Buying a Camping Toilet

If you regularly camp or attend any kind of festival then you know that your choices for going to the bathroom are not that great. If you are camping in the wilderness where there are no public toilets you have to go in the woods. The toilets at outdoor festivals are used by hundreds (or even thousands) of people and are generally pretty unsanitary. Plus there is most likely going to be a line. The solution to all of this is to purchase a camping toilet. They are small, compact and many of them can be folded for easier portability and storage. You can purchase them on the internet or at specialty outdoor sporting goods stores.

Camping toilets can make a camping trip much more comfortable and enjoyable for everyone, especially people who are new to camping or have hesitated to go because they do not want to go to the bathroom in the woods. Children will also find that they are more comfortable and at ease when using camping toilets and parents will have fewer accidents to clean up.

Even if you are using a campsite that has public restrooms these restrooms can be dark and poorly maintained. There may not be anyone to clean them regularly and, depending on the area you're in, you may have concerns about who might be waiting inside. Plus, there's nothing worse than having to fumble through all of your stuff in the middle of the night to find your camping lantern so you can go to the bathroom without tripping over every tree root on the way there. Having your own camping toilet eliminates the need to worry about these issues.

There are different types of camping toilets including ones that flush with water, ones that use chemicals and folding toilets that use a bucket or bag to catch waste. The flush toilets with water have two tanks; one that holds the fresh water for flushing and the other holds waste water. They are operated by either a piston pump or a bellows pump to move the water through. Also included will be a seat cover and carrying handles. Things to take into consideration when buying one of these camping toilets is how many gallons of water it can hold, and how easy it is to move and transport the toilet.

There are considerations for the other types of camping toilets as well. One is how well it seals in odors. If you are going to be using it for a longer period of time or are going to have the toilet in an enclosed space then it needs to have a good seal to keep odor in. You may also want your toilet to have a waste level indicator that tells you when the waste tank needs to be emptied. Another good feature would be to tell you when the fresh water holding tank needs to be filled again.

The rinse feature should be powerful and you may need to ask the salesperson about the amount of power produced. The toilet should be made to be easily cleaned and maintained. The parts should be easily replaceable in the event that something breaks. Also look for solid, one piece construction. Holding tanks should be leak proof and strong enough to hold the weight of everyone in the family. You definitely do not want your waste water holding tank to break while you are using the toilet!

The other types of camping toilets either use a chemical tank to hold waste or they use a bucket or bag of some sort to hold the waste. The kinds that use a regular bucket typically have some type of deodorant material to control odor. Camping toilets that use a bag are generally foldable and can be easily transported even in the woods. They are not the most high tech, but they are easily carried and can still make camping much more comfortable.

How long and where you will be camping will dictate which type of camping toilet you choose. If you have a great deal of room to pack equipment and you will be camping for an extended period of time, then a flush camping toilet would be your best option. This is also true if you are going to be keeping the toilet in an enclosed area. If you are hiking and will not be using your car to get to your destination then a folding portable toilet, like the one pictured, may be what you are looking for. Many camping toilets on the market today are much more environmentally friendly than their previous counterparts.

Providing a safe and comfortable place for your family to relieve themselves is a big step in making camping more comfortable. You may even be able to convince someone who previously would not go camping to give it a try. Kids and adults will appreciate the comfort they add to your camping trip. Choose the model that is right for they type of camping that you are doing. Make sure you budget for a good quality camping toilet because a cheap one could break and then saving money would not be a value. Lastly, make sure that you read the owners manual and fully understand how your new camping toilet works and how to maintain it.

For more information on camping topics, check out the links to my other Hubs below.

• Buying a camping table
• Camping cooking guide
• Information on cheap tents
  
• Buying a good camping bed