Composting Toilet

[DavidEwo]

In line for a 17B (late fall or winter). Considering a composting toilet - to save water and limit black water tank dumping. Curious if anyone has recommendations concerning this optioin.
Thanks.

[HABBERDABBER]

There's plenty of potty talk about your query. Try composting as your term.

[TTMartin]

Originally Posted by DavidEwo

In line for a 17B (late fall or winter). Considering a composting toilet - to save water and limit black water tank dumping. Curious if anyone has recommendations concerning this optioin.
Thanks.

My recommendation is don't waste your money.

You have to empty the urine container every couple of days. If you don't mind dealing with urine, just urinate into a jug and use that to flush your regular RV toilet. (If that sounds gross to you, you don't want a composting toilet)

The Nasty Truth of RV Composting Toilets

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by TTMartin

My recommendation is don't waste your money.

You have to empty the urine container every couple of days. If you don't mind dealing with urine, just urinate into a jug and use that to flush your regular RV toilet. (If that sounds gross to you, you don't want a composting toilet)

The Nasty Truth of RV Composting Toilets

Our Scamp had a 9 gallon black water tank and we could go a week when boondocking. Your 17B will have a 19 gallon black water tank. I can see a composting toilet when you only have 5-10 gallon BW tank, but not with a 19 gallon.

Hauling a bag of poop to a dumpster is not exactly environmentally friendly, much less socially acceptable, and having a urine tank overflow in the camper or spill on the way out is also something I wouldn't care to deal with.

Enjoy,

Perry

[AndNeitherDoI]

Originally Posted by DavidEwo

In line for a 17B (late fall or winter). Considering a composting toilet - to save water and limit black water tank dumping. Curious if anyone has recommendations concerning this optioin.
Thanks.

I have the Airhead composting toilet in a 21C.

I had the same goal as you to maximize freshwater and completely avoid using a black tank. It definitely helps with that.

To start, I went with the Airhead primarily because the liquids tank is removable without opening the solids tank. I am emptying the 2 gallon liquids tank every day because it is either full or close to full after that long. There are two of us full-timing in the 21C and perhaps we are well hydrated. The little indicator window only lets you know when you're really full (one of my gripes with it). After having a few overflows from not checking, I just take it out daily now. Going in to it, I didn't think I'd have to deal with it this much. There is some odor while the container is open and free but that is not a problem when it is installed & ready to use.

Walking to the pit toilet or in to the bathrooms to empty the liquids has never been a problem. There is a lid if you want to use it, so it doesn't slosh on you. The container is white and you can't see what the contents are. Only you will know you're holding a bucket of urine.

I've found it is best to empty the liquids before driving with the trailer. If you can't empty it before you go, then putting the cap on the liquids is a very good idea.

The solids tank gets full about every three weeks. I use coconut coir as the medium for it and it works well. It smells like dirt. Changing it out is a little process but in all takes five to ten minutes. Some pre-planning helps to get the coco coir bricks hydrated and ready to go in. You do get to see the sold while you're changing it but it still smells like dirt. This part is a lot easier than I thought it would be.

It is expensive up front but there was no way I was dealing with a black tank. I would absolutely choose this toilet again.

Since you're ordering a 17, I'd ask Escape if you can get a larger than standard fresh tank. Get as big as they'll give you. Freshwater is always the first to run out for us.

Any specific questions? Ask away.

[Judy Eidge]

David. Months later, I realized that I hadn’t thanked you for your accurate and thorough reply. How rude, please accept my apology.
We plan on having a black tank as a back up if we have to exchange the toilet for a flush toilet. We are so determined that this might be a good idea because it’s only the black tank that limits us when we are boondocking in the wilderness. We like to stay out of range for weeks.
We are so excited since we ordered our 5.0 in May. We’re not supposed to get it for another year and a half, but we stay excited and keep looking for a used one to have in the meantime!

[salmo7000]

If the reason you think you want a composting toilet is because you don't want to deal with a dump station, you will still be left with the problem of disposing of your gray water. If you're unwilling to take it to a dump station, PLEASE dispose of it responsibly. That does not include dumping it on the ground where you're camped, streaming it into a bucket and flinging it off in the bushes, or disposing of it anywhere near water. If you're willing to filter out the food particles and haul it at least 200 feet from water, 200+ feet from any site where others might camp, and disperse it far and wide, that would be better. As would hauling it to an outhouse, flush toilet, or other receptacle designed to handle waste water.

Be aware that other than at some BLM sites in the western US, it is illegal to dump gray water anywhere on public lands. And yes, I'm aware that tent campers and others without the means to contain it do it all the time. The problem gets exponentially worse when someone dumps 20+ gallons out of an RV in the same spot all at once. If you ever encounter a site where the previous occupants have done that, without taking the steps I mentioned, you'll know exactly what I mean.

The other thing I'll add is managing a black tank and dumping it and the gray tank after 10 - 14 days has been one of the easiest things about camping with my Escape. The entire job is done in less than 5 minutes, including a quick rinse of both. Really nothing scary or bad about it. Yes there are horror stories. But yes, it is entirely possible to camp with a black tank for an entire lifetime and not have one bad thing happen. The things work great when managed properly.

