To empty the pee jug, you screw this cap and pour out the pee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe jug itself is easy to empty, but the first couple of times, I misjudged the pouring angle and ended up spilling it all over the toilet I was emptying it into. That goes to say that the first time you\u2019re emptying it, go slow and aim carefully. <\/p>\n
If I could change anything on the pee jug, it would be the handle design. Instead of a proper handle, the jug has two small plastic loops, which means when it\u2019s completely full, you need two hands to carry and pour it. It\u2019s not unmanageable, but a built-in sturdy handle would make a big difference.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nSolids Bin<\/h2>\n\n
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<\/span><\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe solids system on the Cuddy Lite is one of the main reasons I chose this toilet, and after four months of daily use, it\u2019s proven to be a great solution to common van life bathroom woes.<\/p>\n
The 3.9-gallon solids bin is lined with a bag, and the bin is surprisingly spacious. It can easily hold up to a week\u2019s worth of waste (for one person), including toilet paper and cover material, without pushing its capacity.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nIf there is a trash can available, my preference is to toss the poop daily after both my partner and I have used it. However, there have been times when we didn\u2019t have access to a trash can, like when camping off-grid, and we\u2019ve let the bag sit for up to three days. Even then, I never felt like our camper was stinky from it. I also haven\u2019t experienced nearly as much condensation as I did with the Trelino despite spending my entire summer in a humid environment.<\/p>\n
If I plan to reuse a bag for a couple of days, I always add a layer of absorbent material after each use. I\u2019ve tried both coconut coir and wood chips, and I think the wood chips are easier and less messy since you don\u2019t have to rehydrate them first.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nThe retractable solids cover, which I discussed above, makes an enormous difference when it comes to locking in smells and being able to use a single bag for a few days before throwing it out. <\/p>\n
As for bags, I\u2019ve experimented with a few options. The bin fits a 30-liter bag best, which makes it easy to line and tie off. Personally, I prefer using black trash bags since they\u2019re opaque and keep things discreet, especially when tossing them at a campground dumpster. Compocloset also sells compostable liners, which are the most eco-friendly option for minimizing plastic waste. Both work fine, and the Cuddy Lite works with any bag that fits.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nCleaning<\/h2>\n\n
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<\/span><\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nOne of the biggest perks of the Cuddy Lite is how little cleaning it requires compared to a traditional composting toilet or a cassette toilet. Since the solids go straight into a bag-lined bin, there\u2019s no agitator or compost chamber to scrub out. Once the bag is tied off and tossed, the bin is essentially clean.<\/p>\n
For daily upkeep, I spray the urine diverter and seat with a vinegar-and-water mix to prevent any residue, then follow with a pleasant-smelling cleaner to keep it smelling fresh. It takes less than a minute but makes a big difference. <\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nIf I could change one thing on the Cuddy Lite, it would be the ability to lock the retractable cover in place. When I\u2019m cleaning the cover, it tends to move around as I wipe it down, and I have to hold the knob in the closed position to keep the cover from sliding from one side to the other. It\u2019s not a dealbreaker, but a locking mechanism would make the whole process easier.<\/p>\n
The only real cleaning challenge is the inside of the pee jug. The opening is too small to get in there with a brush, so it\u2019s pretty much impossible to scrub out any buildup that forms over time. All you can really do to clean it is rinse it out with water, and if the jug ever gets too gross, Compocloset does sell replacement pee jugs.<\/p>\n
Cuddy Lite vs. Trelino<\/h2>\n
Since the Trelino is the closest competitor to the Cuddy Lite, I wanted to provide my comparison now that I\u2019ve used both. <\/p>\n
Before getting the Cuddy Lite, I was using the Trelino in my truck camper. After a few months using the Trelino down in Baja, I was really<\/em> disappointed with it \u2014 and honestly confused why my experience didn\u2019t match all the glowing reviews I\u2019d read. That frustration is what pushed me to keep searching for a better solution.<\/p>\nWhile the Cuddy Lite and the Trelino, are designed to do the same thing \u2013 separate liquids and solids in a compact, portable toilet \u2013 my experience with them couldn\u2019t have been more different.<\/p>\n
So how does the Cuddy Lite compare to the Trelino?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nOdor Control<\/h3>\n\n- Trelino<\/strong> \u2013 The poop bin does not have a cover. Every time I opened the lid to pee, I had a clear view of the poop, and the smell filled my camper. The silicone valve on the pee jug also wore out quickly. I had to replace it monthly because ammonia smells crept back into the van. <\/li>\n
- Cuddy Lite<\/strong> \u2013 A retractable solids cover hides waste from my view and blocks poop odors. A small hole at the front funnels stray dribbles into the pee jug, which also helps reduce smells. I\u2019m on month 4 with my Cuddy Lite, and the silicone valve still hasn\u2019t needed to be replaced. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Trelino: The poop bin has no cover<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n- \n
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Cuddy Lite: The poop bin has a retractable cover<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\nDesign & stability<\/h3>\n\n- Trelino<\/strong> \u2013 The seat and lid are one piece that has to be completely removed from the toilet and set on the floor when emptying the pee or poop. This felt a bit unsanitary. The Trelino comes in a few sizes, but the comparable Evo L weighs 10.8 pounds and is lighter to carry. The Trelino cover has a soft-close mechanism which is a nice touch.<\/li>\n
- Cuddy Lite<\/strong> \u2013 The hinged lid and seat stay upright, making it cleaner and easier to empty. The Cuddy Lite is heavier (19 lbs), which it a bit tougher to move\u2026but it also helps keep it from sliding around in the camper. The seat feels a little more like a standard household toilet. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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The seat has to be completely removed<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n- \n
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The seat is on a hinge that stays upright<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\nPee System<\/h3>\n\n- Trelino<\/strong> \u2013 The Pee jug is blue and is more transparent. The Trelino Evo L has a larger pee jug (2.6 gallons), so it has to be dumped less frequently. The Trelino doesn\u2019t have any indicator that lets you know when the pee jug is full, which, in my experience, resulted in it overflowing several times. The handle on the Trelino pee jug makes it easier to carry than the Cuddy Lite.<\/li>\n
- Cuddy Lite<\/strong> \u2013 The pee jug is black and completely opaque. The pee jug holds 1.7 gallons. There is red indicator light that signals when the jug is full, letting you know it needs to be emptied. Carrying the Cuddy Lite\u2019s pee jug when it\u2019s completely full requires two hands due to the placement and size of the handles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Verdict: Cuddy Lite vs Trelino<\/h3>\n
The Cuddy Lite outperforms the Trelino in every way that matters \u2013 smell, usability, and overall design. It does cost a little more, but in my opinion, it\u2019s worth it for something that you rely on every single day and that plays such a big role in keeping your van odor-free.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Where can you buy the Cuddy Lite?<\/h2>\n
If you\u2019ve made it this far, you\u2019re clearly serious about upgrading your toilet setup. As a thank-you for reading, I\u2019ve got a little bonus for you.<\/p>\n
Use the code \u201cBEARFOOTTHEORY30<\/strong>\u201d at checkout on