Porta Potti: a good idea or not?

[rditt]

From a certain age the best idea in Cali. The 335 fits very well under the sink and is in use both at night and sometimes while driving. The current cali is the 3 camper we drive and in each one we had the 335. There are always two of us and between 70 and 76 years old.

Grüße Rolf D.

 

[RichardH]

We have one. It lives under the sink without problems. The seals are good and there's no smell. We don't use it when on a normal campsite unless it's very cold or rainy at night. However it opens up a huge number of additional locations to stay overnight, where it's necessary to be self-contained, including most certified locations, wild camping places and almost all European Aires, France Passion etc. There are only two of us so we almost always sleep in the "bedroom" upstairs leaving plenty of space in the downstairs "bathroom". When we get up in the morning it only takes a minute or so to put it away, put the table up and recreate the "living-room".

 

[vananarama]

We’ve been giving the purchase of a Porta Potti 335 some thought of late. We know that some people erect a dedicated “toilet tent” in which to house the toilet and we can understand their thinking!; however, if you had to use the toilet inside the Cali, is there sufficient room to accommodate the toilet between the front seats and the downstairs bed, when assembled? We’ve read quite a few reviews of said toilet which say it’s a very good piece of kit but people have found that they just don’t use it, once they’ve made the purchase. Any responses will be welcome. Many thanks.

“Best thing we’ve ever bought.” - the wife, September 2020. Bought it for a toddler and due to covid and on day trips alone since lockdown (pt1) ended, it’s been so, so handy. The 335 is brilliant and is a great size for the Transporter/Cali


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[westfalia]

Has anyone ever used a 365 at home for a few days just to get the
hang of it?
In the bedroom or kitchen?

 

[wilburthewombat]

Question: is the Brandrup tray worth getting? Does it make things simpler?

 

[WelshGas]

We had a T5 California for six years . Traded it in for a Hymer Car Free Campus earlier this year . Comes with onboard bathroom , never looked back .

Except when reversing back from a 2 m barrier.

 

[Campervanner]

“Best thing we’ve ever bought.” - the wife, September 2020. Bought it for a toddler and due to covid and on day trips alone since lockdown (pt1) ended, it’s been so, so handy. The 335 is brilliant and is a great size for the Transporter/Cali


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Totally agree vananarama and, wilbur wombat, we got the tray and strap, so useful. Days out in these covid times now so much more relaxing.

 

[Elly Swanson]

I'm not sure, but I don't think most people poo at night, so all we have is a small lidded pot (about 9" in diameter, 6" tall) for peeing. Campsite facilities for pooing. On the road in extreme emergencies a folding Bivvy Loo.

View attachment 66117

View attachment 66118

We don’t usually poo at night (unless I’ve pigged out on a massive meaty dinner) so it’s mainly just for tinkles .
However, next weekend we’re at Beardy folk festival and although the portaloos are always kept very clean there I think the loo will be in the awning and that’s where we’ll be doing any “business“. Our Thetford portapotti is very easy to keep clean and we can empty it before we leave. No bags, crystals, gels, cat litter, etc, just a bio washing machine tablet. At times we’re only in the van I can put a bag in the bowl to catch the waste rather than flush it.

 

[Elly Swanson]

I have been looking at them for our cali when it arrives. I had a measure of the 335 and to be honest, if I managed to sit on it, I wouldn't get up due to my "poorly" knees. If we get one, it will be the 365 as its a bit taller lol

That’s a big waste tank that would probably be more difficult To empty. It’ll take up a lot more space when travelling. You could get a 335 and raise it on to an 18l “Really Usefully Box”. That way you have a loo that’s tall enough and a box you can fill with stuff and store separately when travelling so the loo will fit under the bench seat. For me it’s a win-win.

 

[Brindisi]

We never entertained the idea of having one until now due to some sites not having facilities to use .
We love it now and I can’t believe I’ve had 6 Cali years without one .
I was definitely in the ‘no way do we need one’ camp and have surprised myself how different my attitude towards it . It feels very clean and absolutely no smells at all from any chemicals. Stays in the awning during the day under a collapsible footstool as others have described, then in the cab during the evening using it as a footstool.

 

[Rcfriedrich]

Camping in Cornwall at moment site has all facilities shut , so no porta potti would mean no holiday,

 

[Richard H]

We’ve been giving the purchase of a Porta Potti 335 some thought of late. We know that some people erect a dedicated “toilet tent” in which to house the toilet and we can understand their thinking!; however, if you had to use the toilet inside the Cali, is there sufficient room to accommodate the toilet between the front seats and the downstairs bed, when assembled? We’ve read quite a few reviews of said toilet which say it’s a very good piece of kit but people have found that they just don’t use it, once they’ve made the purchase. Any responses will be welcome. Many thanks.

We've had one for 8 years and yes it will fit between the bed and front drivers seat. I put the back rest up and the seat forward a touch.

 

[Ferring-about]

......You could get a 335 and raise it on to an 18l “Really Usefully Box”...... For me it’s a win-win.

Could you drop a link to the box you are referring to here please?

 

[Elly Swanson]

Could you drop a link to the box you are referring to here please?

