Public camping- what is your toilet options

[threedogs]

Hello guys and ladies,

I love to spend time in public camping spots but unfortunately the toilet makes a big issue for us.

What do you do for your toilet needs during family camping in public places.
Thanks

Next time Im up that way you should come fishing with us, we go to Bearii which
I hope you're familiar with,
Way too hot over summer to be comfortable
A few of us go a few times a year, all going well

[BigRAWesty]

Porta loo and pop up shower tent.
Shit is sorted...

[growler2058]

Nearest river, then chuck in a line

[NissanGQ4.2]

Option 3 - a portapotti. We have used these extensively ...BUT... don’t use the chemicals which get sold for them. Not only do they destroy the working of any septic system the contents are tipped in, the chemicals smell as bad, if not worse than the ‘deposits’ for what the toilet was designed. The smell of the chemicals was pervasive through our vehicle when we used them, & emptying the potti was pretty rank too. Instead like many others, we now use generic napisan, look for the ones with the most Sodium Percarbonate. 34% or better will do the job, or alternatively go to your local home brew shop & buy 100% sodium percabonate (used for cleaning beer bottles). We’ve only ever used the nappy wash, a 1 KG container will last for ages & it’s cheaper than the chemicals as well as being septic safe.

Method: When setting up the portapotti cover the floor of the lower container with water & add 2 to 4 heaped teaspoons of the powder. Add another teaspoon after each ‘deposit’ & flush. Sloshing around in the vehicle when driving helps breakdown, but if it is left at camp for a while & you get any smell, just add a bit more. Works really well, & although emptying is never going to be a job you look forward to, it is much improved.

Do not buy nappy washes with added fragrances etc- just the cheaper ‘oxy action’ stuff will do. Only put plain water in the top tank. Once in a while lubricate the sliding seal with a little olive oil, spray on is easiest. An aerosol bought for the purpose will last for years.

Thanks Cuppa, need 2 purchase more chemical so will try your method instead

[MyGU8]

Porta loo and pop up shower tent.
Shit is sorted...

Saw that in Carters Beach and thought that was THE public toilet, but was told (not when I used it, but when I asked) it was private.

[MyGU8]

Option 1- a seat over a hole where possible, but obviously in well utilised camp spots holes full of crap everywhere are not on.

Option 2 - seat over a container containing compostable (not just biodegradeable which can take 2 years to break down) bags - can be disposed of in long drops or buried. Wheel bags are useful for carrying used bags to disposal points, avoiding any smell inside the vehicle. Best if used for ’solids only’.

Option 3 - a portapotti. We have used these extensively ...BUT... don’t use the chemicals which get sold for them. Not only do they destroy the working of any septic system the contents are tipped in, the chemicals smell as bad, if not worse than the ‘deposits’ for what the toilet was designed. The smell of the chemicals was pervasive through our vehicle when we used them, & emptying the potti was pretty rank too. Instead like many others, we now use generic napisan, look for the ones with the most Sodium Percarbonate. 34% or better will do the job, or alternatively go to your local home brew shop & buy 100% sodium percabonate (used for cleaning beer bottles). We’ve only ever used the nappy wash, a 1 KG container will last for ages & it’s cheaper than the chemicals as well as being septic safe.

Method: When setting up the portapotti cover the floor of the lower container with water & add 2 to 4 heaped teaspoons of the powder. Add another teaspoon after each ‘deposit’ & flush. Sloshing around in the vehicle when driving helps breakdown, but if it is left at camp for a while & you get any smell, just add a bit more. Works really well, & although emptying is never going to be a job you look forward to, it is much improved.

Do not buy nappy washes with added fragrances etc- just the cheaper ‘oxy action’ stuff will do. Only put plain water in the top tank. Once in a while lubricate the sliding seal with a little olive oil, spray on is easiest. An aerosol bought for the purpose will last for years.

Cuppa, most useful post, thanks.

[Patrol'n]

For family camping we use a kookaburra bush dunny (almost the same as the ironman fold up type as the missus WILL NOT squat behind a tree), with a pop up shower tent. If we can we can dig a hole with a compostible bag as a liner, otherwise if not then a double garbage bag and take the waste out, we then use saw dust to put in over the waste as it pretty much cancels any smells and seems to prevent any leakages at least so far for us.

We do make sure in those circumstances that we use good quality strong bags that can be properly tied up, and don't store them inside the vehicle before disposal, just in case....... Wheel bag seems the best option for us thus far, then dispose of at suitable disposal point.

[rusty_nail]

im sorry but can i just ask, why is using public toilets a problem? is that what you mean? or are you saying when there are no toilets available? if thats what you mean tegan and I take a pop up toilet tent and have a fold-able toilet seat, its made from woven plastic so when we get home we just hose it off to clean it. we dig a decent hole and make sure that everything gets buried nice and deep.

[BigRAWesty]

im sorry but can i just ask, why is using public toilets a problem? is that what you mean? or are you saying when there are no toilets available? if thats what you mean tegan and I take a pop up toilet tent and have a fold-able toilet seat, its made from woven plastic so when we get home we just hose it off to clean it. we dig a decent hole and make sure that everything gets buried nice and deep.

It's a women thing..
I don't understand my wife's fobia either..

[Cuppa]

im sorry but can i just ask, why is using public toilets a problem? is that what you mean? or are you saying when there are no toilets available? if thats what you mean tegan and I take a pop up toilet tent and have a fold-able toilet seat, its made from woven plastic so when we get home we just hose it off to clean it. we dig a decent hole and make sure that everything gets buried nice and deep.

It does seem that some people have a ’thing’ about using public toilets, & especially ‘long drops’.
Not us though. Our Portapotti is for when camped at places where there is no public toilet & digging holes is inappropriate or as is not uncommon - impossible because of hard/rocky ground.