This is an incredibly useful and well made comparison. Thank you so much. I'd add one thing about the Laveo: It would be better if the disposable collar piece could be made of something biodegradable such as heavy pressed cardboard. The mylar isn't a wonderful addition to the planet, but it's really necessary in this case. I also appreciate your other viewers' comments. There's nothing like genuine user satisfaction to sell a product, though no product is perfect for everyone. Reviews help one choose which negatives would be easiest to live with. Thanks, all!
Good job reviewing and evaluating the 2 toilet options, and describing the positives/negatives of either type. I would pretty much agree with your assessments. As for me, and even more so my wife, the Laveo wins hands down. Our Transit conversion is only about 60% complete, so we've only used it in a limited capacity so far, but my wife absolutely LOVES this dry flush unit. The fact that there's no smells, or anything to touch being all-enclosed self-contained are my wife's main positives. As for me, the van builder; no plumbing, no venting, basically no electrical (just need an outlet once every so often), and you just build a 22" x 22" box with a lid... done.
Thanx man! You answered EXACTLY what I needed to know-EXTREMELY useful review of TWO different travel toilets and pros/cons for each in a REAL WORLD setting!
Great comparison of these two very different toilet designs. I think for van conversions these are really the two best options. Didn’t really consider the Laveo at first because of the cost of operation. Was focused in on the Airhead and Ogo composting toilets and just about to order one but decided to take another look at the Dry-Flush and stumbled upon your review comparison. Your right about people figuring out their own specific usage. We will only be spending a few days at a time camping or road tripping. We’ll have access to bathroom facilities at campgrounds and staying in motels etc. Probably only use this toilet a few weeks per year so the cost to operate becomes a moot point. For us the convenience factor of the Laveo beats all other considerations. Convenience to install, to use, to clean/service, the Laveo wins hands down. This video was the last little nudge we needed to make our decisions and order the Laveo. Man, the toilet selection has been the single hardest decision in our build. I’m exhausted lol
Great video with good comparision. I undersatnd that the dry unit has the cost but unless your boondocking you have options to use restrooms to cut the expense. I use hotels restrooms since they are at almost every exit on the Interstate or in a town. My guess is if you use restrooms from time to time the cost of the dry unit is more resonable. Also, placing some kitty litter in the bottom of the bag (one scope spread out) give you more uses per bag for number 1. Last, you can use regular toilet paper and those baby wipes which you can't use in a composter.
For me and my wife, the fact that you can dispose of adult wipes and feminine hygiene products in the dry flush toilets makes it an easy choice for us.
Thoughtful, helpful presentation. The Airhead marine composting toilet at 18.76” wide (with crank), 19.75“ tall and 15.52” deep is a more compact, eco-friendly alternative to the Nature’s Head.
Another alternative is the C-Head. I don't know all the dimensions, but it usually comes in about $300-$400 less than either the Airhead or the Nature's Head. Just one more option among composting toilets.
Excellent comparison, thank you. I had been considering swapping out my DryFlush for a composting toilet in the RV, but have now decided against it. Thank you.
There's no way I'm spending $600-$1000 for a toilet. A friend built me a box with a large hole in the hinged top. I put a 5 gallon bucket inside and a toilet seat on top of the hinged lid. I put a biodegradable bag inside the bucket and roll it around a bungee cord and fasten it around the top of the bucket. I use a scoop or two of Perfect Plant organic peat moss and fresh pine chips that I get for a couple of bucks from the lumber yard and use a couple scoops of that as well. I add a scoop of each every time I use the toilet. I can go more than a week without changing out the bag and there are no smells. When I do change to a new bag, I tie the bag tightly and dump it in a composting bin if I can find one, in a dumpster if I don't. I wash out the bucket with baking soda before adding another bag. It cost me nothing for the box, $15 for the toilet lid and under $40 for the bags, peat moss and pine chips every 6 months. It's sanitary and odorless and takes up no more space than a toilet. For people to pay that much money for a toilet is ludicrous. You're paying for pampering, that's all. The peat moss and pine chips will store fine in large pet food containers that you can find at Chewy.com or Walmart in your closet or undercarriage storage. I also keep them in large canisters behind the toilet to use when I make use of the toilet. It's simple. It's cheap. You don't have to put that kind of money out for a toilet! That's unreasonable.
@@nadiapitarch5870 Many people will use a funnel (Or brand names, like Separett, which is a bit more pricey) to separate liquids into another container. This prevents formation of sewage (acidic liquids + alkaline solids = problems/scents/bugs/fermentation/gross), and keeps scents basically non-existent, from what everyone says. Liquids are emptied every couple days, solids dry out very effectively & people who dispose of paper separately say the solids compartment goes much longer that way.
