Portable RV Toilets: Six Models and How to Pick One

The campground bathhouse is a quarter mile away, it is two in the morning, and it is raining. That is the moment owners of small trailers, camper vans, and pop-ups realize that a portable toilet is not a luxury. A good portable RV toilet lives in a closet or under a bench, holds waste in a sealed tank, and gets emptied at a dump station or a regular toilet. It sits between a bucket toilet and a plumbed-in black-tank system.

The six models below are all recognizable names from the portable-sanitation category, and the guide describes them using only what their names say. Read the buying rules first, because tank size, flush style, and carrying height matter more than brand when you are the one who empties it. Then use the table and write-ups to narrow the list.

Quick Picks

How to Choose

Pick a waste tank you can actually carry

Capacity sounds like a virtue until you have to lift the thing, so start with your own strength and the walking distance to the dump point. Waste is heavy, and the holding tank is the part you must carry to a dump point. Water weighs about 8.3 pounds per gallon, so a 5-gallon tank holds roughly 40 pounds of liquid plus the container. A good rule of thumb is to choose a tank size you can lift comfortably with one hand on a handle, and favor a tank with a wheel or a swivel spout if you cannot. Count the days between dump stops and the number of riders before picking size.

Choose a flush style that matches your habits

How the bowl rinses is a matter of habit and power availability more than preference. Models use a manual pump flush, a push-button flush, or an electric flush. Manual designs are simpler and work with no power, while electric versions need batteries or a 12-volt source. If you frequently dry camp, favor a manual or battery-powered design with a spare-battery plan. A hand-pump design is also easier to repair on the road than an electric one.

Look at seat height and bowl size

People tend to forget that a toilet is used several times a day, so a seat that feels slightly wrong becomes annoying fast. Comfort matters on a toilet you use daily. Household seat height is roughly 15 to 17 inches, and many portable toilets sit lower, around 13 to 16 inches. Taller or older users should aim for the upper end of that range, and anyone with limited mobility should look for a model with a lockable lid and a sturdy seat. Check the interior clearance of your closet or bathroom with the toilet’s footprint before buying.

Check the fluid system and odor control

Odor is the complaint that ends more camping trips than any mechanical failure, so the sealing design deserves attention. Most portable toilets use a separate flush-water tank and a sealed waste tank joined by a slide valve. Look for a gasket-sealed valve, a vent for gas relief, and a level indicator on the waste tank. Use holding-tank treatment made for portable toilets rather than household chemicals, and rinse after every dump to prevent buildup.

Our Picks Reviewed

Thetford Porta Potti 565E

The Thetford Porta Potti 565E is a numbered model in a long-running portable-toilet line, and the model code places it in the upper half of the family. It is a common reference point when shoppers compare options for bigger trailers and camper vans.

• Pro: A numbered upper-range model in an established line is a safe baseline for comparing seat height and tank size across alternatives.
• Pro: Thetford is widely available at RV dealers, which makes replacement parts and chemicals easy to find.
• Con: Higher-range portable toilets are often taller and heavier than basic versions, which can be awkward in a small closet.

Skip it if your RV is very small, if you travel solo for short weekends, or if you cannot comfortably carry a full tank.

Thetford Porta Potti 345

Weekend trips rarely call for the biggest tank in the lineup, and a middle option often keeps the closet free for other gear. The Thetford Porta Potti 345 sits in the middle of the same family. Compared with the 565E, the lower number suggests a different feature set, so shoppers should read the specification sheet for the real differences.

• Pro: A mid-range model within a known line tends to balance size and weight for weekend use.
• Pro: Staying with one brand simplifies your chemical and accessory purchases.
• Con: A mid-range unit may have a smaller tank than the larger models, so dump stops come more often.

Skip it if your group is large, your trips run longer than a long weekend without a dump point, or you want the tallest seat available.

Thetford Porta Potti Curve

Van-lifers live with the toilet in plain sight every day, so appearance and footprint count for more than they do in a large trailer. The Thetford Porta Potti Curve takes its name from a contoured shape rather than a model number. In a market full of boxy designs, a curved profile is a hint that the design aims to fit tighter spaces and feel less clinical.