Here’s the companies website page, but you can buy them all over the place. It raises the loo seat to 50cm high. They do larger boxes if you want to go higher.

Really Useful Boxes - 18 litre Really Useful Box

Really Useful Boxes from Really Useful Products Ltd. Innovative storage products - strong, versatile plastic storage boxes, archive boxes & accessories including folding trolleys and racking.

www.reallyusefulproducts.co.uk

this is what it looks like:

 

[HectaTheSpecta]

Most post have described its use and irrespective of whether it is used in anger for both calls of nature, could someone please explain what it’s like to empty when full or otherwise please? Where do you empty etc

 

[GrannyJen]

So,

We come to the great conclusion.

No 1 who cares.

No 2. Either do it and store ir for later disposal down a CDP or pop it in a bag and pop out to your favourite supermarket and pop it in their litter bins whilst shopping for your favourite "good for the planet" ready meal .... which you will anticipate leaving the biological remnants of in the bin on your next visit

I just love this forum for the way we all talk sh!t !!

 

[Jay20cali]

We’ve been giving the purchase of a Porta Potti 335 some thought of late. We know that some people erect a dedicated “toilet tent” in which to house the toilet and we can understand their thinking!; however, if you had to use the toilet inside the Cali, is there sufficient room to accommodate the toilet between the front seats and the downstairs bed, when assembled? We’ve read quite a few reviews of said toilet which say it’s a very good piece of kit but people have found that they just don’t use it, once they’ve made the purchase. Any responses will be welcome. Many thanks.

It’s a no brainier in the current climate due to the obvious reasons .just had a week in Cornwall and some toilet blocks only open until 9pm the Mrs doesn’t have to get dressed and cross the campsite for a wee at 4am
It’s easy to store
Definitely no 2s though

 

[Romke]

Bog in a Bag. No chemicals, always available, easily set up and takes up very little room. Can also be used as a footstool without the bag.

Unfortunately they have been discontinued.

 

[Sp0_0k]

Put it this way; what would you prefer in the middle of the night in the pouring rain, having a wee in the porta potti squeezed in between the bed and the front seats, or trudging across a rain sodden campsite to use the site conveniences? It’s a no brainer for me.

I would preffer a small couple liter container we are using over 4 years that takes so insanely little space.

 

[Wild Bob]

Have to say I was a bit sceptical on using ours but after our two trips with it, especially with the current crisis, I wouldn’t be without it.

Even when campsites create a really good set up on site, it doesn’t always mean that the campers follow the rules. I felt quite uncomfortable at our first site (I’m a doctor = stickler for social distancing rules), so we just used the toilet, in our new toilet tent, and could then relax for the rest of our break knowing we were as safe as we could be.

My only learning is that the 10l waste tank doesn’t last long with the 2-3l of solution they recommend, and then a family of four using it, but I still wouldn’t be without it.

Am wondering if I can reduce the waste tank solution to less than the recommended 2l and maybe increase the concentration of my flush tank to compensate. I use Elsan organic, which works in both tanks. Will have to see if any experienced people on the forum know the answer to that one!

If I ever invest in a mattress that can be used with the rear shelf on the higher setting, I’ll get something with bigger tank volumes, but for now my 335 will be a must have item on the kit list.

We had the same issue putting the recommended amount of fluid in the waste tank. Our friends who have caravanned for years told us put a cap full of blue in the waste and that will be fine. So we did that on our last trip and yes it was better lasted 3 days.

 

[Karlos]

Or Tena ladies!

Porta Potti is probably cheaper.

 

[Erbster]

Most post have described its use and irrespective of whether it is used in anger for both calls of nature, could someone please explain what it’s like to empty when full or otherwise please? Where do you empty etc

We have one and haven’t used it much recently, but it’s seen more service this year with many loos closed. Used for both calls of nature if needed. As long as there’s plenty of fluid, the contents break down ok. No loo roll in waste obvsly. I usually empty it down the toilet at home. Easily done - not pleasant but clean and quick.


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[Karlos]

Most post have described its use and irrespective of whether it is used in anger for both calls of nature, could someone please explain what it’s like to empty when full or otherwise please? Where do you empty etc

Hi, always empty and flush through on site if they have a chemical disposal point. First time I did it I didn't wear gloves, I won't be making that mistake again.

Mrs K refuses to empty it, she believes I am qualified as I did 18 months on the waste side of the utility company I work for.

 

[Elly Swanson]

Bog in a Bag. No chemicals, always available, easily set up and takes up very little room. Can also be used as a footstool without the bag.

Unfortunately they have been discontinued.

I never liked the idea of sitting on a fabric seat due to cross contamination.

 

[Elly Swanson]

It’s a no brainier in the current climate due to the obvious reasons .just had a week in Cornwall and some toilet blocks only open until 9pm the Mrs doesn’t have to get dressed and cross the campsite for a wee at 4am
It’s easy to store
Definitely no 2s though

That's what we said until I was desperate, then it was a godsend. Still plan no number 2s unless necessary but we're at a festival next weekend and the loo'll be in the awning. Thinking it'll be better not to use the portaloos at this time. Hope the neighbouring campers have nose pegs , but I'll have no shame or embarassment, I've pooed in much less glamourous circumstances in all sorts of places!