Have you ever had to go on a long drive and experienced the call of nature in the middle of nowhere? It would be nice to have something handy to help you do your business in peace and comfort instead of holding it in and risk a messy situation, right? While you can urinate just about anywhere as long as you’re covered, it’s an entirely different matter for defecating. If you are camping in more remote campgrounds without bathroom facilities or on a long road trip in a camper or van, having your own self-contained portable toilet can make a huge difference.
One of the top-selling options is the 2.6 gallon Dometic 972.
If you are camping with a large family or group, you may want to opt for the Dometic Portable 5.o Gallon toilet.
The capacity refers to the holding tank, so the bigger the tank, the less frequently you will need to empty the waste into a public toilet (campground RV waste disposal point).
Dometic Portable Toilet Review
The Dometic 970 Portable Toilet Series
Here is a closer look at the smaller 970 portable toilets from Dometic. As mentioned the 970 come tan or grey and 2.6 or 5-gallon waste tank capacity. If you are considering buying a Dometic toilet, you may want to watch through to the end as the video clearly shows how to use it. It may help you decide if this is the kind of portable toilet you are looking for or if you are looking for a simpler bucket-style toilet.
As part of the 970 Series, the 301097202 -also known as the Dometic 972, is a portable toilet that offers the modern comforts of your home, even while you’re on the road or in the great outdoors. This porta-potty is designed just like airplane toilets, giving you the comfort and ease of use when nature calls.
If you’re not too fond of the idea of doing your business in a plastic bag, the Dometic 972 is something you should consider. Its major draw is the fact that it can actually flush, so you won’t feel like you’re just trying to make do with whatever is available. With a single press of a button, this device will flush your discharge with ease. It feels rather sophisticated and as if you didn’t go off somewhere without access to indoor plumbing.
The refuse will go into its detachable waste compartment, ensuring the unit’s proper hygiene. You can then separate the tank from the upper portion to easily empty it. The idea is very simple and it can really save you from the hassle of dealing with bagged waste.
The Dometic 972 makes use of a pump-action lever to generate a vacuum inside the device and help it push the waste into its tank. Before you use this portable toilet, you’ll need to pump the lever for at least fifteen times and it will be ready to power four to five flushes. This means that you don’t really have to pump every time you need to use the john, making it quite a fuss-free experience.
Each flush uses 1 pint of water. With the assistance of the vacuum, it can get the job done rather well. Some people find this too wasteful if they’re just getting rid of liquid waste, but as the flush is controlled by how long you press the button, you can just give it a short press, which will do the trick.
As this product stores the waste inside its tank, it’s perfect for those who are on long road trips without easy access to public restrooms. It’s designed for trucks and RVs, but boat owners also find them very useful.
With a 2.6-gallon capacity, this porta-potty can fill up after a while depending on the number of users and amount of waste they generate. To avoid creating a mess, it has a level indicator that will tell you when it’s time to dump the waste. You won’t have to do this too often, though. Some even last a day or two before needing to be emptied.
As for the actual emptying of the tank, you also don’t have to worry about a mess. The tank is detachable, so you don’t have to wrestle with a bulky porta-potty. It’s also equipped with a specially designed spout that will make waste disposal easy and fuss-free.
If you still are not sure and want to continue researching, check out all our top picks for the best portable camping toilets here.
970 Dometic Portable Toilet Models:
Dometic 972 Portable Toilet Features
Durable ABS construction
Portable camping toilets will have to carry a good lot of weight, so to ensure that this product won’t give out while in use and won’t cause a major problem, it has been made with durable ABS plastic. This specific product can hold up to 300 lbs., which guarantees durability, so you don’t have to worry about sitting on it.
Pump-action flushing
To help break down solid refuse and move them from the upper chamber to the waste tank, this product uses pump action so your excrements will flush with ease. You don’t have to pump every time you need to flush, and you won’t have to worry about the amount of water it uses as it depends on how long you press the flush button.
Push-button operation
To make things even simpler, you only have to press a button to flush the waste where it won’t cause trouble.
2.6-gallon waste tank
This sizable waste compartment can hold a day or two of waste. It’s completely sealed, so you don’t have to worry about leaks and odors.
Mess-free discharge spout
The most challenging part of owning a portable camping toilet is waste disposal. The Dometic 972 made it simpler with its discharge spout that you can direct away from you so you won’t have to come in contact with human waste. It’s very easy to use, so you won’t have a hard time cleaning this unit up every after use.
Waste level indicator
To prevent the unit from overflowing, you can rely on the waste level indicator to know when it’s the best time to empty your waste tank.
Pros
- Available in two sizes, 2.6 gallon, and 5-gallon models
- Designed for truckers, RVs, small campervans, and vans
- With a waste level indicator
- Locking Lid
- Flushes refuse down the waste compartment
- 300 lbs. maximum weight capacity
- Standard toilet size
- Sanitary
Cons
- A bit bulky
- Cleaning can require some effort
Conclusion
Even though you’ll be away from indoor plumbing for a few days, you don’t have to live primitively and dispose of your waste in what some will consider an uncivilized manner. The Dometic 301097202 Portable Toilet is a great tool that can stand in as a proxy for your porcelain throne and help you do your business like a modern person, wherever you may be. While it’s not the cheapest portable option, the convenience and comfort it can bring can be totally worth it.