You call it pampering as if it’s an insult. I call it need because I have Parkinson’s and can’t do what you can do. Please stop being so judgmental. As a matter fact this reply doesn’t go to Nadia, but all you other snobs out there. If this is what it takes so that I can enjoy occasional camping trips, it’s not up to you to deprive me of those camping trips. That would make you extremely selfish and bigoted toward disabled people. So before putting down people who may use this methodology because you’re so much of a better person you might want to think before speaking. For that matter I really hate writing this comment. It’s stressful which makes my symptoms worse and it kind of pisses me off which also makes my symptoms worse. So thank you very much. Not everyone is like you and not everyone is like me. We have different needs and we should be tolerant of each other‘s needs. I respect the fact you can do what you can do. I can’t so I have to do something else. Please respect that choice.
@@TannyOHaley Please forgive FrankiesFancy... She's young and healthy. Remember how that was? Sometimes being self-centered, opinionated, and/or unempathetic goes with that territory. Perhaps sometime later in her life Frankie will look back and cringe at what she wrote.
I bought a Laveo last year. Recently resold it. Couple of reasons. 1. The refills are super expensive and hard to come by. Right now they are in high demand! Maybe because it’s become so popular. 2. We had a lot of issues with the urine “overflowing” when we flushed? If you look up the reviews online you will see many complaints about this. I’m not sure how some people don’t have that issue at all and others do? I guess it was user error. 3. Back when I sent my van off to the builder (last year) and had to make a toilet decision there were not many reviews on it yet. And nobody mentioned having to remove it before taking a shower. I was SO bummed. Covering it was VERY difficult because the electrical is on the base. So you would have to lift it to put a bag over it, etc. My shower are is super small so getting in there to do that was very challenging. And taking it out to shower was worse because...simply put...where do you sit it? My van is tight as it is...and there are 2 of us with 2 dogs in there. One of us is usually getting ready while the other is taking a shower so there is just literally no place to put it. Anyway...we only use the toilet in our van for #1 so we decided just to go with a simple Thetford toilet that we can use for 3-4 days then dump the bottom in a toilet or fill station. If we ever go full-time I think we’ll have to re-look at options. Who knows, maybe by then there will be an even better solution! Thanks for the review!
I own a dry-flush toilet. I have it as an extra toilet in a very small room as a half bathroom because we only have one bathroom in a family that could use an extra toilet. The problem is even though you can use it for urine and stool, it stinks quickly when used for both. I only recommend using it for stool. At least with a composting toilet it has a diversion to separate urine and stool so you can technically use it for both with less problem. I am glad we have the second toilet, though.
Ty so much for this comparison your review was excellent. I have used a Nature's Head at a Tiny BnB and found it uncomfortable and difficult, heavy and gross to empty both liquids and solids. The other option I looked at was an incinerating toilet which I didn't want due to price and electric needs. Ty for introducing me to the Laveo option. It does sound great for occasional travel, guests and if you can afford the $5+ a day convenience, hassle-free cleanup and lower upfront price. I am now convinced I am sticking to a livable Loo with a urine diverter for economy, comfort and ease of use and clean up and most of all price. I will have someone build me a waterproof cabinet to use in my wet bath. Subscribed today you are a great host.
The "incinolet" incinerator toilet is about $2,000. The cost to operate for two people, is about $15 a month if using it everyday. There is literally nothing "gross" about it. It's impossible to catch any diseases or illness from it. No pink eye, no bacteria, no worrying about if a guest has some sort of disease, etc. To me, that additional $1,000 is worth it. Especially since I can dump that small ash pan anywhere. No lugging a whole toilet or bag full of poo. Also if you use your RV only occasionally, the incinerator toilet does need to be "dealt with" to prepare it to sit for potentially months unused. Also even the cheapest substrate blocks, are pretty close in price to the $15 a month worth of electricity that the incinerator toilet uses. Eventually you are going to have to use vinegar as well to clean the urine tank on a compost toilet so that additional cost as well. Regardless, not having to carry a toilet, is enough reason to spend that additional money. My time is worth something as well and the incinerator toilet is much quicker maintenance.
With the Laveo, the cartridges end up being pretty bulky and pricey, plus you also end up dumping that black plastic ring into a landfill over and over and over. Completely agree with the conclusions though (composting better long term, dry flush for occasional use).
Sticking with my black tank for now. Still reconditioning my 85 Class C. Had an old travel trailer I bought in Alaska to travel to another duty station in the lower 48 while in the Army back in the mid 90s. I don't remember having a problem finding a place to dump then. Things may have changed though. One can always dig hole, and cover it up. Hoping to hit the road in October, so see you out there.
Something not mentioned here and I highly recommend is the Separett Urine diverting seat. Separett sells biodegradable bags, so once a day you can take your solids and dispose of them outdoors (dig a hole) or in a local trash can if you're in the city. Again they are totally Biodegradable. The urine gets kept in a container, just like a composting toilet, and you can empty that however often you want. To me, composting toilets really don't work well for the short duration of time in RV's. The Laveo Refill packs are damn expensive, and it's not like you can pick those up at the local Walmart. Not to mention you've got to store those things In a space where space is at a premium. So, Instead of investing a bunch of money trying to figure out the best way to store your waste inside your RV, why not just do your business and get rid of it? And if you do need to wait a little while before you dump the solids, you can toss in some of your coconut husk, cat litter, watever, and the Separett has a cover to contain the smells. I really don't think you need to spend $1,000.
