Let’s be honest: No one gets into RV life for the toilet experience. But if you’ve spent any amount of time on the road (like my wife and I in our seven years RVing), you know just how important a good waste setup can be. Heck, if you’ve road-tripped in a regular vehicle and had to use a gas station or fast-food bathroom, you understand and appreciate a good personal toilet setup. You also come to understand that a good toilet experience can happen in different ways — be that porcelain thrones or portable toilets.
Personally, we’ve always had a traditional black tank system in our RVs. But over the years, we’ve seen just about every option out there. We’ve walked through countless RV shows. We’ve watch and eventually created more YouTube and Instagram demos than we’d like to admit. (And yes, that includes the awkward dump station how-tos.) Of course, we’ve also seen our fellow campers handling their portable setups at sites across the country. Trust us, we’ve seen it all.
Now, one of the most frequently asked questions we hear from RV newcomers and weekend warriors is about “those removable toilets.” What are portable toilets? How do they work? And are they actually better than a regular black tank setup?
So today, we’re giving you the full information dump on cassette, portable, and composting toilets in RV life.
Portable Toilets: For Mobile Business
Portable toilets are standalone, self-contained toilet systems that don’t require permanent installation or a plumbing connection. Think of them as upgraded versions of what you’d see at a festival, but cleaner, more efficient, and (hopefully) less disgusting.
You’ll usually find these in smaller rigs like teardrop trailers, Class Bs, or pop-up campers where space and plumbing are limited. Some folks even add them to their vehicle setup for boondocking or off-grid convenience.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to move
- Great for tent campers or car campers
- No complicated plumbing required
- Ideal for quick overnight stops or off-grid flexibility
- Simple to clean and affordable to replace
Cons
- Small capacity means frequent dumping
- Manual dump process (yes, you have to carry it)
- Limited ventilation can cause odors
- Not ideal for full-time or long-term travel
- Not designed for long-term heavy use
Cassette Toilets: A More Manageable Dump
Cassette toilets are a sort of hybrid. They’re usually permanently built into the RV like a traditional toilet, but they use a removable black tank (called a cassette) that you pull out from an exterior hatch to empty. They’re most common in European rigs and smaller Class Bs, but we’re starting to see them pop up more frequently in other smaller RVs here in the States.
We’ve toured a lot of rigs with cassette toilets and talked to plenty of owners. While they can be a great space-saver, they definitely come with trade-offs.
Pros
- Built-in toilet with minimal space requirements
- Newer RVs tend to have easy exterior access for removal and dumping
- Doesn’t require a full plumbing system or traditional black tank setup
- Great for compact RVs and vans
- Can be dumped into many public toilets, pit toilets, or dump stations
- Newer models sometimes include an electric flush and small rinse reservoir
Cons
- Small tank size fills quickly
- Needs to be dumped every couple of days with regular use
- Public dump stations or restrooms are often required and not always allowed or available
- Carrying a full cassette through a public area isn’t exactly glamorous
- Some models don’t have a vent, which can lead to odor
- Waste tank seals can wear out and need replacing over time
Composting Toilets: Down-to-Earth Solution
Another increasingly popular option among #vanlifers, schoolies, and frequent boondockers is the composting toilet. Unlike portable or cassette toilets, composting models separate solids and liquids, using natural breakdown processes instead of chemicals or water.
We’ve seen composting toilets pop up in a lot of Class B rigs and custom builds at RV shows, and they definitely have a loyal following — especially among off-grid travelers and eco-conscious RVers.
Pros
- No black tank required
- Waterless and chemical-free
- Solids container can last weeks before needing to be emptied
- Liquids can be easily disposed of in appropriate facilities
- Environmentally friendly and great for off-grid use
Cons
- More expensive upfront than other options
- Learning curve for proper use and maintenance
- Must empty liquids more frequently
- Venting system requires installation and power
- Some users find the solids emptying process a bit…personal and disgusting
Sure: Composting toilets aren’t for everyone, but for those living off-grid or looking to reduce water use, they can be a smart, long-term solution.
How Portable Toilets Compare to Black Tanks
This is where we can speak from the most experience. We’ve always traveled with regular black tank systems — and despite the occasional clog, leak, or misread sensor, we’ve appreciated the capacity and convenience they provide.
Traditional black tanks:
- Hold significantly more waste (typically 15 to 50+ gallons)
- Require less frequent dumping (we can usually go a week or more)
- Can be emptied quickly at any standard dump station
- Stay permanently connected and vented for less odor
But they also:
- Require a full dump station hookup (or macerator setup)
- Need maintenance, like tank flushing and sensor cleaning
- Can clog if you’re not careful with TP or water usage (We now use regular TP and have a designated bathroom trash can with a lid for only toilet paper. This has led to—fingers crossed—no clogs in years of use.)
- Can get messy if hoses or valves malfunction
Meanwhile, cassette, portable, and composting setups trade long-term ease for short-term simplicity.
If you’re doing van life, short weekend trips, or traveling solo, these smaller options can be incredibly practical. But for long trips or full-time RVers like us, especially those with pets or extended travel goals that include long boondocking stays, the capacity and convenience of a traditional black tank setup wins out.
Real-World Observations
Even though we’ve never owned a cassette, composting, or portable toilet ourselves, we’ve seen plenty in action. We’ve watched folks roll into rest stops with a cassette or composting tank in hand, and while it gets the job done, you definitely need to be comfortable handling your own waste. (And doing it more frequently.) When you’re boondocking for days or weeks at a time, that frequency starts to matter.
At RV shows, we’ve also noticed that newer builds — especially those aimed at off-grid lifestyles— are leaning toward composting toilets as a space-saving and eco-conscious solution. But again, that system isn’t for everyone, and it takes a bit more involvement to manage.
Tips for Choosing the Right Setup
Whether you’re in the market for a new RV or thinking about upgrading your current bathroom situation, here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Know your travel style. If you’re part-timing or boondocking occasionally, smaller toilet systems can work well. Full-timers? Consider a setup that prioritizes convenience and capacity.
- Think about where you’ll be dumping. Cassette toilets often require public restrooms, composting systems need thoughtful disposal of both liquids and solids, and traditional black tanks rely on designated dump stations.
- Check local regulations. Some parks and areas have rules about how and where waste can be dumped.
- Think about comfort and convenience. Ask yourself how often you want to interact with your toilet — and how okay you are with carrying your waste across a campground or into a public restroom.
- Watch for wear and tear. Portable and cassette toilets often need new seals, handles, or tanks over time.
- Consider ventilation and smell. Proper setup, whether black tank or composting, makes a huge difference in odor control.
In the End, Everyone’s Gotta Go
RV toilets might not be the sexiest part of RV life or full-time travel, but they are one of the most important. And while we’ll continue rolling with our black tank and clear elbow adapter (seriously, that little transparent piece is a game-changer), we totally get the appeal of cassette, portable, or composting setups — especially for new RVers dipping their toes into the lifestyle.
At the end of the day, there’s no “right” choice — just the right one for your rig, your travel style, and your comfort level. If you value simplicity, don’t mind frequent dumps, and need something compact, cassette, portable, or composting toilets can absolutely do the job. If you’re looking for convenience, longevity, and less interaction with your waste (we hear you), a traditional black tank might be the way to go.
Whichever path you choose, just remember: It’s not about the toilet. It’s about the journey — and being able to enjoy it comfortably, confidently, and cleanly.
And hey, the next time you see someone walking through a gas station towards the restrooms with a weird plastic box in tow… just smile and give them a nod. They’re out there living the dream — one dump at a time.
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