Camping toilets - the lowdown!

[NannyR]

I've been thinking of adding a portapotty type toilet to my holiday camping set up. I currently just use a bucket with a lid when I need to go to the loo at night and empty it in the toilets in the morning. I've been looking at some camping toilets and I've found one that would slide under my campbed, in the inner tent in my (smallish) tent.
The main thing I'm concerned about is that I don't want my sleeping space smelling of toilet chemicals - do the camp toilets have any smell when the lid is closed? How do they fare when your tent gets extremely hot in the midday sun? Are they easy and clean to empty?
Thanks

If it were just wee, and emptied regularly I think it would be OK. However think of how a portaloo smells and you've pretty much got the idea!

Friends had one, smelled revolting. I just use the toilet block myself, kids have done so since 5 too

They're fine, don't smell too bad if you empty them every day or two. They're essential at the mo, as campsites aren't allowed to open shared facilities until 17th May.

I would in no way have one in my sleeping tent though - get a seperate toilet tent.

I use this fluid in the upper and lower tanks:
www.wessexchemicalfactors.co.uk/product/blue-bio-clear-toilet-fluidallsizes/

It's eco-friendly, biodegradable and formaldehyde free (some rural campsites will have cess pits/septic tanks, and using a fluid with formaldehyde will ruin their self-decomposing properties).

I wouldn't in my sleeping area. We had a caravan for years and I really didn't like the chemical smell. I would get a portapotty with a toilet tent.

Thanks everyone, sounds like it's not a good idea in a small tent. I'll stick to the bucket instead.

You could get a Loo Tent to keep it out the sleeping area.
(search for Loo Tent or Toilet Tent on Amazon)

@NannyR

Thanks everyone, sounds like it's not a good idea in a small tent. I'll stick to the bucket instead.

Well, a portapotti would be better than a bucket if that's your other plan - the fluid breaks everything down, and they're better sealed than a bucket.

We never notice the chemical smells in the caravan toilet. We used to have a porta-potti when we camped and put it in a spare bedroom