All About RV Bathrooms – A Definitive Information

Whether or not you’re new to RVing or simply purchasing for a brand new RV rest room, you could be considering, “I want there was a complete useful resource that might reply ALL of my questions on RV bogs.” Properly, you’re in luck! You’ve bought questions—we’ve bought solutions, and we’ve written this text to be the final useful resource on RV bogs.

It’s a unclean subject, however somebody has to cowl it. In truth, the questions we get requested essentially the most are all about “the lavatory state of affairs” inside an RV.

In any case, while you’re transferring from a home with operating water and a porcelain throne to an RV, the stakes really feel excessive. What is going to occur when it’s essential “go”? And who will deal with the aftermath?

All people poops… however not everybody has to cope with the outcomes as intimately as we RVers do. Right here’s every part you ever wished to find out about RV bogs (and possibly extra).

Forms of RV Bathrooms

Whether or not you’re already acquainted with the panorama of RV rest room choices or not, we thought we’d begin with a fast orientation to get issues rolling. So, right here’s a rundown of all of the various kinds of RV bogs on the market. (If we’re lacking one, please tell us within the feedback—we’d love to listen to from you!)

Gravity Flush Bathrooms

Most RVs in the marketplace come commonplace with a gravity flush rest room. In truth, if there’s no point out of what sort of rest room an RV has, it’s a protected wager that it’s a gravity flush model. This kind of RV rest room is the closest in look to a residential plumbed-in rest room… however solely in look.

Gravity flush bogs are sometimes manufactured from porcelain (in higher-end fashions), identical to a residential rest room, or plastic. Most have a foot pedal flush that opens a hatch on the backside of the bowl. The pedal additionally rinses the bowl with water while you’re completed.

Waste and rinse water then fall (due to gravity) right into a black tank, which holds every part till you evacuate it by means of a sewer hose at an RV dump station. (It sounds worse than it’s.)

Execs of Gravity Flush Bathrooms:

Cons of Gravity Flush Bathrooms:

• They use a whole lot of water, which is necessary when you plan to do a whole lot of boondocking.
• You do need to dump your waste by means of a sewer hose. Whereas we didn’t discover it that dangerous, some folks (understandably) simply don’t need to get that shut and private with sewage.
• It’s important to discover an RV dump station when it’s time to empty the waste holding tank.

Standard Manufacturers of Gravity Flush RV Bathrooms:

Composting Bathrooms

We’ve met many individuals preferring composting bogs over conventional gravity flush fashions. In truth, nearly each time we hear about somebody swapping out the bathroom of their RV, it’s to exchange the usual gravity flush rest room with a composting rest room.

The perks are quite a few: composting bogs are extra environmentally pleasant, use little to no water, and assist you to go longer between dumping (the stable waste, that’s).

Composting bogs typically separate liquids from solids, and the mixture of the 2 is what creates sewage. With a composting setup, you merely dump the liquids right into a public rest room or, if acceptable by native rules, dilute it and sprinkle it on the bottom.

You combine your solids with a composting medium like coconut coir, which finally breaks them down into compost. When the bathroom is stuffed with compost, you may put it right into a compostable bag and drop it within the nearest dumpster—and even use it as fertilizer for non-edible vegetation.

We wrote a entire article all about composting bogs when you actually need to dive deep into the most well-liked manufacturers. We additionally share our not-so-great early expertise with a composting bucket rest room.

Execs of Composting Bathrooms:

• They’re essentially the most environmentally pleasant possibility, because you’re not creating sewage or utilizing consuming water to flush your waste. You’re additionally creating (doubtlessly helpful) compost within the discount.
• As a result of they don’t require water, you may go dry tenting longer with out having to dump. Because you gained’t want your black tank, you may mix your black and grey tanks into one enormous grey tank. All of this implies you may camp within the wild for much longer.

Cons of Composting Bathrooms:

• Sourcing composting medium like coconut coir will be troublesome, relying on the place you’re—and don’t overlook, you’ll want area to retailer it.
• Dumping your liquids will be awkward. Should you’re going to dump in a public rest room, it means you’ll be carrying a bottle of pee round whilst you’re in transit. You’ll most likely additionally need to dump your liquids pretty typically, because the liquid tanks are small.
• We’ve heard that odor will be a problem with the liquid portion. Strive utilizing white vinegar to assist with this.

Standard Manufacturers of Composting RV Bathrooms:

Cassette Bathrooms

What’s a cassette, if we’re not speaking about early 90’s audio? Should you adopted our travels within the Ram ProMaster Class B van, you recognize that we used a cassette rest room for a few years and beloved it! In truth, I dumped that rest room solo for all the first 12 months we had the van as a result of it actually wasn’t an enormous deal.

