RV Toilets: Composting VS. Flushing, The UGLY Truth

[@CareyOnVagabond]

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[@cindystubbs2041]

We love our cassette toilet! We bought an additional cassette which helps. We usually empty it at the campground dump station so we can clean it out. Doable using a public bathroom, but you have to be careful & you can't clean it out in a restroom. 😊

[@annettemills2399]

We love ours too. We empty the black, then fill it up with grey water and dump to rinse. Two trips (sometime three) but works great. All we need is a pit toilet. We’ve wondered about getting an extra tank. Good idea.

[@fbr65]

We built our own composting toilet in our DIY camper van. We built it into the couch. We use 2 gallon jugs for the urine and a 5 gallon bucket with a composting bag for the solids. We rarely use the solids section, but it’s there if we need it. The urine diverter we got works very well and is easy to use. We’ll see how it works out after we start traveling more after I retire.

[@margysfavourites8444]

Extremely helpful 👍🏻

[@michaelscarfi3196]

Your 100 percent right. Everyone has their own special needs. I’m in the north east so in winter composting is great. No issues with freezing water and having to dump from one weekend out. I find the toilet can sit for months with waste in winter. I also have an air head so I remove the top section,cover the bucket with a bag and turn it over in the bathroom and bang it out. All done 2 minutes. After going cross country this year and using dump stations a few times for the urine I learned that’s a real process compared to 2 minutes to turn over the toilet. Dumping the urine every day is a real bummer though. I have considered piping it to the grey tank. The other huge pro you didn’t mention is the absolute zero Odor when actually using the composting toilet since the fan takes it out from below. If it wasn’t for that I might switch to the toilet that wraps it up.

[@barackmycat9448]

Potty talk. That was very good guys! I keep thinking something revolutionary will come along but not much has changed.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Same here!

[@BillSprague]

Thanks, that’s pretty encouraging. I’m solo, so the waste tanks could last me quite a long time. I’m a civil engineer and understand the composting process pretty well. I’m not big on putting a bag containing feces in a dumpster that’s headed for a landfill.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Now that we are staying at a campground at least once or twice a week it’s the only way to go for us:)

[@lynnekerr3890]

Such a great video! Thanks.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Glad you liked it!

[@roadtriplover.]

I built my own diversion toilet. While, as a female, I have experienced the direction challenge, I’ve figured it out and it’s generally not a problem. I’m single and find I’m saving a lot of water and the dump station expense (east coaster here). Dumping a garbage bag is easy, as is dumping liquid waste (I painted the bottle, while leaving a waterline window, so as not to offend others’ sensibilities). My black and grey tanks are now combined, which gives me double the grey waste volume (nice for the occasional longer than usual shower). For now, I’m really liking the diversion toilet, but I put my RV toilet in storage, so I can always reinstall if need be.

[@CorndogCaravan]

As a female with a composting toilet, I felt like I had to potty train myself all over again!😂😂😂

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Yea, the east coast was expensive. Lots of free ones out west.🙌

[@plumcreekantiques7191]

We love our Separett villa composting toilet ….lived with it for a year in our cabin, Easy to empty, toilet stays in place fpr the process of emptying. We had a natures head , and this is far better.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Thanks!

[@pattiwalker9702]

It’s been so long since I’ve written you a comment and I want to apologize for that. You take me on such great adventures and take the time to teach me new things about how it is to full-time in an RV. I’ve liked your style initially with van life. In the past several months I’ve appreciated the pros and cons why you went with the truck camper and how it’s working out for you. It has been a real eye-opener and some thing I’ve been thinking about too. On the lighter side I’m looking forward to seeing Irene’s cooking videos now that you have the Battle Born lithium batteries installed! I agree they are a very respected company. All the best to you both and I’ll be watching! Hugs, Patti

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Thank you Patti🙏❤️☺️

[@funzeevanzee]

Good info.

[@CallaVentures]

Hey y’all! We’ve never used a flush toilet in any camper so I can’t address that. We started out with a Natures Head in our DIY and if that were my only option I would not go back to a compost toilet again. However we switched to a SunMar GTG in our Cirrus 820. Game changer as Irene says!! Still have to empty urine every day or two, but the solids bin is basically in a bucket with a liner that we pull about every 4 days and dispose of. Easy Peasy!! There are differences in the brands of compost toilets. And our SunMar was half the price of the Natures Head.

