Living or traveling off the grid with your RV forces you to look for alternative means of going to the toilet other than your standard home toilet or latrine. The best cassette toilets for RV offer a quick and long-lasting solution for all your toilet needs. No need to visit gas stations frequently.
The Camco (41541) Portable Travel Toilet is among the best cassette toilets for RVing. You should consider it because of its portability hence can be used for a myriad of recreational activities. Besides, it employs a bellows pump type of flushing, which is convenient. Also, it requires less hassle during emptying.
How We Decided
--We researched every product, we review with our own.
35
Research Sources
36
Research Duration
07
Expert's Opinions
238
Customers Reviews
01. Camco (41541) Portable Travel Toilet-Designed for camping, RV, Boating- 5.3 Gallon
Salient Feature
- Color: White
- Dimension: 14’x16’x15.5 inches
- weight: 10.8 pounds
- ASIN: B004SFKJIQ
- Manufacturer: Camco
- Model: 41541
- Brand: Camco
- Portability
With a weight of 11.5lb when empty, the Camco toilet is easy to move around from one point to another. Moreover, this portable toilet can support weights of up to 330lb comfortably. This makes it ideal for boating, camping, RVing, or any other recreational activity.
- Durability
It features durable polyethylene construction that extends its life span, thus serves you for a long time. It can withstand any harsh environmental conditions it may encounter.
- 2.5-gallon flush tank
The flush tank holds about 2.5 gallons of freshwater in case you need to flush away the waste. Besides, it has a toilet with a lid, seat, and bowl. There is a removable cap that allows you to add fresh water for flushing when need be.
- Bellows-type pump
You can easily flush your waste using the bellows-type pump together with a pull slide valve. During movement, the side latches keep the waste tank and flush tank attached.
- 5.3 Gallon Waste tank
Its waste tank has a maximum capacity of 5.3 gallons. This RV toilet's sliding gate opens up to allow entry of waste and closes to make room for an odor and water tight seal. This eventually prevents any leakages from taking place.
- Ease of emptying
Emptying this toilet after use is hassle-free because of an easily removable cap. Further, this cap makes it easy to clean the toilet.
Pros
Cons
02. Porta Potti White Thetford Corp
Salient Feature
- Color: White
- Dimension: 18.39’x15.75’ X17.83’ inches
- weight: 13.45 pounds
- ASIN: B07CKR3VYT
- Manufacturer: Thetford Corp
- Model: 92302
- Brand: Porta Potti
- Sleek Design
The Porta Potti Thetford cassette toilet features a modern yet sleek design with a homelike look. It has a large bowl and a seat that offers comfortable height options to allow you all the comfort you need.
- Tank Capacity
Its freshwater tank has a capacity of 4 gallons while the waste tank is 5.5 gallons. Each tank refill can give up to 56 flushes, making it suitable for personal and group use. It is worth noting that this toilet comes with an electronic method of flushing, thus convenient.
- Toilet paper holder
With an integrated toilet paper holder, you can easily reach your toilet paper when the need is without it being so visible.
- Tank Level Indicator
When it comes to refilling your freshwater tank, you will quickly know when it is time to do so because of an in-built level indicator that shows you the water level remaining. Also, the waste tank has this kind of hand that helps you monitor the waste.
- Easy Emptying
It is easy to empty the waste tank of this toilet. There is a tight air valve that prevents any leakages during emptying. Additionally, a mess-free pour out spout rotates, thereby enabling you to get rid of waste without any splashes.
- No odor
Pros
Cons
03. Serene Life Outdoor Portable Toilet with Carry Bag, Travel Toilet with Level Indicator
Salient Feature
- Color: Gray
- Dimension: 16.5’x14.6’ X16.9’ inches
- weight: 11.25 pounds
- ASIN: B07218B4DQ
- Manufacturer: Sound Around
- Model: SLCATL320
- Brand: Pyle Meters
- Portability
This best portable toilet for van features a lightweight design that makes it easy to carry without putting much weight on you. Additionally, it comes with a carry bag for easy storage. It does not need any power or water connections, making it ideal for campers, boating lovers, and other recreational activities.
- Ease of cleaning and emptying
It is very easy to clean it up because of some of the features it comes with. There is a splash-free pour spout that rotates to allow you to empty your waste without any back splashing. A piston pump flushing design makes it easy to flush away the waste.
- Odorless and leakage-free
Because of the drain valve that is usually double sealed, no leakages occur during use. Besides, it ensures that there is no bad odor coming from this toilet.
- Tank Capacity
The fresh water tank has a capacity of 3.2 gallons, while the waste holding tank’s capacity is 5.3 gallons. This makes sure you do not have to refill the tank with fresh water and empty it less frequently.
