Porta potty

[Guy]

Dear All,

Does anyone have any experience with Thetford or any other porta-pottys?

[Laredo]

go here www.popupexplorer.com and do a search for "Binford".
More info than you can possibly imagine; recommendations on specific models, care, use, dimensions, chemicals ...

popupexplorer also has a lot of info on things like smart use of compact spaces, reviews of a variety of camp gadgets (E-Z-Up awnings, stoves, a/c and electrical goodies ... even a shower installation I bet would work in a tear with a dropped floor -- it fits under a dinette seat!)



too![/u]

[anonymous2]

Hello all,

We have a Thetford 555 model porta-potti,left over from tenting days. Has a 4 gallon capacity holding tank. That was plenty for a weekend of # 1 for 2 people. We used it just for late night nature calls. With our teardrop we have a PUP privacy shelter,and will use the potty the same way. We always use camping facilities for shower,and # 2's. The 555 model is higher,and near home toilet heights,so when you sit your knees are not shoulder height. There is a another model that is higher,and higher capacity,but we didn't think we wanted to lug it around. We are satisfied with our for several years now.

pateardropper

[BrianB]

Just in case anyone else has the same duh moment as me, when you goto Laredo's link, click on "Forum" on the far right first before you search.




Tell me how you guys handle and store those things on the trip back. How do you keep that smell from permiating everything it sits near on the way home.

I know a couple who have a pretty good system for doing their business outdoors. When they first get to the campsite (primitive campgrounds without public latrines), they dig a series of holes about a foot apart and a spade-length deep in a semi-private area. Then they setup one of those outhouse tents and bring along one of those toilet seat chairs that you're supposed to put a bag under, but they just set it over the first empty hole. #1's get a little dirt pushed over it and #2's get filled in along with the biodegradable toilet paper.

Best part is, no nasty portapotty to take home.

[steve wolverton]

Guy - We have a portable, folding toilet from Banyan.

http://www.packinpotty.com/packinpotty.html

We didn't want to mess with chemicals and dumping it, so we bought that one. It uses little bags will some kind of magical powder that breaks down the waste. You just zip it up and toss it in the dumpster. This way you don't have to worry about spilling it everywhere when dumping it, or having the thing smell.

We haven't used ours yet, but we take it along for emergencies. Nice piece of mind.

We also bought the little $50 privacy tent with it - we use it all the time to change clothes. That comes in really handy.

Steve

[asianflava]

When we camp out on Big Shell we use this little gem. One of the guys got it out of his grandmother's garage.

Just dig a hole and cover it up when you are done.

[Guy]

Dear Steve, Thank you very much for that post. It turns out that the company, Banyan, is about four blocks from my house in LA. I will check them out on Monday.

By the way that privacy sheltrer is similar to the one that http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=77400 has for 20 dollars and it is just fine.

[Laredo]

many parks and campgrounds have strict rules about packing out waste of all kinds.

where is Big Shell, so I can be sure I never go there?

[Guy]

Big Shell used to be a lush tropical garden before Grandma chair started camping there.

[TomS]

many parks and campgrounds have strict rules about packing out waste of all kinds.

where is Big Shell, so I can be sure I never go there?

Burying human waste IS an accepted practice in the back country. While it is true that some areas require human waste to be packed out. Those are usually special cases where an area gets a lot of use and/or has a sensitive enviornment.

One of those areas is the popular mountain biking trails aroun Moab Utah. I participated in a guided mountian bike trip there several years ago. Our guides referred to the outfitter's portable toilet as "the groover". The name goes back to the early days of mountain biking in Moab when outfitters used old GI ammo cans lined with plastic bags as potable toilets. The edges of the ammo cans left dual indentations in the rider's bums. Hence the moniker "the groover".

The book "How to Sh*t in the Woods" is the authoratative guide to pooopin' in the woods and other back country sanitation issues. This is a link to the book on Amazon.com http://tinyurl.com/3m52l

[Laredo]

I do know about the trowel system.
I just found the "Big Shell" picture unsettling.

[LeeB]

Check out the off road commode page 468 NorthernTool 2004 master catalog or northerntool.com they have a toilet seat welded 2 inch receiver hitch for the back of a car also covered with soft camo holds up to 500 lbs told the wife thats what we were getting. She still not talking to me. Could this be used when going down the highway??? Can just see the patrolmans face as you go by.


lol:

Lee

[asianflava]

Sorry to disturb you

Big shell is in the Padre Island National Seashore near Corpus. We usually go to the 45-55 mile marker, that's 45-55 miles from paved roads driving 30mph on the beach. There aren't too many people there, just birds, coyotes, some deer, and hopefully fish. The toilet is kinda a war of wills, a game to see who is the first one to break down and use it. We only stay 2 nights (long enough to get annoyed but not too long where you don't want to come back) some of the guys can go the whole trip without using it, I however cannot. Don't worry, the coyotes have left us presents around the campsite too.

[Laredo]

sportsmansguide.com has a ... ahem... bucket seat. you supply the bucket and it's $5, they supply the bucket and it's $15.

lots of what we've done in the past involved backpacking and scout trips. being female, i had ... issues, once in awhile; but I learned to carry those foil-wrapped Wet Ones type thingies in a jeans pocket.

anybody else here ever been air force flight crew and know what a low-residue diet is?

[Big Guy with a Little Guy]

This is AWESOME! The only improvement I would make is perhaps a splash guard between the two front legs. Oh, and a magazine pocket on the side.

Delightful as it is, it may be time for a new seat. That one's not very appealing. In any case, I'd for dang sure strap that gem to the top of the car so that everyone could admire it.