How to Choose the Best Toilet for Your Camper Van Size?

Choosing the right toilet size for your camper van is key to making your trip more comfortable and maximizing space. It all depends on your specific RV model (Sprinter, ProMaster, Transit, etc.) and interior layout. This guide will help you find the perfect camper van toilet.

Measuring Your Campervan Space

Before choosing a camper van toilet, be sure to accurately measure the space you have with a tape measure:

• Height: From the floor to the cabinet or ceiling above. Don't forget the headroom when sitting down.
• Width: The space available to the left and right of the toilet. Consider the range of door openings or nearby cabinets.
• Depth: How far the toilet extends forward from the wall or enclosure. This is crucial for hand clearance and passageway access.
• Wheel Arch: If the toilet will be placed near the wheel arch, be sure to measure the special space around it, as this is a common obstruction in RV conversions.
• Passageway: Make sure the toilet does not block key passageways or doorways in the vehicle.

Consider Your Camper Van¡¯s Interior Dimensions

Interior heights vary between camper van models, and can vary between models, which can affect your choice:

Image source:https://www.mbvans.com/en/sprinter

Sprinter: High-roof models offer a spacious interior height, typically up to 79 inches, allowing for taller, more comfortable toilets and even separate wet rooms.

Image source:https://www.ramtrucks.com/ram-promaster.html

ProMaster: High-roof models typically offer good interior width and height, up to 77 inches, providing flexibility for a variety of toilet types.

Image source:https://www.ford.com/

Transit: High-roof models also offer plenty of headroom, up to 81.5 inches. Mid-roof models have interior heights of around 72 inches and may require a more compact toilet solution.

Knowing these approximate dimensions can help you quickly narrow down your camper van toilet choices.

Choose a Toilet Type Based on Space and Needs

Different toilets have different footprints:

Portable cassette toilets:These toilets are very versatile. For example, the Thetford Porta Potti 335 measures 15.04 inches deep x 13.46 inches wide x 12.32 inches high. They are ideal for scenarios where the toilet needs to be moved or stored.

Composting toilets:They are usually slightly larger due to their solid-liquid separation structure and ventilation system. For example, the Nature's Head measures 19 inches deep x 20 inches wide x 21 inches high. The routing of the ventilation pipe needs to be considered during installation.

Dry flush toilets (such as the Modiwell van dry flush toilet):These toilets are compact and portable. For example, the Modiwell van dry flush toilet measures approximately 17.0 inches high x 16.0 inches wide x 11.0 inches deep, making it space-efficient.

Fixed flush toilet:Largest size, requires integrated plumbing and black water tank. Usually used in custom wet bathrooms in large camper vans with toilets. Dimensions are similar to home toilets. Dimensions vary widely, usually based on the specific model and installation space, it is recommended to consult the product manual of the specific brand.

Bucket/folding toilet:The most compact and flexible, usually a bucket with a seat and lined with a trash bag. Very small size, about 12.0-16.0 inches high x 12.0-14.0 inches wide. This type of toilet design is less standardized, and the size varies by manufacturer, usually based on the size of a universal bucket or a folding rack design.

Consider Your Campervan Interior Layout and Usage Preferences

Dedicated toilet/wet bathroom: If you plan to build a separate bathroom space, you can have more flexibility to choose a large fixed or composting toilet.

Multifunctional space: Many RV layouts require toilets that can be hidden, moved, or integrated into the seating area. This is when a portable or compact dry flush toilet, like the Modiwell dry flush toilet, can be even more storage-friendly.

Accessibility: Consider whether it is easy to use at night. Does the toilet's placement prevent walking inside the vehicle?

Maintenance access: Make sure that no matter where the toilet is placed, it is easy to empty the waste tank or maintain the ventilation system.

Conclusion

Measure your RV's inside space carefully. Understand each toilet's features. Combine this with your layout goals. Then, you can confidently pick the camper van toilet that perfectly fits your space and boosts your van life experience.