Campervans come in many shapes, sizes, and price ranges. But the great equalizer among them all is the trip to the dump station to empty the waste tanks. That is unless you use cassette toilets. With these updated commodes in your Campervan, you might be able to skip the hassle and long lines of a dump station altogether! Read on to learn more…

What Is a Cassette Toilet?

Traditionally, a campervan toilet flushes down into the black tank secured to your campervan’s underbody. When your black tank is full, you empty the contents at a dump station. 

When using a cassette toilet, instead of the waste going into your black tank, it enters a small, portable waste tank. You can remove this waste tank, which rolls on wheels like a suitcase, and dump it at a public restroom or dump station.

How Does It Work? 

The concept of a cassette toilet is similar to a portable one, but it’s permanently affixed to your camper. On the surface, it looks and acts much like a normal toilet. You’ll do your business, flush, and walk away. The actual difference is in the holding tank size and how you dump it.

How Do You Dump a Cassette Toilet?

Most tanks for your cassette toilet have a sensor that tells you when it reaches capacity. At that point, it’s time to empty it. You’ll have to do this much more often than you would a black tank, but it’s usually more convenient to do so. 

After you’ve emptied the toilet bowl and turned the valve blade handle to closed, you’re ready to empty the holding tank. Typically, there will be a side access panel on the exterior of your camper where you can slide it out. 

Most have a handle and rollers so that you can pull it behind you to the bathroom or dump station. If yours doesn’t, and you have to carry it, make sure you empty it before it gets too heavy! 

When you’re ready to release the contents, open the dump spout on the tank and place it over the toilet or dump hole. Then, let gravity do its work. If you’re at a dump station, just let the waste flow. But if you’re using a regular toilet facility, you might flush two or three times during the process to prevent clogs or overflows. 

Many portable tanks have a pressure release button that essentially helps push the waste out of the spout. Once you’ve lowered the spout into the hole or toilet, you can press this button to release the pressure–be very careful not to bump it before, or you’ll have a mess! 

When all the waste has left the building, it’s time to clean it out. Pour some water into the tank and shake or swish it before emptying it again. You’ll probably have to do this several times to get it fully clean, so wait until the water runs clear before replacing the tank. Also, this is a good time to add a tank cleaner. 

Difference Between a Cassette Toilet and a Portable Camping Toilet

The primary difference between the two is that the cassette toilet isn’t really portable. It simply has a portable waste tank. It’s affixed to your camper, so you can’t take it anywhere you want. 

A portable camping toilet, on the other hand, is mobile in every sense of the word. You can take it pretty much anywhere you can carry it. When it’s time to empty a portable toilet, you’ll typically remove the toilet seat and take the bottom to the restroom or dump station to empty it. 

The dry flush toilet is another completely portable option that uses a bag-like liner to collect waste. When the bag is full, it gets removed and tossed in the trash. The other difference here is that the cassette toilet uses water to flush, while portable toilet options like the dry flush are waterless.

Benefits of Cassette Toilets

The number one benefit of cassette toilets is their size. Many small campervans would not have toilets if it weren’t for this option. 

The second reason that campervan-ers might want this commode is its portability. If you like camping off the grid, you don’t need to be near a dump station to empty it. You can drive it to the nearest restroom and empty it, freeing you to go wherever you wish. Plus, it only takes a few minutes. 

Cassette Toilet Use and Maintenance Tips 

To keep your toilet in tip-top condition, dump it frequently. If you’re traveling by yourself, dump it at least every four or five days and every two or three days if you’re with a group. You might find that you need to empty it sooner because it’s too heavy. 

Cleaning your tank is as simple as pouring about half a cup of distilled white vinegar in there with some water after you empty it. Swishing that solution around regularly will reduce your chemical usage. 

Clean your toilet regularly to avoid odors as well, and keep your bathroom clean by closing the lid before you “flush it” or open the valve blade.

These things might seem inconvenient in the moment, but doing them every time will keep your small throne functioning and reduce mishaps. Your toilet is the very last thing you want to malfunction when you’re boondocking in the middle of nowhere.