Thetford Porta Potti 365 Portable Toilet (for RV, Marine, Camping, Vans, Trucks, Healthcare) 92820, White

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.

*Update Sep 2021* Still going strong after flipping over! Had a close call slamming on our brakes on a downhill, and since we don't secure it in our rig (don't really need to) it flipped on its side. The only cleanup we had was a bit of urine that didn't get flushed properly which was in the bottom of the bowl. Otherwise, the black tank held everything else in AND on a 90 degree day! VERY pleased with this toilet.We've been using it full time since Jan 2021 and it's held up great. We use Odo-Ban spray to freshen up the bowl and holding tank after dumping. No problem dumping at RV dump stations or in standard toilets but dump stations are easier since you don't need to lift the tank as high. We also discovered that filling the flushing water reservoir only 1/2 way full keeps it from tipping over when the black tank is empty, and we still have enough water to aid in flushing.Would buy this little toilet again in a heartbeat.Original Review: Bought this throne for FT van living and chose this size for its small footprint and ease of disposal. SUPER happy with this model and am glad we didn't go smaller with the 135 or bigger with the 565.**IMPORTANT** As others have said, don't leave this toilet stored with waste in the holding tank. It's contained so well that it pressurizes and leaks from the dump spout no matter how tightly you screw on the cap. We've found that going over 1000 feet in elevation change will also cause a small leak if you don't depressurize it within an hour or so. All you need to do is pull the flush lever for a second to give the holding tank a chance to breathe. Leave the seat down to minimize the stink, especially if you go #2 in it.My spouse and I have used this FT for the past 3 months and it lasts 4 days of straight usage before needing disposal. I foresee us disposing every 3 days in the summer just based on drinking more water, but overall we are so happy with this purchase that we're writing a lengthy review on it.Oh and boys, splash back isn't a problem if you just sit down.

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.