VanNoobie said:
This was a genuine question. We have never owned a caravan so have no idea (clearly!)
I am a woman so toilets are important to me as is where I 'go', which is at home.
Thanks to those with useful responses. Didn't realise I could cause so much controversy but there you go.
Your question is a valid one.
A lot depends on how you intend to use your caravan. If you intend to stick to sites with full facilities (toilet / shower blocks etc) the issue may not arise if you use the on site facilities.
Smaller 5-van sites (open mainly to members of either the C&CC or the CAMC) often but not always have acceptable toilet facilities,
read the reviews first before you decide whether to use the smaller sites.
If you decide to try weekend caravan rallies, a great way to meet new friends and to maximise the use of your caravan without spending a fortune, as often as not there will not be toilet blocks etc, so your loo and shower will be used in every respect.
The toilet chemicals and cleaning that you use and the frequency of emptying come into play if you decide to make full use of your toilet.
Ask yourself this. It's pouring with rain, the wind is howling and it's freezing cold outside at 3amon an unlit 5-van site in the middle of nowhere.
You really need to go to the loo. Do you
1 Spend an uncomfortable sleepless night trying to hold on until morning?
2 Put on layers of clothing, brave the cold wind and rain to visit a toilet block that may be 500 yards away?
3 Get out of bed inside a nice warm caravan to use the onboard facilities that you paid for when you bought the caravan, safe in the knowledge that you don't have to fiddle about unlocking the outside door and leaving it unlocked while you're away?
Having used the appropriate chemicals (I use
Thetford Aqua Kem blue) you will empty the contents of the cassette and clean it as part of your morning routine anyway.
Edit|: I use
Cassette Toilet Cleaner as directed to keep the toilet cassette clean and fresh and
Bowl Cleaner for the loo bowl and slide.