THANK YOU! I'm renovating a vintage camper for my babysitter/assistant/bonus kid. :) I wasn't sure which type to get, but your video alerted me to some issues I wouldn't have known about otherwise. I'll be getting the Laveo until we can install a septic hookup in our side yard.
I’m wanting to put a bathroom in the yard for guest. I think it’s cheaper to go this way than plumb in a unit. I have electric and can use a self contained wash station. Great video, still trying to decide.
the Laveo is an excellent option if you are a guy as you do not need to use sit for #1. Any man living in a van has probably used the pee bottle technique. that being said, the Laveo can last up to 2 weeks if you use it sparingly. Remember that you are always stopping for coffee, food, groceries, etc . . . using public toilets whenever you can will extend the Laveo even further.
Although I'm not a user of either toilets,,, it was a great representation to give ample information on the subject thanks 👍 a lot,,,, have a great life God bless
I never knew this Laveo existed. I was sold on the Nature's head. But with the fan and the air hose - forget it! I want the Laveo. Wish the manufacturer could come up with and alternative to the mylar though.
I totally mean this as a serious question and not being disrespectful or smartass but as a man, does your junk touch the bags? Just seems like its not very roomy for either option but camping toilets are more for convenience anyway I guess. Just wondering... 😀
I am still back and forth. I have limited space Econoline Van. It's either the Laveo or thetford 365. My concern is where to store extra cartridges. Do they take a lot of space? If you are out a month you would need 4 cartridges? Great info
Seems cool, but really not worth the flushes. Wicked expensive. Too bad. We were looking for something for a van, but this would just rob our monthly budget. ☹️
Soooo I watched a video that basically said the cost of the Dry flush cartridges and their capacity / number of flushes puts the cost at about $1 per flush. That’s seems pretty high. I like the concept but I hear the Carthage’s are about $15 each and of your lucky you get 15 flushes sometimes less I guess depending on how much business you have.
That’s correct. I think it’s still the best option for part time van lifers. Not so great for full timers. We go about 4-5 days on a cartridge and think that’s worth the cost.
@@OurThrivingLife Your right about short time vs long time. Also need to place some value on the time it takes to clean and care for composting toilet. Back from a short trip you’ll probably want to clean out the composting one so it’s not sitting there till your next trip.
@@OurThrivingLife Reeeeaaaallly up close & personal with a huge mess. Composting-style toilets (NOT mixing liquids & solids into created sewage, no scent, lasts MUCH longer) can be incredibly budget friendly - - because so many do a DIY version (people looking for cassette toilets are often understandably looking to save on funds).
@@OurThrivingLife Someone else had a great point - - that you might get sick while traveling (the way you might occasionally deal with illness in a stationary home), and she was beyond repulsed to have to throw up into nasty sewage... AND there is NO one-way valve for odor OR the disgusting visual of raw sewage inches from your face and eyes and nose.... 😱🤢🤮🤮🤮 and it made her sick all over again. Ugh. I'm with you 😊 (No thanks. Eek).
I'm glad that I have a small Class C motorhome with a conventional RV septic system (black & grey tanks) not a composting toilet. The composting toilets are too much trouble and expense by my way of thinking.
My thinking is composting toilets don't actually do any composting. They are desicating the poop, so it doesn't smell, like a cat litter box. They work best with very little moisture present. Composting is a complex process involving rot, fungus, bacteria, bugs, heat and moisture. None of that is happening.
Laveo toilet cost $600. Old standby 5 gallon bucket, 13 gallon garbage bags and plastic walmart toilet seat, cost about $15 replacement bags about $5 for a 40 ct. Box Same thing?! Buckets can be found for free at any restaurant.!
So, Laveo bags cost $1 per flush. And it's $400 cheaper than Composting toilet. Normally adults go #2 every other day and if you travel alone, it's 50 cents a day or $1 for traveling couple, if you do #1 outside. Doing #1 outside or on rest areas is very easy. Laveo wins. Plus - Composting toilet will smell no matter what they say - it just will. Laveo no smell and no moss preparation headaches.
@@OurThrivingLife if you have used the toilet, you should know if any other kind of bag. Because of your review, this toilet is definitely on my buy list. Thanks.
I understand your personal choice but for this comparison you didn’t include an environmental impact. The laveo has too much non biodegradable plastic for its ‘disposable’ bags. The composted material can be disposed of without plastic by digging holes etc. A little inconvenience for the greater good. Cheers from Canader eh!
I totally agree. Mother Earth completely, 100%, takes care of us. Doing a little bit of extra work to keep her healthy should be a priority. Otherwise we are just hurting ourselves!
@@chasingthemoonrv I do not like it when people talk about disposing diapers. I think that should be illegal to do. That's me though; I even argue with my spoiled family about it. I find comfort in doing my best to protect the environment.
@@200Nora as I mentioned, I haven’t installed it yet and am waiting for the company to produce a more environmentally friendly disposal option. I know they were working on it. Mother Earth needs our protection now, more than ever and I certainly don’t want to add to the problems we are facing.
