Girlfriend Compromise Site Help!

[Fiffa]

Hey all!

So, my girl has finally decided to get into the camping life with me, but there is one initial condition which she has laid out that is making it difficult for me to find options that will make us both content (for how simple of a request it is)...

We're using an ARB awning tent off of our 3rd gen 4Runner for shelter, which doesn't make it an RV but also prevents it from getting into most tent sites (I keep seeing them listed as "walk-in"), which I find more ideal for this kind of setup. Before she goes all-in with me at dispersed and more remote areas, she wants a bathroom available for the first few trips. Are we stuck at paved sites or is there somewhere else I should be looking online that will give us the best of both worlds? I use Gaia to map out my solo stuff, but I'm having a helluva time trying to find another place that doesn't just force my hand into an RV-style spot. Any guidance would be appreciated!

 

[Flipper]

Porta Pottie........ saved many relationships. You do the maintenance, I call it the “Pottie Patrol”. They even have small tents for PP if she needs more privacy.

 

[M Rose]

Lug-a-Lou

 

[Fiffa]

I was nervous to bring up the idea of our own crapper, but it's worth a shot! Thanks!

 

[M Rose]

I was nervous to bring up the idea of our own crapper, but it's worth a shot! Thanks!

They also make “pop up” crapper tents.
WolfWise Pop Up Privacy Shower Tent Portable Outdoor Sun Shelter Camp Toilet Changing Dressing Room

 

[old_man]

I got tired of the portapotty and went with the 5 gallon bucket with the toilet seat top you can buy. I carry the disposable bags with the gel. It is smaller, cheaper, easier to pack and works very well. Easy to clean...tie up the bag, and it doesn't ever leak. I pack the TP and bags inside, along with some spray sanitizer and air freshner. For the wife of 45 years (a city girl) I bought one of those cheap outhouse tents. I recommend a slightly better tent with the two sections for the women. Make sure it has a good zipper and a way to tie it down in a big wind.

You are going to laugh, but I have a forced air diesel furnace in the teardrop. I am plumbing a hose out to the tent so I can flip the lever and pump warm air into it, since we do a lot of high altitude camping in temps below zero. The wife said she was tired of scraping off the ice before going to the bathroom.

 

[MrWilsonWJ]

Is she requesting a full on bathroom with running water or will a vault toilet be good enough?

Also this year is a tough one due to covid, most private campgrounds are open so she would have a bathroom but probably not the kind of place you want to go. What I've found this summer is most of the remote campgrounds with vault toilets are open but the toilet is either locked or have a sign saying use at your own risk. There is a couple camp grounds in the Blues around Tollgate area that have open vault toilets that aren't too remote and have sites that you would easily be able to use your setup. Only thing with the Blue Mtns. is there is currently a fire over there, not sure what the containment is like right now so could be smokey. Also a lot of the remote stuff will start getting filled up soon with hunting season approaching.

 

[Fiffa]

Is she requesting a full on bathroom with running water or will a vault toilet be good enough?

Also this year is a tough one due to covid, most private campgrounds are open so she would have a bathroom but probably not the kind of place you want to go. What I've found this summer is most of the remote campgrounds with vault toilets are open but the toilet is either locked or have a sign saying use at your own risk. There is a couple camp grounds in the Blues around Tollgate area that have open vault toilets that aren't too remote and have sites that you would easily be able to use your setup. Only thing with the Blue Mtns. is there is currently a fire over there, not sure what the containment is like right now so could be smokey. Also a lot of the remote stuff will start getting filled up soon with hunting season approaching.

She's just looking for a toilet more than anything. I think if I present the option that old_man suggested the right way then we should be good with the places I normally go to. We have plenty of water storage for everything, so her biggest issue is privacy for the privy and one that doesn't require aiming over a hole she dug. lol

 

[MMc]

When I met my wife she had never camped. Within 3 years she was dry camping for weeks with me. Start with developed camp grounds and ease her into it. I started with shower and flush bathrooms. Then pit toilets, no shower for the weekend. No toilet and a “lady j”(woman’s pee funnel). Good food and wine, you do the work, I cook and clean also. After the first trip debrief on what she liked and didn’t like, address the bad for/ on the next trip. Sleeping comfort is big! Thremarest or like is a must. When we would do multi day we would get a hotel.Remember to eat at nice places on the road. You want her to have a great time, make sure she does! She is willing to try this stuff if she has a bad time when first starts going she will not be going much.

