5 Most Common Types of RV Toilets (+ A Breakthrough)

Understanding the different types of RV toilets is crucial for every RV owner. Handling waste is the biggest downside of RVing, so you want to know what you're dealing with and what RV toilet is best for you!

Diehard campers don't mind doing their bathroom business in a bucket, but most RVers don't fall into that category! We prefer to travel everywhere with a complete bathroom, let alone a proper toilet!

But, like those diehard campers, RVers still have to dispose of their own waste. We also have to store it and even cart it around with us at times… that's the stinky truth of the RV lifestyle!

That's why every RVer needs to understand the difference between the various types of RV toilets… including a waterless option that's growing in popularity. You need to know which type of toilet best suits your travel lifestyle and how hands on (and “nose on”) you're willing to be.

If you buy something through our links, we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep our lights on so we can continue to provide helpful resources for RVers. Read our full affiliate disclosure here.

A New No Mess No Odor Toilet

Like what you see in these videos? We'd appreciate it if you would Subscribe to our YouTube Channel (easy to do right here) and consider “ringing the bell icon” to be notified of any new video from us. 🙂 Thanks!

Before we get into the most common types, we want to share an innovative RV toilet that is changing the game. It's not as commonly seen as the RV toilets listed below, but we think that might change.

And no, it's not a composting toilet.

The Laveo is made by the Connecticut-based company Dry-Flush. It's a no-water, no-odor electric RV toilet that collects waste in what looks like a foil-lined toilet. Similar to a Diaper Genie, it tightly wraps the waste with each flush.

We were so intrigued by the product that we invited the president of the company, Douglas Rice, to explain how it works. You can watch the interview above.

5 Different Types of RV Toilets

Human waste certainly isn't a fun topic to read about (or write about!). So, we will cover a lot of information as quickly as possible. Prepare yourself for an info dump! (Pun intended.)

We're going to list out the types of toilets that are most common in RVs, campervans, and travel trailers. We will spend the most time on the most popular and briefly cover the others. Let's go…

1. Gravity Flush Toilet

Like what you see in these videos? We'd appreciate it if you would Subscribe to our YouTube Channel (easy to do right here) and consider “ringing the bell icon” to be notified of any new video from us. 🙂 Thanks!

A flush RV toilet is the most common type of RV toilet. Most RVers prefer this kind because it's most like your household toilet. It flushes (usually with a press of a foot pedal), and your waste disappears into a black water tank under your RV.

The biggest difference between a traditional gravity toilet and your regular toilet at home is it doesn't have a water tank on the back. Instead of a water flush system, it relies on gravity to “push” your waste down the hole that opens when you press the pedal.

Even though these toilets don't have a water tank, they do rinse the toilet bowl with water when you press the pedal. However, it uses a lot less water than your residential toilet to ensure you don't drain your water supply too quickly.

That being said, gravity flush toilets do use more water than other RV toilets. If you do a lot of boondocking, this can become a problem.

Gravity flush tanks are dumped using a sewage hose that connects the waste tank to a sewer dump station. You drive up to the dump station, connect the hose, open the line, and gravity does its thing.

Even though handling the sewer hose is a bit gross, it's the least “up close and personal” option.

Many RVs can have an optional macerator installed to help grind up solids before the waste exits the hose. More on that later.

2. Composting Toilet

A composting toilet is a dry toilet that usually separates liquid waste from solid waste. A “dry toilet' means it does not use water to flush or rinse your toilet bowl.

In most cases, a composting toilet is a toilet seat attached directly to a waste holding tank (kind of like a toilet seat on top of a big bucket). The liquids go into a bottle that you can dump in a public toilet. Or, where it's acceptable per local rules, can be diluted and sprinkled on the ground.

The solid waste is (usually manually) mixed with a composting medium like coconut coir or peat moss. This eventually breaks down the solid waste into compost. You can then dispose of it in a compostable bag in a dumpster or use it as fertilizer for non-edible plants.

There is a lot of hype about composting toilets in the market today. They are more environmentally friendly since they create compost instead of biohazardous sewage. Sewage, by the way, is created when wet and solid waste mixes. So, by separating them, it's better for the environment.