@@OurThrivingLife i planned to put a pee hat in mine. It's a medical product to catch and measure pee and you poop behind it. I didn't buy it for fun though. I bought it in case a war limits resources and going outside. I figured, if everything calms down, we can take it camping. If we're stuck in 5ft x 5ft shelter for six weeks, it won't be gross.
Human waste if wrapped in plastic like diapers can be put in the trash. In this case using the dry flush bags it’s legal to put them in the trash because they are treated the same as baby diapers.
Just get a portable Dometic toilet with a 5 gallon tank and be done with it. Super small, way less money and no ongoing costs outside of the additive for the waste. I stop at trail heads with pit toilets, a port o toilet at a construction site, rest stops or wherever else makes sense to dump it about 3 to 4 times a month. I'm 6'1" and I am totally comfortable using it every day! There, I just saved you A LOT of money, space and time............your welcome!
nice review, but man, in this day and age, the Laveo is so wasteful in terms of plastic pollution, it's not even funny, instant turn off, I don't care if it stored 100 pounds of $hit, it's not worth it for all that extra waste in a landfill. The composting toilets are like how the pioneers did it, simple and effective....
The Laveo uses plastic and creates plastic waste. Is that not a consideration in the US? In Germany for the majority of people it would be ruled out on that aspect alone and I think in Europe in general it would be considered ecologically nasty. The comparison with baby diapers isn't quite right because babies poo much less than grown ups and also it really is hard to do away with baby diapers while it is quite easy to avoid this kind of toilet.
@@OurThrivingLife I wouldn't have stated it as strongly, but do agree with the point. The music doesn't add anything, and makes listening actually kind of stressful, with trying to sort out the music from the voice. Thanks for the review--I did find it quite helpful!
Agreed. I am not sure who advises TH-camrs to use so much music on informational videos. Its distracting and adds no value. Besides, that's not why we clicked on the thumbnail. I wanted a toilet video not a music video.
Sorry, but this guy left out a lot of stuff - obviously not a user of the Nature's Head. And, these aren't even caparable options quite frankly. There are plenty of better videos that give you a lot better info to make a decision.
![Composting Toilet In A RV - What They Don't Tell You (Full Time RV Living]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/W4_ZWTNNf7M/mqdefault.jpg)
This is an incredibly useful and well made comparison. Thank you so much. I'd add one thing about the Laveo: It would be better if the disposable collar piece could be made of something biodegradable such as heavy pressed cardboard. The mylar isn't a wonderful addition to the planet, but it's really necessary in this case. I also appreciate your other viewers' comments. There's nothing like genuine user satisfaction to sell a product, though no product is perfect for everyone. Reviews help one choose which negatives would be easiest to live with. Thanks, all!
Good job reviewing and evaluating the 2 toilet options, and describing the positives/negatives of either type. I would pretty much agree with your assessments.
As for me, and even more so my wife, the Laveo wins hands down. Our Transit conversion is only about 60% complete, so we've only used it in a limited capacity so far, but my wife absolutely LOVES this dry flush unit. The fact that there's no smells, or anything to touch being all-enclosed self-contained are my wife's main positives. As for me, the van builder; no plumbing, no venting, basically no electrical (just need an outlet once every so often), and you just build a 22" x 22" box with a lid... done.
Thanx man! You answered EXACTLY what I needed to know-EXTREMELY useful review of TWO different travel toilets and pros/cons for each in a REAL WORLD setting!
Great comparison of these two very different toilet designs. I think for van conversions these are really the two best options. Didn’t really consider the Laveo at first because of the cost of operation. Was focused in on the Airhead and Ogo composting toilets and just about to order one but decided to take another look at the Dry-Flush and stumbled upon your review comparison. Your right about people figuring out their own specific usage. We will only be spending a few days at a time camping or road tripping. We’ll have access to bathroom facilities at campgrounds and staying in motels etc. Probably only use this toilet a few weeks per year so the cost to operate becomes a moot point. For us the convenience factor of the Laveo beats all other considerations. Convenience to install, to use, to clean/service, the Laveo wins hands down. This video was the last little nudge we needed to make our decisions and order the Laveo. Man, the toilet selection has been the single hardest decision in our build. I’m exhausted lol
Great video with good comparision. I undersatnd that the dry unit has the cost but unless your boondocking you have options to use restrooms to cut the expense. I use hotels restrooms since they are at almost every exit on the Interstate or in a town. My guess is if you use restrooms from time to time the cost of the dry unit is more resonable. Also, placing some kitty litter in the bottom of the bag (one scope spread out) give you more uses per bag for number 1. Last, you can use regular toilet paper and those baby wipes which you can't use in a composter.
Very good points. I have used kitty litter and it works well.
For me and my wife, the fact that you can dispose of adult wipes and feminine hygiene products in the dry flush toilets makes it an easy choice for us.
Thoughtful, helpful presentation. The Airhead marine composting toilet at 18.76” wide (with crank), 19.75“ tall and 15.52” deep is a more compact, eco-friendly alternative to the Nature’s Head.
