Overnight in caravan in winter & extra toilet needed for Xmas guests

Errata

lonestarfan wrote: »

Just had a conversation with a caravan chappie. He says they've only got the smaller caravan but that the toilet would last a week for a family of four. It will cost £42 per day for hire so if I had it for 4 days that's £168. I imagine that's cheaper than a polyjohn or portaloo but now need to find out.
Chap says its a fully a flued gas fire that you leave on during the night to keep you warm. Does that sound right? Sounds a bit dangerous to me.

At least 28 dumps and 100 pees - I don't think so

lonestarfan

Ok thanks. It will be the second toilet as we'll use the house one mostly but it will definitely ease the pressure 1st thing in the morning.
What about the heating issue? Is is safe ? Is it warm? Thanks.

drusilla

Hi
I know you probably only want a temporary solution but have you not got space for another loo fitted in the house? You will come up against the same issue in the future..

We only have 1 toilet and my OH likes to hog it but we have got a system going for 6 of us. It does work.

Are there going to be 7 in total or 7 more? I got a bit confused.

cyclonebri1

lonestarfan wrote: »

Just had a conversation with a caravan chappie. He says they've only got the smaller caravan but that the toilet would last a week for a family of four. It will cost £42 per day for hire so if I had it for 4 days that's £168. I imagine that's cheaper than a polyjohn or portaloo but now need to find out.
Chap says its a fully a flued gas fire that you leave on during the night to keep you warm. Does that sound right? Sounds a bit dangerous to me.

So, you are going to install a temporary albeit heated outside toilet?

I honestly think you should manage with what you have, I don't know about those costs but simply look what you are left with, an outside bog, it'll look great with a queue all the way across the lawn..

Ok, I've had a laugh but I also tried to help, best bet would be to improve facilities for next year, I think what is proposed would also fix the issue. They simply won't come back:D:D

Do let us know what you do, I'm now intrigued.

hardpressed

I think you need to be pretty hardy to sleep in a caravan at Christmas, You'd need to give up your beds for the guests and the family have the caravan. As for a portaloo I wouldn't fancy having to use one of those in December.

jennifernil

What type of caravan is this? Make , model, and year would give a better clue as to the level of insulation and effectiveness of the heating.

If you have electricity available, then a small electric heater could be used instead of gas.

Ordinary caravan toilets with 4 people using would need emptying at least every 48 hours. Would depend on the type of toilet fitted.

For 8 people, the house bathroom and shower should be adequate.

tony6403

Caravans have for many years been fitted with blown air heating (a sort of mini central heating which sends the heat all around through a system of pipes). This works safely using either gas or electricity. No need to have a small electric heater.
Insulation has improved greatly and newer caravans will have Grade 3 which is installed to allow use all year round.
We use ours as extra accommodation at all times of year when invaded by the family.
The caravan fridge is also really useful for storing the extra drinks.

sniggings

if I were one of your guests, I would prefer to wait for the toilet than use a tiny caravan loo, those things are nearly as bad as train toilets. Fine for your family holiday but not guests, not nice using one after someone else.

Save your money, or use it on a treat for all at Christmas, better a memory of a good time than a crappy loo.

gazman100

I know you're trying to be accommodating, but if I was one of your guests I'd find it a bit weird to have an outside portaloo! It's like you're saying you don't want them using your toilet!

Maybe its my festival experience but those things are never fun.

lemontart

here is some useful reading on the subject, important to note empyting of such is only permitted in designated elsan points as they cannot go straight into the sewage system due the chemicals involved, also you should ideally use quick dissolve loo paper. I am currently in process of preparation to move to a narrowboat and will be living in a tourer caravan in interim. Have become rather a sad toilet investigator as a result.

http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/helpandadvice/gettingstarted/campingequipment/toilets/

http://www.elsan.co.uk/