The Great Toilet Cassette Debate: A Man’s Job or Fair Game?

There are many challenges to caravan life—limited space, questionable shower pressure, and the sheer horror of realising that, yes, you do have to use that tiny toilet. But nothing quite compares to the moment you learn about the existence of a toilet cassette.

I’ll admit it: I was horrified. The idea of doing number twos in a caravan toilet was bad enough, but then I discovered what a cassette toilet actually is—a portable waste tank that must be manually emptied. And if you think I, a delicate and dignified lady, was prepared for that job, think again. Girls don’t poo, after all!

Luckily, my father-in-law came to the rescue with some age-old wisdom: “Don’t worry about it, love—it’s a man’s job.” Phew. Crisis averted.

Daz looks pretty happy while en route to empty the portable loo!

As I delved deeper into the grey nomad world, reading countless forum discussions, I stumbled upon my favourite take from an experienced traveller. He put it perfectly: “It’s always been a bloke’s job. Put it this way—when you need a break from the missus, just empty the toilet cassette. There’ll be a crew of fellas there waiting to yak with you.” And so, like a rite of passage, the men gather at the dump point, bonding over the great unspoken duties of the road.

Meanwhile, I make it my mission to do my lady poos (which obviously smell like roses) at any public venue I can find—be it a roadside rest stop, a McDonald's, or even a sneaky servo bathroom.

And here’s my husband, ever the hero, proudly carrying the toilet cassette like a seasoned pro. Some say chivalry is dead, but I know otherwise.

Then, in Warwick, I spotted a woman emptying the toilet cassette. Shocked, I called out, "Quick! Hide! If my husband sees you, my entire argument is ruined!" She burst out laughing and explained that her husband had bad arthritis. Meanwhile, the two blokes standing nearby nearly fell over with laughter, declaring that they, too, were suddenly afflicted with a mysterious case of arthritis that would surely exempt them from toilet duties forever.

So, the debate continues – should emptying the toilet cassette be a shared responsibility? Or will it forever remain a man’s sacred duty? I’ll let you decide, but in my caravan, the tradition stands strong!