Campervan toilets for your life on the road

The advantages of a composting toilet in a camper are often underestimated. In fact, many people travel without a toilet on board when they are on the road with their camper, van or motorhome. However, once someone tries a composting toilet, they won't want to be without it on their road trips. After all, using the toilet is a basic human need. 

Relying solely on public restrooms such as those at rest stops often leads to disappointment. When you need them the most, they are either unavailable, closed, or simply too dirty. 

Sometimes, there is no choice but to relieve yourself in nature. This is not only unpleasant for those who have to relieve themselves but also for everyone else who later encounters or even comes into contact with the waste left behind. 

With a mobile composting toilet, which can be conveniently and space-efficiently stored in the vehicle without needing to be permanently installed, you are always flexible and well-prepared for any situation. 

In summary, there are three options for relieving yourself while traveling in a campervan: 

• Using public restrooms 
• Relieving oneself in nature 
• Carrying a mobile toilet system 

Composting toilets are not the only toilet systems suitable for use in a camper or van. In the next section, we will introduce all mobile toilet options and compare them with each other. 

The different toilet systems for campers can be divided into three categories: bucket toilets (pit toilets), chemical toilets, and composting toilets. Each of these three categories has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, which we will discuss in detail. 

A bucket toilet is exactly what it sounds like - a bucket repurposed as a toilet. For those who prefer a particularly minimalist approach, a standard bucket from a hardware store suffices. For a bit more "luxury," one can opt for a bucket equipped with an integrated toilet seat. 

The major advantage of bucket toilets is their low cost. A basic bucket can be acquired at a hardware store for very little money. However, comfort is nearly nonexistent with a bucket toilet. Sitting on a bucket not designed for this purpose is, to put it mildly, quite uncomfortable. Additionally, liquid and solid waste mix during use, forming a foul-smelling and difficult-to-dispose-of mixture. It's important to consider that the bucket needs thorough cleaning after each use to eliminate any lingering odors. Therefore, in our opinion, a bucket toilet is suitable at best as an emergency solution. 

Our conclusion on bucket toilets: While inexpensive, they offer little comfort. Thus, bucket toilets are only suitable for those seeking a solution strictly for emergency situations and have no intention of using a toilet regularly while traveling. 

Pros: 

• Low price  
• Better than nothing in an emergency  
• Works without water, electricity and chemicals 

Cons: 

• Strong odour development  
• Prompt emptying necessary  
• Unpleasant disposal of urine and faeces mixture  
• Low seating comfort  
• Difficult to close  
• Risk of tipping over and leaking 

Mobile chemical toilets have been around for a long time. These are toilets in which chemical additives ensure that there are no faecal odours. However, you have to come to terms with the chemical odour, which also takes some getting used to. The chemicals involved are anything but environmentally friendly.  

If you choose a compact chemical toilet, it is usually easy to store and transport in the camper. Although you can use chemical toilets anywhere, you must always make sure that you have enough toilet chemicals in stock. This means that you are ultimately not 100% independent.   

It becomes even more problematic when it comes to disposal. This has to take place at specially designated disposal stations, further limiting independence. Disposing of the mixture of faeces, urine and chemicals is even more unpleasant than emptying a bucket toilet. In addition, many chemical toilet users are regularly annoyed by how unhygienic disposal stations are and therefore try to use their own toilet as little as possible in order to delay disposals. If you use the chemical toilet regularly, it must be emptied approximately every three days, depending on its capacity.  

Our conclusion on chemical toilets: Chemical toilets are probably the best-known toilets for campers. Although the toilet itself is convenient to use, emptying and disposal require strong nerves and a high tolerance for odours and contact with faeces. The dependence on chemical additives and disposal stations is also a disadvantage.   

