Possessing your own portable toilet can be a huge convenience when you are camping, especially if you like to camp in remote areas that are likely to have no amenities available.
Regardless of where you are camping, or if you are in an RV or a tent, it is essential that you have access to some form of toilet facilities.
If you have your own portable toilet you are assured of the convenience of a toilet no matter where you are, even if you are travelling, and you can be safe in the knowledge that it is clean and sanitary.
Once you make the decision to purchase a portable toilet the next thing you need to decide is what type of toilet, and what level of sophistication, you need or want.
If you are a backpacker, then you will be conscious of size and weight.
There are very compact portable toilets that fold down to the size of a briefcase weighing about 7 lbs or 3.
2 kgs.
They use biodegradable waste bags that convert the waste to gel, neutralize odours and start the decaying process.
They are sanitary, hygienic and very convenient as the bag can be thrown in the rubbish when it is full.
Of course, if this unit is still too bulky for backpackers, a simple collapsible shovel might be the answer! Many modern RVs come with bathrooms but, at the same time, there are many, especially older RVs, that do not have toilets.
Of course, if you are camping in a tent, then it certainly will not have its own toilet.
The choice of the portable toilet that is best for your camping needs is a very personal one, again depending on the level of sophistication that you want and the size and weight of the unit that you are able to carry.
There are many collapsible portable toilets, as mentioned above, that are very convenient and simple to assemble and clean.
However, if you want something more 'up-market', and have the room and carrying capacity, then a 'porta potty' style portable toilet may be for you.
There is a huge range of portable flushable toilets on the market today.
The features of these toilets include usually a full-size toilet seat and lid, a holding tank and a freshwater tank in varying capacities depending on the make and model of the toilet, and a flushing mechanism.
Make sure that the unit is sturdy, built from a good quality material, usually polyethylene, is easy to clean, has a freshwater tank that is easy to fill and has a holding tank that is easy to empty.
Having an indicator of the level in the holding tank is very useful for determining when it should be emptied.
For the flushable portable toilets there are a number of products on the market to choose from that are added to the holding tank to help break down the waste and prevent odours.
If you are camping in a remote area and do not have access to a designated portable toilet dumping point then make sure that you purchase a product that is 100% biodegradable should you need to empty the holding tank in the bush.
For the collapsible portable toilets you can purchase the abovementioned poly waste bags as well as biodegradable odour and organic waste neutralizers that convert liquids into gel for easier, totally environmentally friendly, disposal.
Whatever type of portable toilet you choose, it is really a good idea to invest in a small shelter shed so that you can set up the toilet in total privacy slightly away from the main campsite but close enough that it is easy to access should you need to use it after dark.
There are a number of specially designed shower/toilet shelter pop-up tents on the market that are light and easy to carry and can be set up in minutes.
Of course, you can still wind a tarp around a couple of trees but the shelter tent is far more convenient if the weather is unfavourable and certainly more private.
With so many options to choose from these days there is no excuse to be left stranded without toilet facilities when you go camping.
Take your amenities with you so you can be comfortable, safe and hygienic regardless of where you camp.