[@thomassarver7638]

We have a cassette toilet and currently we like it as it is easy to dump at the nearest restroom facility. I don’t think you would enjoy it as it only has a 5 gallon tank, so depending on your usage, you may need to find a place to empty it frequently. Just my thoughts.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Good to know!

[@brendamw7895]

We also have the cassette toilet and it is the reason we bought a new 2022 Nucamp Tab over a used one. There are so many options when it comes to emptying the cassette.

[@TravelSmallLiveBig]

We had two Nature’s Head composting toilets on our catamaran and one in our Rpod. We too got tired of having to empty the liquid tank and we had little bugs that would get in the solids tank no matter how we treated the compost 🤢 We installed a ThinkTank composting head in our Imagine. The liquid goes to our black tank and the solid tank is super easy to empty. It’s in a compostable bag and easy to lift out. The Nature’s Head was NOT pleasant to empty. So much happier with the ThinkTank! Nothing to store except a roll of bags. And yes, definitely saves on fresh water usage!

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Thanks!

[@mortenthenorwegian2875]

Hi guys! Useful topic. I have a cassette toilet and it works fine. But the next toilet solution will clearly be the Cinderella toilet.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Burn baby burn!🙌😁

[@cirrus820travelers9]

We had a cassette toilet which is handy for a wknd trip, in my opinion, not for two adults fulltiming. It is to each their own. I'll choose a dump station any day. We last up to two wks with the 18g black. The 32g gray seems to fill faster. For all the horrors at dump staions, we keep clorax cleaner spray bottle in valve compartment along with some hand soap. I'll first hose down any nasties and do a quick light clorax spray applied to the business area where I walk & lay the slinky. Don't want it on my shoes. Also, I began using our dog poo bags as a glove detaching the elbow piece and storing it in the bag. Afterwards I wash hands using tank drains before driving away. Enjoy viewing your content and camper comparisons and reviews.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Thanks! Loving the cirrus and it’s large tanks!🙌

[@carolynhogarth2725]

The good old flush we are greatful for. Lol carry on and nice. Loving the new place. Thanks for share. Carolyn and colin❤

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Our pleasure!

[@kevinsickles]

I went with. the C-Head composting toilet (no longer being sold). I plumbed the pee directly to the grey tank, I agree that dumping a pee jug is disgusting and easily overflows. I don't have to remove the entire toilet to dump the compost. i just pull out a bucket. Wife does have a pee only in the front problem, but much prefer not having to find dump stations.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Thanks!

[@tonym5878]

Valuable information! Thank you for sharing.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Glad it was helpful!

[@petefrost1787]

We have a cassette toilet in our van. It's used at night so we don't have to go for a long walk in the dark. It's great for that. But for #2, I don't think so. The opening into the black tank isn't very big and the water used in the "flush" is a very small amount. Most people I have talked to like their cassette and use it the same way as we do. Has anyone used a 'dry flush' toilet?

[@mickylawless1941]

I never thought I would ever say this about one of your videos, but here goes. What a "crappy" topic for a video. LOL! Haven't used a composting toilet, but have used black and grey toilets a bunch. What Nicole and I do do (see what I did there?) is use a folding toilet seat and either dig a hole or use a trash compactor bag with kitty litter. Then store used bag in an airtight bucket till we can throw the bag into the garbage. I even do this in my mom's class b rv. I dislike using the the dump stations. For me, when I get my pickup/camper shell, I'll be using a 7 gallon bucket (it's taller, easier for old farts like me to sit and stand) and an airtight 5 gal bucket for storage. Hope the hurricane doesn't slide up your way! We are getting rain and some strongish wind, but temperatures are in the low 60's. So we are very happy. 98 degrees just sucks. Carey On!

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Good option;)

[@toddramsay977]

Wow! You just made me realize I have followed you for almost 8 yrs. maybe…

[@jimrodda]

Here in the UK, cassette toilets are the best way, you can empty them at a rest stop, supermarket, or any toilet.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

I’ve heard that👍

[@lindahopson5003]

Thank you for the personal info on "directing" the urine... and here I thought I was just a failure. hahaha... all good info to know. Thanks for the interesting video.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Glad you liked it:)

[@geogypsytraveler]

Nobody likes to deal with sh... You know. But there's something about that angle. Thank goodness I can go three weeks between dumps.

[@ChristianTravelers]

To us, the Laveo may be the best compromise, but it seems expensive.

[@susanalexander2323]

Have you checked out the Laveo Dry Flush Toilet?

