact
• Convenient maintenance
• Easy to empty
• Lightweight
• Good tank capacity
• Smell-free

Cons

• No flush tank indicator

02 Camco 41541 Portable Travel Toilet (Top Flushing Portable Toilet)

Why It Stands Out to Us

Camco 41541 Portable Travel Toilet is more of an efficient toilet when all you want is ease, better capacity, and hazard-free cleaning. The ability to seal waste odor is one of the amazing aspects that would make you want it more.

But even after being one of the top products, it doesn’t cause a bigger bite on the wallet. For camping, recreational tours, and RVs, it’s a toilet worth spending on.

Our Experience with the Camco 41541 Portable Travel Toilet

• The construction gives a vibe of strength and sturdiness. But we think its polyethylene construction deserves good marks for one more reason – its carrying capacity. Even with 300+ lbs. body weight on it, it doesn’t struggle or squeak.
• Using it is not rocket science. In a sense, it’s kind of easy as using regular toilets, which makes it convenient for people of any age. Besides, you can fill up the flush tank and empty the waste tank in no time.
• Having a bigger waste tank seems to be a blessing and hazard both for this portable toilets. We’ll get on the ‘hazard’ part later but let’s say why it’s a blessing. The capacity it comes with is enough for 4 to 5 people and can keep taking a dump for 3 to 5 days.

One more thing we liked about the tank is the handle. The makers have added a handle on it which has made carrying the tank easier than ever, whether it’s full or not.

• The flush water tank has decent capacity and serves pretty well. Its flushing button works smoothly without asking for any extra physical pressure.

To fill it up, there’s a lid on the left corner. So, you won’t be missing out on easy refilling. But the sad part is, there’s no indicator on the tank to know the water level.

• You don’t need to have eye contact with the excretion in the tank as there’s a sealing slide valve to lock both waste and its odor. Just don’t forget to slide it out before you get started with your ‘business’ on it.
• Detaching the tank from the upper part is a piece of cake. The credit for that goes to its side latches on both sides. This means, even if you drop the toilet somehow while getting it out of your RV, there’s no chance of seeing spilled water or waste all over the place.

What We Didn’t Like

• The big waste tank (after getting fully filled) is kind of hard to pick up. This is why we said it’s a blessing and hazard at the same time.

Who Is It Great for

• For users who don’t like to face the hassle of cleaning up the toilet every two days while camping, this one can be the best camping toilets.

What Could Be Improved and Why

• Having a smaller mouth on the waste tank might make it take a little time to get vacant, but it surely can keep the work more mess-free.

Our Recommendations

• Don’t empty the excretion tank when it’s full. Keeping a part of it vacant makes it easy to empty.

Specifications

Pros

• Big waste-tank capacity
• Easy refilling
• Effortless to vacant
• Strong construction
• Good carrying capacity
• Convenient usage process
• Comparatively light

Cons

• Huge waste tank mouth

03 Reliance Products Luggable Loo Portable 5 Gallon Toilet (Top Bucket Style Unit)

Why It Stands Out to Us

One specific reason is enough for which you’d want to grab the luggable Loo, and that is the convenience it offers. Zero mess, lightweight, and hassle-free – this toilet is a perfect combination of all three features. Besides, a small corner is more than enough in the vehicle to slip in something like this.

Our Experience with the Reliance Products Luggable Loo Portable Toilet

• Using it is as easy as using a bucket. From the design, you’ve probably assumed that it’s not going to make you feel like a plumber, at least when it comes to cleaning.
  Also, using it is nothing harder than a child’s play. Put a plastic bag in, open the lid, take a dump, pick the bag and throw it away. Now, if that’s hard for you, we don’t know what you call easy.
• At first, we thought the construction would be of low quality. But we were surprised to know that it can hold a human body with a weight of 200 lbs.; quite an impressive number for a toilet, right?
  But that’s not the only number that snatched our appreciation for it. We needed to count the capacity too, which is 5-gallon. We’ve seen this kind of capacity in high-end toilets only so far.
• We know you’re looking for a toilet to use in camping. But this one is not limited to that one spot only. You can give it a shot at RVs, boats, and recreational tours. In a more simple way, you can use it anywhere where you might need a bathroom.
• The only thing that keeps it away from being a plain bucket is its easy-snapper lid. But the quality of it is good as well. As it perfectly sits over the tank, the weight of the body spreads evenly on the structure, which prevents it from breaking apart easily.
• Its height from the ground is decently high for kids and standard-sized people. But if you’re someone taller than 6′, we’d say watch your back while sitting on it as the wrong landing might make you end up on the ground.

