It's completely up to you Steve. If you're happy to dig a hole, go for it. Make sure you bury it well though.
I've had a porta loo for several years now, mainly because of crook knees.
Oh, and welcome to the site.
-- Edited by Beth54 on Wednesday 26th of September 2012 06:39:25 PM
Solo Steve said
12:23 AM Sep 27, 2012
G'day all
Im gearing up for my fulltime trip and seek your opinion as to whether a Porta Potti type toilet is really needed
or will a shovel suffice. Of course it would be preferable to have for free camping but will take up a fair bit of room
in the van.
Thanks
Steve
Solo Steve said
01:41 AM Sep 27, 2012
Thanks for the reply it took a while to get an answer I think maybe it was a dumb question to ask Steve
Happywanderer said
01:42 AM Sep 27, 2012
It's probably not so necessary for men as it is for woman. I only use mine during the night as don't want to be walking to the loos in the dark. During the day and when travelling I use public toilets. Men would be able to time their visits to the loos for during the day and behind a tree maybe at night. Just depends where you are camping.
Beth54 said
01:44 AM Sep 27, 2012
Solo Steve wrote:
Thanks for the reply it took a while to get an answer I think maybe it was a dumb question to ask Steve
As someone said on here, the only dumb question is the one you don't ask. So ask away!
I notice you're a '54 model like me. A very good year!
Gerty Dancer said
01:48 AM Sep 27, 2012
Not a dumb question Steve. We have had a Porta-potti in the caravan and it is still unused after a total of 9 months in the caravan, in 4 separate trips. But its there for emergencies, there just hasnt been one bad enough for us yet! If you just "Had to go" with no bush where you could use your shovel, and theres nobody sharing your caravan to complain about any odours, you'd be ok. A bucket can be ok for overnight if it is emptied using said shovel.
Happywanderer said
01:58 AM Sep 27, 2012
Solo Steve wrote:
Thanks for the reply it took a while to get an answer I think maybe it was a dumb question to ask Steve
Steve, you asked your question at 5.23pm. They were probably all at Happy Hour. lol
I had read it earlier, but decided to answer once I had cooked tea.
Beth54 said
02:01 AM Sep 27, 2012
Gerty Dancer wrote:
Not a dumb question Steve. We have had a Porta-potti in the caravan and it is still unused after a total of 9 months in the caravan, in 4 separate trips. But its there for emergencies, there just hasnt been one bad enough for us yet! If you just "Had to go" with no bush where you could use your shovel, and theres nobody sharing your caravan to complain about any odours, you'd be ok. A bucket can be ok for overnight if it is emptied using said shovel.
Rosie, do I take it that you don't have to wee in the night? If so, I'm impressed!
Happywanderer said
02:04 AM Sep 27, 2012
I'm impressed too. I could be up 3 or 4 times.
Solo Steve said
02:04 AM Sep 27, 2012
Thanks for the good advice im learning that one can rely on the Gurus. I just noticed i've moved from newbie to member ...a long way to go. And yes Beth '54 produced an excellent vintage. Cheers Steve
Dougwe said
02:24 AM Sep 27, 2012
I just have a camp toilet bucket with a seat and lid on it. Even though 52 was a good vintage as well I find the shovel bit just a bit difficult these days if you need more than a tree. Plus you don't know who was behind that tree before you. A little comfort is all I ask these days. I use the Nappy San idea as well in my mobile toot.
pauline said
03:34 AM Sep 27, 2012
Totally agree Doug, better to have it and not want it then to want it and not have it...............as Mum used to say
jules47 said
03:45 AM Sep 27, 2012
Having travelled with all the above options - tree, shovel, lidded bucket, and now onboard loo - I know which one I prefer - the onboard one!! Though if there is a good public loo nearby, thru the day, I would use that.
jetj said
04:53 AM Sep 27, 2012
I wouldn't be without a porta loo.
Cruising Granny said
06:06 AM Sep 27, 2012
The simple things of life, eh? I used my on-board dunny when I had to go "potty" during the night, 3 or 4 times prior to the surgery which restored my fluid levels, fixed the high blood pressure and allowed me to retain the potassium I'd consumed. Now it's the pantry. Life is what we make it, and taking the "dunny digger" and the rolls for a run, could be the highlight of someone's day or evening. They just don't make bushes like they used to, when they're needed most. A big truck can double as cover for these natural events. Public toilets and roadhouses, and now some parking bays provide relief for travellers. Nothing is as hard as it seems.
Sheba said
06:31 AM Sep 27, 2012
During the day, so far, I've only used Public Toilets, and have a lidded container for night-time, which gets emptied next morning, at the first Toilet Block I come to.
My longest trip so far though, has only been about a week.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Esmeralda said
06:47 AM Sep 27, 2012
I have a porta potti and very glad about it too. When it is pouring rain in the middle of the night or it is -3, there is no way that I will go a dig a hole or even head off for a caravan park toilet. Used to keep the pp under the table but now have a cupboard built under the bed. Also my knees no longer allow for squatting - fine when you are not getting on in years, but .........