Awesome. Thanks for the comment!
Another alternative is the C-Head. I don't know all the dimensions, but it usually comes in about $300-$400 less than either the Airhead or the Nature's Head. Just one more option among composting toilets.
@@fjtalleyauthor2242 Thanks for the tip.
Excellent comparison, thank you. I had been considering swapping out my DryFlush for a composting toilet in the RV, but have now decided against it. Thank you.
There's no way I'm spending $600-$1000 for a toilet. A friend built me a box with a large hole in the hinged top. I put a 5 gallon bucket inside and a toilet seat on top of the hinged lid. I put a biodegradable bag inside the bucket and roll it around a bungee cord and fasten it around the top of the bucket. I use a scoop or two of Perfect Plant organic peat moss and fresh pine chips that I get for a couple of bucks from the lumber yard and use a couple scoops of that as well. I add a scoop of each every time I use the toilet. I can go more than a week without changing out the bag and there are no smells. When I do change to a new bag, I tie the bag tightly and dump it in a composting bin if I can find one, in a dumpster if I don't. I wash out the bucket with baking soda before adding another bag. It cost me nothing for the box, $15 for the toilet lid and under $40 for the bags, peat moss and pine chips every 6 months. It's sanitary and odorless and takes up no more space than a toilet. For people to pay that much money for a toilet is ludicrous. You're paying for pampering, that's all. The peat moss and pine chips will store fine in large pet food containers that you can find at Chewy.com or Walmart in your closet or undercarriage storage. I also keep them in large canisters behind the toilet to use when I make use of the toilet. It's simple. It's cheap. You don't have to put that kind of money out for a toilet! That's unreasonable.
That's a great and clever solution :) You keep your liquids separate in a different container, right? Or how do you handle it?
Thank you. Great idea to add box for stability and esthetics. Box with lid could act as a seat or table when not a toilet.
@@nadiapitarch5870 Many people will use a funnel (Or brand names, like Separett, which is a bit more pricey) to separate liquids into another container. This prevents formation of sewage (acidic liquids + alkaline solids = problems/scents/bugs/fermentation/gross), and keeps scents basically non-existent, from what everyone says. Liquids are emptied every couple days, solids dry out very effectively & people who dispose of paper separately say the solids compartment goes much longer that way.
You call it pampering as if it’s an insult. I call it need because I have Parkinson’s and can’t do what you can do. Please stop being so judgmental. As a matter fact this reply doesn’t go to Nadia, but all you other snobs out there. If this is what it takes so that I can enjoy occasional camping trips, it’s not up to you to deprive me of those camping trips. That would make you extremely selfish and bigoted toward disabled people. So before putting down people who may use this methodology because you’re so much of a better person you might want to think before speaking.
For that matter I really hate writing this comment. It’s stressful which makes my symptoms worse and it kind of pisses me off which also makes my symptoms worse. So thank you very much. Not everyone is like you and not everyone is like me. We have different needs and we should be tolerant of each other‘s needs. I respect the fact you can do what you can do. I can’t so I have to do something else. Please respect that choice.
@@TannyOHaley Please forgive FrankiesFancy... She's young and healthy. Remember how that was? Sometimes being self-centered, opinionated, and/or unempathetic goes with that territory. Perhaps sometime later in her life Frankie will look back and cringe at what she wrote.
I bought a Laveo last year. Recently resold it. Couple of reasons.
1. The refills are super expensive and hard to come by. Right now they are in high demand! Maybe because it’s become so popular.
2. We had a lot of issues with the urine “overflowing” when we flushed? If you look up the reviews online you will see many complaints about this. I’m not sure how some people don’t have that issue at all and others do? I guess it was user error.
3. Back when I sent my van off to the builder (last year) and had to make a toilet decision there were not many reviews on it yet. And nobody mentioned having to remove it before taking a shower. I was SO bummed. Covering it was VERY difficult because the electrical is on the base. So you would have to lift it to put a bag over it, etc. My shower are is super small so getting in there to do that was very challenging. And taking it out to shower was worse because...simply put...where do you sit it? My van is tight as it is...and there are 2 of us with 2 dogs in there. One of us is usually getting ready while the other is taking a shower so there is just literally no place to put it.
Anyway...we only use the toilet in our van for #1 so we decided just to go with a simple Thetford toilet that we can use for 3-4 days then dump the bottom in a toilet or fill station.
If we ever go full-time I think we’ll have to re-look at options. Who knows, maybe by then there will be an even better solution!
Thanks for the review!
The urine overflowing when using urine only in the toilet can be solved by adding a little bit of cat litter. It works really well.
I own a dry-flush toilet. I have it as an extra toilet in a very small room as a half bathroom because we only have one bathroom in a family that could use an extra toilet. The problem is even though you can use it for urine and stool, it stinks quickly when used for both. I only recommend using it for stool. At least with a composting toilet it has a diversion to separate urine and stool so you can technically use it for both with less problem. I am glad we have the second toilet, though.
You can purchase and adapt a pee diverter for any setup.
