🚐 Toilets Made Simple: The Best Toilet Options for Campervans and Motorhomes

Ruth Barber
Nov 15, 2025
4 min read

campervan with selection of portable toilets on display

When chatting about campervan life or planning a motorhome adventure, the topic of toilets comes up pretty quickly!

In this guide, I’ll break down — as simply as possible — the four main toilet options for travelling on the road.

(If you prefer to watch, I’ve also covered this topic on my YouTube channel Vanlife Goodies )

💡 Choosing the Right Campervan Toilet

Your toilet setup will usually depend on three main factors:

1️⃣ The size of your campervan or motorhome

2️⃣ Where you plan to travel (UK or warmer climates)

3️⃣ Whether you’ll mostly wild camp or stay on campsites

Let’s explore each option — with pros, cons, and real-world tips from our own experience.

🚽 Option 1: Chemical Toilet / Cassette Toilet / Portaloo

💰 Cost: Affordable — starting from around £50

Best for: Campsite users or short wild camping trips

Chemical toilets are the classic, budget-friendly solution. They’re made of two parts:

Top half: Seat + fresh water tank for flushing (usually with a “pink” scented liquid)
Bottom half: Waste tank containing chemicals to break down mixed waste and toilet paper.

You use it just like a toilet at home — do your business, flush with the button, open a lever to allow the mixed waste to drop into the bottom section,then close the lever to seal the waste chamber and smells.

When full, it’s emptied at a campsite ELSAN point (or very carefully at home).

White camper van with an open door and extended pop-up roof on a sandy beach, grassy hills in the background under a clear blue sky. — Pop-Top campervan on black rock sands beach

✅ Pros:

Works like a home toilet - minus the emptying
Compact and movable — great for toilet tents or small vans
Low-cost entry option for van life

❌ Cons:

Emptying is unpleasant — you’ll need a strong stomach!
Requires ELSAN points or home disposal
Can smell if left too long
Uses water for flushing , so fills up fast
Some campsites only allow “green” (eco-friendly) chemicals
They don’t look great – In a small space like a campervan your living room is your bedroom and, in some cases, also your bathroom, so having your loo visible isn’t the best look.
However, there are covers with a sponge topper that slide over the top turning your Portaloo into an additional seat … and no one will know- see link below

🧰 Items Needed:

🌱 Option 2: Composting Toilets

💰 Cost: Higher upfront (£250–£700)

Best for: Off-grid travellers and wild campers

Composting toilets are growing in popularity with van lifers because they’re eco-friendly and easy to manage off-grid.

They work by separating liquids and solids, which drastically reduces smell and makes waste disposal simpler.

Liquids: Collected in a bottle and emptied into a toilet, ELSAN point, or (responsibly) outdoors.
Solids: Stored in a biodegradable bag with sawdust or coco coir to absorb moisture. When full, dispose of it like a nappy, in a dog waste or general bin (check local rules).

Lady holding Trelino composting toilet stood infant of small campervan — The Trelino Composting toilet

✅ Pros:

No chemicals or water needed
Odour-free due to waste separation
Environmentally friendly
Easier waste disposal while wild camping
Some models look stylish (like the Trelino!)

❌ Cons:

Expensive upfront
Requires “aim control” to keep liquids and solids separate

🧰 Items Needed:

Composting toilet -
- Blue Diamond is an affordable option - see my thoughts below
- The Trelino is a great modern option — stylish, compact, and odour-free.
We would recommend this, see final thoughts below ( use code VANLIFEGOODIES for £30 worth of extra goodies for free )
- Natures head - much more sophisticated ... and expensive!
Sawdust or coco coir for solid waste bucket

🏕️ Option 3: Campsite Facilities

💰 Cost: Included in campsite fee

Best for: Campers who enjoy site amenities

Campsite toilets vary from basic to luxurious.

Cheaper “wild-style” sites might have simple cubicles and the odd spider watching you poo , while pricier sites can offer spotless facilities with showers , sinks and even heated floors.

RVs parked by a serene lake, surrounded by misty green mountains. Cloudy sky reflects on water, creating a peaceful scene.

✅ Pros:

No waste to deal with
Private, sheltered, and maintained
Free toilet paper (included in your site fee)
Peaceful morning strolls to the loo with sunrise views 🌅

❌ Cons:

Requires cost of campsite stays and planning ahead
Not ideal if you prefer remote wild camping
Can be a walk (or a dash in the rain!) to reach facilities
Some sites can be noisy or crowded

🧰 Items Needed:

A good umbrella for midnight trips!

💡 Tip: Check campsite reviews beforehand — they often mention toilet cleanliness.

🌲 Option 4: Back to Nature (Wild Toileting)

💰 Cost: Free

Best for: True wild campers and off-grid explorers

This is as natural as it gets! When nature calls, you’ll need a bush or a trowel.

For number 1’s — wee away from water sources.

For number 2’s — dig a deep hole, use biodegradable toilet paper, and cover the waste properly.

✅ Pros:

The ultimate “loo with a view”
No chemicals or maintenance
Zero cost and no space taken up in your van

❌ Cons:

Weather exposure (rain, wind, cold)
Requires physical flexibility
Limited privacy-There is always a slight chance you could get caught out, mid flow, by some unsuspecting hiker!
Must follow Leave No Trace principles

🧰 Items Needed:

💡 Tip: Always dig at least 6 inches deep and stay 50+ metres from water sources.

couple sat in a VW crafter campervan looking out onto the countryside — Our new Crafter Campervan

💬 Our Thoughts

We started van life with a simple bucket toilet and lid — a £10 investment that worked surprisingly well for years.

As our adventures grew longer and more off-grid, we upgraded to a composting toilet.Our first model (blue diamond ) worked okay but wasn’t comfortable or stylish.

After reviewing toilets on our YouTube channel we tried the Trelino composting toilet — and honestly, it’s been a game changer. It looks great, doesn’t smell, doubles as a seat, and makes disposal effortless.