The Carplife loo was originally designed for anglers (hence ‘carp’) but can equally be commandeered by the camping brigade. The toilet splits into two sections – the top part consists of the loo seat, lid and a 10 litre tank with manual flush pump. The bottom section contains the waste (also 10 litre capacity). For an average family of three it will last a couple of days between empties.

If you’re limited on space, a collapsible camping toilet such as the Carplife Bivvy loo is a good idea, as this will fold up easily and include a seat and a waste bag. One of our friends owns this colossus and I have to admit to occasional pangs of jealousy. Is it wrong to be jealous of a toilet? For your money you get a full electric flushing loo with level indicators and a 21 litre waste tank – it takes 4 AAA batteries and weighs around 6kg ‘unladen’. If you were able to connect the portable toilets to the mains, you should not have any problem cleaning the units. They are easy to clean just like the toilets at home since they have access to the mains plumbing and sewage system. With just a little bit of elbow grease and some bleach, the units should be as good as new.For more than 2 people, or for camping trips longer than a weekend, I’d recommend choosing a minimum waste tank capacity of 20 litres. 2. Access to chemical toilet disposal points The type of portable toilet you have can make or break your camping trip. On a broader level, there are three types of camping toilets: CampingGaz, the ubiquitous supplier of butane/propane camping gas, sells a range of camping gear, including the Campingaz 20L portable toilet.

The Thetford 565E feels like a proper loo. You sit up high and can occasionally start imagining you’re a king or queen sat on the throne. In fact I did start humming a few Elvis numbers until I remembered what happened to him on his final day. The 565E has a cool little hatch too which opens to reveal your toilet roll, ready for action. With a seat height at 45cm, it’s on the large side, but that could also be a bonus for extended stays and those not able to squat down low. Porta Potti Thetford Corp portable toilet has a tank level indicator for showing the level of water. This separation prevents the need for water or chemicals, and combined with coffee chaff or sawdust, both dries out the waste and masks the smell. Toilet paper should be kept separate as this takes longer to decompose. Most chemicals should kill bacteria, control odour, reduce gas build up and mask any foul smells with perfume. They should also break down wastage, making it easier to empty the cassette.

Some things in life shouldn’t be complicated too much. The Carplife Bivvy Loo takes that mantra and applies it to one of life’s essential processes. The end result is a camping toilet which does its job well, can be folded away unobtrusively and renders the ‘end product’ biodegradable too – we love the simplicity of it. But the times they are a-changing. The Covid-19 pandemic has forced everybody to reassess their hygiene habits in a world where it seems like more people than ever are camping or pursuing outdoor hobbies such as fishing, hunting or mountain biking. If the Air Head is on the large side, another option, recommended by boat owner Andrew Polson is the Simploo Waterless Composting Toilet, which is made in the UK. They can be heavy when full, especially if you go for a camp loo with a large waste holding tank, you can pop them on a rolling trolley though if the carrying weight is a real problem.

The dry-flush toilet is lined with a plastic bag. When the user evacuates, the fecal materials and urine accumulate in this plastic bag. There is an electric motor inside the toilet to flush the toilet and wraps the plastic bag automatically. With the outer lid up, there is a proper toilet seat available inside which can be also lifted up if required. It then rests inside the outer lid neatly. Additionally, the toilet is ruggedly constructed and has no external water or power connections. It also has a vent and wastewater tank level indication. You won’t experience any odors or leaks as it has a double-sealed drain valve that protects it. Features There is a garbage holding tank with a porta-potty. You have to remove the lid of the tank to make it empty. The first rule of chemical toilets is that you must only empty them in a specifically designated place. Apart from the obvious hygiene issues, the chemicals should not go straight into the sewerage system.They tend to be quite bulky, so you’ll need to ensure you have enough space in your car to transport one.