Evie n Rhys said
06:55 AM Sep 27, 2012
I have one too and also have a fold up shower tent when needed. Don't use it all the time but sure comes in handy at times. Welcome to the site.
vkgreenie said
12:33 PM Sep 27, 2012
We travel with a Dometic Porta Potti. It has a pressure flush, however only used at nights for a piddley pee. Just mix up two caps of the Woolies brand Nappie San, a couple drops of dish washing liquid, mix with warm water, pour into the holding tank and..........................perfection.
We empty the holding tank at dump points....not an issue for us, although we have expereinced the third world jobbie houses in various forms.
My bride is a 10 star camper, so disapperaing into the bush is a real no no.
We are comfortable in our set up. We don't have an internel shower or toilet in our RertoLiner, however I have built an external annex off the back of the van, for times when we need to protect the other campers from viewing our body beautifuls (he he!!) when showering, or other neccessities of life.
Cheers & beers
-- Edited by vkgreenie on Thursday 27th of September 2012 12:34:22 PM
Dougwe said
02:01 PM Sep 27, 2012
Cruising Granny wrote:
The simple things of life, eh? I used my on-board dunny when I had to go "potty" during the night, 3 or 4 times prior to the surgery which restored my fluid levels, fixed the high blood pressure and allowed me to retain the potassium I'd consumed. Now it's the pantry. Life is what we make it, and taking the "dunny digger" and the rolls for a run, could be the highlight of someone's day or evening. They just don't make bushes like they used to, when they're needed most. A big truck can double as cover for these natural events. Public toilets and roadhouses, and now some parking bays provide relief for travellers. Nothing is as hard as it seems.
I'm worried CG.
Rip and Rosie said
04:11 PM Sep 27, 2012
We've used public loos, CP toilet blocks, a folding stool with bucket under, bucket with a lid, shovel and a tree................ all have their place, and their problems.
Getting old now and the knees are crook, so squatting isn't the top option any more.
Also have been disgusted at the toilet paper littering our country when not properly buried. Its bad enough that many public loos are revolting, but many corners of camps and rest areas are becoming the same.
In addition, we travel with a van (as opposed to using motels etc) because we can set our own standards with nice linen, crockery, etc. It seems crazy to then use 3rd world toilet habits.
Personally, I don't want to contribute to the white streamers marking stinky little mounds of waste all over this country. As we pick up after the dogs, and take our garbage with us, we will not be leaving our personal waste on the ground either.
We have recently purchased a portapottie and I'm looking foreward to the next trip to try it out.
Happywanderer said
06:15 PM Sep 27, 2012
I hope you got the 20 litre and not the 10 litre Rosie. I have the 10 litre and find the height a bit low for the knees so have swapped with my son who had a 20 litre in his camper trailer. He won't mind. lol
Rip and Rosie said
06:39 PM Sep 27, 2012
I checked Marj, 20 litre....... will be fine on the knees, but where to store it.
Happywanderer said
07:18 PM Sep 27, 2012
Myrtle doesn't have a lot of room. I took one of the single seats out in the house part and it sits there, can be used as anothert seat. Just looking for a square cushion to make it look pretty.
Oxley said
07:28 PM Sep 27, 2012
I had one in my caravan many years ago, stored in the shower area, but I refused to use it, I just don't like having my ablutions that close to where I eat and prepare food, might have been the old boy scout in me (and the caravan was sometimes unusable after somebody had been) but the wife and kids wouldn't use it if put it outside in suitable tent.
Thank the maker for divorce, I made sure I got the van, and she got the porta potty.
Bent Axle Bob said
07:56 PM Sep 27, 2012
Last trip I went up the west coast and stopped for 3 weeks at Cleaverville Wilderness Camp. As the name suggests, it is a wilderness, no water, no toilets only a dump point, thus on board toilets or porta pottis ARE a requirement. That being said, it is a remarkable spot and I will be heading back there next year, probably in June for another extended stay
I have no doubt there are other sites where the situation would require a pp
Beth54 said
09:33 PM Sep 27, 2012
My first stage of NOT going bush, was a chair from the camping shop, with a hole in the middle. You could either clip in a plastic bag, or dig a hole underneath. It was okay, but the porta loo is much better. I'm finally getting used to emptying it, but it's taken awhile. Disposable gloves are a must. Particularly when you see the mess some people make of emptying at the dump point.
As well as my knee problems, other health problems mean I couldn't be without the porta loo these days.
Solo Steve said
01:26 AM Sep 28, 2012
After taking in all the comments I think I'll start out potti free and buy one on the road if necessary
Beth54 said
01:28 AM Sep 28, 2012
Solo Steve wrote:
After taking in all the comments I think I'll start out potti free and buy one on the road if necessary
You may have gotten more info than you really needed Steve!
