Porta Potty Forum
Log inAsk a question

Can a Porta Potty Last a Year at a Remote Cabin?

Luis A.asked 2 viewsHome Renovations & Long-termLong term rentalService frequencyHolding tankWinterizationRemote placement

I have a remote cabin in Montana with no water or power. It's used by hunters and guests maybe 30 nights a year, mostly on weekends. The ground is rocky and uneven, and a service truck can reach the spot in summer, but snow blocks access from November to April. I'm considering leaving a standard unit out there for a full year without any service visits. The unit would sit through deep freezes, high winds, and curious wildlife. Is it possible for a portable toilet to last that long without being pumped or maintained? What happens to the waste and deodorizer over months of disuse?

1 answer

Sorted by votes
0
Ashley M.Boise, ID

No, I wouldn't leave a standard unit out a full year with zero service, even at 30 nights of use. The holding tank can probably take that much waste. The problem is time, not volume. The deodorizer charge breaks down over weeks, so by midwinter you have a full tank sitting there with nothing working on it.

We keep a unit at our farm stand on rough ground, and cold is the other headache. Once the tank freezes nothing gets pumped until it thaws, and a frozen block in spring is miserable for the driver. Wind matters too. On rocky uneven ground, set it on level ground or a built up pad and strap or stake it down, because a light unit tips over easier than people think.

What I'd do in your spot: get it pumped and recharged at the end of hunting season while the road still has truck access, lock the door for the snow months, and book the first service as soon as the road opens in spring. Also ask your provider if they'd rather pull it for winter and drop it again in May. Some outfits prefer that, and it skips the freeze problem entirely.

Your answer

Log in or create a free account to answer this question.

Related questions