Porta Potti 365

We purchased the Porta Potti 365 to put in our van conversion, which we use for short, 3-5 day camping trips. Our primary reasons for purchasing it were the price (didn't want to spend ~$1K on a composting toilet); because it is "low-tech" and seemed bomb-proof; and because we didn't want a toilet that was permanently installed in our van. We've used it for many trips over the past 3 years and been totally pleased with it. It is still holding up well and doing a great job. We bought the 365 so we could go multiple days between emptying; it usually takes about 3 days for us (2 people) to fill it up. We also like that the 365 is about normal toilet height, which is good when you have old knees that don't like squatting too low. Lastly, we liked that you don't need a dump-station to empty it; you can empty in any regular bathroom or park pit-toilet. The only reason I give it 4 stars for ease of cleaning is because, when it's full, it is HEAVY and being a relatively wimpy gal, it can be hard for me to carry (but I have managed when needed). If you're a strong, or have a strong partner to help you it's no problem. I really like that the lid and seat are detachable, so you can thoroughly clean the seat assembly. While on a trip, we just empty the bottom chamber and add a new RV toilet tab; we don't deep clean. Deep cleaning happens when we get back home -- we empty the bottom chamber in our house toilet, then do 2-3 rinse-outs of the bottom chamber with PineSol and water. We also wipe down all the external surfaces with a Lysol bathroom cleaner. This routine has kept our potty clean and new looking. We just use dissolving RV toilet tabs in the bottom chamber, and this takes care of the ambient smell, and breaks up the solids and the cheap 1-ply Walmart TP we use. We don't put any chemicals in the top chamber, just fresh water. We use it to do both #1 and #2; and yes, when you've loaded it up with a bunch of #2 it is stinky when you empty it. But I've been in a lot of putrid pit-toilets and changed lots of sloppy diapers in my lifetime, and it's not any worse than that. We don't experience any smell in our van while we're on a trip. There is a little "point-of-use" smell, but no more so than you'd experience for a regular toilet. A few tips for new users: 1) Empty it before the indicator is totally red; it's just a little less unpleasant that way. 2) If you've taken the potty from a low elevation to a high elevation, open and close the "hatch" with the toilet lid closed, before you use it (because the bottom chamber will be pressurized and may "burp" up at you). 3) To prevent "skid marks" in the bowl, open up the hatch right before you "launch the torpedo," if you know what I mean. 4) When you're done with your business and have flushed everything down and closed the hatch, pump one or two squirts of water into the bowl; this will help prevent smells from escaping the bottom chamber.

This is an excellent portable toilet . The only issue is none of the suggested cleaners that Thetford make are readily available in the US as they are an Australian company. That’s a huge problem as you are not supposed to use typical cleaners on this, there are special types that don’t harm the finish

I was hesitant to put a toilet in our camper after hearing so many horror stories; I went with this one and have no regrets. It's a great size, most adults can use it comfortably as is and older kids have no trouble. We have had no issues with leaks or flushing parts (if get over zealous with your flush water will splash out), when the unit is closed odors are contained. We use chemicals to keep the odor and waste under control and emptying this is no worse than anything you may have encountered as a parent, dog owner or party person in your 20s... sure, it smells a bit and looks ugly, but I've never had anything splash on me while dumping into pit toilets, regular toilets, or dump stations. Once emptied it is very easy to clean, no odd corners or anything to trap solid waste like I've seen with some other toilets. We've had the lower waste section nearly full and had it in the camper for 2 hours of bumpy driving and nothing leaked. It also won't leak when it's full and you carry it upright to your dump location. We can get about 3 days use out of it before it's full with 2-3 people.

I am a semi driver and this is my first porta potti. I will NEVER drive without one again. I love this thing. I’ve been using it about 6 months now. I haven’t had any issues with it thankfully. It’s worth every penny. It takes up some space in the sleeper obviously, but I work around it. I was worried initially about dumping it, but where I unload/load, I’ve dumped it in the porta potties at the refineries, or in a toilet if needed. It does get heavy if it’s too full, so I dump it regularly. I don’t throw toilet paper in it, so there’s no issues getting rid of the waste. The “flusher” I usually do 3x because if you don’t use enough “oomph”, it does miss a spot in the middle. I have no complaints though. It reattaches easily, top to the bottom, doesn’t leak, and throw a pouch for scent when needed, so I never smell anything in the truck. Love this product!