• Pro: A rounded footprint can slide into corners and between furniture more easily than a rectangular box.
• Pro: A design-forward model suits camper vans and small trailers where the toilet is visible every day.
• Con: Design-focused models can carry a higher cost per unit of capacity compared with plain utility versions.

Skip it if you want the largest possible tank or the simplest design for heavy group use at a campsite.

Dometic 970 Series Portable Toilet

Owners who already have Dometic refrigerators, awnings, or air conditioners in the rig often prefer to stay with one supplier for service. The Dometic 970 Series Portable Toilet is named by a series, which means the exact model within the family can vary. Dometic is a large name in RV and marine sanitation, so this is a natural alternative to Thetford.

• Pro: A major RV-component brand typically offers solid dealer support and parts availability.
• Pro: Looking at a series rather than a single model gives you room to choose the size that fits your rig.
• Con: Because the name refers to a series, you must verify the exact variant and its dimensions before ordering.

Skip it if you want a single, clearly defined model with a fixed set of specifications.

Camco Portable Travel Toilet

Pop-up campers and teardrop trailers have almost no spare floor space, so a lighter, simpler toilet is often a better match than a full-featured unit. The Camco Portable Travel Toilet is named for travel use. Camco is among the most widespread RV accessory brands, and a travel toilet generally sits at the lighter, simpler end of the category.

• Pro: A travel-focused unit tends to be lighter and easier to stow than larger comfort-height models.
• Pro: A big accessory brand means chemicals, bags, and replacement parts are stocked at many camping retailers.
• Con: Lighter travel toilets usually offer a smaller tank and lower seat, which suits short trips more than extended stays.

Skip it if the toilet will be used daily by several people or if a taller seat is important.

Thetford Porta Potti 550E

Shoppers who have narrowed the field to one brand often get stuck choosing between neighboring model numbers, which is where a direct comparison helps. The Thetford Porta Potti 550E is another numbered member of the family, close in code to the 565E. Placing the two side by side is a good way to see how small model differences change size and features.

• Pro: Comparing near-neighbor model numbers makes it easier to pay only for the features you will use.
• Pro: An upper-range model in a known line suits longer trips better than basic travel versions.
• Con: As with other larger units, expect more weight when the waste tank is full.

Skip it if you need a very compact unit for a van with minimal floor space.

Which One Fits

• Family trailers with room to spare: Thetford Porta Potti 565E or 550E.
• Weekend campers: Thetford Porta Potti 345.
• Camper vans: Thetford Porta Potti Curve.
• Dometic loyalists: Dometic 970 Series Portable Toilet.
• Light travelers: Camco Portable Travel Toilet; for car-only trips without an RV, compare a portable toilet for car instead.

Group size and trip length decide most of this. A couple on a quick weekend can live with a mid-size tank and a manual flush, while a family of four on a week-long loop through national parks needs larger capacity and a firm plan for dump stops. When in doubt, choose the model you can empty alone without help.

Common Mistakes

1. Choosing a large tank and then being unable to lift it when full.
2. Using household bleach or harsh cleaners that damage seals.
3. Forgetting to vent the waste tank before removing it.
4. Ignoring the footprint and height of the toilet in the closet.
5. Skipping rinse-outs after dumping, which leads to odors.

FAQ

Can I empty a portable toilet at a campground?

Most campgrounds have a dump station or a service sink for portable toilets. Ask at check-in before you assume access.

Do I need special chemicals?

Treatment made for portable toilets controls odor and breaks down waste. Avoid products not labeled for holding tanks.

How often should I dump the tank?

A good rule is to empty it once it nears the full indicator or every two to three days, whichever comes first.

Is a portable toilet suitable for a car trip?

For short drives, lighter units fit better. See the guide to portable toilets for car travel for compact options.

Will a portable toilet still make sense as of 2026?

Yes, especially for small RVs without a bathroom. If you also carry a mobility device, the portable electric mobility scooter guide helps with packing decisions.