Guide to urine-diverting toilets - models, how they work, costs, disposal

No camper can avoid this topic: going to the toilet! It doesn’t matter whether you’re traveling in a minivan, caravan or motorhome. Having your own toilet on board means a good deal of independence. We have had a separate toilet installed in our bus for several years now and wouldn’t want to be without it. In this article, you can find out exactly what a separating toilet is, what advantages and disadvantages it has and how it works.

What is a urine-diverting toilet?

Separating toilets are dry toilets, i.e. they do not require flushing water or any toilet chemicals and are therefore an attractive alternative to chemical toilets (cassette toilets) or Porta Pottis. It is important to differentiate here: all urine-diverting toilets are dry toilets. But not all dry toilets are urine-diverting toilets! Incidentally, composting toilets are also dry toilets, but not necessarily always urine-diverting toilets. But more on this in a later article.

Dry toilets are not a special invention for motorhomes. You can also find them in small weekend or garden cabins. Because they are space-saving and easy to install, they have recently found their way into the camper world. The two terms are often used interchangeably. There are now even mobile solutions in the form of folding toilets. These are practical if you don’t have the space for a fixed toilet, but don’t want to do without your own quiet place.

How does a urine-diverting toilet work?

The name “separation toilet” explains the principle behind it: the liquid and solid excretions are collected separately. The solids end up in a container containing a bag of bark mulch or other litter. The liquid is fed into a tank. The mulch in which the solid faeces land ensures that everything dries quickly.

• The urine is collected in the front area by a separating insert and fed into the tank through a hose.
• At the back is the container for the solid food, into which it simply falls.

For most people, the idea that liquids and solids are collected separately when going to the toilet is unfamiliar at first. However, using the toilet is really simple and hardly differs from using any other toilet.

For men, using the urine-diverting toilet is child’s play. For women, it can be unfamiliar at first because they have to aim a little. But it’s not complicated at all – and even if some urine runs into the collection container, nothing bad will happen. Just add a little more litter and that’s it. If it still starts to smell, simply dispose of the bag.

Don’t urine-diverting toilets stink?

After you’ve been to the toilet, simply add a handful of litter on top. This will visually cover your poop and ensure that its odors are absorbed. If you’re now thinking that this stinks, I can reassure you. The feces only smell when they come together. The reason for this is the ammonia contained in the urine. By feeding this directly into a tank and keeping it away from the solid waste, you are pretty safe from the stench.

Avoid odors with fans

To avoid odors, it is advisable to install a fan. We usually use our urine-diverting toilet without a fan and manage very well. However, it makes sense to leave the toilet lid open from time to time so that moisture can evaporate. Even when the lid is on, there is still a small slit between it and the seat through which air can circulate. If you want to be one hundred percent sure, then a 12V fan is sufficient. You will also need a ventilation pipe through which the air is discharged to the outside. The power consumption of such a fan is minimal and hardly noticeable. Its actual consumption depends on its performance and running time. If you don’t want to connect a fan or install a ventilation pipe, this is not a problem. Then you simply have to empty the bucket a little more often and use more litter.

And what about diarrhea?

In this particular case, which you will hopefully be spared, simply add more litter and change the bag more frequently.

Toilet paper

You can also put the toilet paper in the container for the solid, as it absorbs liquid – just like the litter. You can use any normal toilet paper for the urine-diverting toilet and don’t need any special toilet paper.

Advantages and disadvantages of a separating toilet

Like everything in life, urine-diverting toilets have positive and negative sides that need to be weighed up individually.

Advantages:

• You don’t need any chemicals.
• Disposal is simple.
• You don’t need valuable water for rinsing.
• You can be self-sufficient for longer.

Disadvantages:

• You must have litter on board for covering.
• You will need bags for the container so that you can empty it as easily as possible.

Market overview of urine-diverting toilets for motorhomes: popular models

Boxio

The compact, mobile separating toilet from Boxio is particularly suitable for mini campers, camper vans and camper buses. Even beginners who want to try out the concept of a dry separating toilet will enjoy this simple but well-designed model in Eurobox format.

