When you're out exploring Australia in your caravan or setting up camp in the great outdoors, one thing you definitely don’t want to leave behind is a reliable toilet! Whether you're after convenience, comfort, or simply want to avoid late-night dashes to the nearest public loo, having the right caravan or camping toilet can make all the difference. In this buyer’s guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know—from the different types of portable toilets to how to choose the best option for your setup.
Types of Caravan Toilets
There are three main types of caravan and camping toilets to choose from: cassette toilets, portable toilets, and composting toilets—each with their own pros and cons.
Cassette Caravan Toilet
Cassette toilets are built into your caravan and feature a removable waste tank (the cassette) that you can access from outside for emptying. They’re a popular choice for their convenience and fixed setup, but they do require regular emptying and access to a dump point.
Dometic has a fantastic range of cassette toilets to meet all needs. The Dometic CTS 4110 is the newest in the range, with an innovative high grade scratch resistant ceramic inlay and hygienic waste disposal of 19 litres.
Buy a cassette caravan toilet if:
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You want a quick and easy installation.
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You want to save water.
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You are happy to permanently install the toilet to your caravan – you also have the option to purchase left-hand or right-hand entry models to suit your mobile home.
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You want the speed, ease, and convenience of a cassette tank. No need to pack up camp to empty the tank, they are quick to dump and easy to clean!
Don’t buy a cassette caravan toilet if:
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You aren’t confident lifting the cassette tank – they can be heavy when full.
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You don’t want to install a toilet permanently.
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You don’t want a toilet inside your van, full stop. Any odour will be noticeable if the waste tank is not properly treated or ventilated.
Portable Camping Toilet
Portable toilets are designed so you can take them anywhere. They are popular for small caravans and camper trailers, as well as 4WDs and even tent camping.
For a comfortable, practical and durable portable toilet that doesn’t require a connection to a drainage or water system, Thetford’s Porta Potti is the ideal solution. Compare a range of sizes and flushing systems, including electric flush.
A portable toilet comprises a lightweight plastic toilet bowl and a small water tank on top of a small waste tank. When the waste tank is full, remove it from the upper seat and bowl, and empty it into a dump point.
There are a number of portable toilet types on the market today including folding, inflatable and even flushable toilets. Some require you to carry a toilet bag however no portable toilet requires connection to plumbing or hot water.
Buy a portable toilet if:
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You want a cheaper toilet option
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You need a compact and lightweight toilet that you can take on any adventure and store in a carry bag when not in use.
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You want to keep your toilet far away from your caravan to stop odours hanging around.
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You don’t want to worry about permanent installation in your caravan.
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You won’t have easy access to water – a portable toilet uses very little water.
Don’t buy a portable if:
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You need a bigger tank capacity – portable toilets usually have a small holding tank capacity which means more frequent tank emptying.
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You need a higher seat – portable toilets tend to have a very low seat.
Compost Toilet
Composting toilets are the eco-friendly option, breaking down waste naturally without the need for chemicals or water. They’re great for off-grid setups and reduce the number of times you need to empty them, but they are usually more expensive and require a bit more space and ventilation.
The Ecolet Separera Mini is a lightweight, waterless composting toilet with a sleek design, ideal for caravans—offering easy installation, low maintenance, and an eco-friendly waste solution without the need for external hatches or plumbing.
Buy a compost toilet if:
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You want to reduce how often you need to empty the toilet
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You prefer a waterless, chemical-free solution
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You have space in your caravan or RV for a larger setup
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You plan to stay in one spot for longer periods
Don’t buy a compost toilet if:
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You’re tight on space or need a compact toilet option
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You move campsites frequently and don’t want to deal with setup/maintenance
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You don’t want to manage composting materials or separate solid and liquid waste
Caravan Toilet Installation
When it comes to installation, we’re mainly talking about cassette toilets, as they’re typically the only caravan toilet that’s permanently built in. There are a few different ways to install one, depending on your caravan layout and available space. Some cassette toilets are designed to be plumbed directly into your caravan’s freshwater system, allowing the flush tank to fill automatically—making life just a little easier on the road. Others have a self-contained flush tank, which you’ll need to fill manually with fresh water. It’s important to note that Dometic cassette toilets in Australia do not have onboard flush tanks, so they must be plumbed in to your caravan’s freshwater supply. No matter the setup, proper installation is key for a hygienic and hassle-free experience while travelling.
How Tight Is The Toilet Space?
Consider the space available in your van. If you want to save space and have the toilet as part of the shower cubicle, a Thetford side entry or toilet with a swivel seat is a great option.