- Level Indicator
Pros
Cons
04. Zimmer Portable Toilet Camping Porta Potty- 5 Gallon Waste Tank- Durable, Leak Proof
Salient Feature
- Color: Gray
- Dimension: 16.46’x 15.75’x14.57’ inches
- weight: 9.75 pounds
- ASIN: B06XGN67XS
- Manufacturer: ZIMMER
- Model: FBAA-ZI-CT101
- Brand: ZIMMER
Smooth
Design
It has a full-sized
seat together with a lid that is suitable for both kids and adults alike. You
can easily relate its comfort to that of your toilet or bathroom back at home.
It is a good companion for camping, hunting, road trips, fishing, boat trips,
and RVing, among other recreational activities.
Tank Capacity
The freshwater tank can
handle up to 3 gallons of freshwater while the wastewater tank is 5 gallons.
With such capacities, you do not have to empty the tank often. You can flush up
to between 50 and 70 flushes using the bellows pump before refilling fresh
water once more.
Convenience
The two tanks of this camping toilet can easily disconnect using the attached easy-to-use side latches. There are easily removable caps on each of the tanks to quickly fill and dispose of waste from the tank.
Portable
With the help of
integrated handles on each side of the toilet tanks, it becomes easy to carry
them from one point to another.
Durability
It boasts of a high
density, easy-to-clean polyethylene material that can withstand any harsh
environmental conditions to provide you with long service.
Slide Valve
The slide valve makes
the emptying process of the waste tank very easy. Nonetheless, it locks in any
bad smell and provides a watertight seal to curb against any leakages.
Pros
Cons
05. VINGLI Portable 5.3 Gallon Flushing Camping Toilet w/ Carrying Bag, Splash-Free Dumping
Salient Feature
- Color: White
- Dimension: 10.4’x9x 7 inches
- weight: 11.46 pounds
- ASIN: B078YKLNFC
- Manufacturer: VINGLI-Direct
- Model: 71040
- Brand: VINCGLI
- Detachable Fresh and Waste Tank
It features an extra-large waste tank that measures 5.3 gallons, which does not need you to empty it the various times. Moreover, its 3-gallon freshwater tank enables you to flash it between 95 to 98 times before refilling again.
- Easy Emptying
With a rotating pour spout that is splash-free, you can empty your waste tank without experiencing any messes brought about by splashing. There is a hose that easily fits into a sewer outlet if you want to dump the waste.
- Level Indicator
There is a level indicator that helps you determine the amount of inner waste in the waste tank without using guesswork. Once the waste tank is full, the hand turns red. This alerts you that it is time to empty it.
- Easy to Flush
Additionally, it boasts an upgraded piston pump that flushes the waste easily compared to the bellows pump. Moreover, it is also easy to get rid of waste using the T-type 3-way of flushing.
- Portable
Pros
Cons
06. Camco Rhino Heavy Duty 21 Gallon Portable Waste Holding Hose and Accessories (39002)
Salient Feature
- Color: black
- Dimension: 13’x41’ X20.5’ inches
- weight: 34.5 pounds
- ASIN: B07CQ1WC72
- Manufacturer: Camco
- Model: 39002
- Brand: Camco
- Unique Design
It features a smooth interior to prevent it from trapping any odors or debris. Nonetheless, it is sloppy as you move towards the drain hole, which allows you to drain the tank without any hassle completely. There is an integrated ladder hook on its bottom that you can use to hang on your RV’s ladder.
- Portability
There are large, no flat wheels that favor any terrain, ranging from smooth to rough to enable you to move your toilet from one place to another. Similarly, the durable and oversized handle simplifies the manual pulling of this toilet. A removable steel tow adapter fastens the moving process.
- Easy to clean
This toilet is straightforward to clean, before and after use. There is an integrated tank rinser water inlet with a multidirectional spray to help rinse the tank's interior's sidewalls. The backflow preventer on the tank rinser blocks contaminated water from blocking your hose.
- Durability
Features highly durable blow molded, UV stabilized HDPE construction that neither leaks nor deteriorate when exposed to the sun. Moreover, it has a two-year warranty covering it. Its wheels have stainless steel bearings for improved sturdiness.
- Ready to use the kit
Pros
Cons
07. Dometic Cassette Toilet 301097606 Portable Toilet 5.0 Gallon, Gray
Salient Feature
- Color: Gray
- Dimension: 13.5’x15.5’x16.5’ inches
- weight: 12 pounds
- ASIN: B0050EFHWW
- Manufacturer: Dometic
- Model: 301097606
- Brand: Dometic
- Compact Design
Its compact design makes it ideal for smaller RVs and camping tents because of its excellent space-saving capability. Usually, it is lightweight and easy to carry from place to place before or after using it.
