4 Best RV Toilets | How to Install the Perfect Throne for Your Kingdom

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Howdy, friendo! Ready for the facts of life? Everybody poops.

Yes, crazy, I know. But it’s the truth. And what’s an even MORE critical truth is that everybody still poops while living on the road. Sometimes, it’s at the most unfortunate of moments too!

That’s why road-warriors always shell out for the BEST RV toilet they can afford.

If you want to boondock your way across the country’s greatest hits, an RV toilet is an essential add-on to your rig. I can tell you that for certain thanks to the personal tales (and traumas?) of my few-too-many close calls on the road. You never know exactly when you’ll need a RV toilet out there, and digging holes in the bushes ain’t fun for anybody!

So drawing on my wealth of RV experience (and even wealthier wealth of experience in a variety of toilet-sitting settings), I’ve personally selected the four best toilets for motorhome travels. The winner?

The SEAFLO Residential Height RV Toilet takes the top spot. It’s an all-around affordable and awesome RV toilet, hitting the mark for pretty much any RV traveler, full-time or short-term!

But why stop there? I said I picked four, didn’t I? That’s the best, but what about the rest?

Today, we’re not just finding you the best toilet fit for your RV. We’re finding you the throne fit for royalty.

Because you only deserve the best.

One of the best RV toilets on the market photographed at a low angle in a small but luxurious motorhome bathroom.
Bomb’s away!

The Best RV Toilets: Our Top 4 Picks

  1. SEAFLO Residential Height RV Toilet [Best Overall]
  2. Dometic 320 RV Toilet [Best Splurge]
  3. Thetford Aqua-Magic V RV Toilet [Best Hand Sprayer]
  4. Thetford Porta Potti 550P [Best Portable]

Why Do We Have to Replace an RV’s Toilet?

Put simply, consider the practicality and hygiene of your throne-on-the-go. Buying a toilet for your RV is an obvious flat-out upgrade to your setup…

But replacing it before you face any dreaded plumbing breakdowns is no less ESSENTIAL.

The absolute last thing you want on the open road is a RV toilet malfunction. Imagine going boondocking in the wild, pulling into a gorgeous, remote campsite only to discover a leaky can ruining the serenity. 

Worse still… Imagine it crapping out (hurhur) in the middle of a long day’s drive and miles away from any town. (Or public toilet!)

Older RV toilets can develop cracks, leaks, or clogs that you just can’t flush away with a simple fix. Fixing them ain’t much fun either! A well-functioning on-board RV toilet is a crucial ingredient for maintaining a pleasant on-the-road living environment.

Newer models of toilets are also more efficient and environmentally friendly. They use less water and are generally purposefully designed to be easier to clean. Plus, more modern RV toilets often have better flushing power and odor control. This only further improves resource conservation.

If you haven’t upgraded your rig’s existing RV toilet in a hot minute, it’s never too late! You can reap these benefits and reclaim the serenity of your me-time moments while saving yourself a lot of stank later down the line.

Gravity Flush Models: The Best Type of RV Toilet for a Replacement?

These days, gravity flush toilets are the go-to choice for many RVers, both full time and short-term. Who can blame them! These beauties have revolutionized the RV ablution experience.

The magic of the gravity flush RV toilet is in its simplicity. These units use gravitational force to move waste into a holding tank stored below. It’s a simple yet effective system that mimics the flushing action of a house toilet without complex piping and gadgetry.

This no-fuss, straightforward design is one of the biggest perks of gravity flush toilets. They typically have a powerful flush to minimize clogging. PLUS they use less water compared to traditional toilets, as well as fewer parts, to reduce the chance of a breakdown.

They aren’t strictly a plug-and-play solution. Gravity flush toilets still need to make use of a high-performing, on-board RV water pump and system.

However, in my experience, gravity flush toilets are overall just a lot easier to maintain and clean. That’s a huge advantage when you’re living in tight quarters! If you want reliability and ease of use WITH a lower eco-footprint, they’re 100% the way to go.

Gotta get Newtonian when you drop your plutonium! 😉

The Top 4 Toilets for RVing—Reviewed

Ok, so now you’ve got the science of RV toilets down, how about a little magic? These washroom wizards are a guaranteed level-up to your RV’s latrine. 

We’ve got an option for all budgets and rigs. Stop faffing about – find your throne now! 

Why settle for mediocrity? Sit your tush on the 4 BEST RV toilets across the most grandiose locales in the 50 states.


Best Overall

1. SEAFLO Residential Height RV Toilet

Best Overall RV Toilet Product Image: SEAFLO Residential Height RV Toilet
  • Material: Plastic
  • Height: 18.5″
  • Weight: 10 lbs

The SEAFLO 320 RV Toilet is a top choice for RVers looking for a residential seat-height toilet. Made of durable plastic, this toilet offers great value without compromising on quality. The lack of ceramics makes for less of a home-style feel, but the result is a much cheaper and lighter unit!

