My first night boondocking, I used 6 gallons of fresh water flushing a standard RV toilet. At 40-gallon tank capacity, that meant 6 flushes before I was dry. I learned two things that night: standard RV toilets are terrible for boondocking, and there’s a better way.
Boondocking — camping without hookups — demands a different approach to sanitation. Every gallon you flush is a gallon you can’t refill for days. The best boondocking toilets minimize water use, maximize capacity, and don’t require dumping for weeks.
The Three Toilet Types That Matter for Boondocking
Composting toilets. Zero water usage. Separate chambers for liquid and solid waste. A small fan ventilates odors. Capacity ranges from 3 to 7 days depending on usage. Models like the Nature’s Head ($400-$500) and Cohn Eco-John ($350-$450) are the most popular. The trade-off: you manage compost material (peat moss or sawdust) and empty the solid waste chamber regularly.
Portable toilets. Self-contained units with a holding tank. The Thetford Porta Potti 365 ($80-$120) holds 1.3 gallons of waste and uses 0.5 gallons of fresh water per flush. Add tank treatment chemicals and you can go 5-7 days between dumps. Lightweight (10-15 pounds), no installation required, completely portable. Ideal for small RVs and van conversions.
Vacuum toilets. The Thetford Terra ($600-$800) and Dometic VacuFlush ($800-$1,200) use 0.13 gallons per flush — 97% less water than a standard RV toilet. They connect to your black tank and use a vacuum pump to create suction. The pump draws 12 amps for 5 seconds per flush. Expensive upfront but virtually eliminates water waste. Best for full-time boondockers with solar power.
Comparing Boondocking Toilets
I tested all three types across a 14-day boondocking trip in Arizona. Here’s what I found.
Water usage. Composting: 0 gallons. Porta Potti: 7 gallons (14 days, 1 person). Vacuum: 1.8 gallons (14 days, 1 person). The composting toilet wins outright. The vacuum toilet is second. Both dramatically outperform a standard RV toilet at 2-3 gallons per flush.
Capacity. Composting: 3-7 days before emptying solids. Porta Potti: 5-7 days before dumping the waste tank. Vacuum: Depends on black tank size — a 30-gallon tank lasts 10-14 days with minimal flush water. For extended boondocking (2+ weeks), the composting toilet has the edge because you can add more compost material without changing the unit.
Odor control. Composting: Excellent when the fan is running. The Nature’s Head’s dual-chamber design keeps solids and liquids separate, preventing anaerobic decomposition that causes smells. Porta Potti: Moderate — tank treatment chemicals help, but odors become noticeable after day 4. Vacuum: Near-zero odor thanks to the sealed system and continuous ventilation.
Maintenance. Composting: Stir the compost chamber every 2-3 days, add material, empty solids every 5-7 days. Porta Potti: Dump and rinse the waste tank every 5-7 days, add chemicals before each dump. Vacuum: Minimal — empty the black tank when full, check the pump filter monthly.
Best Boondocking Toilets by Budget
Under $100. Reliance Porta Potti 365 ($80-$120). Simple, reliable, no installation. The 320 model is slightly cheaper ($60-$80) but has a smaller waste tank. Both use standard Thetford chemicals. Best for occasional boondockers who don’t mind carrying a portable toilet.
$100-$300. Camco Evac-Med Portable Toilet ($100-$130). Larger waste tank than Porta Potti (3.3 gallons vs 1.3 gallons). Has a built-in flush mechanism that uses 0.3 gallons per flush. The seat is wider and more comfortable. Best for couples who want a dedicated boondocking toilet.
$300-$500. Nature’s Head Composting Toilet ($400-$500). The gold standard for waterless boondocking. Dual chambers, adjustable ventilation fan, solid construction. Installation requires drilling two holes in the floor. Best for full-time boondockers.
$500+. Thetford Terra Composting Toilet ($600-$800). Fully integrated system with automatic compost mixing. No manual stirring required. Connects to your RV’s electrical system. For RVers who want composting convenience without the manual labor.
Here’s my take: if you boondock more than 4 nights per trip, invest in a composting toilet. The Nature’s Head at $400 pays for itself in saved water and eliminated dump fees within a year. If you boondock occasionally, a Porta Potti is fine — just carry extra tank treatment chemicals and plan your dump schedule around your water supply.
Essential Boondocking Sanitation Supplies
– Tank treatment chemicals. Thetford Aqua-Kem or Bio-Sept. One bottle treats 5 gallons of waste. Cost: $8-$12 per bottle.
– Peat moss or sawdust. For composting toilets. A 4-cubic-foot bag costs $6-$10 and lasts 2-3 weeks.
– Biodegradable wipes. For hand cleaning when water is scarce. Never flush wipes — they don’t dissolve.
– Hand sanitizer. Essential when you’re conserving water. Keep a pump bottle by the toilet.
– Waste disposal bags. For emergency waste removal when no dump station is available. RV-Dumps or Thetford brand, $15 for a pack of 10.
References
– Nature’s Head Composting Toilet Manual — natureshead.com
– Thetford Porta Potti Specifications — thetford.com
– Boondocking Sanitation Guidelines — boondockerswelcome.com
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*See also: [RV Toilet Maintenance & Repair Complete Guide](https://rv-toilet.com/rv-composting-toilet-pros-cons-how-it-works)*
[Related: RV Composting Toilet](https://rv-toilet.com/rv-composting-toilet-pros-cons-how-it-works)