I want to upgrade our luggable loo to a flushing toilet, but there are choices!
A level indicator seems to be a good idea, which narrows it down a bit, but I have no idea about capacity. It will most likely just be used overnight and for the odd long weekend.
How much difference does the pump type make? Are the taller ones significantly more comfortable to use?
I bought my 'Porta-Potti' from Lidl centre aisle probably 12 or more years ago, for typical Lidl bargain price of around 20% less than other retailers. Behind the Lidl in house branding was a standard Thetford Porta-Potti, but can't remember the model off hand. Manual 'concertina' flush pump, no waste tank fill gauge. Used when I tented, but still retained now with all the old camping gear. I have the fixed equivalent in my caravan these days.
IMHO, for the infrequent use they generally get, and many only used for No 1s, all the bells and whistles of electric flush (needs batteries!), or even 'mechanical pump' flush, and tank gauges are not really necessary, just basic functionality is sufficient. Whatever type pump you have, it's NOT a flush in a domestic toilet sense, it's a 'bowl rinse' to freshen it, and little more. Right chemicals in flush tank, and a pre-use rinse to 'lubricate' the bowl can prevent 'stickage', otherwise you'll be a handful of toilet tissue and wiping the bowl, 'cos the flush/rinse won't shift much! (Sorry for the mental image! )
Be careful of what you wish for!!!! A large waste tank that requires less frequent emptying may sound good but is also a HEAVY tank when full! It's not just the carrying to CDP, it's the lifting AND HOLDING at waist height whilst it empties to consider. Each litre of contents weighs 1Kg, plus maybe 1.5Kg for the tank itself! Of course, you don't have to wait until tank is full before emptying, but you likely will on occasions when you don't want to 'take your s**t for a walk' in the pouring rain!
A tank full gauge is a bit of a luxury, you get an instinct for when nearing full from how many times you've used it, and a quick 'look down the hole' confirms. If you use the right chemicals, it's not that grim, no smells. Reckoned on 3-4 days use (No 1s and 2s) for just me was average before a need to empty.
I'm tall and old, so the higher seat height was appreciated! But, you need to balance 'comfort' against transport/storage space available. Porta-Pottis seem remarkably bulky when trying to pack one!
The toilet chemicals subject opens up a 'Marmite' type debate, with opinions but not necessarily a definitive answer! Personally, I hate some brands because of their overwhelming perfumes, and the dreaded 'Pink' fluid for the flush tank is notorious for growing black algae which blocks the plumbing and looks unsightly in the bowl after a rinse - I find Thetford products the worst on both counts! I've been very happy with Elsan products where a single fluid can be used in 'top and tail' tanks, saves multiple bottles to carry, and concentrated version reduces bottle size too. On the subject, you generally need to stay away from products with Formaldehyde because they are banned from many camp sites as damaging to their septic tanks!
Now a SECOND HAND toilet makes many cringe, BUT some out there in unused condition, 'cos people buy them for 'emergency use', and the emergency never arose, so they never got used! Maybe worth a thought.
Thanks Monty, that is all really helpful, much appreciated.
I had actually considered the weight of the bigger tanks, but we are both also tall and getting older, so we could maybe use the height. If I get a bigger one we'll have to remember to empty it before it's full!
In the days when we had our trailer tent with separate toilet tent for the porta potti, I have to admit, even though we are quite short, we did find the potti rather low. So I made a little platform for it to stand on. Worked well.
Quote: Originally posted by navver on 04/7/2025
The full indicator is useless. In the caravan cassette, the light only comes on when full. It's too late then.
Similarly, electric flush all well and good but one more thing to go wrong.
Our light has never come on since the MH was new. But I use the low-tech way from our previous 1993 MH - take out the cassette & tip it from side to side: you can hear & feel how much spare slosh space there is.
And it’s helpful to work out how long it’s likely to last: big family, everyone using it for everything, never using the site facilities: one or 2 days? Two people, liquid only, night time maybe: a week or more.
Any caravan we’ve ever had when the red light comes on you have between 1-2 litres of space left.
zW#*+hgt
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
The waste fill indicator on a Porta Potti is a mechanical 'gauge', but as my one doesn't have an indicator, I can't comment on how full it is at the point the gauge says so! Certainly in the caravan, the full indicator light pretty much means FULL! - use loo again at your own risk I would say, maybe one further modest 'usage' (consider the flush water very carefully!) may be squeezed in!!!
The fill gauge is float operated, and I would suspect like caravan/MH toilets equally prone to the float jamming, rendering the gauge useless or worse still ineffective at warning of full state if relied upon!!! Usually easily fixable, but may involve the unpleasant task of sticking one's hand in the waste tank to free the float!
IMHO, an unnecessary purchase expense for a model featuring it, and a potential liability to rely on it too heavily! A look down the 'hole' to determine level is infinitely more reliable, and the enforced method on my own Porta Potti anyway, and preferred method on my caravan loo.
There was a point following Covid where it appeared we could go camping but the toilet blocks would be closed. I bought a 2 compartment porta potty and sentry box tent just in case but never used them. I was also thinking of my mother who was bedridden at the time and might preffer a flushing camping toilet to a commode chair, but it was hard to get her to consider new ideas at the time.
If anyone in Kent wants one going cheap let me know.
Thanks everyone, much appreciated. There is quite a big price range on these things, and opinions from users is very helpful!
I've gone basic. Olpro do one, which was cheaper than the other makes, plus they do the 2 in 1 fluid, and had a new customer 10% off and free delivery, so that's what I went with. I didn't get my gauge, but it doesn't sound like they are particularly reliable anyway!
Coming up with a way to raise it if necessary instead of paying more for the bigger toilet seems sensible, especially since we don't know how we'll find it.
Bramston, I'm afraid we are too far away in Manchester!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Portable Toilet Recommendations
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via mobile 04/7/2025 at 5:58pm
