Portable toilet question

[dlwilliams]

I have read several threads where folks use the potable toilet for liquids only, as do I.  But, I have been considering getting something like the Thetford 565 and using it as my primary facility.  I use my camper to spend 2 1/2 weeks or so at a music festival in TX and the bathroom facilities are not the best.  Actually not much more than "out houses".  They have been there several years and are not in the best shape, although they do the best they can keeping them serviced.  

So, my question is, how many use a porta potti for both "1 and 2" and how much more trouble is it to empty?  My little potti right now has a pretty small tank and I only had to empty it twice during the entire time I was there.  Emptying consisted of taking it to the facilities and pouring it in... It's all chemically treated anyway.  But with solid waste I might actually need to take it to the dump station.  I'm just wondering if it is worth the expense of buying a larger unit and the trouble of emptying.

[ForestCreature]

You empty and treat it the same way as before. With the solid waste, give it a good shake to help break things up before emptying. A thorough  rinse at the end of the trip, retreat with chemicals and you are good to go (pun intended)

[dcampbell1969]

I think you'd be fine ast stated above.  The main reason I limit to number one is not the handling, it is the smell of someone pooping in the camper like the smell that fills any home bathroom when you do a good #2.  Of course there are work arounds for air circulation during those times, so I am starting to lean toward easing my #2 limits.

[ForestCreature]

A scented candle helps ease the odors (the odor really don't last or linger long), I keep one handy , yankee candle clean cotton works well.

[wavery]

We use ours for #1 & 2. We have never had any odor issues.

We have the Thetford 565 and it is great. The only thing is, if you let it fill up, it can get pretty heavy.

We dump ours in the CG toilets. I take a separate 1 gallon jug of fresh water to rinse it out with. A pair of disposable gloves and a little careful handling and it will be no problem. One tip is to crack open the flush valve when dumping. That will eliminate splashing and the tank will empty much faster.

I highly recommend the AquaChem chemicals. I've used others and they are not as good at eliminating odors as AquaChem. We never have odor issues with it.
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/products/index.cfm/Outdoor-and-RV-Accessories/RV-Maintenance/Sanitation--Sewer/AquaKemreg-Liquid-Concentrate/prodID=1670

[Nemesis56]

A scented candle helps ease the odors (the odor really don't last or linger long), I keep one handy , yankee candle clean cotton works well.

I'd be afraid of sponteaneous combustion from methane buildup.  When you got to go you got to go.

[ForestCreature]

I'd be afraid of sponteaneous combustion from methane buildup.  When you got to go you got to go.

With all the screened windows in a pop up, methane build up should only be a problem in the cow fields in New Zealand.

[txsarge]

We keep our potty in a seperate potty/shower tent we bought at Wal-Mart.  We only use the potty for night time trips and only use it for #2 in emergencies.  If we were staying at that kind of festival I think a larger unit would be great despite how heavy they would be.  Carrying a heavy potty would be a lot more desirable to me than emptying a small one with a lot of #2 in it several times.

[Nemesis56]

We keep our potty in a seperate potty/shower tent we bought at Wal-Mart.  We only use the potty for night time trips and only use it for #2 in emergencies.  If we were staying at that kind of festival I think a larger unit would be great despite how heavy they would be.  Carrying a heavy potty would be a lot more desirable to me than emptying a small one with a lot of #2 in it several times.

I agree.  We have a 4.8 gal pota potty on our boat with a privy that fastens to the Bimini top and rolls up out of the way when not in use.  The boys and me didn't really have a problem, but the girls think it's a Godsend.  We went with the larger unit over the 2.8 gal.   We use the quick dissolve paper that the maker recommended and so far it's working great.

[dlwilliams]

Thanks for the replies.  I'm pretty sure I'll be looking to purchase a larger portable toilet before too long.