 

[M Rose]

Is she requesting a full on bathroom with running water or will a vault toilet be good enough?

Also this year is a tough one due to covid, most private campgrounds are open so she would have a bathroom but probably not the kind of place you want to go. What I've found this summer is most of the remote campgrounds with vault toilets are open but the toilet is either locked or have a sign saying use at your own risk. There is a couple camp grounds in the Blues around Tollgate area that have open vault toilets that aren't too remote and have sites that you would easily be able to use your setup. Only thing with the Blue Mtns. is there is currently a fire over there, not sure what the containment is like right now so could be smokey. Also a lot of the remote stuff will start getting filled up soon with hunting season approaching.

Fire is 80-90% contained (out side Elgin), smoke isn’t too bad today... yesterday was awful.

 

[Traxx]

Well if you're into digging holes, just cut the bottom out of a Homer bucket and put the toilet lid on it. SSS

 

[MidOH]

Clean full bathroom and shower, or crystal clear ocean. Those are my rules.

So that means fullsize and camper for me. Or a State Park with nice wash houses. Or an ocean front campsite.

Any less than that requires a payoff that overlanding can't provide. Hiking the AT for example. I'm not interested in overlanding a jeep or motorcycle anymore. But I'll haul my bike and tent camp at a campground, with wash houses, that's next to motorcycle trails. Wayne National Forest for example.

 

[JimBill]

Quick tip that might help make her experience better- pay some attention to what you eat during the trip.

Our second trip to Death Valley my lady thought it would be quick and easy to make egg salad sandwiches for lunch stops on the trail.
After day 3 of eating egg salad, I am so glad she had a sense of humor about things we could not control.
Although we have never had egg salad again while out on a trip.

I did purchase a luggable loo and privacy shelter after that. She just couldn't get herself to use my 20 year old bumper dumper. Go figure!
And if you can swing it, the double wide shelter is better for showering, LOO, and dressing duties.

And if all else fails, replace the girlfriend with a more compatible one.

 

[1Louder]

The USFS Recreation Area map layer will show campgrounds. Most of those will have vault toilets. If you download Ultimate Camground App it also shows places with at least vault toilets. Otherwise she needs to "girl up" and get used using a bag toilet, dig a hole toilet, or one of the chemical toilets which I think are more trouble than they are worth.

 

[Billiebob]

When she says she wants a bathroom, are you sure she is only reffering to the toilet? Most women think a bathroom has a vanity and shower too.

But most campgrounds have pretty nice small campsites for small vehicles. I'd look at State and Federal Parks.

 

[Fiffa]

Alrighty, a privy tent and bush toilet are a go! She's not too girly, but she's a little timid/anxious about unknowns, which boondocking is one of them. Lolo has a nice tent with an included shower bag, so here's to putting this stuff to use soon! Thanks, again, everyone!

 

[MMc]

Get her a Lady J for those times you are driving and no bathroom is around. It will get her feet dry. This was a big deal for the wife.

 

[Shokgoblr]

I hope you get her into the woods pooping into a hole soon.
Good Luck.

 

[DrewKD]

If she's not into it then leave her ass at home. No sense on ruining both of your times. That said, if you really want her to go with you then you need to be prepared to do EVERYTHING yourself. That includes digging the hole for her. Make it as comfortable and painless as possible on her...at least in the beginning. Maybe try a cassette toilet. Never leave home without the wet wipes.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Most all bucket potties are 5 gal, but you can use a 7 gal and it's much closer to the height that we have at home, this may make points. 7 gal bucket, snap on seat/lid and biodegradable bags are very affordable, easy to use.