How I Go to the Bathroom in My Van | Van Life | Minivan Camper Conversion

How I Go to the Bathroom in My Van | Van Life | Minivan Camper Conversion

When building out my van, it was a priority to have a toilet in my van for safety and sanitary reasons. While a 5 gallon bucket worked fine in my space, my new toilet is even better!

This is my 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan no-build minivan camper conversion. I travel full time with my Chihuahua. We’ve visited 28 states in the continental US!

I am a creative writer, and work in the digital space. You can follow our journey on dogmomdays.com.

Instagram: @DogMomDays
Facebook: @DogMomDays

You can send us a donation via PayPal: https://paypal.me/dogmomdays?locale.x=en_US

Portable Camping Toilet: https://amzn.to/3mAhemy
Coleman Deodorizer: https://amzn.to/36yQUDU

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MSR Pocket Rocket Camping Stove: https://amzn.to/3lEaROT
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Walmart:

Ozark Trails Low-Profile Camping Cot: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-Compact-Folding-Cot-Low-Profile-Cot/575222454
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50 Comments

  1. Nancy Soto on April 26, 2022 at 7:34 pm

    Hmmmm………too big & bulky & the push handle stem "rusted" immediately.

  2. Caroline Maja Simon on April 26, 2022 at 7:37 pm

    Would not want to empty that thing! Rather go with compost or divided.

  3. Evie Vermont Short films on April 26, 2022 at 7:38 pm

    Good toilet yet the flushing seems weak

  4. Roberto V. on April 26, 2022 at 7:40 pm

    I wish to know, where do you park? Street? Or specific locations, such Walmart etc. Tks.

  5. O P on April 26, 2022 at 7:41 pm

    Thank you so so much for sharing. Awesome video and well explained

  6. Tanya Tressler on April 26, 2022 at 7:42 pm

    Very nice! Thank you 🥰

  7. Jannah on April 26, 2022 at 7:42 pm

    This is like the one in a camper trailer that I use to have at a campground. Be sure to put tp down first so that your #2 does not stick to the bowl, as that is very hard to wash down ;). Also, add some water to the toilet first so you get a good flush.

  8. Angela Braggs on April 26, 2022 at 7:43 pm

    Where can I purchase it from.

  9. Missi Martin on April 26, 2022 at 7:43 pm

    I think the bucket w cat litter or wood chips would be much easier w a small trash bag. Poo is gonna get stuck on the sides of this, therefore will always be cleaning it.

  10. dc more on April 26, 2022 at 7:44 pm

    I’m a new subscriber and and love your videos. Short and to the point!!

  11. Sky Tiger on April 26, 2022 at 7:48 pm

    Even animals don’t sh*t where they sleep.

  12. Ramona Hopewell on April 26, 2022 at 7:49 pm

    I like that set up.

  13. Bettie Gambrill on April 26, 2022 at 7:49 pm

    I keep a spray bottle filled with water and disinfectant to use instead of flushing. Also, spray the bowl before use so that ‘it’ doesn’t stick to the sides!

  14. Von & Jay on April 26, 2022 at 7:51 pm

    Easy to clean & Convenient! Great choice….we hv the Thetford.

  15. e m on April 26, 2022 at 7:51 pm

    just saw this video! love the upgraded crapper

  16. Deniese Kline - Thatcher on April 26, 2022 at 7:51 pm

    Thank you ✅

  17. MommaFaye Calder Traveling with Humor on April 26, 2022 at 7:51 pm

    When there was a Sears Store, we bought one 15 years ago. Works great.
    MommaFaye 🌺

  18. Kimberly Davis on April 26, 2022 at 7:52 pm

    I wouldn’t even be able to lift it in and out of the van everyday but really nice toilet.

  19. MakieMeow on April 26, 2022 at 7:56 pm

    Wait but how do you properly wash your hands or wipe your ***?

  20. Sandy Hobo on April 26, 2022 at 7:58 pm

    Its hard to find a place to dump these things. I mean you cant carry half a toilet into walmarts.lol

  21. Maria D on April 26, 2022 at 8:00 pm

    The most important topic!
    Great info! Tyfs

  22. Connection of Lives & Interests 2020 on April 26, 2022 at 8:01 pm

    *This is Great!!! Thank you for sharing this is So Helpful even for ppl that only have one bathroom. 🤗🤗🤗*

  23. Katherine M on April 26, 2022 at 8:01 pm

    its kinda cool but too nasty
    sleeping on poo? im ok.

  24. Firefly Nanny on April 26, 2022 at 8:04 pm

    I’ve been playing with this idea for about a year, this is the first time I’ve seen an actual working solution for me for going to the bathroom. I’m one of those people that has to get up a couple of times during the night so having to go outside or do anything that’s very inconvenient was just not going to work. Thank you so much for sharing this I’ve added it to my wish list!

