Best RV Toilets (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023 | The Drive

2023-03-23 15:09:09 By : Ms. Sally xie

The top RV toilets to make your road trip stress-free.

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No one wants to think about their RV’s toilet. At least, most folks. But while it isn’t the most glamorous aspect of RV camping, it’s a pretty essential one. Without a good, quality RV toilet, you can find that your trips out into new wide-open spaces become serious adventures. After all, there’s no one out there who enjoys creating their own bathroom out in nature. Having an RV toilet that’s functional, well-built, and works flawlessly will make every trip more enjoyable and relaxing. 

But how do you know which RV toilets are really the best and worth investing in? There are a lot of choices out there, and many even seem identical to one another. We’ve done the hard work for you, and we have a list of the best RV toilets available right here. Plus, you’ll find all of the advice and insight you need to find the best RV toilet for your specific camper’s needs.

Dometic 310 Series Standard Height Toilet

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

Obviously, we can’t test every commode. But we’ve sat on a few different types in our lives. We used that prior knowledge to inform our decisions and be extra choosy to form this list. 

For more on how we come up with these lists of products, check this out.

Taller than most standard toilets (good flushing power)

Care must be taken with the plastic lid

Comes with chemicals for the black tank

Bowl doesn't hold much water

Large size might not fit in some RV bathrooms

Uses more water than competing products

Good bowl size and shape

Heavier than competing products due to being made of ceramic

Large size might not fit some RV bathrooms

The standard profile might not be high enough for some consumers

Grip handles for easy cleaning

Has a large tank for up to 40 flushes

Bowl might be too shallow

Made out of tough polyethylene

Portable and easy to use outside of RV

Small size might be too small for some consumers

Can be tough to clean

Different, more environmentally friendly approach to waste disposal

The composting aspect takes commitment

Our pick for the best RV toilet is the Dometic 310 Series Standard Height Toilet. Its high-profile design provides a taller seat height, and it can be fitted with a hand sprayer. It's sturdy, easy to flush, and comes with equipment that makes installation easy.

For a less expensive option, consider the Aqua-Magic V Toilet.

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.

A: A home toilet is not recommended. A replacement RV toilet is specially designed for a motorhome. Most importantly, it uses much less water than a toilet in your house. Some new, efficient ones use as little as a pint of water. Also, the best RV toilets are designed to withstand the RV traveling on twisty roads; home toilets don’t have a flush tank, which would cause spills.

A: If you’re hoping to spend $150 or less, your RV toilet options will be a bit limited. Few RV toilets are this affordable, and most are just portable cubes. This makes them easier to locate and position, but the lack of integration makes the care and cleaning of them a bit more difficult. Between $150-$250 is which most standard RV toilets fall. You’ll find RV-sized toilets that mount to the floor, include flushing capability, and work like a typical toilet. Available in plastic and ceramic, you’ll have quite a few options to choose from.

A: Traditional Gravity Flush: this type of RV toilet is similar to a household toilet, except it doesn't include a water holding tank. As a result, it can only be used when it’s connected to an outside water source or if it’s used when the water pump from the RV holding tank is on. Typically, you flush the toilet with a foot pedal. You’ll also need to fill the tank with water using a lever.

Macerating Flush: This type of toilet has motor-powered blades that soften and thin the waste before it's transported into the holding tank (AKA black tank). The waste in the holding tank becomes much more fluid because of how it's crushed down into tiny pieces before it moves from the toilet to the black tank.

Vacuum Flush: a toilet with a vacuum flush uses a macerating pump and a vacuum unit to remove all the contents in the bowl. The vacuum makes flushing much more powerful and liquefies solid waste. It's convenient because you can typically place it in several areas of your RV.

Composting Toilet: composting toilets do not use any water, and they separate solids from liquids. They're useful if you have a limited water supply, and you're part of a couple or a single traveler. When used properly, they do not smell bad. However, they may emit a soil-like smell, but a vent fan moves the air from the bowl outside. It's not ideal for a family because of the number of times you have to change the tank.

Portable Toilet: this type of toilet does not separate solids from liquids, so it produces raw sewage. While they're very portable and easy to install, you must dump the waste quite frequently at an RV dump or in a toilet. Also, because no hose is involved, you will see and smell the sewage.

Cassette Toilet: a cassette toilet is like a portable camping toilet in several ways. However, it's fixed in place, and you can usually access the waste storage tank from outside your RV. Like the portable toilet, you will see and smell the sewage as you eliminate it at a dump station or toilet. Van owners often use cassette toilets because their rigs are smaller.

A: It depends on how many people use the toilet and how frequently they do so. For example, one person who lives in an RV full time may need to change the liquid compartment every other day and the solid compartment once a month. The more deposits in the solid compartment, the wetter it will be. When the waste takes longer to dry, the toilet will stop composting and start to smell.

A: Yes. If you don't use the proper toilet paper, you can clog your tank. The best kind of RV toilet paper will disintegrate quickly in water. Some popular brands include Charmin Ultra Soft and Angel Soft. There is also toilet paper designed especially for RV use, but it may be rough on your bum. Look for brands marked "septic safe."

A: Usually, RV toilets become clogged due to toilet paper. The first thing you should do is open the valve and pour hot water inside it. This should break down the matter that is clogging the toilet. Certain chemicals designed for septic use may also fix a clogged toilet.

A: An RV toilet may start to smell because there’s a leak, the sewer tank is damaged, there's a clog, or it hasn't been cleaned in a while. Some of these problems you can resolve yourself, such as removing a clog or sanitizing the tank. Other issues may require a professional.

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