The Evolution of RV Toilets: Comparing Traditional, Composting, Incinerator, and Cartridge Toilets
When it comes to the modern RV lifestyle, having the right type of toilet can make or break your travel experience. With various toilet technologies emerging, RV owners now have more options than ever. Let's take a closer look at the traditional RV toilet, composting toilets, incinerator toilets, and cartridge toilets, highlighting the pros, cons, and flexibility they offer.
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1. Traditional RV Toilet
The traditional RV toilet is a water-flush system that dumps waste into a black water tank below. These systems are widely used and familiar to most RV owners, but they do have some limitations.
Pros:
Simple to use and similar to home toilets.
Commonly installed in most RVs, making them readily available.
Standard waste disposal process (using dump stations).
Cons:
Requires regular dumping of the black water tank.
Placement must be directly over the black water tank, which limits design flexibility in your RV layout.
Odor control can be an issue if not maintained well.
2. Composting Toilets
Composting toilets have gained significant popularity, especially for environmentally-conscious RVers or those seeking to avoid the hassle of black water tanks. They use a dry composting system that separates liquid waste from solids, converting solid waste into compostable material.
Pros:
No need for a black water tank or dump stations.
Environmentally friendly—produces compost rather than waste.
Can be placed almost anywhere in the RV, allowing more flexibility in design.
Advancements in technology have improved odor control, making them more user-friendly than ever.
Cons:
Requires more maintenance in terms of stirring the compost and emptying the solids tank.
Learning curve for those unfamiliar with composting systems.
Initial setup costs can be higher compared to traditional toilets.
Notable Models:
Nature’s Head Composting Toilet: Known for its ease of use, compact design, and solid odor control. This toilet requires manual stirring of the compost but is a popular choice for those seeking a greener option.
Separett Villa 9215: This urine-diverting composting toilet separates liquid waste from solids, reducing odor and making disposal easier. It's more technologically advanced, allowing for easier maintenance than earlier composting models.
3. Incinerator Toilets
Incinerator toilets are less common but offer a completely unique solution for waste management. Instead of storing waste, they incinerate it, turning waste into ash that can easily be disposed of.
Pros:
No need for water, tanks, or plumbing.
Waste is reduced to a small amount of sterile ash, making disposal simple.
Can be placed almost anywhere in the RV.
Cons:
Requires electricity or fuel (typically propane) to operate, which can be a limiting factor for off-grid travelers.
Incineration process can be loud, and the system needs time to cool down before the next use.
Initial purchase price and maintenance costs can be higher compared to other toilet types.
Notable Models:
Incinolet: This incinerating toilet is popular for its ease of use and cleanliness. It does require electricity and takes some time to complete the incineration process, but it completely eliminates the need for a waste tank.
4. Cartridge Toilets
Cartridge toilets, also known as cassette toilets, are another alternative that is quite practical for smaller RVs. These systems use a removable waste tank that can be detached and emptied at designated dump stations.
Pros:
Portable waste tank makes it easy to dump without needing to move the entire RV.
More flexibility in toilet placement as it does not require a direct connection to a large black water tank.
Compact design is ideal for smaller RVs or vans.
Cons:
Requires frequent emptying, especially if used by multiple people.
Smaller waste tanks mean more frequent disposal trips.
Although compact, some users may find them less comfortable than full-sized toilets.
Notable Models:
Thetford Porta Potti 565E: This model is highly portable, easy to clean, and comfortable for a cassette toilet. Its small size makes it ideal for RVers who prioritize space-saving solutions.
Design Flexibility: Moving Away from Black Water Tanks
One of the most exciting advancements in RV toilet technology is the freedom to design your RV interior without being tied to a black water tank. Composting, incinerating, and cartridge toilets don’t require placement directly over the black water tank, which opens up new possibilities for floorplans and creative bathroom layouts.
Whether you want to put a toilet in a more unconventional area of the RV, like near a corner or in a modular bathroom space, these newer toilets give you the ability to think outside the box. They also allow for greater flexibility in smaller spaces like van conversions, where traditional RV plumbing would be impossible or too bulky.
Composting Toilets vs. Traditional Black Water Tanks: Not Much of a Difference Anymore
For a long time, people were hesitant to switch to composting toilets because of concerns about odor and the perceived hassle of managing compost. However, modern composting toilets have made significant strides in design, making them far easier to maintain and no worse than dealing with a traditional black water tank.
Advanced features like urine-diversion systems, electric fans for better ventilation, and simplified emptying processes have made composting toilets a practical alternative for full-time RVers. In fact, many RVers report that composting toilets are even less of a hassle than the unpleasant experience of emptying a black water tank at a dump station.
Conclusion
Whether you're opting for a traditional toilet or exploring alternatives like composting, incinerator, or cartridge toilets, each option comes with its own set of benefits. Composting and incinerating toilets offer increased flexibility in design and are environmentally friendly, while cartridge toilets provide a portable and easy-to-maintain solution. For those who are tired of the traditional black water tank system, these alternatives are worth considering, especially if you're aiming for off-grid travel or want more freedom in RV layout design.
With the advancements in composting technology, transitioning away from the conventional RV toilet doesn’t mean compromising on convenience. In fact, it might just make your RV experience a whole lot easier and greener.