Instead of spending the $$ on a composter, have your considered ordering a 17A?? That might be a better option, not to mention much cheaper. If I didn't want to deal with a black tank, that's probably the route I'd go.

[karliefoxk]

I wonder if anyone has been able to get the 17a (to avoid the black tank) and had Escape do a custom build with the little bathroom for their own portajohn (not a full-on composter)?

I would like to avoid the big composter, have the for walls, and forgo the blackwater.

Thoughts

[ghosthunter]

Well my wife insisted on learning to dump the tanks. My knees are bad from years working on them.
My wife can dump both tanks and clean up in less than 10 minutes. I have got several thumbs ups from guys at dump stationed while their wives sit in the truck.

I do it too. But she has no issues jumping out to dump tanks.

[GPS]

As far as composting and throwing poop away in the garbage, i don't know, i do it wag bag style with our 17 a or use the park facility, but the last i thought about it, millions of diapers, kitty liters, and dog poop bags make it to the garage every day, so i personally don't see the difference.

[iamunique127]

Originally Posted by ghosthunter

Well my wife insisted on learning to dump the tanks. My knees are bad from years working on them.
My wife can dump both tanks and clean up in less than 10 minutes. I have got several thumbs ups from guys at dump stationed while their wives sit in the truck.

I do it too. But she has no issues jumping out to dump tanks.

Now that is a good wife!

[salmo7000]

Originally Posted by karliefoxk

I wonder if anyone has been able to get the 17a (to avoid the black tank) and had Escape do a custom build with the little bathroom for their own portajohn (not a full-on composter)?

I would like to avoid the big composter, have the for walls, and forgo the blackwater.

Thoughts

If I had a 17a, for sure I would just use my river toilet. I used it for many years when tent camping, and of course on river trips. I have an EcoSafe. This system is smaller than most porta potties and is easily emptied into a septic clean out at home, or at an RV dump station. When I started rafting, I used WAG bags, but the EcoSafe ends up being much cheaper over the long term and avoids having to add more waste to landfills.

Rather than set it up inside the trailer, I’d set it up outside in a portable shower tent, or some such thing. This system is not a good one to have contained inside, it’s definitely for outside use.

[SageRpod]

Originally Posted by karliefoxk

I wonder if anyone has been able to get the 17a (to avoid the black tank) and had Escape do a custom build with the little bathroom for their own portajohn (not a full-on composter)?

I would like to avoid the big composter, have the for walls, and forgo the blackwater.

Thoughts

With the popularity of van-life and over-landing, the options for going with a non-black tank toilet are almost endless these days. I would research the many over-landing sites and forums and look for the option that best suits your need.

FWIW, we love our composter.

[7Gentex]

Originally Posted by Perry Butler

........ Your 17B will have a 19 gallon black water tank.................

Perry

FYI - 13.2 gallon black on the 17B

And in general, "composting" toilets don't "compost"...........not enough heat, not enough time.

A Homer bucket with a toilet seat and some bags is about the same setup for way less $$$.

[Mommoves]

We’ve ordered one for our 23 and definitely researched extensively before deciding. Can’t imagine why I would choose to deal with black water hose and tanks, clean up and dumping over a composting toilet. Not to mention saving water boondocking.

[SageRpod]

Originally Posted by 7Gentex

FYI - 13.2 gallon black on the 17B

And in general, "composting" toilets don't "compost"...........not enough heat, not enough time.

A Homer bucket with a toilet seat and some bags is about the same setup for way less $$$.

That horse has been beat several times over. The name is confusing. Would be better if they called it a dry toilet or something like that.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by Mommoves

We’ve ordered one for our 23 and definitely researched extensively before deciding. Can’t imagine why I would choose to deal with black water hose and tanks, clean up and dumping over a composting toilet. Not to mention saving water boondocking.

So you're also eliminating emptying your grey water tank? Do you plan to be without using the gray water tank? Doesn't sound like you'll be without grey water to empty.

To empty the grey water you have to hook up the same hose, and have a similar cleanup anyway, so that's a moot point. All you do is pull the black water valve first, empty it, close it up, and then empty your grey water. You're just adding another device (composting toilet) and cleanup, not saving any time at all, but have to add the cost and separate empty process and dumping when you have a composting toilet. A composting toilet is more complex, not simpler.

We also use our black water tank for when we are at a site for a while and need the extra grey water storage. We've never even come clost to filling our black water tank.

Food for thought,

Perry

[Centex]

Originally Posted by Mommoves

.... Can’t imagine why I would choose to deal with black water hose and tanks, clean up and dumping over a composting toilet.....

No worries regarding your apparent lack of imagination, but so-called 'composting' toilets do have their own particular use and maintenance burdens too, so having choices is a good thing, IMO!

I'm happy that you are able to get a trailer 'Built for You'

[Beep]

Does anyone have a Nature's Head composting Toilet?

[SageRpod]

Originally Posted by Beep

Does anyone have a Nature's Head composting Toilet?

I do not, but do have the Air Head which is/was supplied by ETI. The Escape bathroom does not have enough clearance to the Natures Head which is hinged in the back and would not be able to open wide enough to empty the waste bucket. With the Air Head, everything lifts straight up.