Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Camping under canvas
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Those with kids...do you take a portaloo? Post Reply Post New Topic
03/2/2020 at 9:36am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View mattdanielc's Profile View Profile   Reply to mattdanielc Reply   Quote mattdanielc Quote  
Joined: 16/7/2019

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   18

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 3
Site Nights 2018: 0

We bought a Thetford toilet last year for our first camping trip. But on arrival decided not to unpack it (still wrapped up etc) as we were right next to the toilet block and there was no need.

Our kids are 6 and (almost) 2. We bought it mainly for them (night trips to the loo when they need a wee) - although I have a weak bladder and wake up a couple of times in the night for a wee too.

Anyway tempted to now sell it - it took up so much room in our roofbox and we're not sure we need it - as long as we're close to the toilet block etc.

Any views from fellow parents?


03/2/2020 at 12:23pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Various tents
View Hacksaw Bob's Profile View Profile   Reply to Hacksaw Bob Reply   Quote Hacksaw Bob Quote  
Joined: 26/7/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6502
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 10
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Quote: Originally posted by mattdanielc on 03/2/2020

Anyway tempted to now sell it - it took up so much room in our roofbox and we're not sure we need it...




You're sure to need it if you've got rid of it!

Anyway, you might want to try Certificated Sites or Temporary Holiday Sites, not all of which have toilet facilities (though they will have Disposal Points) and in any case you may not always get a pitch conveniently close to the toilet block even on a commercial site.


03/2/2020 at 1:38pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
View Monty15's Profile View Profile   Reply to Monty15 Reply   Quote Monty15 Quote  
Joined: 17/9/2015

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2335

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 6
Site Nights 2018: 0

Not used one with kids (didn't have one when we had kids!), but certainly felt the benefit for my own use! Two particular circumstances spring to mind, one was on a rally field we used regularly, the loos were miles away, no fun on a wet dark night, or even a wet day, or any day for that matter - start off walk 'thinking' you want to 'go' - bloody desperate by time you got there! The other was in France where the loos got to be pretty disgusting between cleanings, very grateful for 'private' facility!

Must agree, they are bulky and take up a lot of space, but every time we debate should we not bother, we opt to play safe and take it, sometimes very grateful to have done so!

If nothing else it widens your scope of camp sites you can use, and an absolute godsend if ever you have gyppy tummy! If you have the details of the camp site, or you know it, and can be sure to be near loos, then you don't have to take it, if in doubt, take it.



03/2/2020 at 1:41pm
 Location: Wirral
 Outfit:  Aztec Mardi Gras 3
View Hedgehugger's Profile View Profile   Reply to Hedgehugger Reply   Quote Hedgehugger Quote  
Joined: 19/1/2010

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   794
Tent Reviews:   2

Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 1  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 2
Site Nights 2023: 3
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 2
Site Nights 2019: 3
Site Nights 2018: 1

I don't have kids with me but I still take a portaloo of sorts! Just a basic one that's a glorified bucket with seat and lid, not as fancy as a Thetford; it's very much appreciated for night-time wees especially if it's raining / cold / windy. Just needs a splash of disinfectant to keep it respectable until it's emptied. I wouldn't want to be without one, especially if I had little folks in tow.


03/2/2020 at 2:33pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View mattdanielc's Profile View Profile   Reply to mattdanielc Reply   Quote mattdanielc Quote  
Joined: 16/7/2019

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   18

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 3
Site Nights 2018: 0

Thanks for all the comments so far. I suppose I should add - I'd only book a site with great (and modern) toilets - my wife wouldn't camp otherwise. Will always try and get near them too.

The reason I'd tempted to ditch it is a) do I need it? but also b) we've bought a bigger tent and I could do with the space - we only have a small car :)


Advertisement



03/2/2020 at 3:24pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
Joined: 05/11/2013

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6280

Site Reviews Total: 18
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 3  
Site Nights 2024: 7
Site Nights 2023: 8
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 18
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 21
Site Nights 2018: 18

Biggest snag with them is the room they take up.

When our kids were young we didn't have one, and somehow we always seemed to manage. We only ever went on sites with toilets, and tried to pitch near one. These days, being in our 70s we have a caravan and are glad to have one onboard, although we still tend to use site facilities in the daytime. Saves keep emptying our own one.


-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


04/2/2020 at 11:48pm
 Location: England.
 Outfit: Tents (Lots of em)
View Graham's Profile View Profile   Reply to Graham Reply   Quote Graham Quote  
Joined: 16/4/2002

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1245
Tent Reviews:   5

Site Reviews Total: 34
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 4
Site Nights 2018: 1

Just a bucket for us.....Used to bung a few handfulsof cat litter in to reduce any odours but that was heavy and took up room so dont use the cat litter anymore. The bucket is washed every morning so no unpleasant smells. The bucket is for wee's only no big jobby's.
Its actualy a nappy pale so it has a lid too that helps keep it more sanitary imho.
Thought about a Portapotty but can see no advantage at all.

-------------
Snowmen fall to earth in kit form........

Every day is a gift..That's why it's called the present.

Nostalgia is not what it used to be.