How it works:

• Supplied in individual parts for self-assembly
• Load capacity up to 245 kg according to the manufacturer
• Volume of the solids container: 5 liters, corresponds to approx. 8 – 10 uses
• Volume of the liquid container: 5 liters, corresponds to approx. 10 – 15 uses
• “Toilet Up” booster seat: raised by 12 cm (incl. hemp litter and litter container)
• Bedding is required(hemp bedding available from the manufacturer or Amazon)

Dimensions & weight:

• Footprint: depth 400 mm, width 300 mm
• Dimensions when closed: height 280 mm (with booster seat 400 mm), depth 400 mm, width 300 mm
• Seat height: 280 mm, with booster seat 400 mm
• Weight: approx. 3.9 kg

Cost: 149.00 – 179.00 €

Sources of supply: Amazon, Boxio.de

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Trobolo

TROBOLO LuweBlœm

Separating toilet without connection for an exhaust air system, outer construction is made of 100% wood from sustainable forestry. The separators are made of plastic. The toilet is handcrafted in Germany and delivered fully assembled.

How it works:

• Requires no water or electricity.
• Volume of the solids container: 22 liters, corresponds to approx. 30 – 40 uses.
• Volume of the liquid container: 10 liters, corresponds to approx. 30 – 50 uses.
• The two separate containers can be easily removed for disposal.
• Bedding is required to cover the faeces.

Dimensions & weight:

• Footprint: depth 535 mm, width 400 mm
• Dimensions when closed: height 485 mm, depth 600 mm, width 400 mm
• Seat height: 460 mm
• Weight: 22 kg

Cost: 649,00 €

Where to buy: Camping Wagner

TROBOLO IndiBlœm

How it works:

• Extremely compact and therefore suitable for minivans and motorhomes
• Already fully assembled
• With practical carrying handles for easy transportation
• Volume of the solids container 11 liters, corresponds to approx. 15 – 20 uses
• Volume of the liquid container 10 liters, corresponds to approx. 30 – 50 uses
• The two separate containers can be easily removed for disposal

Dimensions & weight:

• Footprint depth 465 mm, width 310 mm
• Dimensions when closed: height 475 mm, depth 465 mm, width 310 mm
• Seat height 460 mm
• Weight 9.5 kg

Costs: approx. 685 €

Where to buy: Camping Wagner

TROBOLO TinyBlœm

How it works:

• For fixed mounting on the floor or wall.
• External discharge of urine into a separate tank or the gray water tank.
• With electric exhaust air system that can be connected via USB port.
• Operation via 12V, 24V and 230V possible.
• Volume of the solids container 11 liters, corresponds to approx. 30 – 40 uses.
• Volume of the liquid container 10 liters, corresponds to approx. 30 – 50 uses.
• The two separate containers can be easily removed for disposal.

Dimensions & weight:

• Footprint depth 430 mm, width 370 mm
• Dimensions when closed: height 480 mm, depth 495 mm, width 370 mm
• Seat height 455 mm
• Weight 11.5 kg

Costs: 1145 €

Where to buy: Camping Wagner

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Kildwick camping toilet

These camping toilets are made from a robust birch plywood body and a bamboo toilet seat. All toilets are already fully assembled.

EasyLoo

This popular model looks most like a conventional toilet.

How it works:

• The urine-diverting toilet must first be assembled.
• It can be used free-standing or firmly anchored in the ground.
• The hinges and steel nails used are galvanized and therefore protected against rust.
• The fill level of the urine canister can be read through a viewing slot on the front.

Dimensions: 44.50 cm long × 42.20 cm wide × 47.50 cm high
Seat height: 45.00 cm
Load capacity: up to 150 kg
Urine container: 9.5 l
Solids container: 16 l
Weight: 12.26 kg

Cost: 449 €

Where to buy: Amazon, Kildwick

MiniLoo

The MiniLoo is available in three versions (with or without a 5 V or 12 V fan). The design of the toilets is always the same, they are either supplied fully assembled or (slightly cheaper) as a DIY kit.

How it works:

• The untreated birch plywood is 8 mm thick (body).
• The divider insert is made from a high-quality, recyclable material. It is attached with neodymium magnets so that you can easily remove and clean it.
• The canister can be emptied from above, which is particularly practical in tight spaces.
• The birch plywood body can be painted, oiled or varnished to your own taste.
• When closed, a cushion can be placed on the toilet and it can therefore be used as a seat.

Dimensions: 38.40 cm long × 33.70 cm wide × 44.50 cm high
Seat height: 42.5 cm
Load capacity: body: up to 150 kg, lid up to 100 kg
Urine container: 9.5 l
Solids container: 9.5 l
Weight: 8.08 kg

Cost: 549 €

Where to buy: Kildwick, Amazon

FancyLoo

The FancyLoo model is also available in two versions. Common to both is the body made of 15 cm thick birch plywood, which is veneered on both sides.

How it works:

• The toilet is supplied fully assembled.
• The carrying handles integrated into the body make it easy to transport.
• The body is completely protected against splash water by an appropriate treatment.