Pros:  

• Comfortable seating  
• Compact dimensions   
• No faecal odours (but chemical odour)  
• Works without water and electricity 

Cons: 

• Limited independence   
• Short emptying intervals  
• Additional costs for chemicals  
• Emptying at disposal stations  
• Unpleasant emptying of the urine-faeces-chemical mixture  
• Environmentally harmful mode of operation 

Composting toilets are based on a clever separation principle that separates solid and liquid faeces from each other when using the toilet. A composting toilet is designed in such a way that urine and faeces are automatically collected in different containers, preventing the formation of a foul-smelling ammonia mixture. The faeces are also covered with litter (e.g. commercially available sawdust or small animal litter) to remove the moisture.  

The separation mechanism not only effectively and naturally prevents the development of odours, but also forms the basis for particularly easy emptying and disposal. The liquid faeces can be collected and discharged via a conventional toilet as soon as the liquid container is full. Alternatively, the liquids can be mixed with water and used as a natural fertiliser. The solid faeces end up in an inlay in the solids container, which can be removed and disposed of in one easy step.  

Cleaning a composting toilet is also simple and hygienic. The liquids container can be rinsed out with water if necessary. This also applies to the solids container, although this is protected from contamination by the inlay anyway and therefore generally does not need to be cleaned at all.   

Our conclusion on composting toilets: Using a composting toilet is just as convenient as using a conventional toilet. It can also be operated for up to 10 days without any odour. Emptying and disposing of the separate faeces is hygienic and easy to do anywhere, even when you're on the move. This makes a composting  toilet a particularly attractive solution for campers, combining convenience and independence. 

Pros: 

• Comfortable use  
• Comfortable seating  
• Compact and lightweight  
• No odour development  
• Up to 10-day emptying intervals  
• Hygienic emptying  
• Easy disposal  
• Simple cleaning  
• Works without water, electricity and chemicals 

 Cons: 

• Litter necessary for absolute odourlessness  
• Urinating while standing is not possible, otherwise the separation will not work 

The composting toilet offers the most advantages for many purposes. However, depending on personal preference, it may also make sense to purchase a chemical toilet or even a bucket toilet. So there is no one-size-fits-all answer.  

For example, if you are only looking for an emergency solution for absolutely exceptional cases, do not attach great importance to comfort and want to spend as little as possible on your portable camping toilet, you may well be able to settle for a bucket toilet.   

However, most people who are interested in portable camping toilets for campers tend to decide between chemical and composting toilets.  

At first glance, both chemical and composting toilets fulfil their purpose: they allow you to take a mobile toilet with you in your camper, van or car. While the chemical toilet requires the use of chemicals, the composting toilet uses an integrated urine diverter and litter.  

Another important difference is that with the chemical toilet, all waste (plus chemicals) ends up in one container, whereas with the composting toilet, liquids and solids are collected in separate containers. The latter simplifies emptying and disposal enormously.   

To summarise, it can be said that a composting toilet offers many advantages for campers that bucket and chemical toilets do not. Nevertheless, it is important to decide on a case-by-case basis which solution suits you best.   

Fun fact: You can even get conversion kits for chemical toilets now, as many chemical toilet users realise in retrospect that a composting toilet with separation mechanism is more practical. 

There's a lot to consider when choosing the right toilet. With our checklist, you can keep track of all the important aspects and make sure you don't forget anything important. 

