Whats the best portable toilet??

shovel and date roll

For bush trips in a group of up to 10vehicles, we go for a deep longdrop with a thunderbox on top. The thunderbox is homemade out of plywood - folding sides, and Bunnings toilet seat.
Lined by a brown paper shopping bag and changed each day. Its clean, easy and you have a real seat. When we bury it, we put a shovel or two of coals in there from the morning fire to burn it all down. The paper bags can be bought in lots of 200 from a paperbag supply shop. And we use a "Change Shelter" around it. Sometimes we get fancy and slip a flashing bike light on it so you can find it in the dark - we spread out a bit when we camp.

so the min min light could be a poo poo light?

I presume you're after a chemical type toilet. I can give a bit of advice now because we just went though the same thing.

We checked 'em all out and ended up buying a Fiama Bi-Pot 1513 model. Got it from a caravan place in Adelaide.

It seems to most the Thetford Porta-Potti is the bench mark. We didn't get one for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, didn't want to worry about the tube which the *^$( pours out of. Ours has a transparent cap for both water store and waste - big opening guarantees even if someone has laid a big turd before it has time to break down, it comes out no matter what. You can also see the levels through the caps.

Also the Fiama has a very effective flush system, cleans the whole bowl.

Thirdly, I didn't want to get what everyone else was getting.

Fourthly, made in Italy, who usually produce pretty good stuff. Fiama a large manufacturers of other caravan accessories, mainly awnings etc.

Fifthly, the dimensions suited us with it having to fit in the camper trailer.

Sixthly, the porta-potties seem a bit over priced. My Fiama cost $134 at show special price.

Unless you are very tall, or want the capacity, you don't really need the higher toilets. I was surprised, but snapping one off while only sitting 33cm up isn't really all that difficult. Some chock them up, but we can't be bothered.

Someone else (can't remember who) said he had been camping with a couple of different toilets and preferred the Fiama over the Thetford.

Hope this helps.

D-Jack

Jimmy's Thunderbox
www.2daloo.com/

Hi Michael

have had a thetford for abt 5 years for the campervan.

Only problem - the flush bellows failed about a year ago and spare cost abt $20 to buy.

I am a bit tall and if you are would suggest that you consider one with a larger bottom tank - unless of course you usually sit with your head between your knees -think they come in 10 and 20 litre - the larger bottom tank pushes the height up a bit. Have a sit on one in the store before you buy might be the best way to find out - dont expect they will give you a test run.

Havent had D-jacks problem with the outlet pipe - it does give you a bit of distance from the messy stuff though.

Suggest you dont continue use till full - they can be a tad heavy in this state - maybe a good reason for a smaller bottom tank - idiot proof.

Emptying can be a bit exciting if you forget to push the vacuum release button - they gulp a bit and you can get a bit of a bath.

Another consideration is to always open the slide with the lid down before performances - not after - pressure builds up in the bottom tank during the day form heat and gas and if the slide is opened after the performance it can get very interesting.

Havent had any experience with the Fiamma.

Dont know where you are going to use it - mine is in a 4wd truck - the dunny plus 10 litres of flush water and about the same in the bottom tank makes for an interesting load on rough ground - it tends to have a mind of its own. Have it mounted in a shower and thought of all manner of hold down solutions from straps to over centre clips but didnt want to pierce the shower floor or the dunny with screws etc - my solution was 50mm velcro on the bottom and the floor of the shower - sticks like - hasnt moved on the roughest terrain.

Hope this helps

We have a " porta potty " and there are places that you use them only

But we generally use Jimmy's Thunderbox, and a quick pop up shelter. Your own private long-drop
We also carry a small bucket of lime, and " sprinkle " ( as you can't flush out there ) 1 or 2 tablespoons of lime, every time someone uses it....
This makes it a lot less smelly

Cheers
Bucky

We use a bucket type with seat and lid. Easy to empty, easy to clean. Bio-magic neutralizes the smell and is environmentally friendly. Because of its bucket shape it can fit other things in it (after a good clean!) like rubbish bags, dirty laundry bag etc so it isn't actually taking up extra space. Our smaller gas cylinder fits inside perfectly.

We use the chemical one but bought it at the local BigW store.. the name on it says "Campa Potti"... but it is made by Thetford and is "exactly" the same as the porta potti but has a different name on it so Big W can sell it as their own product...

I also like to mention the fact that it was "considerably" cheaper than the porta potti...

All thetford replacement parts available and it suits us down to the ground when we go camping..

Cheers

Thank you everyone for your input. i am actually after a chemical unit. There are a few areas i believe, where you need a portable unit just to camp although i have not personally found this yet. I think just the convenience is a big plus and sometimes a late check in at a camp site with no facilities, there can be some stress involved to get something organised. I have found information on all the brands mentioned and will evaluate all units and features. Thanks also for the tip on Bio Magic, i will also look at that. Thanks again to all concerned, Regards Michael