Dimensions: 44.00 cm length × 43.00 cm width × 48.00 cm height
Seat height: 45.5 cm
Load capacity: body: up to 150 kg, lid up to 100 kg
Urine container: 9.5 l
Solids container: 16 l
Weight: 16.5 kg

Cost: 799 €

Where to buy: Kildwick, Amazon

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Gold bucket

The mobile composting toilets from Goldeimer are produced sustainably and 100% fairly in Germany. The two toilet models are supplied as a kit and are easy to put into operation.

Camper

This is particularly suitable for campers who have little space available. The stylish seat is made of wipe-clean PET and was designed by an artist.

Good to know: This model is not a separating toilet. Urine and solids are collected in a bucket. Hang a compostable bag in the bucket when using it to reduce the amount of cleaning required. Pour the litter into the compartment for the shavings and also cover the bottom of the bucket with approx. 5 cm. After you have been to the toilet, cover your pet’s droppings with one or two hands of litter.

How it works:

• An airtight bucket plus the use of bedding such as wood shavings prevent unpleasant odors from developing.
• Flat pack size so that it can be stowed under a bench seat.
• It can be assembled without tools.
• Loadable up to 130 kg.

Dimensions and weight:

• Dimensions when folded: height 6 cm x width 48.9 cm x depth 48.8 cm
• Dimensions after assembly: Height 34.6 x width 48.9 x depth 48.8 cm
• Weight 9 kg

Cost: 189 €

Source of supply: Camping Wagner

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Wood composting toilet

This page offers you two different composting toilets made of wood as DIY kits. They are manufactured by a joinery in Thuringia. There are various self-assembly kits, each with different features. The simplest model, “Im-Kubus”, is supplied with just the wooden frame; all other necessary parts can be ordered separately.

In-cube thermo

The composting toilet works with the Privy separator insert from Separett, a container for the urine and a bucket for the faeces. Both are collected and disposed of separately.

Functional information: The Im-Kubus model can be opened on both sides to remove the containers. Some space is therefore required to the left or right of the toilet. The minimum room size for this model is 87 cm with a 23-liter collection tank or 72 cm if a smaller 16-liter collection tank is used.

• An exhaust air pipe can be connected as an option; a corresponding hole is provided.
• Unused openings can be closed using the cover plates supplied.
• The scope of delivery includes the body, a urine partition, a thermo seat, 21 liter urine canister and 23 liter solids bucket, hose connection and canister key.

Dimensions: 50x50x50 cm

Costs: 334,80 €

In-Vario composting toilet kit

This model allows the containers to be removed from above, making it suitable for small rooms. An exhaust pipe and fan can be connected as an option so that the toilet can be constantly ventilated.

Cost: 338 €

The urine partition, seat and canister are not included in this price and are an additional cost. Alternatively, there is an “In-Vario” set offer with different seat variants. This set includes the inner canister, the solid waste container and a urine partition.

Source of supply: Website of the manufacturer

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Dry separation toilet from Holzapfel

Another model made from solid wood, including the toilet seat. The urine separator and the collection container for solids are made of plastic.

How it works:

To be able to use this dry separation toilet, the available space must be at least one meter wide so that you can remove the container from the side. This is possible on both the right and left. If desired, it is also possible to remove the collection container to the rear, which reduces the required space to 75 cm.

• 30 liter bucket for faeces is sufficient for one person for about four to six weeks.
• The drain for the urine is routed as a hose on the back wall of the toilet.
• A small 12 V fan is installed in the toilet cistern, which generates a gentle air flow. This prevents odors and keeps insects away.
• It is not necessary to re-litter after every visit to the toilet. It is sufficient to add about 5 cm of litter to the empty container before it is used again.

Cost: € 520
Source of supply: Holzapfel und Konsorten GmbH and Co.KG

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Dry separation toilets from Trelino

This manufacturer of urine-diverting toilets offers different sized models that are suitable for vans, motorhomes and camper vans. The housing of the toilets is made of polyethylene, the lid is made of birch wood (multi-layer board), which is glued to be water-resistant.

Trelino S

Designed for Bullis, vans and panel vans with very little space.

Dimensions: 32.8 cm wide / 39.0 cm deep / 35.0 cm high
Weight: approx. 6.1 kg
Urine canister capacity: 5 l
Solids containercapacity: 8 l

You can operate this model with or without a fan. You also have the choice of whether you want to install it permanently or use it as a portable version.

Cost: 419 €

Where to buy: Meine Trenntoilette Shop, Camping Wagner

Trelino M

Suitable for panel vans, caravans and the Ford Nugget.

