RVs are an excellent way to travel and see the world and having your own bathroom onboard is one of the best parts. However, that toilet can make or break your trip. The whole experience goes downhill fast if it’s uncomfortable, feels like its going to collapse, smelly or malfunctioning.
We’ve traveled the world by RV and tried all the toilet types, good and bad. Here is a compiled a list of the best RV toilets you won’t mind using. Whether you’re looking for something basic or a little more luxurious, we have you covered! Read on to learn more.
What Is an RV Toilet?
An RV toilet is a self-contained toilet for use in a moving vehicle. The toilet is designed to flush waste into a storage tank or receptacle for later disposal. Because they are installed in vehicles they do not have unlimited water and need to operate very water efficient as well so their design is different from residential thrones.
There are many different types of RV toilets that we have covered in detail in previous articles but will give you a summary below as well as a link to the responding articles about each type for further reading.
How Does an RV Toilet Work?
There are six RV toilet types, each with pros and cons.
Gravity flush toilets are the most common RV toilet. The gravity-fed toilet plumbs directly into a holding tank. The waste drops into the tank immediately below or near the toilet. The holding tank requires frequent dumping to function correctly.
How Cassette Toilets Work
Cassette toilets look like gravity flush toilets. They have a self-contained waste tank instead of a holding tank. You’ll need to dump it more frequently than an RV black tank because it’s so small, but it’s portable.
A cassette toilet can fit in tighter spaces like a van, and finding places to dump the waste properly is easier. You can use a regular toilet facility or an RV dump site.
How Composting Toilets Work
Composting toilets are more environmentally-friendly, using a composting medium and bacteria to break down waste. Composting toilets can be challenging to install and maintain and require ample ventilation to function properly.
However, you can easily dump the liquids in a regular toilet while bagging and disposing of the solids in the trash.
How Macerator Toilets Work
A macerator toilet looks like a gravity flush toilet. It grinds solids and waste paper like a garbage disposal. A macerator toilet also has an electric pump to move the waste to a holding tank, so it doesn’t need to be immediately over the black tank.
How Incinerating Toilets Work
Incinerating toilets are expensive, but they’re also environmentally friendly. Incinerating toilets burn waste, reducing it to a few tablespoons of ash. They also must vent exhaust through the roof.
How Dry Flush Toilets Work
Finally, there are dry flush toilets. They work like a Diaper Genie. They have liners holding the waste. When you flush, the toilet twists and seals the liner, depositing it in a holding cartridge. Each cartridge is good for about 17 flushes. When full, remove the cartridge and dispose of it with your regular garbage.
How Do You Choose the Right RV Toilet?
Choosing the right RV toilet depends on many factors, like your travel style, the size of your RV, your budget, and comfort in handling waste.
If you typically stay at an RV park or somewhere with full hook-ups, the standard gravity flush toilet that comes in most RVs should suffice. You’ll clean it like any household toilet. It’s relatively easy to repair and is easy to empty via a hose connecting the black tank to the sewer outlet. However, this type of toilet tends to have smell issues occasionally.
➔ We’ve got the full scoop on how to flush your black tank to keep it clean. Take a look: RV Black Tank Flush: What It Is and How to Use It
Non-Standard RV Toilets Might Suit Your Needs Better
If you like to camp off the grid for extended periods, a composting or incinerating toilet might be your best option. This is because they do not require any water to operate. With a composting toilet, you’ll purchase and replace composting materials and remove and dump the waste from the toilet manually. An incinerator toilet is one of the most expensive types, but waste reduces to odorless ash for easy disposal.
Are you looking for a highly customized layout in your RV? A macerating toilet allows layout flexibility because it grinds and pumps waste, so it does not need to be over the black tank. After grinding up solid waste and toilet paper, a macerating toilet works like a gravity flush toilet. You’ll follow the same procedure to connect a sewer hose and dump the contents of the black tank.
Cassette and dry flush toilets are excellent off-grid options that don’t break the bank. A cassette toilet does not require special liners, but you’ll have to be comfortable removing the cassette and taking it to a dump site. A dry flush toilet comes with the convenience of sealed liners in a cartridge that you can throw in with regular garbage, but also the expense of constantly replenishing the liners and cartridge.
What Is the Price of a New RV Toilet?
There can be a significant difference in price for RV toilets. For example, a standard gravity flush RV toilet can cost $300 to $500. However, if you’re looking for something more specialized, like an incinerator toilet, you could spend upwards of $2,000 to $3,000 or more.
It’s also crucial to consider whether you’ll install the toilet yourself. Professional installation can add much to the final price, particularly for an incinerator toilet requiring specialized venting.
Count any supplies you’ll need for everyday use, especially when considering options such as composting or dry flush toilets.
6 Best RV Toilets That You Actually Won’t Mind Using
There are several decent options on the market for a new RV toilet. Which one you choose is primarily a matter of personal preference. The size and type of vehicle are also crucial factors. So is your camping style, like RV parks versus boondocking.
Let’s dive into our top six choices for RV toilets that you won’t mind using.
1. Thetford Tecma Silence Plus 2G
About: This macerating toilet comes in an 18-inch high profile height or a 14-inch low profile height. It has a solid porcelain base with a molded plastic seat and lid.