The size, height and flush function are fine - although the seat is significantly smaller than a luggable loo and the water pressure is more of a gentle rinse. Overall, I'm happy - it's easy to dump, use and fill. But be warned: This thing tips over easily and frequently! Any hard turn or rapid stop sends it toppling over. The fresh water reservoir is in the top half of the potty and perhaps slightly more on the right side - which means when the "black tank" is empty, all of the water weight is on the top! I assume as the fresh water empties and the black tank fills, the unit will become more stable. (I'd also assume the shorter, smaller model is more stable. ) On the plus side - it doesn't leak! Even when left on its side between stops.

I had a Thetford 465 that I used daily from about Apr 2012 until May 2017 (Van dweller from Oct 2011 - May 2017). I purchased this 550 to replace it in my new living arrangement (Same property but in an out-building rather than my van. The property owner has RV's and therefore built easy access to the drain stack). The 465 was replaced simply because the belt seem failed and caused liquid leak as well as gas leak. I probably could have repaired it with JB Weld but I wasn't willing to go though an epic cleaning process prior to ripping it apart to do so. These things are simply not meant to be used daily and I am astonished at how well built they are despite having to replace the 465. The 550 is almost identical and of the same great quality. I noticed that the 550 has one feature upgrade and that is a bump stop molded into the case where the swingout drain tube rests against which helps align things when you reattach the top tank. The 465 had no other failure points other than the belt seem which I attribute to simply being used beyond its intention. 550 is basically the same construction. For what it's worth, I am a big guy and I find these to be comfortable although not perfect like a regular toilet. They are lightyears better than just about all other brands/models for comfort. A word of advice, I mostly used a separate jug for urine. It helps keep the odor down significantly and allows the Theford chemical (I use Campa-Chem or Aqua Chem...same diff) to work better in my opinion. Plus, you won't have to empty the tank as often. This works for me as I can easily empty the urine jug into the drain stack access easily. If you are camping I assume it will be all in (cept for watering the trees manually of course). Great job Thetford. You have a long term customer.

My family and I used this for the first time this past weekend on a 3 day dispersed (ie no toilets) camping trip just outside Grand Canyon NP. Temperatures were mild. I filled the holding tank with 2L of water (as instructed) and popped one Walex blue drop-in upon first use. We used it as frequently as we would a normal toilet at home - both No 1 and 2. I did instruct my kids to be thrifty with TP and flushing. We used Scotts brand RV TP. It was 2/3 full by the middle of the third day. I didn't empty it until I got home - a 9 hour drive. It trapped odors so well that we did not smell anything throughout the trip home! I forgot it was there in the back. Of course, it did not leak. Fresh deposits into the bowl smelled foul as expected, but we found a spritz of Poo-Pourri during or immediately after helped a lot. We also carefully wiped away any smears on the bowl, and flushed it away. The pump flush worked really well, squirting water all the way around the bowl. I emptied it into a toilet the next day in a well-ventilated bathroom while wearing a mask. It was not as awful as I feared. Everything was broken down into a thick stinky slurry, It took four rinses to get everything out. The trapdoor is big enough to get the tip of the spray hose in and point the water at the corners. I considered (purchased then returned unused!) a SereneLife toilet because it was forty bucks cheaper and the plastic seemed much sturdier. But I kept the Thetford because the other one had negative comments about not being able to completely empty the cassette - it's evident from how its shaped, and the Thetford has a noticeably deeper bowl. It's sturdy enough; just don't drop it. No regrets about spending the extra money.

Porta Potty is exactly as described and expected. It's great purchase for dry camping (boondocking) when other facilities are not available. The system is designed well, easy to assemble, keeps potential odors contained and is easy to clean. The construction is sturdy and dies not leak, a very good value for the money.