[@CareyOnVagabond]

We haven’t.

[@toddramsay977]

Looks good to clamming, make some clam chowder or paella.

[@rogerbrekas8239]

Well i'm about ready to start eating my lunch. Wait a minute barf barf barf cough cough cough

[@CareyOnVagabond]

💩🤮😂

[@Plzbe_]

Goodmorning!

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Hello there!👋👋

[@treasurecoastgypsy]

First time the conversation, has gone to the toilet!

[@CareyOnVagabond]

😬😁

[@barmstrong25]

The old-fashioned emergency buck just in case.

[@set921]

I've never understood where you actually dispose of the "compost". Since most people throw out the waste, as opposed to actually composting, isn't it really a "dry toilet"?

[@bobstellmaker3816]

Have you tried the Laveo toilet?

[@CareyOnVagabond]

We haven’t

[@peterdement]

Consider the simplicity of the Trelino.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

I’m not familiar with it. Does it come with someone to empty urine jug for me?🤷‍♂️😂😂😂

[@annettemills2399]

I’ve been hearing a lot about the new Laveo toilet. Might be nice for some situations. But…If you run out of bag refills, you are stuck! And it’s expensive to have to buy those bags. And the bags are not biodegradable which is a huge negative for us. I love that there are always new innovations, though! Very clever. Just some thoughts.

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Thanks!

[@tjjones390]

I love my cassette toilet! I'm a solo traveller and I would say this is an excellent option for up to 2 people. i put my TP / wipes in a trash bag to let the cassette hold waste only. I would say the biggest plus is how easy it is to dump (my favorite is a pit toilet) and the biggest con is managing odor :( I'm like you guys were in your early years, staying on BLM and boondocking 98% of the time so this is working really well for me!

[@CareyOnVagabond]

It really is all about how you travel.🙌

[@gregoire8376]

I watch both sides of this debate but just can't get past having to deal with human waste "by hand." There are a hundred reasons why people now live longer (in the 21st century) than they did 100 years ago. I have to believe moving to flush toilets in contained sewage systems is one of those. Plus, for my nickel and because we are dealing with $150k plus rv campers, I prefer a wash sink and soap in the bathroom. This would likely also be considered an advancement in health in the past 100 years 😊

[@CareyOnVagabond]

🙌😁

[@kathyhays9819]

Not sure on the spelling, but have you checked out the Leveo?

[@CareyOnVagabond]

We haven’t.

[@micktepolt6276]

you know washed and dried seaweed is very good for the garden

[@CareyOnVagabond]

And to eat;)

[@TheSkiseeks]

Thanks again. That side light from the window makes you folks look old. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaCWi2d9gZKVp6s - Forever Young She sings it better than Dylan

[@CorndogCaravan]

Let's shoot the 💩💩💩 We have not had a flush toilet since being FT (almost 3 yrs now). Corndog built our composting toilet after deciding we wanted to save money and not buy a Nature's Head. So far, we're happy. And you are so right, there's no right our wrong bc we all travel differently and require different things. Our focus was definitely to save water so we could stay boondocking longer. We don't do campgrounds very often.❤

[@CareyOnVagabond]

First sentence should have been our video title;)

[@CorndogCaravan]

@@CareyOnVagabond 😜

[@beverlyhendricks9456]

The Caset toilet is very small. Ok for emergency. You have to carry it into real toilet. Not just smelly urine. Both. Then clean. Yuck.

[@Jay-sb7bp]

WELL YOU GUYS HAVE DONE IT AGAIN ANOTHER OSCAR WINNER. I DO LOVE HOW YOU GUYS ALWAYS MAKE EVERYTHING SO SWEET SMELLING OUT OF SUCH A STINKY SITUATION. I DO ENJOY YOUR VIDEOS SO MUCH. VERY INFORMATIVE AND INTERESTING. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME OF THE CONS IN MY ROADTREK FLUSH TOILET. WELL KEEP ON KEEPING ON, AND MOST OF ALL HAVE FUN AND CAREY ON. OH YES KEEP THE SHINEY SIDE UP AND FOR SURE THE STINKY SIDE DOWN............. LATER GATER..

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Thanks again!

[@doris1826]

When life gives you seaweed, make salad?

[@CareyOnVagabond]

Yes!😁

[@toddramsay977]

Sounds like you just realized a truck camper is awesome on tank size and it took you 6 years to realize it. LOL!