Hey everyone,
My wife and I just put in our order for a 16' Scamp that should be ready from the manufacturer by February. After doing a little bit of research, we really realized we would love to not have to deal with a black water tank. Looking around, we saw the option of a compostable toilet. Although not a perfect solution (as seen by many youtube video hours watched), we do think this may work better for us for boondocking and saving water, as well as the fact we live in MN which is a colder climate, which means we could get by without utilizing any of our tanks for short winter trips.
The installation of the compostable toilet looks pretty simple in comparison to the regular black tank setup. We asked if we could get the shower setup but without the toilet, as well as just a small hole for the 12v fan to vent + access to the wiring if at all possible. The answer was a pretty short and disheartening 'no'.
So, unfortunately, this means we will probably just get the regular black tank setup, but I have a couple questions for the community out there:
- Has anyone had any luck with compostable toilets? In particular, using them within a Scamp?
- How hard is it to convert from a regular setup to utilizing a compostable toilet? What is all involved?
- We aren't exactly excited to cut into our brand new siding trying to try to get to the 12V power as well as creating a vent hole. Is there any options that are available that won't require us to make that type of modification?
- Any other information? thoughts? comments? defenses of black tanks?...all would be welcome.
Thank you all for your help!
-Justin
Hi Justin. I can't answer your questions about composting toilets, but wanted to share this video from Bex Cat-herder who has some insights that might be of interest to you. (If you haven't run into it in your video research.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn24u_TkGQY I tend to agree with you about not wanting to deal with the black water tank. I have no bathroom in my 13. Since my camping style will almost always involve a campground with some sort of toilet, I'd rather use those facilities and not have to clean a bathroom while I'm traveling. I am of the opinion that simple is better, even if it isn't always easier.
If you always want to be able to use your own bathroom, you may want to just go for the traditional set up. Emptying the tank doesn't seem to bother the folks who value that convenience. If you only want it for those rainy days or the middle of the night call of nature, you might consider the sani potty-type option.
Good luck with your decision and waiting patiently for your new camper to roll off the assembly line!
Sarah
I have seen it done out here over the years, but not simple. If I recall it never quite lived up to expectations once in use. I've also seen cartridge or cassette toilets used successfully, much easier and porta-potties of course very simple. Black tanks are really not much to deal with so unless there is an overriding environmental cause I'd consider a factory toilet and black tank. I'd rather empty a black tank than a porta potty after having both.
Lot's of toilet choices one can do.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale