Porta Potti: a good idea or not?

[Ozzy Pete]

Pete, imagine yourself on the ale all night and having to pee through a drinking straw! (The actual shewee isn’t as narrow as a drinking straw, but the analogy will help you see what I mean).

Can’t get the image out of my head....Thanks for that.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Little Granddaughters at a festival last weekend wouldn’t use the portaloos and both needed a poo so put some loo roll to line the bowl of the Thetford 335 and green chemical in the tank. Flushed well and the bowl was clean. All emptied easily into the Elsan tank next morning, no problem.

Luckily the loo was in a loo/shower tent as the littlest princess smells like a farmyard when she goes. we heard the people in the tent next door laughing their heads off when she shouted at the top of her voice, “I’VE FINISHED! I NEED A GROWN UP!”

You’ve seen nothing till you’ve seen your grandchildren’s bum in the air ready to be wiped...but isn’t that what grandparents are for?

 

[dripster]

I must this is a hilarious distraction from a rather rubbish day at work. Keep it going!

 

[Cali Phillip]

You’ve seen nothing till you’ve seen your grandchildren’s bum in the air ready to be wiped...but isn’t that what grandparents are for?

The image is now etched…

 

[Bellcrew]

Little Granddaughters at a festival last weekend wouldn’t use the portaloos and both needed a poo so put some loo roll to line the bowl of the Thetford 335 and green chemical in the tank. Flushed well and the bowl was clean. All emptied easily into the Elsan tank next morning, no problem.

Luckily the loo was in a loo/shower tent as the littlest princess smells like a farmyard when she goes. we heard the people in the tent next door laughing their heads off when she shouted at the top of her voice, “I’VE FINISHED! I NEED A GROWN UP!”

I suspect a lot of the negativity about the delightful 335 is related to the rather heroic attitude of a number of men who can apparently dump practically anywhere without a care in the world.
The basic requirements of tots and most women are ignored or wished away, in the real world most are happy to have a decent solution to what is often a pressing problem.

 

[BikerGran]

Unfortunately, you can’t really disguise one of these by sticking in an Aspidistra and passing it off as an ornate plant pot. Not to worry, a stool it shall be! Thanks

I chuck a folded throw over mine and people are really surprised when I say it's my loo underneath.

 

[Anthony1]

I chuck a folded throw over mine and people are really surprised when I say it's my loo underneath.

Stool being the operative word.

 

[Wildcamper]

If you will use it then a good idea if you are not going to use it then a poor idea.

 

[trev0rk]

If you will use it then a good idea if you are not going to use it then a poor idea.

I bought a portapotty when I bought my van, fits under the bed.
If we never use it, it will be too soon.
We don't wildcamp though.

 

[GrannyJen]

I chuck a folded throw over mine and people are really surprised when I say it's my loo underneath.

My favourite story.

Coming into France from Belgium. Two cars overtake me and another pulls behind. Then the back window of the one closest in front illuminates.... "DOUANE.... FOLLOW ME".

I'm pulled off the Autoroute to a garage where two hatchet-faced female customs officers tear into my van, every draw, every cupboard ....

Meanwhile I'm talking to "Le Boss", who being surprised that I am not heading off to Calais but instead stopping in Arras get's interested when I am telling him I'm there because of the Imperial War Museum in London and giving talks on "Le Grand Guerre".

Hatchet faces continue to tear Albert apart whilst me and "le commandant" are in earnest conversation talking about "Le Grande Guerre".

Hatchet-faces interrupt. They want to know what's in "Le carton". covered over with a nice Dunelm cover. I try to explain but their boss is now really getting into the battle of Arras. With a resigned Gallic shrug they pull off the Dunelm cover ... with excitement thinking they are about to discover my stache of illicit Eastern European Fags ....

and with horror find themselves invited to plunge into my bog ... a Thetford 335!!!

I was on my way shortly after .......

 

[calimera]

We still have a brand new still in plastic Thetford 335 toilet In the sale section on forum.Some one has offered to pay by PayPal on gumtree to hold it until we back from holiday.
Is it good to accept prepayment by PayPal ?

 

[CaliforniaPhil]

We still have a brand new still in plastic Thetford 335 toilet In the sale section on forum.Some one has offered to pay by PayPal on gumtree to hold it until we back from holiday.
Is it good to accept prepayment by PayPal ?