Flushing, hygiene, and splashback are no problems with the SEAFLO. Its gravity flush system (operated by an efficient foot pedal with adjustable water volume) provides a very efficient flush that’s usually tricky to get in this price range. Moreover, its slick anti-stick oversized bowl is a thoughtful feature. It’s a toilet customized for a vehicular life-on-the-move.

The biggest issue I have is that the SEAFLO’s installation is just a bit trickier than this roundup’s other RV toilets. The height and orientation of the water inlet are somewhat abnormal too. They might require making some DIY adjustments to your motorhome’s existing bathroom setup or going hunting for the best RV water hose for the job that provides a more tailored fit. 

But that, of course, is a small price to pay for the affordability of the toilet! It’s a problem that can be solved with an afternoon of tinkering, and the tradeoff is that you get a quality and cheap RV toilet. Those willing to spend a bit more on an easier installation process might prefer the higher-valued 320…

But for those just looking for an affordable option that doesn’t compromise on quality, SEAFLO offers the no-brains reliable and economical option for all!


Best Splurge

2. Dometic 320 RV Toilet

Best Premium RV Toilet Product Image: Dometic 320 RV Toilet
  • Material: Ceramic
  • Height: 19.75″
  • Weight: 37 lbs

Alright! Ample booties deserve an equally awesome place to sit. If you’re ready to splurge on comfort and quality, the Dometic 320 is the throne for you!

Built from 100% vitreous China ceramic, this toilet offers a durable and high-end feel that’s hard to match with plastic bowls. It’s a bigger and heavier toilet as a result, but lesser products just can’t match that feeling of homestyle toilet-time on the go.

Cleanliness and ergonomics are the features here to boast! The pressurized full-rim flush ensures a bowl-clearing rinse every time. Plus the ergonomic one-direction foot pedal provides an easy and hands-free flushing experience. 

Odors, hygiene, and comfort are the names of the game here and the Dometic 320 delivers. Probably not even your home toilet has hands-free flushing!

The comfort factor of the Dometic 320 is, sadly, also its biggest drawback. It’s a rather heavy unit compared to the RV toilets on the list. The larger bowl and elongated seat can be challenging to fit into smaller RV spaces too. I would strongly advise you to measure and double-check all your requirements before committing to buying this toilet as it might only be suitable for compact-grade Class A motorhomes and similarly sized RVs.

But if it fits, whoo boy! The Dometic 320 offers a luxurious, at-home expulsion experience from the back of your RV. If you’re looking to flush in style no matter where the road takes you, this is the best toilet for the job.


Best Hand Sprayer

3. Thetford Aqua-Magic V RV Toilet

Best RV Toilet With a Hand Sprayer Product Image: Thetford Aqua-Magic V RV Toilet
  • Material: Plastic
  • Height: 18.5″
  • Weight: 26.5 lbs

It’s time for Thetford’s first offering on this list, and it’s no less magic! Including a handheld sprayer add-on in the package, the Thetford Aqua-Magic V RV Toilet is an excellent choice for those who appreciate the convenience of hand sprayers. (AKA a “bumgun”, of which I am most certainly a fan!)

This Thetford toilet is lightweight and with added seat height for extra comfort, this RV toilet’s single-pedal flush system delivers a powerful flush with 100% bowl coverage. However, that efficiency is only further bolstered by the Thetford Agua-Magic’s primo feature.

What sets this RV toilet apart is the included hand sprayer. If you’ve ever traveled abroad to where these powered sprayers are common, you’ll know how much more efficient and hygienic they are for cleaning! I promise you—the best RV bidets will change your life on the road.

My one word of warning is to be aware that the seat is rather small. The Dometic this is not: those blessed with bountiful badonks might not find the Thetford Aqua-Magic the most comfortable seat for the job.

But while it may not be quite as top-of-the-line as the Dometic 320, the Aqua-Magic delivers hard for fans of the hand sprayer. I know I sing this thing’s praises pretty loud, but trust me! The bumgun is an objectively superior way to perform your post-ablution cleanup. Anybody who disagrees can face me in a water-duel to the death.

Bumguns at dawn!


Best Portable

4. Thetford Porta Potti 550P

Best Portable Toilet for RVing Product Image: Thetford Porta Potti 550P
  • Material: Plastic
  • Height: 16.5”
  • Weight: 10.55 lbs

Even though the Porta Potti 550P is a portable toilet rather than one specialized for RVing (such as an RV composting toilet), it still sweeps the 4th spot as the best overall throne for the job. It’s accessible, it’s a solid all-rounder, and it’s very affordable. Plus, since it doesn’t function like an RV composting toilet, there’s no need to carry and store peat moss, freeing up much-needed storage space!

