Everything You Need to Know About Chemical Toilets in Vans, Motorhomes, or Campervans
Want to learn more about chemical toilets? We’ve tested various chemical and non-chemical toilets for campervans and motorhomes and we’ll tell you all about the advantages and disadvantages of each solution.

Summary
Chemical Toilets
How Does a Chemical Toilet Work?
Chemical toilets are similar to traditional toilets with their flushing mechanism, but here, waste is stored in a cassette that contains chemicals to dissolve organic matter and control odors. Once full, the cassette must be emptied at a campsite or service area, but definitely not in nature!
What is a Chemical Toilet Made of?
Chemical toilets, or cassette toilets, are made up of the following components:
- A bowl.
- A clean water tank (15 liters).
- A reservoir (or cassette) that contains chemicals to break down waste.
Different Types of Chemical Toilets
Fixed Chemical Toilets

These are permanently installed in your motorhome. Since they are connected to your vehicle’s water system, you can use them just like at home by flushing the toilet. To empty them, simply remove the cassette located outside the vehicle. These toilets have a fixed place in the vehicle, but take up more space than portable toilets.
What is a Portable Chemical Toilet?

Unlike fixed toilets, as you may have guessed, portable toilets are easy to move. They are made of two parts: clean water is stored in the top section to allow for flushing (you’ll need to carry extra water in your van), while organic waste is stored in the bottom part with chemicals, which you’ll need to empty once full.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Chemical Toilets
Advantages of Chemical Toilets
- You get the comfort of home toilets.
- They take up little space if portable.
- The flush (1.5 liters of water per person per day) and special chemicals help maintain good hygiene.
- No bad odors with regular maintenance.
- If you choose the right dimensions, you can discreetly hide your chemical toilet in a Combeing box with either a removable or top-opening front, just like with dry toilets.
Disadvantages of Chemical Toilets
- Use of non-eco-friendly chemicals to dissolve organic and fecal matter.
- Need to find a designated place to empty your cassette: campsite, dump station, equipped rest area (note that some campsites may refuse if you’re not staying there, and make sure to check when traveling abroad).
- Not ideal for a road trip in the wild, as it’s prohibited to empty in nature or septic tanks.
- The unpleasant aspect of emptying the cassette.
- Cost of chemicals that should not be forgotten.


Conclusion: Our Opinion on Chemical Toilets in Vans, Converted Vans, or Motorhomes
We highly recommend opting for dry toilets instead!
In fact, chemical toilets are more cumbersome to use.
They are less eco-friendly.
They tend to have stronger chemical odors that are unpleasant in a confined space like a van, converted van, or motorhome.
Transform your utility vehicle into a camper van in 5 minutes.
Combeing is the ideal solution for owners of utility vehicles, vans, and campers who want to temporarily repurpose their vehicle for leisure in just a few minutes.
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What our customers say...
Joel Joel
2 month(s) ago
5 stars well deserved. Great team A simple email resulted in a purchase. I felt considered, taken seriously and at the center of attention Once there, Matthieu was more than incredible. Really at the top. Knew how to satisfy, fulfill all my wishes. The family thanks you.
Hervé LOZES
5 month(s) ago
Ingenious and really well thought out concept, quality material and precision manufacturing, with a responsive team, I highly recommend!
Laetitia Coudrai
5 month(s) ago
We bought a Combeing kit a few months ago for our VW T5 transporter and we are very satisfied with it! Delivery was free and fast. Customer service is top notch, whether for information or responsiveness. The kits are adaptable to your type of vehicle but also to your use whether it is road mode, night mode or day mode (with table). Very good value for money. We highly recommend. And a big thank you to Mathieu for sending goodies!!
Laurent Gréco
6 month(s) ago
A great team, a high-quality product, a very competitive price. We sold our converted van because our annual usage time did not justify such an expensive investment. We bought a utility vehicle that we converted to our taste with the possibility of modifying its configuration according to our needs following the many very professional tips received from COMBEING. The team took the time to welcome us into the company and to assemble our modules in order to have a tailor-made layout with everything necessary to live independently: gas, water point, electricity, toilet, solar panel, shower... In short, everything necessary to live pleasant moments according to our desires without having to have our vehicle approved in VASP. Thanks again to the whole team for their welcome, their availability and their professionalism which really deserve to be highlighted
Domie Palet
7 month(s) ago
Very satisfied with the modules, fast delivery, a super friendly team, thank you Mathieu for his advice and his professionalism, the best!!!! We recommend without moderation...
Johann Manassian
9 month(s) ago
Really great, the team is really cool, the products sold (sports kit for VW T6 for me) are really great (but I didn't doubt that, I had already planned everything thanks to their website, but with their advice I made some changes that suit me better). I also did the sprayed cork insulation before going to get my kit, super simple and beautiful rendering. I really recommend more than ever. Thank you and good luck in your new premises.
caroline faure
1 year(s) ago
5 stars without hesitation for this professional company for the modular fitting out of Vans and Campers. Special dedication to Mathieu, who was able to listen and find all the solutions to my constraints while respecting my budget! The team is great, the atmosphere friendly! I recommend!!
Laurent FOUCHARD
1 year(s) ago
I was looking for a van that could be used as a daily, utility or leisure vehicle and with the Combeing Full kit, I found exactly what I wanted for my L1H1 van. I spoke several times with Mathieu and Raphaël, their listening, their responsiveness and their availability as well as their advice and services were very valuable in guiding me in my choices... In short, very well-made kits, easy and quick to set up, as well as a great team mean that I highly recommend this friendly company...
Stephane Picard
1 year(s) ago
We made an appointment, Mathieu welcomed us warmly and showed us around the workshop, then we went to the selection area to recap and make the quote. We had all the necessary technical explanations as well as his advice and feedback. The guy is sincere and super professional. Our choice validated, he helped us throughout the time needed to set up the modules. Again, lots of advice and tips, thanks to him. I thought the idea was absolutely brilliant on paper but it's even better in the van, the possibilities are endless, the quality is great, everything is thought out down to the smallest detail. In the end, it confirms that with my 1m70 we can sleep across without any problem and therefore keep the table in place during the night. Conclusion: we are satisfied beyond our expectations. Thank you COMBEING, thank you to the brilliant inventor and thank you Mathieu for your advice
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No VASP approval required
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Infinite combinations to suit your wishes
Our kits adapt to all types of vans. Combeing selects the appropriate floors for your utility vehicle; you will just need to move the boxes around on this floor as you see fit. In just a few seconds, switch from a configuration with a table and seats to a large bed that covers the entire interior of the vehicle.