The Essential Guide to Toilets when Camping: Portable Options and Sanitation Solutions for Your Caravan

Toilets are an essential part of our everyday lives that many take for granted. However, when camping in the great wild beyond, far away from the trappings and comforts of ‘real’ life, things are a touch different. The team at RV Parts Express put their heads together for a fun discussion about toilets. Where to go, what chemicals to use, how to dispose of waste and more. With decades of collective experience in the world of the outdoors, few people can claim to have a more in-depth knowledge of the subject, and in this article, we would like to share their thoughts with you. First things first, let’s address what to do if you have no internal toilet of any kind in your vehicle:

When no toilet is available

Australia is a vast, largely uninhabited wilderness where it is perfectly possible to lose yourself (figuratively and literally) in the majesty of nature. However, when you go camping, you are unlikely to be treading any new ground or discovering previously unvisited hinterlands. Most areas you are likely to visit will be well-trodden by generations of campers and RV enthusiasts, meaning you can expect to come across the first option with a certain degree of frequency:

Public toilets

Some people’s worst nightmare, it is true that some public toilets can leave a lot to be desired. However, there is the bonus of running water (hopefully) and privacy to do your business. Take plenty of wet wipes, paper towels, and tissue paper. With some supplies of your own and a strong constitution, it is possible to relieve yourself in many public toilets around Australia, from petrol stations and roadside diners to camping sites and national parks. Keep your eyes open for the signs or, better still, check the location of any conveniences online beforehand and mark them on your map. 

• If you don’t have a physical map, go and get one. Guessing which way to go if your phone dies is less exciting and adventurous than it sounds and much more dangerous.  

If no public toilets are available and nature calls, the first thing to do is:

Pick your spot and dig a hole

It is an unwritten rule (written in some of Australia’s national parks) that you do nothing to contaminate local water supplies by going to the toilet too close to them. This is especially important if the water is used for drinking. Stay at least 100 metres away from any water source, including: 

• Rivers
• Creeks and streams 
• Dams 

The hole needs to be at least 30cm (1 foot) deep, and you should use only biodegradable products. Cover everything well once you are finished and leave nothing behind. 

• Most baby wipes are unsuitable for outdoor toilet use if you plan to bury them. They do not break down and return to the surface in time. Take them away with you in a suitable bag.

Camping toilet ‘seat’

Effectively little more than a camping chair with a hole in the middle cut out, camping toilet seats are a good option for those less steady on their feet or with poor balance.

Do I need a portable toilet?

No answer applies to everyone equally in this instance. The suitability of carrying a portable toilet depends on several factors, including:

• Your vehicle - how much room you have to spare
• The length of time you will be away
• If your route takes you far away from civilisation
• Environmental considerations

Portable toilets are clean, practical, and most welcome when the moment strikes. Here are some options you might like to consider and their various features. 

Chemical toilets with a flush

By far the most common camping toilets are flushing chemical ones. Available as free-standing units, these toilets are portable and easy to use. They can also be mounted securely inside a vehicle if required. Free-standing units will have a manual flush, whereas ones inside vehicles with running water may be connected to the supply to aid flushing and may even have an electric flush. 

• Both styles use a ‘cassette’ to store the waste that can be easily removed and emptied. Chemicals are used to reduce smells and break down waste.

SOG systems

A relatively modern German invention, the SOG system cleverly uses a fan in the waste compartment to create a partial vacuum. This forces smells to exit the vehicle through the vent, drastically reducing unpleasant odours. Increased oxygen flow causes an accelerated breakdown of the waste material, meaning no chemicals are required. Some other features include:

• The elimination of problems caused by gas build-up in the waste cassette
• Low power consumption

Bag collection

Some portable toilets on the market use bags to collect the waste, which you must remove and dispose of responsibly. Ideally, those bags will be biodegradable, allowing you to dig a hole and bury them before moving on. The material will break down rapidly this way and cause minimum contamination or unwanted plastic. The same rules apply as when going to the toilet ‘au naturel’ as mentioned earlier. Non-biodegradable bags should not be buried, but deposited in a suitable, considerate garbage collection point. 

• Roadside restaurants and shops will frown upon you dumping your bags in their regular trash. You have been warned. 

Composting toilets

Composting units separate liquids from solids. The liquid is tipped away frequently, leaving dry material with little to no smell that can be disposed of with much less frequency. This option is popular among more extreme campers who plan to go ‘off-grid’ for extended periods.

FAQs

Do portable toilets smell bad?

Aside from smells, you would expect to encounter during and after use (unless using an SOG system), portable toilets should not smell bad. There should be no overwhelming, eye-watering chemical presence if used correctly.

Where do I empty my portable toilet?

The standard portable toilets with the cassettes we mentioned can be emptied at dump points stationed in national parks and shires all across Australia. You will soon become familiar with the blue lids, and it is simply a case of emptying the contents and rinsing out your cassette with the facilities provided. Be careful of the dreaded ‘splash-back’ and leave the dump point clean and tidy for the following user. 

• The water at dump points is unlikely to be potable and should not be used for anything other than cleaning your cassette.

Conclusion

Locating toilet facilities or dealing with the process outdoors can be awkward at best and downright annoying at worst. Modern portable camping toilets are easy to use and maintain. They offer you ultimate privacy and comfort for little expense or inconvenience, and you remain in complete control of their cleanliness. And, perhaps the most crucial factor for some people is that you don’t have to share with total strangers. No self-sufficient camping excursion should be without one.

Whether you choose a portable toilet or the wild version, the key is to be respectful and considerate. Follow the rules and think carefully before taking action that may inconvenience others or pollute the beautiful Australian wilderness. 

Contact us

If you have questions or comments you wish to direct at the team, why not drop us a line here at RV Parts Express today? They will happily discuss toilets with you and offer any advice and guidance you need. Alternatively, please take some time to browse the wide range of camping accessories, spare parts, and gadgets we offer in our online store.