• Functionality: Bucket toilet, chemical toilet or composting toilet? Decide which system suits you best by comparing the advantages and disadvantages of the different toilet systems. 
• Size and weight: As you want to transport your toilet in the camper, you should opt for a product that is as compact and lightweight as possible. On the one hand, the toilet should be able to be stowed away in as little space as possible, and on the other hand, you should be able to easily remove and set it up for use. Good to know: Our TROBOLO WandaGO and WandaGO Lite are ultra-light and fit perfectly into the storage compartments of the VW California, Mercedes Marco Polo and Ford Nugget. 
• Comfort and hygiene: Ideally, using your portable camping toilet is a thoroughly comfortable experience. Sitting comfortably at a convenient height is just as important as easy, clean emptying and disposal. So pay attention to the seat height and think about how, where and how often you want to empty your portable toilet. You should also consider the issue of odour development. Extra practical: our WandaGO offers two seat heights thanks to the clever stacking function - sit however you want! 
• Safety on board: Make sure that the toilet you choose is really suitable for mobile use. It is crucial that your toilet does not contaminate your vehicle if it falls over and leaks, for example. For this reason, our portable composting toilets are equipped with our patented TROBOLO SafeShell System®, which prevents any spillage (and also protects the liquids container from unpleasant odours). The WandaGO and WandaGO Lite also have a fastening system that allows you to securely fasten your toilet when travelling. 
• Budget: How much money is a portable camping toilet worth to you and how important is the associated comfort to you? Think about an amount and then see what options are available. Consider whether an emergency solution is enough for you or whether you are looking for an alternative that can be used regularly and offers real added value when travelling.   

We have already explained how a composting toilet works in general: A urine diverter inside ensures that solid and liquid waste are collected separately in two separate containers. This makes emptying and disposing of faeces a clean process. Odour formation is also contained and can be completely prevented by the additional use of litter in the solids container.  

Our TROBOLO WandaGO, WandaGO Lite and BilaBox composting toilets also offer a number of other advantages that are particularly interesting for mobile use and transport in vehicles.   

The patented TROBOLO SafeShell System® ensures that the liquids container is protected against spillage at all times while travelling. At the same time, the system also protects against unpleasant urine odours - regardless of time. This means that you do not have to adhere to any emptying intervals for the liquids container and can simply empty it when it is full.   

Both TROBOLO WandaGO, WandaGO Lite and the BilaBox are compact and lightweight. This means that the products are easy to store and can be easily moved and set up. The WandaGO also offers a stacking function that enables a sitting position comparable to that of a conventional toilet.   

Also interesting: Our composting toilets are so robust that they can withstand any weather conditions, whether cold, frost, rain, hail or heat. So even if you leave your composting toilet outside, nothing can happen. 

A composting toilet can be used both inside and outside the vehicle. This is easy in a deserted car park or in the countryside. But what if you are in a busy place? Many campers prepare their vehicle in such a way that they can use the composting toilet discreetly inside the camper without being seen by others. Ideally, you can even use the composting toilet if you are stuck in a traffic jam for hours.    

Some vehicles, such as the Ford Nugget, come with curtains that are easy to attach. Alternatively, you can also attach curtains yourself. If you don't feel like installing curtains, you can also provide sufficient privacy with windscreen covers, towels and the like.   

Alternatively, you can also get a toilet tent. These mini tents serve as a mobile toilet block and offer a practical solution for outdoor use. Such toilet tents are available from around €30. 

Travelling with your own toilet in your camper or van is much more relaxed. A composting toilet is especially convenient as it offers significantly more advantages compared to bucket or chemical toilets.  

A key advantage of the composting toilet is that it is easy to empty compared to alternative toilet solutions. The separate disposal of solids and liquids is clean and hygienic. Solids can be disposed of together with the inlay in the residual waste, while liquids can be disposed of via a conventional toilet.  

Emptying bucket and chemical toilets, on the other hand, is so unpleasant that people often avoid using them despite having a toilet and only resort to them in an emergency. Users of composting toilets often report the exact opposite: since using a composting toilet, they no longer use other toilets when travelling, even if they are available.   

In addition to being easy to empty, composting toilets score points for their odourless use, complete independence and high level of comfort. All in all, composting toilets are therefore the ideal solution for mobile use in campers and vans. 

The disposal of excretions is environmentally friendly and sustainable: the obtained humus can be utilised as fertiliser on ornamental plant beds at home and thus close the nutrient cycle. However, the more direct the composting of the toilet waste is to take place, the more complex and space-consuming the compost reactor’s performance usually becomes. Should the reactor be equipped with stirring units, heating rods or an exhaust system, electricity costs will also apply (however, these are usually only small).

More extensive information about the subject of composting toilets can be found in our guide of the same name.