No, the buyer can reverse the transaction for no reason and the money is taken from your account and returned. For the cost, its not viable to pursue it in court.

This is probably very rare but common on ebay.

They might be upstanding people, they must be they are a member of the California Club, gumtree, not sure.

Cash or bank transfer is best.

 

[calimera]

Thank you so kind , helpful reply. Not a member of this forum. A stranger on gumtree.
Sold our 2016 Cali a few weeks ago by bank transfer.

 

[andyinluton]

.Some one has offered to pay by PayPal on gumtree to hold it until we back from holiday.
Is it good to accept prepayment by PayPal ?

If they gift you the money on paypal it’s none refundable, there are no fees & it’s not linked to you sending them something.

If they send it as payment for a purchase, they can request a refund, you do pay fees etc.

If they actually intend collecting when you get back from holiday just tell them to pay cash on pick up & say you will hold it for them.

 

[Deskman]

I've got one for free - we never used it. Even if we rarely camp in a place with extra facilities.
A bit of planning to get a coffee or dinner made the PP useless for the last seven years. We had only two times to dig an emergency hole in the woods.
Apart from that, I wouldn't say I like to use the van as a toilet.

 

[SamSara]

No, the buyer can reverse the transaction for no reason and the money is taken from your account and returned. For the cost, its not viable to pursue it in court.

This is probably very rare but common on ebay.

They might be upstanding people, they must be they are a member of the California Club, gumtree, not sure.

Cash or bank transfer is best.

Yep, a current scam thats catching a few

 

[OooOooTheMonkey]

Yep, a current scam thats catching a few

PayPal are now wise to this. I had to genuinely make a claim due to being sent a damaged item and the seller refused to accept liability even though they were at fault. PayPal required a written report from an industry specialist before granting my claim and wouldn’t budge without it.

 

[jts46]

We bought a365

 

[bungiebananahead]

565p best thing we ever brought and has already paid for itself on the campsite fees also opened up a whole load of sites that we would have not been able to stay at.

 

[RoB5urf]

We bought a 335 after lock-down when some sites re-opened but not their facilities. It rarely, if ever, gets used but the Mrs refuses to let me get rid of it. I don't like having stuff in the van that doesn't earn its keep!

 

[Arnoob]

We used to be cycling/camping Europe for decades and never missed a Porta Potti. But it is different living in a campervan and now we are very satisfied with our PP 345. When not in use it is covered and used as a sidetable. No urge to get outside in bad weather (we camp all year).

 

[Dingbat]

I have a brand new PP 335..never been used..too low to “squat down” + may “miss”? As a lone Cali person, l use a “surgical/medical” bottle!

 

[Elly Swanson]

I have a brand new PP 335..never been used..too low to “squat down” + may “miss”? As a lone Cali person, l use a “surgical/medical” bottle!

You could sit it on top of a 18litre “Really useful” box to bring it to a decent height. You can’t do a number 2 in a surgical bottle if you’re caught short and desperate! You can use the 20cm high box for storage.

 

[Roger Boeken]

Chemical toilets are the past, composting toilets better alternativ. No liquids, no chemicals, easier to dispose, less maintenance. We replaced porta potti with trobolo wandago, much more comfortable.

 

[chockswahay]

Chemical toilets are the past, composting toilets better alternativ. No liquids, no chemicals, easier to dispose, less maintenance. We replaced porta potti with trobolo wandago, much more comfortable.

I just had a look at the website, it does look quite good (apart from the price) however I have a few questions you might be able to answer as a confirmed user please.

1. Does the poo lid need replacing/removing each time?
2. Same for the pee lid?
2. Will it fit inside my Dunelm loo ottoman?
3. I assume that regardless of answer to Q1/2 it will need the lids on whilst driving.
4. Regarding smells I thought composting toilets need time for anerobic action to occur.... but is this not simply a pile of poo in a bag?

Direct question I know, but this is a toilet thread

Edit: just had another look, it seems like the 'Lite' version would suit, and I have read the bit about the litter so assume Q4 above no longer relevant

TROBOLO WandaGO Lite

Minimalistic composting toilet TROBOLO WandaGO Lite. Even lighter, even more compact, even smaller. Flyweight composting toilet.

trobolo.com