a porta potti question

[station71]

Hi all

would like to buy a porta potti for those nights when its too cold to make the run to the camp washroom or have no trees available. What kind of porta potti would be the best brand to buy and where are the best places to buy it (ie. best prices). Last but not least what are some of the key things I should look for when buying a unit.

Keep on flushing
Cheers
Al

[Broms]

Station71,

We bought a Coleman at K-Mart a couple of years ago.  Use it for the two little ones in the middle of the night or if it is pouring out, etc.  I think I paid around $70.  It is very easy to operate:

1) fill the tank with fresh water
2) add the chemicals to the waste tank
3) pump the button to add water to the bowl
4) do your business
5) pump and add a little more water to the bowl
6) pull the trap handle to drain the waste into the waste tank
7) push the trap handle back in to close
Almost forgot: the waste tank unclips from the bowl so you can carry it to the dump station or real toilet for emptying.  It has a large opening with a cap for ease in pouring with less chance of things getting stuck.

It is a small enough unit for us to keep on the floor of the PUP in the corner.  I would also check Wal-Mart, Target, etc.  They may have a better selection of potti's or a better price.  Good luck with it.

Chris

[station71]

Hi Chris

Many thanks for your input will check out Walmart and such

Cheers
Al

[mike4947]

Here's a link to the thedford site: http://www.thetford.com/thetford_home.cfmThey give the spec's on portapotties. Note there are two heights. Residential and low. Some trailers will not fit the higher residential height PP's and you can make a base to raise up the lower height ones to the more comfortable height for adults of the residential ones.

[tlhdoc]

Make sure the holding tank has a spout to pour the waste out of and that there is a vent to let air in as you pour the wast out.  The vent eliminates splashing.

[Broms]

Speaking of emptying waste.  Has anyone found a method for completely emptying the grey water tank.  There is always some left in it, so I pour a little of the chemicals in to help with order.  (I know I should post this as a sep. thread, I'm just being lazy)

[lmack]

Make sure it has more capacity for waste water than fresh water,,,if not you are asking for overflows....

[griffsmom]

Two seasons ago, we bought Thetford's top-of-the-line porta-potti:  http://www.thetford.com/portable_pp585.cfm  Sure, you don't "need" a p-p as fancy as this one, but it is really nice.  
 
It was worth every penny to me to not have to worry about having to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.  (Of course, now that we have the p-p, I don't worry, so I don't have to go!!  :eyecrazy: )  It's also very easy to set- up, use, and clean.

[tlhdoc]

Speaking of emptying waste. Has anyone found a method for completely emptying the grey water tank. There is always some left in it, so I pour a little of the chemicals in to help with order. (I know I should post this as a sep. thread, I'm just being lazy)

A toilet doesn't have a grey water tank.  It has a fresh water tank (the clean water that you use to flush) and a black water tank (the waste holding tank) that you dump.  I am guessing that you mean the black water tank.  I dump mine then rinse it dump it again.  I hold it upside down for a few minutes to drain the water out of the tank.  Then I put 4 oz of the blue stuff in the black holding tank.  No smell this way.

[Broms]

tlhdoc,

I was actually refering to the actual portable grey water tank.  We have the big wheeled unit which never seems to be completely empty.  Anyway, I will try your method.

Thanks,

Chris

[tjy355]

I was actually refering to the actual portable grey water tank.  We have the big wheeled unit which never seems to be completely empty.  Anyway, I will try your method.

The method suggested was for porta-potty.  You probably don't want to use the toilet chemicals in the grey water tank, just rinse with diluted bleach and leave open to dry out between camping trips.