Another reason they are popular is you can go dry camping (boondocking) longer since they don't require water. You can also combine your black and gray tanks into one big gray tank, which again means you can dry camp longer.

As boondockers ourselves, you'd think Jennifer and I would like composting toilets. In truth, I hate them. Despite the optimism of compostable toilet advocates, they're stinkier than I can handle. Plus, I don't like carrying waste inside the interior of my RV.

I certainly appreciate the environmentally friendliness of these toilets, but they're not the best option for me. However, that doesn't mean they're not a good option for you! To each their own.

3. Macerator Toilet

Like what you see in these videos? We'd appreciate it if you would Subscribe to our YouTube Channel (easy to do right here) and consider “ringing the bell icon” to be notified of any new video from us. 🙂 Thanks!

A macerating toilet is a type of gravity flush toilet but with an added feature. It macerates or grounds up what is known in the RV world as a “poo pyramid.”

A poo pyramid is the unfortunate result of solid waste and toilet paper clumping together into a mound. This mound builds up in your black water tank and, if it gets big enough, is nearly impossible for gravity to do what it's meant to do.

That's where the macerator comes in. A macerator works a lot like your garbage disposal in your kitchen sink at home. It pulverizes waste so it won't clog your sewer hose or get stuck in your black water tank. It can even pump waste up an incline!

The downfall of this toilet is it requires more water and electricity than other traditional RV toilets. But it does get the job done!

4. Incinerator Toilets

Incinerator toilets do exactly what the name suggests: incinerate your waste. With a push of the button, it heats the toilet bowl to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit and burns your waste into ash.

It's a great option if you want a dry toilet that doesn't require you to get overly hands-on with your waste. It can be pricey, though, especially since it requires special toilet bowl liners.

5. RV Cassette Toilet

Like what you see in these videos? We'd appreciate it if you would Subscribe to our YouTube Channel (easy to do right here) and consider “ringing the bell icon” to be notified of any new video from us. 🙂 Thanks!

A cassette toilet is a portable tank that you can remove from your RV by hand and roll over to an appropriate dump station. It's touted for its ease of use because you don't have to move your entire RV over to the dump station to get rid of your waste. It's basically a suitcase on wheels that transports unpleasant baggage.

It's a popular choice in Europe that's becoming more popular here. But, as you can hear in the above video, I'm not sure how well America is going to receive it in the long run.

In a lot of ways, it's a more user-friendly version of a portable toilet. A portable RV toilet is also known as a porta potty or portable camping toilet. It's a self-contained toilet that you can carry and place anywhere. It's a good choice for anyone who wants a toilet that can go from the back of your truck, to inside your RV, to outdoors on a campsite, and so on.

Best RV Toilet Paper & Holding Tank Treatment

Just like you need to know your RV toilets, you need to know about RV TP and holding tank treatments! It's vital to keep your systems running smoothly and smelling good (or, at least not smelling bad!).

Here are some helpful resources:

• What is the Best Toilet Paper for RV Use? (5 Answers)
• The Stinky Truth About RV Toilet Paper and Black Tank Sensors
• #1 Best Homemade RV Holding Tank Treatment

Get the Home Study Course today and worry about the road, not the repairs!
Every time you move your RV it's like driving through a hurricane during an earthquake. Parts break and many items need to be maintained, this program will show you how you can save time and money by gaining the confidence to take on the majority of the issues you’ll come across. Don’t get caught with your RV in the shop! Learn how you can maintain and repair your RV at your own pace and at the most convenient time for you! This course is produced by the National RV Training Academy.

RV Lifestyle officially recommends The Dyrt

You can book campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping, or find free camping. The Dyrt has it all. And in case you didn't know, The Dyrt is the #1 camping app and website in the US, with over 8 million campsites, reviews, and tips — submitted by campers, for campers. And The Dyrt PRO version makes every camping trip easier. With offline map backups, offline search, exclusive discounts, and trip planning tools, PRO can improve any stage of camping.

The Dyrt app lets users with basic accounts search for camping and save favorites, completely for free. The Dyrt PRO is an upgrade that makes it easier to go camping. Try PRO for free today.

Use the code RVlifestyle for your 30-day free trial!