Dimensions: 31.5 cm wide / 39.0 cm deep / 35.0 cm high
Weight: approx. 6.1 kg
Urine canister capacity: 5 l, sufficient for around seven visits to the toilet.
Solids container capacity: 8 l

Cost: 599 €

Where to buy: Meine Trenntoilette Shop, Camping Wagner

Trelino L

Designed for motorhomes, camper vans and panel vans.

Dimensions: 32.8 cm wide / 39.0 cm deep / 46.5 cm high
Weight: approx. 6.5 kg

Urine canister capacity: 10.0 l, sufficient for approximately seven toilet visits.
Solids container capacity: 10.5 l

Cost: 649 €
Some of these toilets are also available with an HPL finish.

Where to buy: Meine Trenntoilette Shop, Camping Wagner

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Litter and separating toilets from Vivaverde

The Vivaverde humus toilet website offers you four different options, from very simple solutions to more comfortable ones. The latter is suitable if you want to convert from an already installed chemical toilet to a separating toilet, as a tank is already available in this case.

Mini Loo complete set

A simple and affordable scatter toilet that does not require installation or electricity. The toilet is made of plastic.

Information on the function:

• Urine and solids are collected in a 12 liter bucket with an insert bag.
• After using the toilet, sprinkle wood shavings over your excrement.
• When the bucket is full, empty the bag into the residual waste.
• The toilet can bear loads of up to 120 kg.

Dimensions: height 43 x width 35 x depth 44 cm, weight not specified.

Cost: 96,90 Euro

Sanitoa Maxi

The principle of this toilet is the same as the previous model. It differs only in its appearance, the size of the collection tank (35 liters) and its dimensions. It can also hold up to 150 kg.

Dimensions: height 53 x width 45 x depth 51 cm

Cost: 256,90 Euro

There is a little bit of installation work involved with these two models: Toa Nova and Separera.

The Toa Nova is a scatter toilet that works without electricity. Instead, an exhaust pipe is used to ventilate the toilet and prevent odors. The urine is collected in a separate canister. This must be placed outside the toilet and with a slight downward slope. There is a collection container in the toilet that has small drainage holes. The urine is drained through these into a hose and then into the canister. After the “big business”, cover the droppings with some litter.

Dimensions and weight:

• Height 48.5 x width 50 x depth 51 cm
• Weight 7 kg

Separera

The Separera urine-diverting toilet has a bucket for solids (30 liters) and a canister for urine (10 liters). The latter is fed outside into a canister that must be lower than the toilet. A fan is installed in the toilet, which can be operated with 12 volts. The toilet also has a privacy screen that only opens when you sit on it.

Dimensions: Height 64 x width 40 depth 68 cm

Cost: 849,00 €

Source of supply: Viva Verde Ecology

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Separett Separating toilets

In addition to those mentioned above, there are other urine-diverting toilets that are suitable for different purposes.

Separett Rescue Mobile urine-diverting toilet

A practical and affordable solution for mobile use. Although the foldable toilet only weighs 4.5 kg, it can carry up to 120 kg. It is suitable for anyone who has no space in their camper but does not want to do without a toilet. To use it, the toilet is taken out of the bag, unfolded and a bag inserted. The bag is then closed and disposed of. The urine runs through an integrated separating insert into a hose and can be collected in a canister.

Dimensions when folded: 6 cm height / 15 cl depth / 37 cm width
Seat height: 43 cm

Cost: 89 €
Sources of supply: My separating toilet store, Amazon

Separett Tiny

There are various models from the manufacturer Separett. This one was specially developed for small spaces such as vans and motorhomes. The separating toilet is made of polypropylene and is supplied fully assembled.

You can choose whether you want to buy it with a urine canister or with a preparation for external urine drainage.

Dimensions: 39.8 width / 49.7 length / 47 cm height
Solids container: 14.5 l
Urine canister: 7 l
Weight: 9 kg

Cost: 879 €

Sources of supply: Meine Trenntoilette Shop, Oeko-Energie

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Nature’s Head urine-diverting toilet

This toilet is a composting toilet. A crank is attached to the side to mix the solids with the litter or coconut fibers. You can choose between a hand crank, which can be mounted on the left or right, and a foot crank. The latter can only be fitted on one side. The toilet is made of polyethylene and stainless steel fittings.

Dimensions: 48.3 cm/ 53.4 cm height / 48.3 cm depth
Weight: 12.7 kg
Solids container: lasts for 60 to 80 sessions
Urine tank: 8,3 l

Cost: 1099 €

Sources of supply: Camping Wagner Shop, Meine Trenntoilette, Amazon, autarker.de, TomTur

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OGO urine-diverting toilet

Another compact toilet that is suitable for installation in confined spaces. This model has a composting function.