What We Didn’t Like

• No flushing facility is a big turn-off for this one.

Who Is It Great for

• When you’re asking for a no-mess toilet with a lower budget, you can get your hands on this toilet with your eyes closed.

Our Recommendations

• Avoid taking a dump without putting a plastic or bio-bag in. It’ll make the cleaning much easier. A compostable or bio-bag is a better choice as it doesn’t create any threat to the environment.

Specifications

Pros

• Easy to carry
• Sustainable design
• Decent waste carrying capacity
• Effortless maintenance
• Highly Portable
• Small space requirement
• Versatile usage
• Convenient waste disposal

Cons

• No flushing

04 Drive Medical 11148-1 Steel Folding Bedside Commode

Why It Stands Out to Us

The Drive Medical 11148-1 Commode is a kind of toilet that you can rely on for three reasons – safety, portability, and convenience. This chair-like toilet is made for not one but tons of purposes – from camping to bedside.

Plus, the level of adjustability it delivers is missing even in major high-end toilets. And yes, with it, attending natural calls is more relaxing as the construction itself is similar to chairs more than a toilet.

Our Experience with the Drive Medical 11148-1 Commode

• Two things matter the most in a toilet to be used for camping. The first one is portability and the second one is structural strength. We’ve seen both of them on this one.
  The foldable frame it comes with makes carrying it anywhere far convenient. Unlike the other portable toilets, it has given up its rigidity on that part.
  On the other hand, the steel-made frame is so strong that carrying a weight of 340+ lbs. is not a big deal for it. If you’ve already gone through the earlier reviews, then you already know this toilet has broken the record of holding maximum weight among them.
• In a general sense, it might look like a plain and simple portable chair. But along with catching your waste, it also can work with a bit more versatility. For example, it’s usable for raising the toilet seat for people who find it hard to bend their knees on regular toilets.
• Right after grabbing it, the first challenge that jumps in is the assembling. But calling it a challenge will be too much as it doesn’t take more than a few minutes to get assembled.
• What this toilet got that other ones don’t is the armrests. While responding to nature calls, these will keep you more relaxed. And in case you find it hard to pull yourself out of the toilet, you can use them for support too.
• It comes with a commode bucket that has a capacity of holding excretion up to 7.5 qt. To keep it away from being a little messy, it got a splash shield and a cover too for keeping the odor caged. We’re not a fan of its bucket capacity, but we sure do like the easy-to-clean part.

What We Didn’t Like

• As the bucket capacity is a bit low, it requires frequent cleaning, which can be a pain in the neck.

Who Is It Great for

• If you’re someone who’s suffering from knee injuries, this toilet should be your perfect go-to product.

What Could Be Improved and Why

• Having a deeper bucket would’ve been better as that could’ve lowered the hassles of cleaning it often.

Specifications

Pros

• Versatile application
• Adjustable height
• Strong frame
• High carrying capacity
• Portable
• Bendable design
• Convenient cleaning process

Cons

• Low bucket depth

05 Cleanwaste Go Anywhere Complete Portable Toilet System

Why It Stands Out to Us

Cleanwaste Go Anywhere Toilet System is about creating a fully function al toilet in the middle of nowhere. But what it delivers more than anything is privacy, something you need the most while taking a dump.

That doesn’t mean it has compromised on compactness, portability, or lightweight. It’s got all of them covered, too, and probably better than any other random toilets. If privacy is a major concern to you, this can be one of the best camping toilets for your outdoor adventures.