Nice overview! Thanks! We love the dry flush, easy and no mess! Agreed about the refill cartridges being pricey.
Thank u for breaking this down so thoroughly!
Ty so much for this comparison your review was excellent. I have used a Nature's Head at a Tiny BnB and found it uncomfortable and difficult, heavy and gross to empty both liquids and solids. The other option I looked at was an incinerating toilet which I didn't want due to price and electric needs.
Ty for introducing me to the Laveo option. It does sound great for occasional travel, guests and if you can afford the $5+ a day convenience, hassle-free cleanup and lower upfront price. I am now convinced I am sticking to a livable Loo with a urine diverter for economy, comfort and ease of use and clean up and most of all price. I will have someone build me a waterproof cabinet to use in my wet bath.
Subscribed today you are a great host.
The "incinolet" incinerator toilet is about $2,000. The cost to operate for two people, is about $15 a month if using it everyday. There is literally nothing "gross" about it. It's impossible to catch any diseases or illness from it. No pink eye, no bacteria, no worrying about if a guest has some sort of disease, etc. To me, that additional $1,000 is worth it. Especially since I can dump that small ash pan anywhere. No lugging a whole toilet or bag full of poo. Also if you use your RV only occasionally, the incinerator toilet does need to be "dealt with" to prepare it to sit for potentially months unused. Also even the cheapest substrate blocks, are pretty close in price to the $15 a month worth of electricity that the incinerator toilet uses. Eventually you are going to have to use vinegar as well to clean the urine tank on a compost toilet so that additional cost as well. Regardless, not having to carry a toilet, is enough reason to spend that additional money. My time is worth something as well and the incinerator toilet is much quicker maintenance.
With the Laveo, the cartridges end up being pretty bulky and pricey, plus you also end up dumping that black plastic ring into a landfill over and over and over. Completely agree with the conclusions though (composting better long term, dry flush for occasional use).
Sticking with my black tank for now. Still reconditioning my 85 Class C. Had an old travel trailer I bought in Alaska to travel to another duty station in the lower 48 while in the Army back in the mid 90s. I don't remember having a problem finding a place to dump then. Things may have changed though. One can always dig hole, and cover it up. Hoping to hit the road in October, so see you out there.
Something not mentioned here and I highly recommend is the Separett Urine diverting seat. Separett sells biodegradable bags, so once a day you can take your solids and dispose of them outdoors (dig a hole) or in a local trash can if you're in the city. Again they are totally Biodegradable. The urine gets kept in a container, just like a composting toilet, and you can empty that however often you want. To me, composting toilets really don't work well for the short duration of time in RV's. The Laveo Refill packs are damn expensive, and it's not like you can pick those up at the local Walmart. Not to mention you've got to store those things In a space where space is at a premium. So, Instead of investing a bunch of money trying to figure out the best way to store your waste inside your RV, why not just do your business and get rid of it? And if you do need to wait a little while before you dump the solids, you can toss in some of your coconut husk, cat litter, watever, and the Separett has a cover to contain the smells. I really don't think you need to spend $1,000.
Excellent Review. Very honest and professional. Thanks
I appreciate that!
THANK YOU!
I'm renovating a vintage camper for my babysitter/assistant/bonus kid. :) I wasn't sure which type to get, but your video alerted me to some issues I wouldn't have known about otherwise. I'll be getting the Laveo until we can install a septic hookup in our side yard.
Glad it helped.
I’m glad I came across this video, because I bought a Laveo, but haven’t installed it yet. Feeling pretty happy about my decision now. Thanks!
I think you’ll be very happy with it.
I’m wanting to put a bathroom in the yard for guest. I think it’s cheaper to go this way than plumb in a unit. I have electric and can use a self contained wash station. Great video, still trying to decide.
I think a composting toilet might work best for your situation.
You might run into zoning issues though.
The Laveo is the most convenient but the expense of the bags is high and going up. At $150.00 per month and going up, the cost is quite high.
That is definitely the biggest drawback.
wish they reduced the price, they'd definitely sell more
Amazing, Video.... you answered all my questions. Well done!
Thank you very much, juan from South Florida🇺🇸all the best to you and your family.
Very good review on multiple critical points!
the Laveo is an excellent option if you are a guy as you do not need to use sit for #1. Any man living in a van has probably used the pee bottle technique. that being said, the Laveo can last up to 2 weeks if you use it sparingly. Remember that you are always stopping for coffee, food, groceries, etc . . . using public toilets whenever you can will extend the Laveo even further.
The cassette toilet sounds like the best choice for me
Although I'm not a user of either toilets,,, it was a great representation to give ample information on the subject thanks 👍 a lot,,,, have a great life God bless
I never knew this Laveo existed. I was sold on the Nature's head. But with the fan and the air hose - forget it! I want the Laveo. Wish the manufacturer could come up with and alternative to the mylar though.
They are working on a biodegradable bag. Not sure when it will be released.
Very straightforward and useful, thank you; explains a lot.
That was good info and I think you did a good job of helping all sorts make the best decision for the expected use.
