Pett Vs. Wet

[The Saints]

Ok, even though the topic has probably been beat to death, I will keep this question short, mabey make it a poll?
What seems to be a better toilet and why, Pett style vs. porta potti's (the kind with liquid that you flush)?

 

[Mark W. Ingalls]

Solid beats liquid.

EDIT: Liquid may contain formaldehyde, which harms septic systems. Solid can be landfilled. Get it from Wal-Mart, take it back to Wal-Mart.

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

I have not used the pett (dry) style, but I would be guessing that it is easier to deal with when it comes to disposal.


The Thetford porta potti (water version) works great, our kids use it alot.

But it is a bit nasty to empty (dump & run kind of thing) and hold your nose.

Not too messy, easy to rinse, but can be smelly.







.

 

[Jack]

We use both.

We use the porta-potty (line the FWC one) for peeing, mostly at night, or once, when diarrhea paid a visit. We carry a dry bag type toilet and use it when camping where there are no public toilets and where a cat-hole latrine is not appropriate due to environment or population. The porta-potty is good for about 5 to 6 days, can be easily emptied in any toilet and a simple rinse is all that is needed if its only contents are urine and the blue rinse.

We have a very simple folding frame dry toilet that takes up very little space and the plastic bags are cheap. When we are camping without anyone around, we leave it set up outside and use the same bag for several "drops". I recommend that you get the gelling powder for any dry bag toilet.

http://www.armynavyshop.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=rc560&Category_Code=09-camping-surival-hunting&Store_Code=army-navy-shop

 

[The Saints]

Seeing how much the Pett toilet and bags cost, I will have to save up for it. In the mean time, we do have a Coleman flushing port a potti. The storage will be the only issue. The Coleman is big, the Pett is small.

 

[chnlisle]

We've used the "porta potty" for years and don't have an issue with it. We use the Bear Method when ever possible.

 

[Mark W. Ingalls]

Seeing how much the Pett toilet and bags cost, I will have to save up for it. In the mean time, we do have a Coleman flushing port a potti. The storage will be the only issue. The Coleman is big, the Pett is small.


Have a look here: Stink Link (I'm cheap.)

 

[craig333]

You don't have to use the stuff with formaldehyde. You can go enzyme based or ummm whatchacallit. Campingworld has a huge assortment to choose from.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/ecosmart-36-oz-deodorant/44086

 

[MarkL]

The wife and I use the Pett in our Hawk and we like it better than the Porta-Potty. I have a 3 gal. sealed bucket I use for storage until we can find a suitable place to dump it. It fit's nicely under the couch. Warning: The Wag Bags aren't cheap! I just ordered 12 from Cabela's for about $42.00 delivered

 

[mtn-high]

I have my wife trained to head for the woods so I'm not about to change/give in now!

We do have an "emergency" set up. However, to date, it has seen no use whatsoever and just takes up prime space.

I'm not saying anything though. You guys know the drill!

 

[Argonaut20]

If it's of any interest, my wife and I looked at the porta-potti route, decided it took more room than it was worth, and bought the Pett. We haven't used it yet, but the light weight and small size were deciding factors. Included is the seat height that doesn't have you kissing your knees when seated, a definite plus to those of us whose knees are showing signs of long usage. The downside is the cost of supplies. How long will it take to 'go' through 12 bags?

We bought ours through Amazon for less than $100, the same can be done through Camp World or other suppliers.

 

[CJinCA]

The wife and I use the Pett in our Hawk and we like it better than the Porta-Potty. I have a 3 gal. sealed bucket I use for storage until we can find a suitable place to dump it. It fit's nicely under the couch. Warning: The Wag Bags aren't cheap! I just ordered 12 from Cabela's for about $42.00 delivered


The best prices I've found for PETT bags and powder are at TRDParts4U. 20 bags for $41.00

The PETT system is compact and the nice thing is once you're done with your business, you can safely and greenly deposit it in any trash container. Safe for public landfills. And I like the idea of not carrying around a load in a chemical toilet for days at a time.

 

[gsbfree]

We love our PETT...now that sounds rather strange! It's solid to use, packs small for carrying in the FWC, combine it with a Zodi Extreme shower, shower tent and it's a bit of remote camping heaven.

 

[Sportsman Matt]

I've actually got all 3 types, a hard mounted 6 gallong black tank with a flushing RV toilet in the camper, an ancient Thetford Portable, and a Luggable Loo (similar to the Pett). Each has their own place, I prefer the hard mounted in the camper over the porta-potty, mainly due to height and I don't feel like I'm going in an upside down Lego. The Lugable Loo is the best on the boat, it's a 5 gallon bucket with a latching toilet seat and lid. Problem is if you use it, it does let odors out, not something you want in the cab of the truck or in the camper all night, unless you change the bag every time, which can be very expensive. The Porta-potty is easier to keep up with, just dump it and rinse it, not a problem, unlike the hard mounted unit in my camper which requires the 20' sewer hose to empty. Just a pain to store if you don't have a storage compartment for it.

As for chemicals for the holding tanks and porta-potty, I pick up the liquid from Walmart, just read the side, if it say's Septic Safe, you can dump it anywhere. The other stuff isn't septic safe and will kill a septic system in no time, just like anti bacterial soap.

Good luck

 

[The Saints]

Craig,
I like that Thetford enzyme stuff instead of the old electric blue goo. Since I am stuck with what I got currently, I may as well make the best of it. Besides, I like kissing my knees.

 

[HERR42]

all those fancy bio-degradeable bags are a waste of effort.
they do not break down...you have to read the fine print.
once they are buried they last as long as any plastic bag.

 

[chnlisle]

Roger that. UV is blocked in land fills.

 

[craig333]

I just wanted to comment on the old "dig a hole and squat" thing. Nothing wrong with it, I still use that method on occasion. Its just one of those things that has to be done appropriately. Nothing worse than finding a nice campsite and going "ewww whats that smell?" or seeing little piles all over. Basically, I'll dig a hole while traveling but not while I'm actually camped.

 

[highz]

I just wanted to comment on the old "dig a hole and squat" thing. Nothing wrong with it, I still use that method on occasion. Its just one of those things that has to be done appropriately. Nothing worse than finding a nice campsite and going "ewww whats that smell?" or seeing little piles all over. Basically, I'll dig a hole while traveling but not while I'm actually camped.


Good point. If you don't know about the "Leave No Trace" website, here's what they have to say:
http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_3.php

Then, there's this well-known trade paperback:
http://www.amazon.com/How-****-Woods-Environmentally-Approach/dp/0898156270

 

[rich]

Well I have to weigh in on this one,

After spending a decade as a mountaineering and backpacking instructor and whitewater raft guide I have used every system imaginable from the cat hole in the woods, to group latrines, to crap in a plastic bag in an ammo can then have to cut the corner and squeeze it into an rv dump station. I have seen groovers (the toilet) from rafting trips explode on people after being left for weeks in the sun and I've seen porta pottis clog with tp during the pumping process and splatter the pumper so I am done with any wet toilet that isn't mounted in my home. I own the pett toilet now for our multi day rafting trips and love it. Easy to set up, easy to clean up. I haven't used it with our new camper yet but it will be my system of choice. Too many years dealing with other peoples poo to deal with porta potti's now