- Push-button technology
This makes flushing this toilet easy to do the thing with a single push of a button. It delivers a powerful and hygienic flush that leaves behind no messes, and you rarely need to apply lots of energy to the pump.
- Prismatic tank level indicator
A prismatic tank level indicator allows you to monitor the level of waste or freshwater in the tank. The hand turns red once the tank is full and needs emptying.
- Durable Construction
The Dometic portable toilet is constructed with high-density polyethylene materials that ensure it stays strong and tough. Whether you drop it or step on it, it will not break. It withstands tough environmental conditions.
- Comfort
With a scratch-resistant finish, it is very easy to clean it. Similarly, the attractive matte finish gives it a beautiful look. It is suitable for both adults and kids because of the adult-size seat and lid.
- No mess
Pros
Cons
08. Thetford 92860 Porta Potti 135
Salient Feature
- Color: White
- Dimension: 13.54’x12.13’x15.12’ inches
- weight: 8 pounds
- ASIN: B07CHLVS16
- Manufacturer: Thetford Corp
- Model: 92860
- Brand: Thetford
- Portability
It features an ergonomic carrying handle that makes it easy to lift and carry around during your outdoor recreational activities. Also, it weighs only 8 pounds and does not give you a hard time even when the waste tank is full.
- Applications
Besides using it in your RV for your sanitation needs, you can also use it for toddler training, healthcare, emergencies, marine, outdoor activities, trucking, and vans.
- Ease of cleaning
You can easily clean this toilet because both its seat and cover are removable. You simply wash the two and clean the area around the seat as well.
- Waste and Fresh Water Tanks
Each of the tanks has a capacity of 2.6 gallons. The exclusive rotating pour-out spot makes sure there is no mess as you empty the waste tank. Furthermore, a sealed valve locks out any bad smell leaving you with odorless surroundings.
- Convenience
A bellows pump flush allows you an easy time to flush off your waste. The two tanks are kept secured during movement by the standard lid latch.
- Durability
Pros
Cons
Buyers Guide On The Best Cassette Toilet For RV
- Capacity of tanks
Cassette toilets usually have two tanks; the freshwater flush tank and the waste tank. The former is where you can store freshwater for flushing, while the latter is where your waste gets stored. Most of these cassette toilets have smaller tanks because of their compact designs.
We recommend larger tanks to avoid the need to refill fresh water and emptying waste frequently. They ought to be measuring 8 gallons and above. However, the large capacity of the tanks makes the cassette toilet to be heavier.
- Comfort
Comfort is key when using a cassette toilet. You do not want a toilet that is too low, yet you are quite taller. You will have a hard time when going to the toilet. Also, a shorter person or rather, a child will not be comfortable using a taller toilet.
Moreover, the material on the toilet seat ought to be smooth and accommodating. You do not want to sit on something which scratches your butt. Comfort entails the bowl being big enough or small enough to fit you without any struggles.
- Easy Installation
Get a toilet that is easy to install and does not require a lot of hassle. Most cassette toilets come fully assembled, while others have exact manual outlining instructions on installing and using them. If you are a DIY lover, you will settle for a comfortable install cassette toilet.
Usually, these toilets do not need any water or power connections, so they are ideal for an RV. All you need to do is follow the instructions, set both the tanks correctly, and start using them.
- Durability
Buying a toilet that serves you for a long time is the way to go. Most but not all, cassette toilets feature a plastic construction. But these plastics are not cheap. Besides, high-density polyethylene is the most common material among the popular brands of cassette toilets.
This material protects your toilet against any harsh environmental conditions, thus extending its lifespan. In case you drop it by mistake or even step on it, it will still maintain its sturdiness. You do not want to get something that breaks or becomes fragile after a few uses.
- How long is your trip?
Before purchasing a cassette toilet for your RV, you first have to determine how long your trip will be? How many days will you be out there in the wild? If you stay for long, you will need to get a toilet with extra-large capacity tanks.
This ensures that you do not have to refill or empty them as soon, and they can serve you for the whole trip. On the other hand, if your trip will be short, then a small tank is suitable for you. The length of your trip largely affects your decision to buy a cassette toilet.
- Portability
The reason as to why many RV owners settle for cassette toilets is because of their portability. You can move them from one place to another, conveniently. If you need a portable toilet, then you will need to get one that does not have tanks with high capacity. This will not be difficult to carry.
