toilet talk - cassette vs. holding tank vs. composting vs. anything else

OKA · Member

toilet talk - cassette vs. holding tank vs. composting vs. anything else

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

The first thing to understand is that the more remote the travel, the less dump points you will see. Our travel habits mean that less than 10% of our toilet waste will go into a dump point.

A casette toilet, used normally, will generally last 2 people for 3 or 4 days before it needs emptying. If you cant find a dump point, you will need to dig a hole somewhere that won't be "discovered" by someone else accidentally. That needs a decent shovel and 10 minutes and the 20L casette can be carried to the hole and emptied.
Usage is "normal", with faeces and urine flushed with water into the same tank.

A holding tank could be 20L or it could be 100L. Either way, it is a fixture under the vehicle. Physically emptying it requires the vehicle to be close to the dump point. That is easy if there is a dump point available. Carrying the contents any distance is problematic. Emptying frequency is obviously dependent on its capacity. Great solution for a large vehicle with a large capacity tank that spends its time mainly in tourist presincts with dump points available.'
Again, usage is "normal", with faeces and urine flushed with water into the same tank.

Composting toilets are characterised by the requirement to separate urine and faeces and no flushing water is used. This happens while it is used by the design of the bowl. Urine goes into a seperate container of a few litres (needing emptying every couple of days) or a larger tank under the floor with longer emptying frequency. The faeces drop into a tank which includes a composting agent where it is mixed manually each time it is used with an external lever and kept slightly damp to compost. A tiny fan runs consistently to keep smells outside and to keep the moisture level under control. The composting mass is emptied into a compostible plastic bag every 3-4 weeks. It can be disposed of into a normal rubbish bin or burried in the bush.

Each option has its own advantages. We have used a traditional cassette successfully in the bush for many years. Our new build vehicle will have a composting toilet.
Cheers,
Peter

BAZZA44 · Senior Member

Our first van with a toilet was had a holding tank and as Peter said you have to find somewhere with a dump point to empty it. This entails connecting a sewage hose to the tank fitting and to the dump point to empty. Very restrictive, even in van parks because you have to park next to the dump point.

The van we have now has a cassette and can be emptied almost anywhere, can carry to a dump point or dig a hole like Peter. Easy.

I am not sold on composting toilets.

Barry

woolman · Guru

Having used bothholding tank and cassette, cassette wins hands down, especially when you have a second cassette. Mainly is that I am not required to take motor home to dump point. I do lat tow a car behind motorhome. The other issue I found was a lot of dump points are above road hieght it it is really hard to push s#$#$t up hill from a onboard tank. . A tank and tote tank is another option, maybe in some minds

It is horses for courses. Reaally think about how you i tend to be camping.

Neil

86GTS · Guru

I'm a cassette man myself. We don't stay in CP's very often but when we do I like walking thru a busy caravan park carrying our full cassette to the dump point to empty it.
I've noticed that other campers veer out of the way pretending that they haven't seen you. A bit like when Jesus parted the waters of the Red Sea.
No-one speaks to you even on the way back. It doesn't bite, its only s**t. biggrin

KevinJ · Senior Member

86GTS wrote:
I'm a cassette man myself. We don't stay in CP's very often but when we do I like walking thru a busy caravan park carrying our full cassette to the dump point to empty it.
I've noticed that other campers veer out of the way pretending that they haven't seen you. A bit like when Jesus parted the waters of the Red Sea.
No-one speaks to you even on the way back. It doesn't bite, its only s**t.

You should carry it on your shoulder. That would get some comment.

OKA · Member

Thanks everyone for their collective wisdom and wit!
Looks like the votes are in and cassette's get the cigar.
Dave

On The Move · Member

We carry a porta poti 365 as well as our cassette
Using the cassette for night time and porta poti for No2
When free camping gives us approx 7days in the bush before finding a dump point

Ray

Bulldozer · Senior Member

Wow you guys do it Tuff! in the bush, I think I'll just stick to caravan parks, my wife likes 5 stars, well sometimes 4 stars. I get the job of cooking and emptying the dunny, maintaining the car and van. the wife gets the job of sleeping in.

Onedodger · Guru

Another vote for the Cassette plus we have a second one for those times we cannot dig a hole or the dump point is not handy.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

We have black storage tank . I have an old sealed paint bucket with small hole in top to empty if theres no access to dump point ? . It has a good pump on it . I find emptying when you can is the best !! Never know when the next drop point is !! Although the red centre is easy to dig and bury wast . Which btw is mainly water ! Almost no solids . The pump does a good job of mincing ! 15m hose gets most places . Then flush with grey / fresh water .,

-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Wednesday 20th of April 2022 08:24:51 PM

Whenarewethere · Guru

To avoid using your bucket when possible:

https://toiletmap.gov.au/

Are We Lost · Guru

Thanks Whenarewethere. That link could come in useful at times.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Removing all the pre-installed rubbish on phones & installing "bucket" info would save infinitely more of societies issues & reduce stress!

I always mention this link to people, often if a funny non embarrassing way, & all have been very appreciative.

Pradokakadudavid · Senior Member

One of the most useful accessories I bought with my caravan was an additional Thetford toilet cassette. Added to a suitably sized, sealed plastic box to hold the cassette when full (from Bunnings) I simply remove the full cassette, replace it immediately with the second, empty cassette and then place the "sealed" plastic crate that contains the full cassette into my 4x4 until I get to a dump point. This simple procedure has made life in the bush very easy. I also bought three sealed plastic buckets from Bunnings that I can also use to store excess toilet waste until I get to a dump point, if I need to. Coping with the limitations of one toilet cassette is something that you don't have to do, albeit it with a bit of extra expense.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I have a pump off my black tank . It also works as sludge pump
Breaking things up ! Hose is long enough to reach most dump points . Im
Sure some are installed so they cannot be used ? In most cases its fluid anyway !! Everyone seems to deny doing # 2s ! Except my grandson .