Top 3 reasons to put a composting toilet in a vintage Airstream

There are several reasons why anyone renovating or rebuilding a vintage Airstream would install a composting toilet rather than replace the original toilet with a standard motorhome throne.

In this blog post, Crystal McCullough, vintage Airstream enthusiast and renovation expert, takes a look at the top reasons to put a composting toilet in your vintage Airstream.

Reason 1: Composting toilets don’t need plumbing into a vintage Airstream

The first reason why I decided on a composting toilet years ago is because I knew absolutely nothing about plumbing systems, either installing a new one or retrofitting the old one.

I was a camper newbie, too, and had no experience (nor did I want any) with a motorhome black tank. Using a composting toilet gave me freedom from ever touching that nasty black tank hose. 

I used a traditional portable cassette toilet for a while, but the chemical smell grossed me out, and the whole camper smelled like a portaloo. A composting loo was the best option and one I honestly recommend.

Reason 2: Less water consumption

As a bonus, using a composting toilet in your Airstream reduces water consumption.

Traditional motorhome toilets use a lot less water than a home toilet, but still, it’s using water that can best be used for something else. My old cassette toilet had a water tank that had to be filled regularly for proper flushing, too. The only water I use regularly for my Airstream composting toilet is water mixed with white vinegar or urine enzymes that I use to spray the toilet bowl after using.

Conserving water is crucial when on the road and camping in areas with limited water resources.

Reason 3: Compliance with today’s environmental standards

Until around 1974-1975, Airstreams didn’t have a gray tank. Water from the toilet went into a black tank, and all wastewater that was un-toilet related simply drained out of the camper on to the ground - a practice that today is not only frowned upon, but illegal pretty much everywhere.

Adding a composting toilet to your vintage Airstream frees up the old black tank to become the ‘new’ gray tank , keeping the integrity of the original design while complying with today’s environmental standards.

Many renovators with slightly newer vintage Airstreams built with both a gray and black tank often convert the black tank to an additional gray to allow for even more time between dump stations. If you enjoy boondocking or camping in off-grid locations, it’s really nice to be less dependent on traditional infrastructure.

What to consider before making the switch to a composting toilet in your vintage Airstream

If you are planning to invest in a portable composting toilet for your vintage Airstream, then there are a few things to consider. So before sending you on your way, I’ve created a handy list:

• Research and choose a composting toilet model that fits your Airstream's layout and your specific needs. 
• Weigh the price differences with long-term savings and think about portability, earth-friendliness, boondocking flexibility, and water preservation. 

If you’re like me, the pros list will far outweigh the cons, even if you know how to do your own plumbing!