Stressed is just 'Desserts' spelt backwards



05/2/2020 at 2:59pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: None Entered
View JoMarch's Profile View Profile   Reply to JoMarch Reply   Quote JoMarch Quote  
Joined: 01/6/2012

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   403
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 6
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 03/2/2020
Biggest snag with them is the room they take up.



Do you mean the kids?

We had a portaloo when the kids were little. We found that it took up far too much room in the car and they would use it for the novelty value. Once we got rid of it, the novelty wore off and they didn't need a wee in the night as often! I personally really don't mind getting up and having the stars to myself whilst I go to the loo in the night and I really appreciate the extra boot space.    

-------------
Mummy of two daughters and two guinea pigs


via mobile 05/2/2020 at 9:59pm
 Location: west yorks
 Outfit:  Vango inspire 600xl 5m bell tent
View john#mel#3kids!'s Profile View Profile   Reply to john#mel#3kids! Reply   Quote john#mel#3kids! Quote  
Joined: 30/8/2010

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   859
Tent Reviews:   6

Site Reviews Total: 5
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

A bucket with a liner and cat litter in for us


05/2/2020 at 10:18pm
 Location: North Devon
 Outfit: Robens Fairbanks Coleman Phad X3
View seanfdh's Profile View Profile   Reply to seanfdh Reply   Quote seanfdh Quote  
Joined: 20/2/2011

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1894
Tent Reviews:   2

Site Reviews Total: 21
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 3  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 3
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 13
Site Nights 2021: 2
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 13
Site Nights 2018: 6

Nope. Never did.

-------------
Sean


Advertisement



06/2/2020 at 1:14am
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: ElddisAvante462 Honda CRV SE2.2 i-Dtec
View romany girl's Profile View Profile   Reply to romany girl Reply   Quote romany girl Quote  
Joined: 26/1/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3025

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Yes all the time, both in the early days when Caravans didn’t have a toilet, just a small cupboard to keep one in, and as Tent campers on all kinds of sites. We did have a camping trailer though, so even with a small car, space for taking it with us was never a problem. Also better to use it during the night than risk leaving the children sleeping alone whilst the Adult goes off to the toilet block.

We still have our 1982 vintage brown and cream Elsan Bristol camping toilet, and jolly useful it is too, we used it recently during building work to provide an onsite toilet before the new one was connected up and working, and our daughter borrowed it to use downstairs after having hip surgery.

Julia

-------------
Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife

Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!


06/2/2020 at 11:44am
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
Joined: 05/11/2013

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6280

Site Reviews Total: 18
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 3  
Site Nights 2024: 7
Site Nights 2023: 8
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 18
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 21
Site Nights 2018: 18

When we had our tent our oldest daughter was young and we only had a small car, so there was no room for a toilet. When our second daughter came along we bought an old small caravan which only had a cupboard for a toilet and we used that as a cupboard for all the girls' bits and pieces, so still no room for a toilet. Then our son came along and we bought a slightly bigger caravan, again with no toilet, just a cupboard. A few years later we gave up caravanning and bought a boat, so at last we had our own toilet.

Finally, several years on with the family all grown up and moved out, we bought another caravan - with a toilet! Glad of it at night, now that we are pensioners.


-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


06/2/2020 at 6:10pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Bramston's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bramston Reply   Quote Bramston Quote  
Joined: 05/8/2013

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   854
Tent Reviews:   2

Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

If I had kids I'd take them camping. It would be more fun than camping with a portaloo.
Once the kids and the tent are in the car there won't be room for a portaloo, unless someone sits on it all the way to the coast.

-------------
Enjoy the liveliness of the syntax.


12/2/2020 at 1:07pm
 Location: North West
 Outfit: Obelink Familia 6; ESVO Bedouin 280
View dmsplat's Profile View Profile   Reply to dmsplat Reply   Quote dmsplat Quote  
Joined: 19/1/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1630
Tent Reviews:   4

Site Reviews Total: 16
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 2

Bucket with a lid for us too. Seen us through from potty training to teenagers (where privacy becomes more of an issue...).


12/2/2020 at 7:27pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Karsten 350 + SE CA EA RA FW & ZIG
View TimCESmith's Profile View Profile   Reply to TimCESmith Reply   Quote TimCESmith Quote  
Joined: 17/9/2014

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1013
Tent Reviews:   3

Site Reviews Total: 77
Site Reviews 2024: 11 
Site Reviews 2023: 9  
Site Reviews 2022: 8  
Site Reviews 2021: 5  
Site Reviews 2020: 5  
Site Reviews 2019: 10 
Site Reviews 2018: 6  
Site Nights 2024: 32
Site Nights 2023: 29
Site Nights 2022: 39
Site Nights 2021: 30
Site Nights 2020: 31
Site Nights 2019: 50
Site Nights 2018: 37

We used a BogInABag for ages - fab as pack size is negligible. We've recently replaced it with a Bivvyloo, which is much more comfortable and lower & much more stable - so probably better for your 2YO. It folds flat and is very 'stowable' - highly recommended. We use the clever powder provided on overnighters or cat litter for longer stays.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Camping under canvas - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














5188 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder