Figuring out how you’re going to go to the bathroom while living in a vehicle is one of the first things to consider when building out your van. Budget, space, and convenience are the three biggest factors so you want to make sure you find something you can afford, takes up the amount of space that you’re willing to give it, and will be readily available whenever you gotta go.
Regardless of what toilet you choose, most vandwellers use gas stations and stores the majority of the time, especially for number 2. Any toilet you have in the van will require some work so it’s easiest to just use the regular plumbing system of a nearby business. If you plan on sleeping at Walmarts or similar places, it’s really easy to access the bathroom in the morning before leaving or even at the gym that you use for showering.
This may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s definitely a low- budget way of using the bathroom at night or in emergency use when there’s no restroom around. I have met lots of vandwellers that use empty drinking bottles, but I think this is a little nicer (especially for the ladies) because it has a funnel and a wider opening. If you don’t want to spend much on a bathroom or toilet, this could definitely be the best option for you!
My toilet of choice is the portable Dometic or Thetford toilet. They are super easy to use and clean. The top half and bottom half are basically separate pieces. You do your business and then pull the lever, which releases the waste into the lower half. You will need to put a little deodorizer in whenever you clean it out as well! They come in 2.5 gallon and 5 gallon so you have options on size. Obviously you wouldn’t have to empty it as often with the 5 gallon but it is larger, so whatever is most important to you!
Composting is definitely a great option if you have a higher budget for your bathroom. These are typically in the $1,000 range but they are really nice and very eco- friendly. The other options aren’t great for number 2 so this is a good option if you plan on doing that in the van frequently. This toilet comes with the extra parts like the vent hose and fan as well!
Urine Diversion Toilet
This is a little less common than the other options mentioned but it’s typically used in vans that have a full shower and toilet bathroom built- in. This type of toilet basically separates the waste so you can empty the urine easily, and get rid of the other waste however you’d like. You can also add a urine diverter on most composting toilets if you want the waste to be separated for that as well! You can find various videos and instructions on how to DIY your own urine diversion toilet as well so you can make them really inexpensive!
Final Notes
Whatever toilet you choose, you want to make sure you’re comfortable and can feel like home. Something like the composting toilet can be a little bulky depending on how much space you have in the van, but can also offer a more “at home” feeling. The portable toilet is a good middle ground and it’s easy to empty which is why it’s my go- to. However, some people really prefer having a separate space dedicated for the bathroom so they build an entire shower and toilet area. Keep in mind, you will be using gas stations, beach bathrooms, and Walmart parking lots the majority of the time but you will certainly need to have something for night time and random use when not near a business. Find all of the mentioned toilets in the van shop!
Dear Sydney how do you use your van toilet every day of the week? Just curious. Love from Zeke Beckley