We find that this toilet type has the highest comfort and the most “residential” feel about it. This macerating toilet also seals completely from the tank eliminating smell issues common with RV toilets. The drawback to this toilet is that it uses more water than most RV toilets.
Special Features: The Tecma Silence Plus 2G has a powerful macerator and sleek, water-saving design. It has a solid-state, automatic flush cycle with a wall-mount flush control for easy fingertip operation.
Best for: Large-sized RVs and motorhomes that typically utilize full hook-ups at RV parks and campgrounds. These toilets are also heavier and more complicated than other types requiring weight capacity and space.
2. Dometic 320 Series Standard Height Toilet
About: This is a standard gravity flush toilet standing 19.75 inches high. It has a ceramic bowl and a full-size residential-style wooden seat. As gravity-flush toilets go this one is pretty comfortable, sturdy and works well.
- Deep, 100% Vitreous Ceramic Bowl | Full-Size Residential Style...
- Dimensions – 22” L x 14.75” W x 19.75” H | Weight –...
- Rim Design Prevents Spills | Gravity Flush
Special Features: The Dometic 320 Series has a unique rim to prevent spills, an ergonomic foot flush pedal, and is water efficient. It uses just one pint per flush.
Best for: Medium to large-sized RVs and motorhomes that typically utilize full hook-ups at RV parks and campgrounds. Being ceramic this toilet is a heavier option.
3. Aqua-Magic Bravura RV Toilet
About: This all-plastic, gravity flush toilet comes in a 16.25-inch high profile height or a 13.125-inch low profile height. This toilet is lightweight and a good option for small spaces and lightweight rigs.
Special Features: The Aqua-Magic Bravura’s non-standard design provides an elegant look but is much easier to clean than the standard toilet. It also comes with a foot flush pedal, a pulsating flush for a cleaner bowl, and an easily removable seat and cover for easier cleaning.
Best for: Small to medium-sized RVs and motorhomes that occasionally camp off-grid but typically utilize full hook-ups at RV parks and campgrounds.
4. Thetford Aqua-Magic Residence RV Toilet
About: This is a lightweight, plastic gravity flush toilet with a residential seat and cover. It comes in an ADA-compliant 18-inch high profile height or a 12.5-inch low profile height.
Special Features: The Aqua-Magic Residence is ADA-compliant, has a foot flush pedal, a residential seat, and a cover, and is lightweight at just 12.3 pounds.
Best for: Lightweight option for any RV or motorhome that typically utilizes full hook-ups at RV parks and campgrounds.
5. OGO Self-Contained Composting Toilet
About: One of the newest composting designs on the market. This composting toilet features an electric motor “flush” self-churning mechanism. Other than requiring a small amount of power this toilet is self-contained and requires no water.
Special Features: The OGO Self-Contained Composting Toilet is an eco-friendly composting toilet, is easy to install, has no odor, and requires no maintenance. It has a compact square design to fit smaller spaces.
Best for: Boondocking and off-grid camping or being more eco-friendly with your waste. It is particularly well-suited for vans and smaller rigs without holding tanks. We have used many different composting toilets and while they all have their pros and cons the OGO is our current top pick for composting toilets.
6. Porta Potti 365 Portable Toilet
About: This portable cassette toilet is plastic and is 15.3 inches tall.
- [Versatility]: award-winning, top-of-the-line portable toilet,...
- [Design]: ergonomic handle makes it easy to maneuver. The compact...
- [Sanitary]: sealed valve prevents odors escaping the holding tank
Special Features: The Porta Potti 365 Portable Toilet has an ample 4-gallon fresh water tank and 5.5-gallon waste tank, making it suitable for about 50 or so flushes between emptying. It has an easily removable seat and cover and a rotating pour spout for easier emptying.
Best for: Boondocking and off-grid camping for any sized vehicle or RV.
Is Upgrading Your Toilet Hard?
If you’re considering upgrading your RV toilet, you might wonder how difficult it is s. The good news is that it’s not that tough.
First, you’ll need to remove the old toilet. This is usually a matter of unscrewing a few screws or bolts. Once the old toilet is out, you can start installing the new one. Most new toilets come with instructions, so follow those.
The process can be more complicated for something like an incinerating toilet, as they have specific venting requirements. If your new toilet requires modifications, like installing a vent out the roof of your rig, you may want a professional to do the work. However, most DIYers can install RV toilets.
➔ Toilet parts are also easy to replace! Before you go all in on a new toilet, consider repairing your old one. Find out: What Are the Parts of an RV Toilet & How to Replace Them?
Is Getting a New RV Toilet Worth It?
If you’re in the market for a new RV toilet, we hope our explanation of the types available and our list of six best options have helped make your decision easier. Upgrading your RV’s amenities can be costly, but a new RV toilet is worth the investment.
All the options we recommended are also straightforward to install. So now is the time to install that new RV toilet. It’ll be one of the best investments you’ve made in your RV.
Looking for something more sturdy than a plastic RV toilet? Find out: Are There Porcelain RV Toilets?
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Steve teixeira
Wednesday 12th of October 2022
Please do an article on bidet for use in an rv.