Ever wish you had a real washroom while camping? You’re in luck—an entrepreneur from southern Ontario is adding even more portability to the porta-potty.
Rob Weir, Belle River resident and part-owner of Festival Tents and Party Rentals, designed an outhouse that can be collapsed to a third of its original size, making it easier to transport and store.
Known as the P-Pod, his patented invention is simple, and according to CBC News, he’s hoping it has a huge impact on the outhouse industry. While most porta-potties are made to be moved, it’s not always easy, and that’s the basis of Weir’s idea.
When it’s set up, the P-Pod is sturdy and stands as high as an average outhouse. It has a fabric back that is held up by a single bar. When the bar is removed, it collapses down into a small box that stands about one metre high, or a third of its original size.
The set up and take down are easy, and there are absolutely no additional tools required. Weir wanted to ensure the design was simple so that no one would be left without a place to go in a pinch.
“I wanted to make sure there weren’t any…pins or bolts or anything that you could lose, and get 50 miles from home and realize you forgot a $5 pin and couldn’t use your restroom,” he told CBC News. The outhouse also comes with a sealable tank that can be transported when full.
Interestingly, his wife was the inspiration for the invention. In the past, she’s refused to use public outhouses (for obvious reasons), and always wished for a personal toilet when attending festivals or other outdoor events.
“So, if I could figure out a way to make it collapse down to a small, manageable size, it might not be a bad idea,” Weir told CBC.
His aluminum prototype is already attracting attention, and although he hasn’t attached a price tag to his compact privy yet, his current customer base has already shown interest. He also told CBC that there seems to be a market among retailers who sell to hunters, campers, and festival-goers.
“I can see a point in the future where it would be pointless to have the full-size one because it would be so much easier in terms of logistics to have one that collapses,” he says.
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