  25. Life Is A Gift on April 26, 2022 at 8:04 pm

    Thank God I am constipated!

  26. Purposely Driven on April 26, 2022 at 8:05 pm

    Love the journey so much fun ☮️🕉☯️

  27. BABY A on April 26, 2022 at 8:05 pm

    Just found your channel. Subscribed as well. Love your van!!! Looks very simple and oh so cozy!!! Nice set up!

  28. Todd Bartel on April 26, 2022 at 8:06 pm

    When you take the box off have plenty of ventilation! Lol

  29. Wave Heart Soul Art on April 26, 2022 at 8:06 pm

    Can you explain how to empty the toilet and where please? Thanks!

  30. Wiseoldwoman on April 26, 2022 at 8:07 pm

    So basically you don’t use the toilet you just put a bag over it ,do your business tie the bag and throw it away ,right? that way you have a comfortable seat and you don’t complicate your life …And you keep it looking NEW 😉

  31. Katy Ferguson on April 26, 2022 at 8:08 pm

    Nice

  32. biostemm on April 26, 2022 at 8:12 pm

    I really appreciate folks like you sharing about how you make things "work". That being said, what is the practicality or difficulty in actually emptying that tank while traveling? I can’t imagine most fast food restaurants look too kindly upon you bringing the waste cartridge into their restroom. Cheers!

  33. Turkey on April 26, 2022 at 8:15 pm

    Nasty

  34. Angela Braggs on April 26, 2022 at 8:17 pm

    I love it.

  35. Todd Bartel on April 26, 2022 at 8:17 pm

    I really like your set up

  36. Bj Boyne on April 26, 2022 at 8:18 pm

    Looks like a lot of added work and I’d pee my pants before I could get it "prepared".

  37. Kandi aka Brwneydgrl69 on April 26, 2022 at 8:18 pm

    Well for me personally, this is something that I would NEVER purchase because… Most of the time I’m "boondocking" is usually in a rest area or a truck stop. If I just happened to be out in the woods… Well I can dig a hole and cover it up. No maintenance in keeping it clean and no taking up of space that I might need for something else.

    To each their own I suppose.

  38. Gail Resources on April 26, 2022 at 8:18 pm

    I’d put a plastic bag in it each time I used it. Tie it up and you have nothing to emtpy. Just the same kind of process you have when tossing the dogs dooty bag after a walk….into the trash can.

  39. Garden Genie on April 26, 2022 at 8:22 pm

    I had one of those… be sure the cap is tight!!! ..don’t ask… am going to try a small bucket with coconut coir. I DO like the way you disguise it tho. 😀

  40. Mike Clare on April 26, 2022 at 8:22 pm

    reference Bettie Gambrill comment about the spray bottle ………i liked that idea. Another tip would be to put some sheets of toilet
    paper in the bowl to facilitate the solids to slide more easily . Best wishes Mike County Durham UK

  41. Janet Denning on April 26, 2022 at 8:24 pm

    I was just discussing porta pottys with my sister-in-law today! So this does help with seeing how it can fit in a small camper and how it can be disguised! Thank you from Australia.

  42. Ma Thao on April 26, 2022 at 8:24 pm

    Amazing toilet

  43. Karen Franz on April 26, 2022 at 8:26 pm

    👍

  44. Judy Castro on April 26, 2022 at 8:26 pm

    One of those came w our pop up. Used it once cuz it was very hard to clean all the guck out of the holding tank. Lots of nooks n crannies in it. It’s buckets n bags for us but not crazy about environmental issues w waste disposal.

  45. The Grudge on April 26, 2022 at 8:27 pm

    Is that the five gallon holding tank or the smaller one

  46. Michelle on April 26, 2022 at 8:28 pm

    What would you do st might when dog on top of toilet and you have to go? Too much shifting stuff around for me.

  47. cynthia Hicks on April 26, 2022 at 8:28 pm

    In a former life I had a camping toilet. If I go on the road again- I think I’m going to get a composting toilet- like one that they use on boats or maybe I will make one. I think the medium that I saw for the compost was coconut shells.

  48. rick dennis on April 26, 2022 at 8:28 pm

    did you get the camping paper

  49. Mellow Nomadic Adventures on April 26, 2022 at 8:30 pm

    This is a great option! Everything is so functional in your build, I love it! *Was there a particular channel you watched obsessively when you were researching this lifestyle?* 😀

  50. Lisa MN on April 26, 2022 at 8:31 pm

    Genius idea with the box
    You can even stick on an air freshener 😁

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