Additionally, some have integrated handles on their sides for enhanced mobility. The handles enable you to carry or lift them with ease.
Some manufacturers have come up with more massive toilets but have attached wheels to make them easily mobile. You can simply pull them or roll them.
- Special Features
You should not miss some features in a cassette toilet that helps improve its performance. For instance, there is a level indicator that allows you to monitor the freshwater level and waste in the waste tank. With this indicator, there is no guesswork.
Once the waste tank gets full, the indicator turns red, so you have to empty it. There is a slide valve that eases the emptying process of the waste tank. It locks in any bad smell and provides a watertight seal to curb against any leakages while getting rid of your waste.
Similarly, some toilets have a splash-free pour spout that rotates, thereby allowing you to empty your trash without any back splashing. This makes sure there are no messes during emptying.How Do Cassette Toilets Work?
Cassette toilets are not as complicated as their name sounds. There are two ways to use these toilets; you can either place them permanently on your RV or choose to move with them from place to place as you travel.
If you have a small space on your RV, then you may consider the portable toilets. Much larger RVs can have toilets mounted on them as they require a bigger space. A cassette toilet has three main parts; the toilet bowl, fresh water tank, and the waste tank. All these work together to provide excellent sanitation.
The freshwater tank is where the water needed to flush down the waste is stored, whereas the waste tank stores the trash emptied later on. Therefore, the bowl, which is otherwise known as the cassette installed over the waste tank. The freshwater tank is on the upper part.
There are several ways of flushing water from the freshwater tank. The most popular methods include bellows pump type and button-style pump, whichever suits you. There is a cap that opens to the tank that you can use to refill water.
Using the bowl is relatively easy; you just sit on it and do your thing. The waste directly goes into the waste tank, and then you flush it away. It is that simple. First, you need to fill in the freshwater tank with water in case there is none.
You may not know how much water you are supposed to put in the tank. Most manuals indicate the amount of water, or you could fill it according to the tank’s capacity. If you want to use chemicals for the toilet, you mix them with water at this point using the given proportion.
The next thing to do is place your cassette toilet on stable ground to avoid it toppling over while you sit on it. Press the flush button or use a foot paddle if there is one for flushing. After you complete, empty your tank when you can.
Note that the two tanks are usually apart, but aside latch attaches them in any movement. This makes it easy to empty the waste tank once it gets full.
How Do You Empty A Cassette Toilet?
You do not want to move around with a full waste tank; therefore, you will have to empty it soon. Where can I open my waste tank at? This is a question many cassette toilet users ask. The most recommended place to empty your waste is at a dump station.
Additionally, if you are going on a short trip, you may wait till you get back home so that you dump your waste. It is good to empty your waste tank every 2 to 3 days at maximum.
If your cassette toilet has a level indicator, it will turn red to indicate that it is time to empty it. If not, you will have to employ some guesswork, which is usually not accurate. Before emptying, you may need to put on disposable gloves for extra protection.
The first thing to do is to ensure that the bowl is empty. After that, close the valve to ensure that there are no leakages. The valve also ensures that there is no bad odor by locking in all the bad smells.
After that, take the tank off your toilet, carry it (if it is portable), or push it (if it is heavy and has wheels) to the nearest dump station or public toilet. There is a rotating pour-out spout that prevents any splashes during emptying.
Simply unlock it and point it in the direction of the dump station. After that, press the vent button and let the cassette finish up the emptying as you watch. Ensure the tank is empty, fill it with water, and thoroughly rinse it again to eliminate any remaining residue.
The moment it produces clear water, then you are good to go. Your waste tank is ready for the next use. You can then place it back in its initial position in your RV and go on with the journey.The Bad Parts About Using A Cassette Toilet For RVing
Everything that has a positive will always have a negative. Like cassette toilets have many advantages, they also have some disadvantages that we will discuss below in depth.
- Limited Capacity
As much as these toilets are portable and easy to use, they limit you through their tanks' capacities. They are not like the permanently mounted toilets in your RV or the ones in your homes. They have a smaller holding capacity.
Smaller holding capacity means that you will have to refill your freshwater tank more frequently so that it does not run out of water. Also, because your waste tank will have a smaller capacity, it will not hold waste for long.
- Emptying the waste tank
This may sound easy, but technically it’s the most annoying part about a cassette toilet. First and foremost, there will be a lot of bad odor during emptying because you have to use your hand to eliminate the waste. Although you can put on gloves, you will still experience the smell.
Additionally, if your tank has a large capacity, it may be quite challenging to carry it to the dump station every time. And a smaller tank will need you to drain it frequently, which may not be something you like.