Our Experience with the Cleanwaste Go Anywhere Complete Portable Toilet System

• As it’s a tent-like setup, we thought it’s going to eat up a pile of time. But the reality is the opposite as it doesn’t take more than a few minutes. And if we speak about the toilet only, it needs just a minute to get ready for the next dumping.
• The shelter is waterproof. This means when you’re losing some burdens in the toilet, and it starts raining, you won’t have to start running in the middle of your business or get wet.
• We bet having a decent-sized toilet is one of your primary concerns, and that’s kind of obvious. Thankfully, rather than being disappointing, this Cleanwaste creation has come up with the perfect size. Plus, using it is also comforting.
• The makers said that this toilet can carry up to 500 lbs of weight. Now, none of our team members had that much weight, but we surely can say that the toilet handled the weight we had.
• In the question of spaciousness, it’s got nothing to complain about. It’s so big that not only as a toilet but it can be used as a shower room and changing room as well. By the way, if you’re in a little rush, you can tear it down in minutes too.
• The waste collection bags are sufficiently big for grabbing a good amount of discharge. There’s a powder in these bags and the makers call it the ‘Poo Powder’, which breaks down everything that goes in there without wasting too much time.

What We Didn’t Like

• The waste kits are expensive. So, once you’re out of them, be ready to shed some cash.

Who Is It Great for

• If you’re looking for something that you’ll use not only to poop but also as your changing room too, then count this one as the best camping toilet for you.

What Could Be Improved and Why

• Having a lid would’ve been better as there’s nothing to stop its odor if you’re planning to reuse the current waste bag.

Specifications

Pros

• Quicker installation
• Protection from rain
• Holds heavyweight
• Easy to disassemble
• Spacious
• Lightweight
• Long-lasting

Cons

• Slightly short commode legs

Camping Toilet Buying Guide: Everything You Should Know

1. Wet or Dry

Pepsi or Coke? Some debates will never end because it is a matter of preference. The case is no different in the case of wet and dry camping toilets.

Dry camping toilets are simple and easy. You don’t have to spend time setting it up or cleaning it up.

Wet systems are a lot more complicated but a lot more hygienic. The need for freshwater may be irritating, but your nostrils will thank you for the lack of smell.

Reliance Products Luggable Loo is a great dry option, and the Thetford and Campo products are the perfect alternatives for those of you who want a wet system.

2. Size of the Waste Tank

You really need to consider the size of your waste tank before you purchase a product. This determines how much waste your toilet can hold. Smaller systems need to be emptied more frequently but are easier to empty.

We believe the sweet spot is somewhere around 5 Gallons. This way, you won’t have to empty it every five seconds, but you won’t have to dump a humongous amount all at once either. The size also contributes to the weight but more on that later.

3. Access to Chemical Toilet Disposal Points

The way you are thinking of disposing of your waste is a pretty important factor to take into account when purchasing a camping toilet. Luckily, there are central disposal points near every famous camping spot.

If you find yourself without one, however, you can always take the waste home. You can even dump it in a foul sewer if there is one nearby, but we suggest taking the owner’s permission first.

4. Design of Waste Tank

The design of the waste tank determines how easy it is to dispose of your waste. If you are using a bucket toilet, you don’t have to worry since it’s simply a matter of throwing away the waste bag.

A folding toilet is also fairly simple due to the detachable waste tank. It gets a little more complicated with the flushable system, but we’ll get to that later. For now, all you need to know is that bucket and foiling toilets are easier to clean up.

5. Comfort

This depends entirely on you. The dimension and material both come into play when deciding on a product based on its comfort, and the truth is we can’t single out a product that is the perfect one for everyone.

We recommend checking out the dimensions of your toilet at home and try to get one that matches those dimensions. You can also look to the customer reviews for help. We found Camco to be the most comfortable.

6. Weight

Weight is definitely a huge factor when it comes to picking out your camping toilet. This feature determines how easy it is to carry around.

Most of these toilets are around 10 pounds in weight and you won’t be needing Hercules to carry them around for you. The weight depends on several other factors, such as the material, the dimensions, and, as we mentioned before, the size of the tank.

Keep in mind that the weight we listed down changes after there is waste in the toilets.

7. Installation

You definitely want to set up your system near your camp and not too far from the nearest disposal point. The ease of setup will depend on a number of factors.

First off, the aforementioned weight. You will obviously have a tougher time carrying a heavier system. Secondly, foldable systems are much easier to set up, they are literally like foldable chairs.

Lastly, the terrain of your camping site is important. Try to find a flat surface to set up camp so that you can use the loo comfortably.

8. Flushing Mechanism

The flushing mechanism is what separates the good flushable toilets from the poor ones. Both the flushable models we reviewed have pretty reliable flushing mechanisms.

