Dealing with potty issues...

[Kaylee]

Ah, of course, bad hip needs accommodation!
I use my bed as my desk & chair, which is very space efficient. I sit cross-legged, which would be an issue with a bad hip.

That's one of the scenarios not covered in YT van-porn, right?!?

 

[CoachOnTheRoad]

As it's been said, "poop" happens! 

As someone with occasional bouts of IBS, yep, been there done that.

I started out using a Thetford porta-potti 'cause it seemed the closest to the real throne, but it was disgusting and inconvenient to empty it.

I still sit on the porta potti, it takes about the same space a bucket would, but I switched to the bag and kitty litter method. Extra kitty litter absorbs the liquid when there's a "D" problem. I try to get litter that has low dust, and natural ingredients. And agreed, ALWAYS have your next set up ready! The time you don't do that, you'll be wishing you had.

Haven't heard of the cinnamon trick before and after, gonna try that!

Good luck!

~ Mary Ellen

 

[Kaylee]

Mary Ellen:
Thanks for posting - you're the first to have a similar scenario to the OP.
It also is very reassuring to those of us who "merely" have intermittent issues.

I blame/credit JimInDenver for inspiration on the Cinnamon front.
His suggestion was for a different scenario (masking cigarette smoke), but it meant I have a separate cinnamon shaker purely for smell masking/therapy, so tried it on my urine bowl late last year.
Took me a few months to try it while assembling "poop packets", and really helped very first time.

Apparently cinnamon can also help with memory issues. Win-win, plus very inexpensive.

 

[Qxxx]

I use my bed as my desk & chair, which is very space efficient. I sit cross-legged, which would be an issue with a bad hip.

I found that one of the best things to have in the van is as much floor space as possible, so I went with the smaller 2-gal poo bucket.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed is good for young people and those with better flexibility (usually meaning the female species). If your van was pre-converted, you don't have many options, but I decided having a computer desk was preferable to building in cabinets to provide counter space. So just like working at home at a regular desk.

I do actually have an unsullied porta potti stored under the bed, but have never used it. It's more of a show piece in case I am ever asked by a ranger or someone.

 

[Fivealive]

I tie it up and throw it in a trash asap, if there is not a trash around I would just leave it the bucket until I get to one. If I have to go again before I find a trash can I just put a new bag on top and tie that one up as well. Sometimes I will have 5 tied up bags of crap in my bucket by the time I get to a trash. No matter how liquid or solid it comes out, the procedure is the same for me.

Edit, reading some other responses it sounds like some people don't use a lid? The lid is the most important part, a good lid will seal on the bucket and keep the smells in.

 

[Ozmyrrah]

I have a two gallon bucket inside of a 3 gallon. Lids and liners for both. I have no problems with odors.
The seal is more important than anything else, in my book. And home. lol