Yup, I’ll keep my black tank!
That was a very useful and informative video. Thank you! Well done!
Great comparison. Cheers from LA.
It would have been good to see your toilet. Thank you for sharing and be safe.
Thanks for watching. There’s another video with a full review of my toilet.
thank you - vanlife is my dream life
Awesome video. Thank you 😊
You are so welcome!
Very straightforward and helpful info!!
I totally mean this as a serious question and not being disrespectful or smartass but as a man, does your junk touch the bags? Just seems like its not very roomy for either option but camping toilets are more for convenience anyway I guess. Just wondering... 😀
Nope. Not a problem. The base does fill up a little with each flush, but there is plenty of room up to about 15 flushes.
awesome pressentation. very helpful.
Hi where do you find that kind of bathroom door, and what are they called?
Thank you so much for this!
It's a Nautilus shower door. Here's the link: shop.stoett.com/nautilus-retractable-shower-doors-for-rv
We use the dryflush in our Locomotives, and we get rid of the tank that needs to get pumped.
Interesting. Lots of uses for the dry flush.
@@OurThrivingLife if it can survive the rigors of the railroad, it should be just fine in your cozy RV.
Very informative! Thank you! I like the pulls on the overhead headliner cabinet, where did you get it?? Thanks!!
Do you mean pulls? I got them at ikea.
Yes, pulls! Thank you!!
great video. very good points
I prefer the Seperate toilet, 👍 option hands down.
I am still back and forth. I have limited space Econoline Van. It's either the Laveo or thetford 365. My concern is where to store extra cartridges. Do they take a lot of space? If you are out a month you would need 4 cartridges? Great info
They don’t take up much space. 4 or 5 would probably last a month for 1 person.
Seems cool, but really not worth the flushes. Wicked expensive. Too bad. We were looking for something for a van, but this would just rob our monthly budget. ☹️
Soooo I watched a video that basically said the cost of the Dry flush cartridges and their capacity / number of flushes puts the cost at about $1 per flush. That’s seems pretty high. I like the concept but I hear the Carthage’s are about $15 each and of your lucky you get 15 flushes sometimes less I guess depending on how much business you have.
That’s correct. I think it’s still the best option for part time van lifers. Not so great for full timers. We go about 4-5 days on a cartridge and think that’s worth the cost.
@@OurThrivingLife Your right about short time vs long time. Also need to place some value on the time it takes to clean and care for composting toilet. Back from a short trip you’ll probably want to clean out the composting one so it’s not sitting there till your next trip.
Now review the cassette toilet - seems to me that’s the best way to go
Cassette toilets were not on my radar. I hear they smell and can be messy to empty.
@@OurThrivingLife Reeeeaaaallly up close & personal with a huge mess. Composting-style toilets (NOT mixing liquids & solids into created sewage, no scent, lasts MUCH longer) can be incredibly budget friendly - - because so many do a DIY version (people looking for cassette toilets are often understandably looking to save on funds).
@@OurThrivingLife Someone else had a great point - - that you might get sick while traveling (the way you might occasionally deal with illness in a stationary home), and she was beyond repulsed to have to throw up into nasty sewage... AND there is NO one-way valve for odor OR the disgusting visual of raw sewage inches from your face and eyes and nose.... 😱🤢🤮🤮🤮 and it made her sick all over again. Ugh.
I'm with you 😊 (No thanks. Eek).
C-Head would have been a better comparison with the dry-flush. No electricity needed and simple to use.
Good explanation! Thanks!
Great Information, THX
Laveo shipping delays? Ordered mine back in Dec. Last time I checked, they were still a month out
Bummer. I ordered mine last fall and it took about 6 weeks.
I would only use the dry flush for Airbnb guests
Great information! Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
I'm glad that I have a small Class C motorhome with a conventional RV septic system (black & grey tanks) not a composting toilet. The composting toilets are too much trouble and expense by my way of thinking.
Did you get the Laveo with AC or battery pack? Trying to understand best way to go?
Mine just has the battery pack and an AC charger. The charge lasts for a couple of months.
@@OurThrivingLife thank you! Great video!
My thinking is composting toilets don't actually do any composting. They are desicating the poop, so it doesn't smell, like a cat litter box. They work best with very little moisture present.
Composting is a complex process involving rot, fungus, bacteria, bugs, heat and moisture. None of that is happening.
Thanks for video.
Laveo toilet cost $600. Old standby 5 gallon bucket, 13 gallon garbage bags and plastic walmart toilet seat, cost about $15 replacement bags about $5 for a 40 ct. Box Same thing?! Buckets can be found for free at any restaurant.!
I've made up my mind. Thank you.
Glad to help
So, Laveo bags cost $1 per flush. And it's $400 cheaper than Composting toilet. Normally adults go #2 every other day and if you travel alone, it's 50 cents a day or $1 for traveling couple, if you do #1 outside. Doing #1 outside or on rest areas is very easy. Laveo wins. Plus - Composting toilet will smell no matter what they say - it just will. Laveo no smell and no moss preparation headaches.