Most not too long ago, we bought to revisit the cassette rest room whereas testing the Storyteller GXV HILT, and it reminded us how a lot we get pleasure from utilizing one of these RV rest room.

Mainly, with a cassette rest room, you may have the identical everlasting rest room you’d see in a gravity flush setup. Nonetheless, as a substitute of accumulating waste in a set black tank, it’s collected in a conveyable tank (or cassette).

Cassettes look nearly like a suitcase, full with a deal with and wheels for straightforward rolling (although we wouldn’t advocate bringing one as carry-on). When the tank is full, you merely open an out of doors bay, pull the “suitcase” out, and wheel it to the closest dump station or public rest room for emptying.

After we rented a camper van in Italy, each campground we stayed at had a chosen cassette rest room dump station. You may get an concept of what it’s wish to dump a cassette rest room in Europe by watching this video.

Execs of Cassette RV Bathrooms:

• They’re very simple to make use of and dump.
• When the tank is full, there’s no want to maneuver your entire RV to the dump station or sewer gap. You possibly can simply take the cassette!

Cons of Cassette RV Bathrooms:

• Relying on how you employ it, you may very well find yourself nearer to the icky stuff with this rest room than with a gravity flush.
• As a result of they’re sufficiently small to wheel round, cassettes have smaller capability than completely mounted black tanks.

Transportable Bathrooms

One in all our favourite sorts of RV bogs is the moveable rest room. We used a Thetford Porta Potti in our 4×4 truck camper for 2 years whereas touring full-time. Now, we use the Dometic moveable rest room that got here with our Transit camper van.

This kind of rest room is sort of a logical extension of the cassette rest room. However as a substitute of getting a normal-looking rest room that drains into a conveyable tank, the moveable rest room (or porta potti) is actually a conveyable tank with a bathroom seat on high.

You possibly can take the entire rest room with you wherever because the total setup is moveable and simple to maneuver. Transportable bogs are additionally one of the crucial cost-effective (and space-efficient) choices accessible. They don’t take a lot time or effort to put in, both. Should you’re in a rush, or simply impatient, that’s okay—simply plunk it down and go!

Execs of Transportable RV Bathrooms:

• They’re cheap and simple to put in. No instruments required, until you need to mount a base to your ground to forestall any shifting throughout transit.
• You possibly can take them wherever! Should you’re altering RVs, going automotive tenting for a weekend, or simply need to take yours with you on a day journey, you may have that possibility. 
• They use little or no water for flushing. Ours comes with a small water tank that you should utilize to assist rinse or flush if wanted, however typically it’s not obligatory.

Cons of Transportable RV Bathrooms:

• As with cassettes, the dumping course of is a little more up shut and private (doubtlessly) than dumping a black tank with a sewer hose. You don’t have the massive valves to seal the entire course of from view.
• Tank measurement is mostly fairly small, so you may’t keep out as lengthy with some of these bogs as you may a typical gravity flush with a big black tank beneath.

Standard Manufacturers of Transportable RV Bathrooms:

Dry RV Bathrooms:

Dry flush bogs are a well-liked sort of moveable rest room. We cowl dry bogs in additional element in our article on moveable bogs when you simply can’t get sufficient rest room speak.

Dry bogs are absolutely moveable and use no water to flush. As an alternative, waste is wrapped in a cloth that appears so much like skinny aluminum foil, together with a powder that turns your deposit right into a gel for straightforward disposal. When finished, you’ll find yourself with a bag or packet which you can merely throw right into a rubbish bin.

Standard Manufacturers of Dry RV Bathrooms:

Incinerator Bathrooms

Now we’re stepping into a number of the extra unconventional sorts of bogs. Truthfully, the incinerator rest room is one which blows my thoughts a bit of.

I imply, it’s fairly superb which you can have a unit inside your RV that turns your waste right into a small pile of ash—lower than a tablespoon of ash for each 3-4 makes use of, to be exact.

Much like the dry flush bogs we described above, you’ll must buy particular rest room bowl liners to make use of an incinerator rest room, so prices can add up rapidly. That is one thing to remember when you’re dwelling in your RV full-time, particularly with a household.

Right here’s how incinerator bogs work: You push a button to incinerate your waste, and the bowl is heated to 1,200 levels Fahrenheit. An exhaust vent routes the smoke exterior. The entire cycle takes about 2 hours, however don’t fear—you may nonetheless use the bathroom whereas that’s occurring.