- Winterizing
It may be troublesome to use these toilets during winter. This is because they are likely to freeze due to the liquids in the waste and fresh water tank. When they freeze, they may cause a lot of damages, which may require costly repairs.
But you can always avoid this by using the various available options of anti-freeze chemicals that are environmentally friendly.Best Practices And Tips For Using A Cassette Toilet
If you want to extend your cassette toilet's lifespan, you will have to maintain it properly. There are various practices and tips put together by experts to help you maintain your cassette toilet.
First and foremost, choose your toilet paper well. You do not want a tissue paper that does not dissolve as quickly. Such toilet papers may clog your cassette toilet and cause problems. If you cannot find toilet papers that dissolve quickly, you can avoid dumping paper into the waste tank.
You should always dump the waste in the tank as frequently as you can. This avoids any odors and any leakages brought about by waste that has overstayed. The recommended period of emptying your waste tank is between 2 to 3 days, depending on its capacity. But you should make it a regular thing.
The lid on the cassette toilet should remain closed whenever not in use. Whether you are opening the valve, checking the water level, or refilling fresh water, ensure to close the lid afterward. This is especially if you are moving between areas with altitude indifference.
If you leave the lid open and there is a difference in altitude, there may be temperature or pressure build-up that may cause the water in the cassette to spray all over your face.
Always keep your cassette toilets clean at all times. Some need chemicals for cleaning and those that are chemical-free. So whichever you will work with, make sure you follow the instructions on cleaning clearly. A clean toilet will have no odors and will always remain attractive.
To avoid wasting water in your freshwater tank, do not flush a lot of it or hold the bellows pump for long. This helps to preserve the fresh water so that you do not have to refill several.
It is also essential to inspect the different parts of your cassette toilet to ensure that none of them has malfunctioned. A valve that has a broken seal may lead to bad odors and leakages. To avoid this, you can apply some plumber’s grease to the part that is broken.
Finally, make good use of the instructions on the manual that comes with your cassette toilet. They usually outline everything you need to know about the toilet. If we have left out anything, the instructions manual will take care of that appropriately.Cassette Toilet Vs. Composting Toilet
A composting toilet separates the liquid from solid waste. The liquid waste is simply drained out in a dump station, whereas the solid waste dries out so that a natural composting item can break it down. These items may include; sawdust, coconut husks, which are ground or peat moss.
As we have seen above, cassette toilets can accommodate both liquid and solid waste concurrently and have a removable waste tank for emptying the waste. Either way, both of them work to ensure that you relieve yourself while on your RV.
You should note that unlike the cassette toilet, the composting toilet does not need water for flushing because it applies pure organic measures to run it. After dumping the waste, it can be suitable for use as manure afterward. It saves you the hassle of using a lot of water.
It does not smell as much as the cassette toilets because the solid waste is not together with the liquid waste, which is your urine. Urine barely smells. But in case of any odors, it has a fan inside its tank that keeps the smell outside at all times.
So depending on your preferences, you can choose to either use a cassette or composting toilet. Both are easily portable and do not require any complications during installation. The main advantage of composting toilet is that it is purely organic.
On the other hand, cassette toilets are usually very portable and save on a lot of space in your RV. This is what makes them popular. If you get the right cassette toilet, you will not experience any odors and leakages.Read More:
Conclusion
The best RV is necessary for you if you are going RVing to keep your sanitation in check. They are easy to install and are quite affordable options as compared to others. We hope that this article helps you make the right purchase decision about cassette toilets.
However, if you have any questions as far as the best cassette toilet for RV is a concern, you can comfortably visit our website. You can get lots of information on our site to enable you to make the right selection for you.
FAQs
Do cassette toilets smell?
Not really, but this depends on what you are using it for. It will have some odor for long call purposes, while for a short call, there will barely be an odor. You can use chemicals to get rid of this smell, or if your toilet has a valve, it will lock in the foul odor.
How often should you empty a cassette toilet?
You should always empty your cassette toilet as soon as you can. We usually recommend at least once every two days. But once the waste tank is three-quarters full or when the indicator level turns red, it is time to empty your toilet.
How do you maintain a cassette toilet?
The best way to maintain your cassette toilet is by ensuring that it stays clean all the time. Also, it is essential to empty your waste tank as part of maintenance regularly. Ensure that you use the right type of toilet paper for your cassette toilet. Using regular toilet paper may lead to clogging.
What chemicals are used in a caravan cassette toilet?
Chemicals for RV toilets either keep the bad odor away or help to break down the solid waste. So this depends on what you plan to use the chemical for. Therefore, there are many chemicals, including Blue Bio, AquaKem Green, and Towsure Toilet Green.