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Many individuals become scared of traveling in a camper van because they don’t know where to use the bathroom, or they don’t know how to clean out a portable toilet. 

Using a camper van toilet isn’t as daunting as it first seems. All you need is the perfect toilet for your travels. We recommend a cassette toilet for camper vans. Cassette toilets are affordable and easy to use.

There are several other toilet options to choose from if a cassette toilet doesn’t work for you. Here are the four main categories of camper van toilets:

  • Portable
  • Built-in
  • Boondocking
  • Foldable

Portable Toilet Options

Portable toilets are perfect options for those with small camper vans. You can store the toilet on a roof rack while not in use to combat scents lingering in your living quarters. 

These camper van toilets are the easiest to clean and give the biggest bang for your buck! Thankfully you have several options for portable toilets to choose from.

Chemical Toilet

 

Cassette toilets like the Thetford 92860 Porta Potti 135 are the cheapest and easiest-to-use options. 

The entire unit is fairly small – you can move it with ease. The top part of the toilet includes a closable seat and a flush valve. 

The bottom area is called the cassette – where all of the liquid and waste will go. This area completely removes from the top part for easy cleaning.

Pros

  • Cheap option
  • Extremely portable
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Doesn’t contain smells well

Hidden Toilet

You can use just about any portable and compact toilet as a hidden toilet. Choose your toilet first. You can then find a cabinet space to place it in. 

When you aren’t using the toilet, it is out of sight! This option also helps contain smells better because it’s hidden in a cabinet. 

Pros

  • You can’t see it
  • Contains smells 
  • Not suitable for all camper van sizes

Cons

  • You have to build an area to hide the toilet

Built-In Options

Built-in toilet options are permanent. Because permanent toilets typically require a separate room with a closing door, they are best for big-size vans. 

RV Toilet

rv van toilet

Image: @tothemountainsnback

RV toilets for camper vans look like regular toilets with a few subtle differences. Instead of a flush handle, you have a flush pedal located near the base of the toilet. 

An RV toilet doesn’t contain water in the base of the bowl and doesn’t have a water-holding tank. The toilet takes from the freshwater supply of your camper van, which you must install. After you flush, the waste goes into a black holding tank, which you must also install. 

Pros

  • Most convenient option
  • It looks like an actual bathroom with a toilet
  • Once installed, it’s easy to use
  • You have privacy

Cons

  • Requires a black tank and a freshwater supply
  • Requires in-depth installation

Campervan Toilet and Shower 

toilet and shower combo 

Image: @the.activ

To save on more space, you can combine your toilet and your shower all in one.

Again, this is the best option for big vans as it requires a separate room.

toilet shower inspiration

Image: @the.activ

Pros

  • You conveniently have a shower and toilet in your camper van
  • Space saving

Cons

  • If you don’t purchase a factory-made camper van, you will have to install everything
  • Pricey

Campervan Composting Toilet

 

The Nature’s Head Self-Contained Composting Toilet is the best option for keeping nasty smells out of your van.

It has two separate compartments – one for poop and one for pee. You can easily remove the pee compartment to empty it. The poop compartment decomposes waste with help from fertilizing components, thus making it the least smelly toilet option.

Unfortunately, this toilet needs a ventilation hole in the van and a little electricity to operate a smell-removing fan.

Pros

  • Eliminates smells 
  • Eco-friendly

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Requires electricity
  • Requires ventilation installation

Toilets for Boondocking

You can use just about any toilet for boondocking. Some toilets, however, require electricity. The options listed below require little to no maintenance and are the best for long boondocking trips.

Shovel

What’s better than using the bathroom in the great outdoors? Pop a squat on a fallen tree after you dig a tiny hole in the ground. Do your business, then cover it up with a shovel. 

The shovel is not the best option for those that are discrete or shy about doing their business. Using the bathroom this way seems daunting, even if there is no one around for miles.

Pros

  • Cheap
  • No toilet bowl to clean out 
  • No holding tank to empty
  • The world is your toilet

Cons

  • Not for the shy individual

Bucket Toilet

 

If you are not privy to using the bathroom on a stump or log, then try a bucket. 

The Stansport Bucket-Style Portable Toilet has a closing toilet seat that fits on top of a bucket. Attach a disposal bag to the bucket part of the toilet. Then place the seat on top of the bag. 

You can tie up the bag after using the toilet and save it for a time you can dispose of it entirely.

Pros

  • No need to deal with black tanks

Cons

  • Does not hold back smells
  • Wasteful because it uses bags

Portable Urinal

 

The Portable Unisex Urinal is the best option for those that like to go on long hikes. 

This toilet option is for men and women. Sometimes the pee stream gets caught in the wind and makes a mess of things, but this urinal can help prevent that. 

Pros

  • Saves space
  • Perfect for long adventures on windy days

Cons

  • Can’t use for solid waste

Portable Travel Toilet

 

The Giantex Portable Travel Toilet is similar to the trash can toilet. 

You can leave the toilet portable or fix it in your camper van. There are no black holding tanks or water compartments.  

Fix a trash bag to the inside of the toilet compartment for easy cleanup. 

Pros

  • Versatile, you can make it portable or permanent
  • Get rid of the waste easily

Cons

  • Wasteful because it uses disposable bags

Foldable Toilets

Foldable toilets are the ultimate item for individuals who want to save the most space in their camper van. Fold up the toilet and store it away for later use. 

Most foldable toilets require trash bags, which is a downside.

Folding toilet

 

TRIPTIPS Portable Toilet completely folds down for easy storage. When you fold the toilet out, all you need to do is place a trash bag into the toilet and go.

Pros

  • Completely compact
  • Extremely portable

Cons

  • Wasteful, because it uses disposable bags
  • Not sturdy
  • Doesn’t hold back smells

Foldable Square Toilet

 

The Farafox Portable Folding Toilet is a sturdy yet foldable compact toilet you can place anywhere inside your camper van.

This toilet resembles a bin and acts as a toilet. Place your trash bag into the bottom of the toilet when you are ready to use it. 

Pros

  • Sturdy option for foldable toilets
  • Compact
  • Easy to store
  • Easy to set up

Cons

  • Needs a trash bag
  • Doesn’t seal out the scent

What Is the Best Toilet for Campers?

The best toilet for campers is the chemical toilet because it offers a range of positive qualities:

  • Compact
  • Easy to clean
  • Seals in nasty odors
  • Offer the biggest bang for your buck
  • You can use them in both big and small vans

What Is the Smallest Campervan Toilet?

The smallest camper van toilets are the foldable options. These camper van toilets fold down smaller than any other toilet. If you want to save space in your camper van, try the foldable toilet.