Thetford and Dometic have a great range of cassette toilets that swivel to fit most spaces, like this Dometic CTS 4110 cassette toilet.
It’s worth noting that the service door is not included but essential if you want to access the cassette through the wall of the van.
You can also buy a left hand or right hand toilet to suit your caravan bathroom design, like the cassette toilets by Thetford.
Caravan Toilet Accessories
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Water tanks: Find the right water tank for your caravan.
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Toilet chemicals: Find the best toilet chemicals for your toilet in our toilet chemicals buyers guide.
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SOG Toilet Ventilation: A ventilation system that keeps the smell of waste out of your caravan. It has been designed for use on Dometic, Thetford Cassette, and Gravity toilets.
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Happy Bowl Toilet Bowl Liners: Keeps the toilet bowl clean with no brush, no fuss.
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Service door: Depending on the toilet, you may need to buy a service door to access the cassette from the outside of the van.
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Plumbing: You’ll need a spigot, flange, and other plumbing accessories to install your caravan toilet. You can shop our whole range of toilet accessories here
If you need caravan toilet replacement parts, we sell a range of parts for popular caravan toilet models.
Caravan Toilet FAQs
1. What is the best toilet for a caravan?
The best toilet for a caravan depends on your travel style, space, and budget. Cassette toilets are ideal for built-in setups, portable toilets are great for short trips or small spaces, and composting toilets are perfect for off-grid, eco-conscious travellers.
2. How do you empty a caravan toilet?
Most caravan toilets have a waste cassette that you remove from an external hatch. Simply take the cassette to a designated dump point, unscrew the cap, and pour out the contents. Many models include wheels and handles to make transport easier.
3. Can you use normal toilet paper in a caravan toilet?
It’s best to use dissolvable or RV-specific toilet paper. Regular toilet paper can clog the system or make emptying more difficult. Caravan-friendly toilet paper breaks down faster and keeps everything flowing smoothly.
4. Do composting toilets smell?
A well-maintained composting toilet shouldn’t smell. These toilets are designed with proper ventilation and separation of solids and liquids, which helps reduce odours. Regular cleaning and using composting materials like coconut coir also help.
5. Can you install a toilet in a camper trailer?
Yes, many camper trailers can be fitted with portable toilets or even cassette toilets if space allows. For fixed installations, you’ll need to consider plumbing, ventilation, and access to empty the cassette.
Choosing the right caravan or camping toilet can make a big difference to your comfort and convenience on the road. Whether you go for a simple portable loo, a built-in cassette toilet, or a self-sufficient composting setup, there’s an option to suit every traveller and budget. We hope this guide has helped you understand the different types, features, and considerations to keep in mind.
Have more questions? Send us a message on our live chat in the bottom right hand corner of your screen! Or check out the full range of toilets here.
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DISCLAIMER* Please note, this advice is general in nature and we strongly recommend consulting the product manual and where relevant, a professional installer.
Comments (7)
No water on flush
Need a agent near me to fix and advise meBy: Kim Wallace on 04 September 2024
www.caravanrvcamping.com.au Response
Hi Kim, we can certainly steer you in the right direction to a service agent in your area. We would need to know the brand of the toilet and where are you are located. Please feel free to reach out to us on 1800 787 278 and we will be more than happy to assist.
Advice about a toilet
What is the best toilet I can buy to put in my cabin as I haven't got any drains in for a toiletBy: Mrs Mavis nolan on 19 March 2024
www.caravanrvcamping.com.au Response
Hi Mavis, I have reached out to you via email. I would check out the Cassette Toilet range on our website. Install it on the outer wall of your cabin so you can access the cassette from the outside via a service hatch. It will need 12v power and water pumped to it.
Blown fuses
I have a thetford c402c as pictured above.Have problems with algae build up in flush water which cause the pump to sieze which then causes the fuse to fail.How can I prevent the gunk build up in flush water tank?By: Bob Sanders. on 10 November 2023
www.caravanrvcamping.com.au Response
Hi Bob, you would be best to contact a service agent for Thetford that should be able to offer you some further assistance on getting the tank serviced
Travelling with toilet waste
We have a cassette style toilet for our caravan. Do we have to empty the cassette before we hit the road? Is it safe to travel with waste in our cassette? We only do "number ones" in out toilet.By: Phil on 09 November 2023
www.caravanrvcamping.com.au Response
Hi Phil, it is safe to leave waste in the tank while travelling. The seal between the cassette and the toilet will keep wasting from leaking.