Are you one of those people who think that toilets are one of the essentials to have in a van? In this article, you will discover the different toilet options that you can adopt for your van or camper van, how they work, their advantages and their disadvantages!
Chemical toilets
These toilets are more advanced than the others. They include two different tanks: one for solids and the other for water to flush the toilet like you do at home. The bottom tank stores solids in a nice blue liquid designed to eliminate bad odors. Go to a drain terminal at a motorhome service area to empty it. VAN IT offers a small portable toilet that helps out well, especially when you go on a trip with children, just for 5 euros a day.
The benefits of chemical toilets
A chemical toilet is clean and provides more comfort than a household toilet at home. It is easy and pleasant to use and its ergonomic shape offers more satisfaction to its users. Both a PVC chemical toilet and a dry toilet can be reused for many years.
Cons of chemical toilets
Products used to break down solids are not so environmentally friendly. This is one of the disadvantages of this chemical toilet. Since you use chemicals, emptying must be done in a dedicated camping area. Which is equipped with an appropriate drainage infrastructure. This toilet and its chemicals are expensive. Certainly, the chemical toilet provides more comfort than the other options. However, its tank is bulky. This option is not recommended in case you have a narrow space in your van or campervan.
Cardboard toilets
The shape of a cardboard toilet is similar to a collapsible cardboard box. It replaces both the toilet seat and its bowl, once unfolded. To make it easier to use, just put a trash bag inside before doing your business. The majority of cardboard toilet ranges are designed with absorbent pads which will harden once in contact with urine. This facilitates transport. Once finished, you close the bag and discard it in a trash can.
What are the advantages of cardboard toilets?
- Easy Storage: Cardboard toilets are lightweight (just over 1kg), foldable and compact. Their storage becomes simple, and does not require too much space.
- It is not bulky and each inhabitant of the van or converted van can have their own cardboard toilet.
- The cardboard toilet is easy to use: after each use, it does not create odors or storage.
- Eco-Friendly: Cardboard toilet is fully compostable at end of life.
- Economical: Cardboard toilets are among the cheapest options of all.
What are the disadvantages of cardboard toilets?
The use of this toilet outside the van is not recommended. Cardboard, the material it is made from, risks easily deteriorating or even becoming unusable. On average, the price of a cardboard toilet and the twelve refills (tampons and bags) is 39 euros.
Portable dry toilets
Generally speaking, a portable dry toilet comes in the form of a small bucket, made either with stainless steel or PVC. It is equipped with a bezel and a wooden or PVC flap. It is also very simple to use. Just put a small amount of sawdust in the bottom, do your business, then cover with sawdust. Finally, bury the tank in the wild. Its emptying is done in a compost bin before cleaning the bucket with soap and a little water.
Their advantages
- Easy Storage: The portable dry toilet is lightweight and compact. They can easily be stored under furniture and in a closet.
- Infinitely reusable: portable dry toilets will last a long time, as stainless steel, PVC and wood are materials that have very good resistance.
- Economical: Woodchips can’t be bought, they can be found all over the world.
- Versatile: You can also use a biodegradable bag (like a cardboard toilet) inside your tank.
The disadvantages of portable dry toilets
With a compact dry toilet, there is always a risk of mispositioning the bag when defecating. The average price of a portable dry toilet ranges from 50 to 150 euros.
Incineration toilets
They use a 550°C incineration system, which burns solids as soon as they enter the toilet and reduces them to a pile of ash. Some manufacturers offer many ranges that can operate either with gas or with electricity. It is an environmentally friendly solution because the ashes obtained are completely sterile and contain essential nutrients for the garden, such as phosphorus and potassium.
Toilets in a converted van: a real necessity or a simple whim?
The toilets are one of the essentials during a trip in a van or campervan. You need it to travel independently. Fortunately, an alternative exists in case of problems.
Apps for finding restrooms while traveling
If you don’t want to fill your toilet van. But, you like the taste of risk, or because you avoid surprises and network failures while traveling. You can use apps like “Where is toilets” or “FLUSH” that help you find public toilets near your location using geolocation.
Choose a fully equipped van or van
If you love to travel and don’t want to worry about these details. In this case, you can simply rent or buy a van or a campervan, all compact, fully equipped with a shower, a bathroom and a toilet at VAN IT.