It's completely up to you Steve. If you're happy to dig a hole, go for it. Make sure you bury it well though.
I've had a porta loo for several years now, mainly because of crook knees.
Oh, and welcome to the site.
-- Edited by Beth54 on Wednesday 26th of September 2012 06:39:25 PM
G'day all
Im gearing up for my fulltime trip and seek your opinion as to whether a Porta Potti type toilet is really needed
or will a shovel suffice. Of course it would be preferable to have for free camping but will take up a fair bit of room
in the van.
Thanks
Steve
Steve
Men would be able to time their visits to the loos for during the day and behind a tree maybe at night. Just depends where you are camping.
As someone said on here, the only dumb question is the one you don't ask. So ask away!
I notice you're a '54 model like me. A very good year!
If you just "Had to go" with no bush where you could use your shovel, and theres nobody sharing your caravan to complain about any odours, you'd be ok. A bucket can be ok for overnight if it is emptied using said shovel.
Steve, you asked your question at 5.23pm. They were probably all at Happy Hour. lol
I had read it earlier, but decided to answer once I had cooked tea.
Rosie, do I take it that you don't have to wee in the night?
If so, I'm impressed! 
And yes Beth '54 produced an excellent vintage.
Cheers Steve
I just have a camp toilet bucket with a seat and lid on it. Even though 52 was a good vintage as well I find the shovel bit just a bit difficult these days if you need more than a tree. Plus you don't know who was behind that tree before you. A little comfort is all I ask these days. I use the Nappy San idea as well in my mobile toot.
I wouldn't be without a porta loo.
Now it's the pantry.
Life is what we make it, and taking the "dunny digger" and the rolls for a run, could be the highlight of someone's day or evening.
They just don't make bushes like they used to, when they're needed most.
A big truck can double as cover for these natural events.
Public toilets and roadhouses, and now some parking bays provide relief for travellers. Nothing is as hard as it seems.
During the day, so far, I've only used Public Toilets, and have a lidded container for night-time, which gets emptied next morning, at the first Toilet Block I come to.
My longest trip so far though, has only been about a week.
Cheers,
Sheba.
I have a porta potti and very glad about it too. When it is pouring rain in the middle of the night or it is -3, there is no way that I will go a dig a hole or even head off for a caravan park toilet. Used to keep the pp under the table but now have a cupboard built under the bed. Also my knees no longer allow for squatting - fine when you are not getting on in years, but .........
Welcome to the site.
We travel with a Dometic Porta Potti. It has a pressure flush, however only used at nights for a piddley pee. Just mix up two caps of the Woolies brand Nappie San, a couple drops of dish washing liquid, mix with warm water, pour into the holding tank and..........................perfection.
We empty the holding tank at dump points....not an issue for us, although we have expereinced the third world jobbie houses in various forms.
My bride is a 10 star camper, so disapperaing into the bush is a real no no.
We are comfortable in our set up. We don't have an internel shower or toilet in our RertoLiner, however I have built an external annex off the back of the van, for times when we need to protect the other campers from viewing our body beautifuls (he he!!) when showering, or other neccessities of life.
Cheers & beers
-- Edited by vkgreenie on Thursday 27th of September 2012 12:34:22 PM
I'm worried CG.
Getting old now and the knees are crook, so squatting isn't the top option any more.
Also have been disgusted at the toilet paper littering our country when not properly buried. Its bad enough that many public loos are revolting, but many corners of camps and rest areas are becoming the same.
In addition, we travel with a van (as opposed to using motels etc) because we can set our own standards with nice linen, crockery, etc. It seems crazy to then use 3rd world toilet habits.
Personally, I don't want to contribute to the white streamers marking stinky little mounds of waste all over this country. As we pick up after the dogs, and take our garbage with us, we will not be leaving our personal waste on the ground either.
We have recently purchased a portapottie and I'm looking foreward to the next trip to try it out.
Thank the maker for divorce, I made sure I got the van, and she got the porta potty.
Last trip I went up the west coast and stopped for 3 weeks at Cleaverville Wilderness Camp. As the name suggests, it is a wilderness, no water, no toilets only a dump point, thus on board toilets or porta pottis ARE a requirement. That being said, it is a remarkable spot and I will be heading back there next year, probably in June for another extended stay
I have no doubt there are other sites where the situation would require a pp
My first stage of NOT going bush, was a chair from the camping shop, with a hole in the middle. You could either clip in a plastic bag, or dig a hole underneath. It was okay, but the porta loo is much better. I'm finally getting used to emptying it, but it's taken awhile. Disposable gloves are a must. Particularly when you see the mess some people make of emptying at the dump point.
As well as my knee problems, other health problems mean I couldn't be without the porta loo these days.
You may have gotten more info than you really needed Steve!
You could always make your own like this one -