On the technical side, the 550P has some smooth features for prospective users. Its piston pump system delivers a powerful and effective flush. Better yet, it also features a sealed valve to keep unpleasant odors firmly contained within the internal holding tank. 

These additions to the design ensure waste is both more efficiently cleared from the bowl as well as sealed in the holding tank. I don’t need to tell you how integral that is for portable toilets in tight spaces such as RV’s, camper vans, or when tent camping!

One minor gripe I’d level at the product concerns the graded filler cap on the waste tank. Or the lack of a graded filler cap more specifically! It’s a minor absence but noticeable for those who like to measure out their waste tank fluid precisely on their portable toilets.

Still, that’s a small drawback. The Porta Potti 550P remains a nonetheless well-priced portable toilet where the normal RV toilet won’t suffice. Its technical features secure it as a fantastic toilet aligned to the smells and swerves of RVlife, and it’s comfy too!

Park your keester on the 550P RV toilet today! Your tush will thank you, and so will your nostrils.


How to Replace an RV Toilet (in 9 Steps!)

Right, picked your perfect throne now? Let’s talk DIY.

New toilet installation in your RV toilet might sound daunting. But with a little patience and the right tools, it’s a perfectly manageable task. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

  1. Gather Your Tools and Supplies. Specifically, you’ll need your new toilet and some of the other must-haves for any RV road trip—a wrench, screwdriver, sealant, gloves, and cleaning supplies. Having everything on hand and ready for the job will save you a lot of time and frustration.
  2. Turn Off the Water Supply. First, locate and shut off the freshwater supply to your RV. Don’t forget – this is crucial to prevent any water damage or leaks during the replacement (as well as potential unrestricted rage).
  3. Remove the Existing Toilet. Flush the toilet to first drain any remaining water. Then, disconnect the water line and unscrew the bolts at the base of the old toilet. Finally, carefully lift the toilet off and set it aside.
  4. Clean the Flange Area. Y’know – the flange! This is the piping that’s used to secure the RV toilet to the floor. Clean the area around the existing flange thoroughly. Ensure to remove any old sealant and debris so the new RV toilet gets a secure seal.
  5. Install the New Toilet Seal. Place a new seal or gasket onto the flange. This helps prevent leaks and creates a secure fit for your RV’s new toilet.
  6. Position and Secure the New RV Toilet. Align the new toilet over the flange and press down firmly. Next secure it in place with bolts, tightening them evenly to avoid any wobbling.
  7. Reconnect the Water Line. Reattach the water line to the new toilet. Make sure it’s secure but don’t overtighten it to avoid damaging the fittings.
  8. Test for Leaks. Turn the water supply back on and flush the RV toilet several times to test the new installation. Check for any leaks around the base and water line connections too.
  9. Final Touches. Apply more sealant around the base of the toilet if needed. Finish off by giving everything one final inspection.

By following these steps, your new RV toilet installation should be a smooth and successful process. The only thing left to do now is to give it a test drive! 😉

Our Verdict: What’s the best toilet for an RV?

And that’s a wrap! Prepare your engines for that test drive.

Look, the top pick for the best toilet is clear. The SEAFLO Residential Height RV Toilet is the all-around best bang-for-your-buck package. With straightforward installation, solid mechanics, a comfy seat, and an even comfier price point to settle into, it really is the no-thought-required purchase for any RVer’s needs.

That said, if you want the BEST, go for the Dometic 320 RV Toilet. It’s a pricier, heavier, and bigger toilet in part due to its elongated bowl. However, the level of comfort you’ll get from this RV toilet is simply unparalleled in this price range.

Of course, the free option is to not get an RV toilet at all and to make use of public bathrooms and secret bushes along the way. But trust me when I say that’s a game that gets real old real fast.

The beauty of RV living is that it’s the perfect merger of homestyle creature comforts and outdoorsy living. And while there’s always room for a whizz under the stars, the magic dims when it becomes a regularity.

Keep those moments special and your ablutions private! Invest in a solid toilet for your RV today.

Treat your tush like the passenger princess it deserves to be. Trust me – on your next adventure you’ll be glad you did.

Photo of author

AUTHOR

A professional dirtbag by trade, Ziggy Samuels owns a beloved van, aptly named Stardust, which allowed him to wait out the pandemic in the mountainous wilds of Tasmania, the island at the bottom of the planet. These days, you can find him on-again-off-again riding solo in his home of the Blue Mountains, still appreciating the sky from the comfort of his portable home.