We have a Thetford C250 Cassette toilet in the van, fairly standard fare and it works well. When it is really hot then it needs emptying frequently as it can smell, even with extra doses of the chemicals.
We use Elsan Green, very thick and not unpleasant odour, its not perfect but one small dose works fine unless hot or overloaded in one go. We find that without other options then the cassette only last 36 hours and needs emptying.
We do have a 2nd cassette but that is for extreme circumstances as it is a bugger to get to (garage emptying) and then involves storing the full one at the back of the garage . This is such a tedious process that we have on all but one occasion moved and emptied rather than use it.
We are used to the cassette and have found the emptying experience to be varied from OK to ugh!! But at no point is it something either of us enjoy.
Most of the time the cassette is manageable especially in England when on sites , CLs etc.. but abroad especially Portugal, Spain, we found it an issue as we had to seek out emptying points every other day, not such an issue when touring as we tend to move every day, but disruptive.
There are occasions when we do not want to move, good pitch, plans for the day etc… this has occurred even in the UK.
So we started to consider our options:
- Black tank, space constraints for the tank and the hoses probably ruled this out, but also emptying was still a PIA tricky to use standard Elsan points and not as easy as a cassette, so not a goer for us in the current van.
- Incinerator toilet, very clean and quick, large item to install in comparison to the cassette toilet though. Power usage (gas) is high, we want to save our gas for heating, cooling and cooking. Also very expensive to buy and as new we understand it is prone to issues. In which case you are stuffed.
- Use more public facilities, this is a real option and works in the UK where most places have toilets, but it does restrict where you go and with the best will only stretches the cassette out to 3 days max!!
- Compost toilet, youtubers we watch Gone with the Wynns had a composting toilet in their RV and rated it. The only time we had used one was in an Eco Community where it was ok but a bit heath robinson. But a quick google and some more research threw up that it might be a goer.
Composting toilet options
- Natures Head, very popular used by alot of people, well tested and lots of info. Price 950.00
- Air Head, very similar to Natures Head, seat more familiar and urine bottle and bit more user friendly. Less promoted than Nature Heads but on the comparison reviews comes out top. Price 950
- C-Head, more basic version of the other heads, although has everything required with the bonus of being more compact, different colours, replaceable urine bottles, it starts at 660, but a comparable version is nearer 800.00
- Simpliloo, Separetta, considered but does not mix the solids after use, you have to spoon stuff over and also the venting methods appeared vague
- Compoost Toilets, a very small UK maker, but an electric timed mixer, multiple venting options, looks like a loo not a medical appliance, easy to empty. A smaller solids compartment, comparable price 860, but extras probably required.
Our favorites after all the research were the C-Head and the Compoost.
Compoost is based in Coventry so we called and arranged to go have a look. Really impressed basically a guy had an idea for his van and a boat build, his wife put it on facebook and a small business was born. It is by far the best looking and the most friendly to use.
The C-Head was still an option but we started to question the quality and this threw up some issues with stories of bits failing over time and the solid emptying not being quite as easy, also keeping clean more bits for material to stick to.
Compoost Pros
- Electric mix so when using can be mixed at the same time easily, not possible with C-Head and tricky with other Heads.
- Close lid press button walk away, while mixing no getting down and dirty.
- As no handles reduced the width and therefore space required, this was an advantage of the C-Head, but negated by being unable to mix whilst in use.
- Solid build no holes or areas where material could get stuck therefore easy to keep clean.
- Emptying as no cover on the solids bucket it just lifts out and can be easily emptied. Smaller amounts so less conspicuous. This is a big advantage over the Heads as they almost require you to dismantle the toilet which requires room and looks alot messier.
- Urine bottle is a solid bottle but does not look medical, 5l.
- Visible alert when needs bottle needs emptying.
- UK made, very attentive maker, willing to build to your spec for vent, button locations etc…
Cons.
- Smaller solids bucket so can only go for 10 uses, although real world use suggests more, 5 days worst case. Liquids is same as others.
- Small maker so backup may be an issue.
- minimum 9 week lead time
- Electrickery can go wrong. However it is easy enough to use without the mixing unlike the others.
- Price 860 although cheaper than the Heads it is still alot but it is a nice looking system.
So we have ordered an Compoost and will see how we get on.
