The Top 3 Off-Grid Toilet Options: Compared

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqX7IVZJvSQ

When you start your adventure van build, one of the major decisions you will make is what to do about your toilet. And yes, we're about to spend an entire blog and video talking about toilets. Welcome to van life.

Now you might be thinking, "a toilet seems like the last thing I should be concerned about when I'm building a custom adventure van." And you'd be right, until you're out on the road when nature calls and the right toilet choice becomes immediately important.

DryFlush vs. Cassette vs. Composting Toilets

Today, we're going to break down 3 of the most common off-grid toilet options: the DryFlush toilet (by Laveo), the composting toilet (from Trelino) , and we'll even touch on the more standard cassette-style toilets (like the ones we use from Dometic).

Before we get too far into the weeds, we should preface, there is no "perfect" solution or "correct" choice when it comes to choosing your off-grid toilet solution. Every toilet option we'll discuss has it's benefits (and drawbacks) and the Off Highway Van experts are here to help you choose the right toilet, based on how you actually travel.

Black Water Tanks Vs. Self-Contained Toilets

At Off Highway Van, we've chosen these self-contained off-grid toilets in place of a traditional black water tank: and for good reason. Not only does this save you valuable space in your van's utility area, it also cuts out all of the additonal plumbing, dumping, and maintenance that comes with a black water tank that most RVers dread dealing with anyway.

Instead, we've chosen these simple, self-contained toilet solutions that give you the comforts of home without the hassle of managing an additional waste tank. As an added bonus, every solution we will discuss today easily fits in your van's shower (or a hideaway seatbox storage drawer) which saves you valuable floor space and prevents your toilet from becoming an eyesore in the middle of your van.

Now, let's get into the benefits and drawbacks of each of our off-grid toilet solutions.

How DryFlush Toilets Work Off-Grid

First up, let's discuss the DryFlush toilet option from Laveo. In our opinion, this is a game-changer when it comes to off-grid toilet solutions and is probably as close as you can get to a traditional toilet experience without plumbing.

The best way we can describe it? Think about it like a Diaper Genie, but for van life.

This toilet uses a Mylar cartridge system, coupled with a 12V fan system, which allows you to instantly wrap your waste (and the smell) with the push of a button.

This means there are no harsh chemicals to handle, no plumbing, no integrated wiring, an no venting required for this solution to function properly.

The Advantages Of DryFlush Toilets

The big advantage here? Simplicity. There's no mixing, no separating liquids, and no learning curve meaning anyone (even kids) can use this solution without instruction. And the smell? A non-issue. Everything is sealed instantly after each use. This means no more holes to dig, no direct handling of waste, with zero maintenance or cleaning required.

The DryFlush is by far the simplest solution to live with day-to-day when you're on the road.

The Trade-Offs Of DryFlush Toilets

Most of the "trade-offs" or drawbacks of DryFlush toilets lie in cost and practicality. Each cartridge pack only lasts around 15 uses which can get used quickly especially if you have a bigger family: it all adds up. This means you'll need to keep buying (and storing) cartridges as well as creating a bit more waste (compared to a composting toilet).

The DryFlush system also does require a small 12V power input in order to function and is a bit taller than our other options which makes it inelligible to fit in our Hideaway sliding seatbox drawer (like the other available options do).

Now that we've discussed DryFlush, let's talk about our second option from Trelino: the composting toilet.

How Composting Toilets Work Off-Grid

In our opinion, these are the most off-grid friendly toilet solutions currently available on the market. This solution functions by separating liquids and solids into two separate containers and relies on a combination of air drying and the addition of a carbon rich material like kitty litter, sawdust, etc. to control the smell instead of sealing or flushing like the DryFlush or cassette options.

With composting toilets, you don't need dedicated disposal areas (like a cassette toilet). It's not glamorous or tech forward, but it works well for specific use cases.

The Advantages Of Composting Toilets

The biggest advantages of composting toilets are no long-term costs and no waste creation. Once you've purchased a composting toilet, there are no per-use costs (like DryFlush cartridges), which is great if you're consistently traveling. And also, there's also no need to purchase additional cartridges etc. in order for this system to function properly.

The Trade-Offs Of Composting Toilets

The major trade-off of composting toilets (when compared to DryFlush) is that waste management is a bit more hands on.

You'll be emptying liquids frequently, and be putting in more effort in managing your solids (and smells). There is also a bit more of a learning curve in order to properly use this toilet solution.

It's also not quite as intuitive for guests or kids as the other solutions on this list and does require a seated position in order manage the smell an properly separate your liquids and solids.

If you're OK with a bit more hands on approach in order to create less waste (and save a bit of money long term) it's a very solid solution and it also fits easily into spaces like our showers or our Hideaway sliding seat box storage drawer.

How Cassette Toilets Work Off-Grid

Finally, we have cassette toilets like the Dometic. These are affordable, straightforward solutions and work well for occasional or back-up use. But, we wouldn't recommend relying on them as a full-time, long-term solution.

These toilets come with a removable tank that functions very much like an RV black water tank. To operate this solution, simply do your business, pump the flush mechanism, and allow the water and chemicals in the bowl to send waste into the cassette tank.

The Advantages Of Cassette Toilets

The main advantage of cassette toilets are simplicity and portability. There are no cartridges to buy, no separators, and it requires no power in order to function.

The Trade-Offs Of Cassette Toilets

The main drawback of cassette toilets is their very basic function (when compared to the solutions above). These toilets have very low capacity, require frequent emptying, and do require harsh chemicals in order to function.

Disposal of your waste is also not as simple as the options listed above. These toilets also require waste be disposed of in designated dumping areas rather than wrapped in a bag in the nearest trash can, or added to your compost heap.

Cleaning is also very hands on. These solutions require waste tanks to be cleaned out directly in order to prevent smell long-term rather than using a cartridge or separating system.

Choosing the Right Off-Grid Toilet for Your Van

For most people, it comes down to this. If you want the easiest, most familiar toilet experience, go with DryFlush. If you want the lowest long-term costs and don't mind being a bit more hands on with your waste management, composting toilets are the way to go. If it's just for the occasional use, a simple cassette toilet is a perfect solution.

The Toilet Off Highway Van's Experts Recommend

After extensive testing (and a decade of customer feedback), Off Highway Van's team of experts consistently recommend the DryFlush solution over traditional cassette or composting options. Designed for simplicity and reliability, the DryFlush system eliminates the complexity from off-grid waste management without the usage of harsh chemicals, installed plumbing, or black water tank maintenance.

Each use is cleanly sealed delivering unmatched odor control without the need for chemicals or over-complicated venting systems in your off-grid van build. The result is a solution that feels more refined, more intuitive, and far better suited for life on the road.

At the end of the day, it's not about what's "best overall" it's about what's best for the way you actually use your van. When you're off-grid, the last thing you want to be concerned about is if you chose the right toilet for your van.

Building Your Van With Off Highway Van

One thing to note, at Off Highway Van, we're good with any of these solutions. We're happy to purchase your chosen toilet solution for you and implement it directly into your van build on delivery.

Or, down the road, if you want to add a new solution to your build, our experts are happy to chat with you about which solution is right for your needs.

To get started on your dream van build (with the right toilet for your needs), book a meeting with one of our van experts today!