Your video provides useful information but it would have been more helpful to actually show and demonstrate the operation of the toilets.
We have another video on the channel showing how the dry flush works.
Great videos. New sub here..Happy Travels..
Good comparison and breakdown but I would have liked to here the different in the environmental impact.
2 years later... What are you using now? 😁
5 gallon bucket, sawdust or pine pellets= composting toilet. Add little fan if you need to. Save the majority of your money
Can't you use a different bag, other then Laveo Bag?
Ohh…that would be awesome. I haven’t heard that.
@@OurThrivingLife if you have used the toilet, you should know if any other kind of bag.
Because of your review, this toilet is definitely on my buy list.
Thanks.
I understand your personal choice but for this comparison you didn’t include an environmental impact. The laveo has too much non biodegradable plastic for its ‘disposable’ bags. The composted material can be disposed of without plastic by digging holes etc. A little inconvenience for the greater good. Cheers from Canader eh!
Good point. You are spot on.
I totally agree. Mother Earth completely, 100%, takes care of us. Doing a little bit of extra work to keep her healthy should be a priority. Otherwise we are just hurting ourselves!
The environmental impact did concern me, but I understand the company is working on a more earth friendly option.
@@chasingthemoonrv I do not like it when people talk about disposing diapers. I think that should be illegal to do. That's me though; I even argue with my spoiled family about it. I find comfort in doing my best to protect the environment.
@@200Nora as I mentioned, I haven’t installed it yet and am waiting for the company to produce a more environmentally friendly disposal option. I know they were working on it. Mother Earth needs our protection now, more than ever and I certainly don’t want to add to the problems we are facing.
prices have risen DRASTICALLY 😩
Thanks for the comparison review. It's very helpful.
You didn't talk about smell factor
Excellent review! Thank you.
laveo for us is so much better and cleaner to deal with.
Agreed.
A little clumping cat litter with each flush will make it so it doesn't have to be flushed with each pee.
Good suggestion. Laveo no sells “Pee Powder” which does the same thing.
Anyone have a preference for those with GI diseases?
Wet flush into a black water tank.
The Laveo bags aren't very economical.
Yup. That’s the downside.
One major factor with the dry flush, it's not recommended to pee in it only poop
That’s pretty much anatomically impossible. Don’t know where you heard that. Works fine for #1.
@@OurThrivingLife i planned to put a pee hat in mine. It's a medical product to catch and measure pee and you poop behind it. I didn't buy it for fun though. I bought it in case a war limits resources and going outside. I figured, if everything calms down, we can take it camping. If we're stuck in 5ft x 5ft shelter for six weeks, it won't be gross.
Human waste cannot be thrown in trash. Check government site Dept of Toxic Substances Control
Human waste if wrapped in plastic like diapers can be put in the trash. In this case using the dry flush bags it’s legal to put them in the trash because they are treated the same as baby diapers.
@@TannyOHaley I stand corrected. It's amazing what plastic can do. Have a safe 4th!
👍
Just get a portable Dometic toilet with a 5 gallon tank and be done with it. Super small, way less money and no ongoing costs outside of the additive for the waste. I stop at trail heads with pit toilets, a port o toilet at a construction site, rest stops or wherever else makes sense to dump it about 3 to 4 times a month. I'm 6'1" and I am totally comfortable using it every day!
There, I just saved you A LOT of money, space and time............your welcome!
nice review, but man, in this day and age, the Laveo is so wasteful in terms of plastic pollution, it's not even funny, instant turn off, I don't care if it stored 100 pounds of $hit, it's not worth it for all that extra waste in a landfill. The composting toilets are like how the pioneers did it, simple and effective....
Not my problem.
The Laveo uses plastic and creates plastic waste. Is that not a consideration in the US? In Germany for the majority of people it would be ruled out on that aspect alone and I think in Europe in general it would be considered ecologically nasty. The comparison with baby diapers isn't quite right because babies poo much less than grown ups and also it really is hard to do away with baby diapers while it is quite easy to avoid this kind of toilet.
The music is so annoying and unnecessary. As it is slightly less loud than your voice makes listening difficult. Gave up
Thanks for the feedback.
@@OurThrivingLife I wouldn't have stated it as strongly, but do agree with the point. The music doesn't add anything, and makes listening actually kind of stressful, with trying to sort out the music from the voice. Thanks for the review--I did find it quite helpful!
Agreed. I am not sure who advises TH-camrs to use so much music on informational videos. Its distracting and adds no value. Besides, that's not why we clicked on the thumbnail. I wanted a toilet video not a music video.
Dry flush for sure. Just pee into the sink, or install a half inch line with a funnel top directly under the sink or in the shower to the drain line.
hand waving is sistracting
Yay more trash
15 minute video and you don’t show either one, LOUSY VIDEO‼️🤮
Thanks for watching!
Sorry, but this guy left out a lot of stuff - obviously not a user of the Nature's Head. And, these aren't even caparable options quite frankly. There are plenty of better videos that give you a lot better info to make a decision.
great information, thank you!
Thanks. Great information 👍