Toileting and the overnight stay

[Up_north_michig]

We will be taking our first long trip in our motor home soon. For a single overnight stay before we reach our destination, we are staying in a Wal-Mart parking lot. I have heard from others that you don't want to use your toilet while travelling. Am told if I need to use the facilities during the night, I should go into the store and use theirs. By the time I do that at 2am I will be fully awake! Besides, when I gotta go, I gotta go now. I probably wouldn't even make it. So, do I get a 'ladies' urinal funnel and go in a jar to be emptied later? Get a box of heavy duty depends? Or do I just use the darn indoor toilet? Hey, I'm older now and my bladder isn't what it used to be! What do some of you other ladies do? HELP!

[Searching_Ut]

I'm one that would recommend against using the toilet while traveling, but by that I would mean "vehicle in motion". This recommendation wouldn't be based on my own experience, but instead that of a friend who's wife to this day hasn't forgiven him for a certain mishap that took place because of his "idiotic driving".

Was the advice because of winter weather?. Unless you're worried about freezing issues I can't imagine why you wouldn't use the toilet in the rig. That's what I thought it was there for. If the concern is freezing up, that is something you would need to explore further as different rigs handle the cold very differently.

[toedtoes]

I'm going to repeat that since the OP is in Michigan AND the question is whether to use the toilet for an overnight on an upcoming trip (meaning it is winter), that the "use Walmart's toilets" recommendations is due to winter travel and not that RV toilets shouldn't be used for overnight stops or dumping issues.

Perhaps more enlightenment on traveling through winter weather would be helpful for the OP - a simple "use the toilet and have fresh water in the tank" recommendation could backfire on them if they don't know winterizing procedures, etc.

[tatest]

Ignore the "others" who say don't use the toilet. The reason I choose to travel in my RV for some trips is that the toilet is always there to use while traveling, I don't need to find one, just need to find a place to pull off the road for a few minutes.

If the person saying don't use is the person you are traveling with, you may have some issues to sort out.

If you can't resolve the don't use argument, you could buy a portable camping toilet, about $70-100 for a decent flushable model.

[Vet_Man]

Lift the seat and line the bowl with a plastic bag put the seat back down. Replace daily, and dispose of it properely

[Veebyes]

Oh good grief! That is what it is there for. Even in CGs we don't use the CG facilitys. Long walk vs a couple steps.

[coolmom42]

gbopp wrote:
Welcome to the forum.
Use the toilet in your RV. That's what it is for, not just when you are a campground.
The 'others' don't know what they are talking about.
Enjoy your travels and, your toilet. 🙂

YES

[3oaks]

willi4nd wrote:
Would it be worth the $30 or so to stay in a campground overnight?

:R

Although we have never overnighted at "camp WalMart" or any other business parking lot, I can see the OP point.

Campgrounds are not always conveniently located while en route to a specific destination. Many campgrounds are not open year round at the same time, a lot of campers do travel year round. Etc.

[Johno02]

It's not even necessary to stop, unless the driver is the one that needs to go. Not to say that there may not be any problems with doing that, but the movements can (and usually do) make things more difficult. If you do need to pull off for the driver, make sure there is plenty of room to get off the road safely, and turn on your flashers. Also, keep a lookout for friendly LEOs or others that might stop to see if you are OK. If you have newcomers in the rig, be sure to remind them that if in motion, Everybody Sits!

[portliz]

Flush with antifreeze. don't turn on pump. Sometimes the pump is OK but pipes to and from can be frozen. There was a post on 5th wheel thread about this. Be sure you have enough battery power to run the furnace or a generator. There are several campgrounds open all year from Flint and Detroit south. Plug in the electric blanket to warm up the bed. It can be very cold!!! Turn furnace and fireplace on and snuggle up. PM if you need names. We stay in our rig all the way down. Not leaving until Jan this year.

[midnightsadie]

cracker barrel makes a better over night than wal mart.

[Up_north_michig]

Thanks to all who answered. I'm so glad I'll be able to use my toilet enroute. We do have a motor home. 38' Winnebago so should be all set with water and everything.

Thanks again.

[lap527]

We always have water with us and yes I always use my own toilet in the camper, even at rest areas. I have even had DH to pull over on the side of the road for a pit stop. We just dump as soon as we get to our destination. Public restrooms give me the hebbie jeebies but I will use them if no other choice.

[bobjogone]

Keep a gallon of water in the bathroom and use it to flush. Don't need to turn on water pump and wake up your partner.

[toedtoes]

I'm guessing that the "use Walmart's restrooms" recommendation is because of freezing temps/winterizing. In that case, I second rskrbina's recommendation.

[rskrbina]

Being from Michigan, an assumption would be that your motorhome is winterized by now. If so, buy a few gallons of RV antifreeze and use it for flushing.