Dimensions: 40.6 cm wide / 46.7 cm high / 38.1 cm deep
Weight: 11.6 kg
Urine canister: 9 l
Solids container: 9 l

Costs: 1200 €

Source of supply: Camping Wagner, autarker.de, TomTur

Build a separating toilet yourself

Separating toilets can be purchased ready-made from various manufacturers and only need to be installed in your motorhome. However, you can also build your own urine-diverting toilet with just a few tools. The most important part is a separating insert such as the Privy 501.

All you need is wood for the toilet base, a suitable bucket for the solid waste, a urine canister and pipes or hoses. Now build a wooden box into which you can integrate the toilet insert. This box is what you will later see of the toilet. Place a bucket in the box to collect the waste.

When building, remember that you should be able to easily remove the bucket or bag to empty it. Lay a hose from the urine insert to the collection canister. This should also be stowed away so that it is easily accessible, for example outside your mobile home. The advantages of DIY are clear: you can tailor the toilet exactly to the dimensions of your available space and you save money.

Bags and tanks

For the bucket of the separating toilet, you need a bag to collect and dispose of the solid waste. If you want to avoid plastic completely, you can use compostable bio-bags. These are perfect for composting and are 100% biodegradable. However, the disadvantage is that they start to decompose when they get damp. This means you can’t leave them in the bin for as long as a plastic bag. Alternatively, you can use normal bin liners.

Disposal and self-sufficient

There are two of us living in a camper and we change our bucket about every eight days, others seem to get away with it for longer. The container has a volume of 30 liters. We throw the bag well sealed into a garbage can. You can also use the contents as compost for your garden if you have one. In this case, however, you should collect the toilet paper in a separate bag as it takes longer to decompose.

Note:

In Germany, it is forbidden to use untreated human faeces as fertilizer. Before you can use the leftovers as fertilizer, you must first compost them for a year. Ideally, you should do this together with garden or kitchen waste. You should plan on about 35 liters of urine for two people. This allows you and two people to be self-sufficient for about a week before you have to empty it. You can empty each tank at a camping station or pour the contents into a normal toilet. After all, there is nothing else in it apart from urine.

Costs for a urine-diverting toilet

The costs for such a quiet little place vary greatly. A ready-made urine-diverting toilet is more expensive to buy than if you build one yourself. The basic version of a complete separating toilet starts at around € 420(Trelino S) and can go up to € 1200(OGO compost separating toilet). If you build the toilet yourself, then you can expect costs of around €200, with no upper limit of course. The price depends, among other things, on the type of wood you use. This is purely a matter of taste.

These are the most important components:

• Wood for the frame construction, price from approx. 35 € (glued spruce)
• Separating insert, from 90 €
• a bucket, from 7 €
• one tank, from 29 €

In addition to the costs for the purchase or construction, there are also running costs. You will need bags and a litter for the container.

• Garbage bags with drawstring (60 l/ 20 pieces) cost approx. 5 €
• compostable bags (40 pieces) cost approx. 19.90 €
• Small animal litter (60l ) costs from €1.99

In addition to small animal bedding, you can also use wood shavings, bark mulch or something else that is odor-binding and absorbent.

Buying a urine-diverting toilet

You can buy urine-diverting toilets as a kit online. This includes everything you need for installation – except the tools, of course. Complete urine-diverting toilets are available from these suppliers, among others:

• www.campingwagner.de
• www.meinetrenntoilette.de
• www.oecobuy.de
• www.tcstattwc.de
• www.tomtur.de
• www.oeko-energie.de
• www.trobolo.com
• www.airhead.de
• autarker.com

And here you’ll find toilet seats and other accessories for DIY projects:

• www.campingshop-24.de
• www.campingwagner.de
• www.meinetrenntoilette.de
• www.wohnwagon.at
• www.trobolo.com
• Kildwick.com

Conclusion

Urine-diverting toilets are hygienic and environmentally friendly as they do not require precious water or added chemicals. With the right treatment, the waste can even be used as fertilizer. For those who like to be self-sufficient, they offer a great deal of freedom thanks to the long emptying intervals. The separating toilet is an attractive solution not only for freethinkers, but for anyone who cares about the environment.

FAQ

Podcast with experts on the topic of “camping toilets”

In our podcast, Nele and Sebastian talk aboutcamping toiletsin general. They report on their experiences and provide information and tips. Have a listen:[su_spacer size=”10″]

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Photos: (c) Nima Ashoff

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