Standard Manufacturers of Incinerator RV Bathrooms:

Macerator Bathrooms

Right here’s one “con” we didn’t point out with gravity flush bogs (or, frankly, any RV rest room that requires water and has a storage tank): the “poo pyramid.”

This pyramid can kind you probably have too many solids within the tank and never sufficient liquids. The waste and bathroom paper create a mound that turns into almost inconceivable to take away if it will get massive sufficient—which is why there’s truly such a factor as an RV proctologist.

A macerator rest room prevents this difficulty by pulverizing waste, functioning very like your rubbish disposal at residence. Which means blockages attributable to wads of bathroom paper (or different gadgets) gained’t happen. You’ll even have a decrease threat of clogs in your sewer hose throughout dumping.

Execs of Macerator RV Bathrooms:

• They will pump waste up an incline
• Smaller sewer hose diameter means much less odor whereas dumping

Cons of Macerator RV Bathrooms:

• Dumping tanks is slower with a smaller hose
• Requires extra water and electrical energy than every other sort of RV rest room, which signifies that when you’re fascinated by tenting with out hookups, this will not be the bathroom for you.

Standard Manufacturers of Macerator RV Bathrooms:

Cat Gap

Since we’re aiming to be as thorough as potential, we figured we must always point out the great old school cat gap.

If not one of the above choices really feel like a superb match to your rig—and you favor to expertise nature with no obstacles between you and the nice open air—the cat gap could be for you. All you want is a shovel and good stability.

Should you select this selection, please analysis easy methods to do it safely and test the rules for the realm you’re in. Plan to dig a gap not less than 6 inches deep and bury every part while you’re finished. After all, keep away from streams and rivers to keep away from contaminating water sources.

And pack out your rest room paper, as animals are inclined to dig it up and unfold the trash round. Reusable pee cloths have turn out to be extra widespread lately and are an possibility to contemplate to chop down on rest room paper use for primary.

How does an RV rest room work?

On the most simple stage, you simply want a bathroom with a sufficiently small footprint to suit inside an RV. Then, you want a plan for the vacation spot of your liquids and solids. Is every part going to the identical place, or are you separating them?

The entire completely different RV bogs described above work in another way, however the aim of all of them is to supply a protected, sanitary receptacle to your waste. After we reside in a sticks and bricks home, we’re used to the posh of our waste being out of sight and out of thoughts, with a easy flush of the deal with. In an RV, which is a closed system that you simply carry with you, it isn’t fairly so easy!

What’s the Greatest Bathroom for an RV?

As you may most likely inform from the professionals and cons listed for every rest room above, one of the best rest room to your RV will rely in your tenting model, price range, and private preferences. Listed below are some inquiries to ask your self when making a buying choice:

• How typically do I need to keep in a single spot with out having to dump?
• What sort of “soiled jobs” am I prepared (or unwilling) to do?
• Will I need to preserve water and/or electrical energy, or largely be camped with hookups?
• How a lot am I prepared to spend?
• Can I exchange my present rest room myself? What instruments/experience are required? 

Often Requested Questions on RV Bathrooms

Is RV rest room paper obligatory?

Most skilled RVers who do use their black tanks will inform you no—you don’t want to make use of the very skinny, very costly RV rest room paper that’s rated as protected to your RV’s sewage system.

Nonetheless, you do must be cautious about the bathroom paper you flush into your tank; not all residential rest room papers are created equal. The perfect rest room paper to make use of in an RV is a judgment name, however a lot of RVers like Angel Mushy or Charmin Extremely Mushy.

The Match RV created an amazing video on how one can check completely different rest room paper manufacturers for your self. Mainly, you need to shake a few squares with water and see in the event that they begin to break down inside about an hour. In the event that they don’t, don’t put that rest room paper into your tank! In the event that they dissolve in that point, you’re good to go.

How can I cease my black tank from smelling?

There are many chemical compounds on the market which can be marketed to cease black tank odor, however we want Comfortable Camper. It’s an natural tank remedy that left our rest room with none odor in anyway.

A good way to “cost” your black tank (or, put together it to be used after dumping) is to place a couple of gallons of water into it together with a scoop of Comfortable Camper. You possibly can add some Daybreak dish cleaning soap and Calgon water softener when you actually need to clear your tank out whilst you’re taking place the street.

Including a superb quantity of water is essential. You need to put 3-5 gallons of contemporary water into your black tank earlier than you begin utilizing it, for a few causes. First, that is essential for conserving odor down. And second, you’ll stop the dreaded “poo pyramid” when you get a lot of liquid in there from the get-go.

