Reply With QuoteWhen I read the title of your thread, my first thought was....
"Just take a seat and let nature take its course, one or both options will present themselves."
Sorry, can't help with your decision.
Wizard
SupporterHi Guys, and Galls,
Not sure if this is the right spot to post this but.. I am currently designing/building my overland camper and I was wondering about the different toilet options. I know oz parks and other locations require you to have one these days and I am not against having one since I have a bit of a bowel problem from time to time so having that privacy and peace of mind is perfect.
There are 3 generic options that I can see:
- composting toilet
- chemical toilet
- "normal" toilet, aka with black water tank
The composting toilet to me is the least attractive of them all. So far as I can tell they are not actually composting at all since composting takes a long long time, it's simply a euphemism for "kinda dry toilet that you can toss in the bin". Since as I noted I do have some bowel issues from time to time, I won't be able to keep it dry at all (sorry for those who think in images...) so it really is not a workable solution. Also, you need a composting agent and though you may find that in the city, I doubt I can find it somewhere in the okavango -g-
The chemical toilet, well I have one and they work just fine. I see their advantages as being portable (well lugable) and no matter how inconvenient the drop facility is situated, you can get there on foot. That is all the advantages I can see though. The chemicals means that I can't just dump it whilst on the road in case of emergency (I mean, if it overflows... you HAVE to find a solution). I am aware that there are environmentally suitable replacements for the chemicals that MIGHT fix that problem but... I dunno. Also, you can't just empty them in a toilet or the sewage system because of said chemicals I would think.
The normal toilet of course comes with two huge penalties; it's fixed or nailed into place and it requires a seperate tank. The advantage is that the tank can be bigger, you would not be adding chemicals and stuff so in case of emergency one could (at least partially) run a but off and since I would use the type that you have on board yachts it would have a macerator pump so it would already be pulp. Also, you can simply empty them into the sewage system even when there is no special facility available.
Now, I don't know anything about Australian camping whatsoever so I am not sure which of these facilities is easier to find and what is or is not wise to do. I am hoping the braintrust here has some experience and advice.
Cheers,
-P
Wizard
SubscriberWhen I read the title of your thread, my first thought was....
"Just take a seat and let nature take its course, one or both options will present themselves."
Sorry, can't help with your decision.
There is no eraser on the pencil of life.
Now - Not a Land Rover (2018 Dmax)
Was - 2008 D3 SE 4.0l V6
Was - 2000 D2 TD5 with much fruit.
Ray
Wizard
SupporterPlan for public toilets I guess. Pray MacDonalds burger outlets have reached the most remote parts of the world - free toilets.Originally Posted by prelude
Out in the wild what spoils a place is seeing toilet paper everywhere. Where soil is moist the plants/bacteria/etc will quickly take care of the dung - paper is very resistant to break down. Bury your business and burn the paper where safe to do so.
In the Netherlands, what do people do with cat litter (zeolites). You could have a dry toilet using zeolite, moisture and smell absorbent. But how to dispose? Expense? Seems your choice is chemical or black water.
Super Moderator
The big question, are you travelling alone?
A composting toilet will last 14~21 person days. The absorbent material, coconut husk is readily available, cheap, light and easy to store.
I reckon the contents of a composting unit will be easier to dispose of, than emptying a cassette. There are far more rubbish bins than approved dump points.
In my opinion, the greatest disadvantage with the composting loo is the size.
I assume you have watched the various YouTube videos on the subject.
If you don't like trucks, stop buying stuff.
Wizard
SupporterYeah, that would be the best option!When I read the title of your thread, my first thought was....
"Just take a seat and let nature take its course, one or both options will present themselves."Just not the drivers seat maybe...
Cat litter, that had not occurred to me yet. Bit weird, could work. I think from what I have seen so far it's basically a plastic bag in a bucket which contains the composting stuff and when it's full/ no longer working / whatever they just toss it in the garbage. I guess that could work but not very fond of it since it will smell, a lot, or I need to clean out the litter box often
Yeah, I know about the toilet paper etiquette but I guess that with the macerator it will also be chopped into paper mache.
That said, I was not planning to ever have to dump waste but you know, things happen, needs must be and all one needs to find a solution, perhaps I should not let it get in the way of my plans on the other hand, I would feel so much more bothered being forced to deal with a chemical toilet "spill" whereas a "normal" toilet spill in my eyes is similar to just doing your business in the bush...
Cheers,
-P
Wizard
Supporterheh, we were typing at the same time
Yes I have been over the tubes. The one thing that keeps coming up is that you need to separate the wet from the solid for it to work at all and if you have, like me, a lot of shall we say wetter bowel movements I reckon it becomes unworkable, but I may be wrong on that. Mind you, no toilet at all would mean that in emergencies (and with my bowles...) it gets a bit embarrassing so any form of toilet is generally better
No, I will be traveling with my partner and as has been mentioned before, I will be traveling all over the world with the same vehicle so I kinda need a solution that works everywhere. The coconut husk for example, I'm sure I can find in in oz, but will I find it in Africa?
Yes, cassette's have only great advantage and that is that they are portable. A black water tank needs you to get the car close to a sewer or whatever you have available to dump it's contents.
-P
Super Moderator
Bowel issues could be mitigated with diet. Give up alcohol and chocolate, survive on hard cheese.That way you might be able to hold on until you get here.
I wonder if kitty litter would work in a composting dunny.
If you don't like trucks, stop buying stuff.
Wizard
SupporterBowel issues could be mitigated with diet. Give up alcohol and chocolate, survive on hard cheese.
I wonder if kitty litter would work in a composting dunny.it's not THAT simple but I'll certainly have a few drinks with some of youz WHEN I get there, provided any of you would want to risk it...
-P
Super Moderator
I'll take you up on that Prelude, but I might wait until after your first toilet visit.
-P
ETA?
If you don't like trucks, stop buying stuff.
YarnMaster
SupporterI have a cassette type but one mob I saw just had a folding frame with a seat that a plastic bag hung from. Did their business , tied the neck of the bag in a knot then dumped it in the next rubbish bin they passed.
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