The Thetford toilet uses a piston pump mechanism, and the Camco model uses a bellow-type flush. We discussed both in detail already.

9. Electrical Requirements

None of the toilets we listed today have any electrical requirements. You are out camping, so we know an electric outlet is hard to come by. Better safe than sorry.

10. Warranty

Speaking of better safe than sorry, you should look to get a long warranty. Most warranties are offered between 1 to 3 years, but it varies from product to product. We recommend going for the longest warranty if it boils down to it.

11. Price

Your budget is often the factor that overpowers all others, and we totally understand. Some of you want to buy a system that is convenient and that they can use for years to come and are willing to pay a hefty amount for that.

Others don’t want to spend that much on a camping toilet. The price range in this market is insane. You can get a system for under 20$ or splash over 200$ for a toilet.

For those of you looking to save some cash, we recommend going for the Reliance Products Luggable Loo. If you want the best money can buy you, we suggest you go for the editor’s choice, Thetford Porta Potti 365.

What Kind of Portable Toilet Do I Need?

Bucket Toilets

This type is exactly what it sounds like. It all goes in the bucket, which is lined with a plastic bag that you dispose of later. This makes it a great money-saving option.

A product this simple and cheap obviously has its downsides, such as a persistent odor and the fact that it is not sturdy by any means, but we rate this type highly for its easy cleanup.

The Reliance Products Luggable Loo is your best bet. It definitely beats doing it out in the open.

Flushable Portable Toilets

Moving on to a system that is a little more complicated but a lot more hygienic. It is definitely an upgrade from your traditional bucket system as it solves the odor issue completely by flushing away your waste.

On top of that, they are all sturdy. The flush tank and freshwater tank make sure that the weight is balanced, and the fact that it is heavier means it is harder to tip over.

The downside is that it is a lot more expensive, and the clean-up and setup is no walk-in-the-park either. The flushing mechanism is important too, but we’ll get to that later. Both Thetford and Campo offer great products in this department.

Portable Toilet for Kids

Camping is the perfect family activity. You get to bond with your children or siblings by doing fun activities outdoors. There is one massive issue with taking children on camping trips, however.

The systems we see most of the time are designed for adults, and unfortunately, there are no great portable toilets built for kids especially.

We recommend getting a small system that’s easy to use and doesn’t create a mess. The Reliance Products Luggable Loo fills these criteria pretty well if you ask us.

Foldable Toilets

These are arguably the best toilet for camping trips. Do they flush? No. But they have another feature that gives them a massive edge over the other systems. As the name suggests, you can fold these toilets up pretty easily.

You can’t do much better than Drive Medical for a foldable toilet. It is the perfect option for those who want to save space or change spots frequently.

Urination Devices

These are for women to go in the wild. They aren’t camping toilets per se, but we think they provide a great option for women who don’t want to deal with a toilet each time they have to pee.

How to Safely Empty a Portable Camping Toilet?

Emptying a camping toilet can be a piece of cake or the hardest thing you have to do – depending on the toilet you are using and the availability of a disposal site.

We have good news for those using the bucket toilets; your job is easier than those using flushable systems. All you need to do is take the plastic bag and deposit it in the nearest central disposal point.

Even if there isn’t one nearby, things don’t get much complicated. You can just chuck it in a foul sewer, but you need permission from the owner and biodegradable waste bags. You could even have to take the waste bag home and throw it in the bin.

Foldable models are pretty much the same. Your wastebasket is detachable, so you dispose of your waste in an identical manner.

It gets even more complex when using flushable systems. To empty a flushable, empty the waste tank, which is comprised of liquid, so you can’t just throw a bag in the bin.

You need to take the toilet and use the latch to release the liquid into a wash closet or a foul sewer. Mechanisms differ, but that’s the basic gist. This process is much messier than the two aforementioned ones.

FAQs

1. Can I poop in a portable camping toilet?

Certainly, it’s not much different than using your toilet at home. You just sit and answer nature’s call. The cleanup is a little more complicated, but it’s definitely a good option in a pinch.

2. How much waste can a portable toilet hold?

This depends on the size of your waste tank. As we mentioned earlier, we believe 5 gallons is the perfect size, but if you think you need it to hold more waste, you can definitely opt for larger options.