The Port-a-Potty

Overview

Aside from the heater, the port-a-potty is the most prized feature of our van. I’ve dreamed about peeing comfortably inside a warm vehicle for a long time. Ladies, just think: no more putting on shoes by headlamp, crawling out of the bed of a truck or tent, braving the bitter cold, finding a level or downward slope of terrain, bearing your booty in the cold, hoping you don’t splash your pajamas, or pondering whether you really want to drink more water so you can avoid all that trouble. I’ve tried everything from gatorade bottles to female urinary directors, and peeing at night while camping just sucks.

Peeing only, no pooing

First off: everything in this post is contingent upon one golden rule.

Peeing only, no pooing, no paper

It’s remarkably easy to clean and doesn’t stink–dispel the stereotype of old, stinky RVs from the 70s. Unless, of course, you break the golden rule.

Order of operations:

1. Pull the grey tab out to open the hole between the top and bottom half.
2. Open the lid. If you mix up 1 & 2, and you traveled to a higher elevation, you’ll get backsplash from the altitude change on the water pressure. Eew.
3. Pee.
4. Throw any paper in the trash.
5. Pump the flusher in the upper left a couple times to wash it down.
6. Close it up.

Cleaning

It’s time to clean when either (a) the indicator starts turning red or (b) it’s been about a week.

1. The port-a-potty comes apart into 2 parts. The bottom is the holding tank for your pee. The top is a holding tank for the clean flushing water.
2. The bottom is easily carry-able with a handle on the back. Take the bottom to an RV dump station or any regular toilet and pour the contents out from the big grey spout.
3. Refill the top with clean water if needed.
4. Reconnect the top and bottom sections.
5. Spray with Lysol and wipe down with a paper towel.

The entire procedure takes about 10 minutes.