Customer Reviews

Reliance Products Fold-To-Go Collapsible Portable Toilet

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a nomad in a mini-van/rv, I often find myself (How did I get HERE?!) in places sans facilities. The Reliance has been invaluable in those instances. After six months I have yet to find fault. I'm a big guy, 230 pds, and it hasn't whimpered once. I use kitchen garbage bags and zip-locks instead of those recommended and (so far) everything has "come out just fine."

The pros:

A friend has this one and notes that it has survived many camping trips to remote spots. In a remote spot, privacy would not be a concern. We found it to be very, very sturdy. It does indeed fold down to a rather compact size, considering that this is a toilet seat with legs (when unfolded). It isn't going to become extremely small and it isn't extremely light, although it is easily portable if you have the right transportation. The seat feels similar to any toilet seat.

It can hold up to 300 pounds. We tested it with a person weighing about 260 pounds (several times) and there was no problem. It can be used with regular trash bags, although the ones meant to go with it might work better. Great to have on hand in an emergency.

The potential downsides.:

If you are into eco-friendly solutions, you might consider using this without a bag and have a pit to cover the waste. Deer, bear and other creatures don't use toilets and the environment disposes of such waste naturally. Is a plastic bag a necessity, I wonder? However, in an emergency where burial isn't an option (stuck inside, used up water to flush down toilet even if you filled up bathtub beforehand, etc....you'd want a plastic bag to keep any waste out of the house. Of course, trash cans (outside) would start getting rather stinky. There are solutions where you add products which cover up the scent...so think about those beforehand.

Even at a campsite, putting the plastic bags in trash cans still leaves the plastic to be stuck in some landfill. So choose your options for disposal of any waste. Also, if you are at a campground with a port-a-potty on the premises, some have rules about disposing of waste in trashcans.

If you are into PRIVACY or have very picky kids who haven't yet gotten used to going to the bathroom outdoors, consider a privacy tent meant to enclose the toilet. This is not a necessity and there is an argument to be made for getting used to going to the bathroom without a privacy tent, especially in remote locations.

However, in a campground or other area where the outhouses or Port-a-potties are filthy or not maintained well, this could be an option. If the campground has plenty of people there, you might want a privacy tent...for their comfort as well as yours. Campers can be tolerant but some might not want to come across you when there are port-a-potties with walls available. They might not understand that you consider Fold-to-go toilets to be more convenient and hygienic. Unless there is another campground nearby, you probably aren't going to want to risk getting kicked out of a campground (and it is a pain to pack up and move).

We've had friends who have moved this potty into a tent for privacy so that could work in a pinch. Just make sure the bags are firmly held in place on the toilet.

Summing it all up: consider when or where you'd be likely to use this (camping, emergency, etc) and plan accordingly. This is a nice, sturdy item and all over reviewers have given it a 4 or 5 rating. There is a reason for that.

What else can you say it's a portable loo. And it's lower to the ground than might be comfortable for some but fine for us. And it's plastic but holds a lot of weight so also not a concern for us but could be an issue for others or guests along for a trip outdoors. And you have to fiddle with the bags and all but all do able as long as you take care to begin with and pay attention to details of all. I do buy the pre-double bag made up systems. I have only used regular sized ones not the over sized ones that also fit in your at home toilet during water problem emergencies. An idea that caught my eye but we now have this loo so in a pinch in our home it would do for our family.
What I like best about this loo is it's fold up small size bundle. It's easy to bring along. Keep clean * even hide it in a bag or large pillow case or small sheet if you feel the need to do that to keep it out of sight during actual travel. You don't have to drag along a big ole bucket with a comfy seat attached. However the 5 and 6 gallon buckets are a lot more higher and maybe more comfortable for really tall people or compromised physical needs. This works and it's on it's way out the door as we speak. Summer you know...gotta go...we live where 80% of our area is wilderness...I know I know you guys own this place...you really should come visit it. Taxes and all....

PS for those who enjoy making their own....you can fashion your own double bagged bag systems using disposable diapers and 2 gallon ziplocks for out side bag and firm 20-22 quart garbage bags for the innner system that holds the torn apart diaper and maybe some extra baking soda for odor control. Also I'm sticking a charcoal filter to the top underside of the lid on my loo. Don't know if it's needed just thought it might help out as a bug detractant by reducing any day time odors.

I just purchased the Reliance to replace a much older portable toilet I've been using for years. The older one worked, but had a tendency to scare off others as it was nothing more than a toilet seat that snapped onto a set of rather unstable cross legs. I have a big group campout coming up and decided to upgrade, besides, it was time to anyway. I got this home last night a set it up and am very impressed with it. It may be a tab low to the ground but it is by far superior to what I have been using. And I don't think this one is going to scare any fellow campers as it seems to be quite stable and has more of a `toilet feel' to it than the old one.

Update 7/7/2011:
I've now used the Reliance Products Fold-To-Go Collapsible Portable Toilet on several camping trips. Combine it with the Texsport Deluxe Camp Shower/Shelter Combo and you end up with one great privy for camping. Initially I was concerned about its height, not an issue. I can now say that I highly recommend it, and I have lots of fellow campers that will back that recommendation up!

My wife & I purchased the Reliance rather than the more expensive PETT and just loved it.

Folds up neat & compact, the bags are a no-mess solution - just fold in, zip shut, and dump in the trash can. Way neater than messing with any liquids or dump stations.

We went camping and set it up at night inside our Pop-Up camper - it held up great under my weight (5'9" male, 195lbs).

Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a Porta Potty solution for camping or traveling.

Although I haven't used this in the wilds yet I set it up at home and it seems very sturdy and a better value than the much more expensive PETT Toilet.

So I did use this recently on a camping trip and it performed great. The one bag included worked well too. I highly recommend this product as it will save substantially over the PETT.

Wonderful convenience to have in the tent when low temperatures and darkness discourage trips to the campground outhouse. Comfortable seat, good bag system, seals well for no odors. Reasonably priced. Compact but quite difficult to fold the legs when packing to travel home.

We purchased for our annual Buffett tailgate party. It was great. We got a portable cabana to put up around it. A few hours of tailgating, the lines got long to the portapotties. We had our portable toilet and no one (big or small) had any trouble with it. I used the biogel bags and powder and the cleanup was quick and easy. Recommend to all.

Bought this for my trip up to the Upper Peninsula. Went camping for 3 day in remote places. Was great, easy to set up and it feels real solid. I weigh 270lbs and no issues at all. Would recommend to anyone looking for a portable toilet at a reasonable price.

Even though we have not used this yet, I'll give it four stars. The most attractive reason I purchased it was that you can fold it up and store it easily while not using it. It is very sturdy, but a little low to the ground. I don't see that as a real problem for those occasional times it has to be used. We have a pop-up camper and this should be handy!