Can you place a daily rest room in an RV?

Properly … form of, however probably not. Residential bogs have a big water tank and are designed to hook up with residential plumbing. To not point out the truth that they’re heavy. There’s no method to join one among some of these bogs and not using a severe overhaul of your RV’s innards—and so they’re manner too heavy, anyway.

However, with a porcelain gravity flush rest room, you will get fairly darn near the residential rest room expertise. With the added journey of flushing your black tank each every so often.

Are all RV bogs the identical measurement?

No! They undoubtedly aren’t, so when you’re changing yours, remember to measure the area you may have accessible. Some RV bogs generally is a vital funding, and also you don’t need to find yourself with one thing that doesn’t suit your area.

Easy methods to take away an RV rest room

The precise particulars will rely upon the model of bathroom you may have, however when you’re eradicating a typical gravity flush rest room and changing it with both one other gravity flush or a special sort of bathroom, listed below are the fundamental steps you’ll need to comply with:

1. Shut off the water, maintain down the foot pedal to launch any residual water stress, and disconnect and drain the water provide strains operating out of your contemporary tank/water system to your rest room
2. Take away the nuts and bolts on the base of the pedestal that connects the bathroom to the ground. Usually there are two of those, one on both sides.
3. Raise the bathroom and take away it.
4. Take away and discard the previous ground flange seal and bolts

Easy methods to set up an RV rest room?

Set up will differ relying on the kind of rest room you put in.

As an example, when you’re changing a gravity flush rest room with a composting rest room (or different sort of bathroom that has a fan, like an incinerator rest room), set up can get sophisticated. If electrical energy is required to run a fan, you’ll must wire the bathroom into your RV’s electrical system (not really useful until you’re snug working with electrical).

You may additionally must put a gap into the facet of your RV for the vent, so proceed with warning! Take into account having an expert do the set up, and ideally one who has put in your sort of bathroom earlier than.

Putting in a gravity flush rest room in an RV that already has one is fairly simple. Should you’re a visible learner, Mark Polk has a superb video on easy methods to take away and set up a standard gravity flush RV rest room.

For composting rest room set up, you may be taught so much from the “how to not” video made by the Wynns.

One of many explanation why we love our moveable rest room a lot is that set up couldn’t be simpler. In truth, you don’t essentially even want to put in something. You possibly can simply set one of these rest room on the ground of your RV and drive on! Nonetheless, to forestall any sliding round throughout transit, you would possibly set up a easy ground mount to maintain the bathroom in place.

How a lot water does an RV rest room use per flush?

We hate to sound like a damaged report, however it is dependent upon what sort of rest room you may have. The good factor about RV bogs (versus residential bogs) is which you can management how a lot water is used. It’s not like a plumbed-in rest room the place you push the deal with and the bathroom takes over from there. 

With a gravity flush rest room, you may maintain down the foot pedal so long as you want. You mainly simply need to use sufficient water to rinse the bowl, so it is going to rely upon whether or not your “deposit” was liquid or stable. Most flushes will probably be possibly ½ cup to 1 cup of water.

Some RV bogs, like a composting rest room or dry flush moveable rest room, use no water in any respect.

Transportable bogs like ours do have a small water tank to make use of whereas flushing. We most likely use ¼ cup or so per flush, simply to rapidly rinse down the bowl.

Easy methods to flush an RV rest room

You already know the reply by now: it relies upon.

Most RV bogs have a foot pedal flush. Should you step all the way in which down, the water will rinse the bowl and the door on the base of the bowl will open, permitting the waste and rinse water down into the black tank. Stepping midway down on the foot pedal will simply run rinse water into the bowl, so you may fill the bowl for cleansing or prepping the tank.

Transportable bogs may need a push button or pull deal with to open the “entice door” into the holding tank. The dry flush RV bogs which have proprietary liners and run on electrical will typically do the be just right for you with the push of a button. 

With a composting rest room, you don’t need any liquid to get into the solids tank. So that you’ll first wipe any residue from the bowl with rest room paper, then flip a hand crank to combine your most up-to-date stable into your composting materials. You would possibly simply use ¼ cup of water or so to rapidly rinse the bowl after you’re finished, ensuring all of it results in the liquid tank.

The “Backside” Line

There you may have it—our round-up of solutions to all of the questions we hear about RV bogs. We’ve finished our greatest to create one of the best useful resource on RV bogs on the market.

In case you have any questions that we didn’t reply, please tell us within the feedback and we’ll do our greatest to deal with them.