Choosing Between A Portable Toilet vs. Restroom Trailer
First impressions of an event or worksite often rely on the quality of the amenities. The type of sanitation option can really impact a person’s experience, especially when we often expect the bare minimum for toilets and restrooms.
Choosing the wrong sanitation option can not only damage guest experience but also lower worker morale. It can really be damaging to those who may be visiting a worksite or an event space for the first time.
Standard portable toilets offer unmatched utility and are common for many sites, but restroom trailers are ones that offer a home-like luxury that many people enjoy and appreciate.
So how do you choose between a portable toilet and a restroom trailer? This guide will delve into the critical differences between portable toilets and restroom trailers. It helps to ensure you make the right choice for your specific needs.
Understanding the Options: Definitions & Base Features
Let’s start with the options available and what the definitions are, as well as the base features included.
What Is A Standard Portable Toilet?
A standard toilet is a compact and self-contained single unit. They’re individual, giving each person a private space to do their business. Standard portable toilets require no external power or water connections.
Typical features of a standard portable toilet are a non-flushing toilet, a holding tank, a urinal, and a hand washing station or hand sanitizer dispenser. It’s a limited one in terms of what you get, and for some, that might be fine, with others wanting something a little more luxurious in comparison.
What Is A Portable Restroom Trailer?
A portable restroom trailer is one that offers multi-stall mobile restrooms that are built on a trailer chassis.
They often require more utilities than a standard portable toilet. Typically, you’ll need power and water hookups or onboard tanks.
Typical features of a portable restroom trailer include porcelain toilets, mirrors, running water sinks, climate control, and interior lighting.
So where are standard portable toilets and restroom trailers commonly found? Standard portable toilets or ‘porta-potties’ as they’re often referred to, will excel in rugged, high-volume or temporary environments where utility access is limited.
In contrast to the portable toilets, restroom trailers are often deployed for premium events, disaster relief, and long-term construction offices. They provides indoor plumbing, running water, and flushable toilets, which are needed in such environments.
Key Decision Factors: What to Think About
It’s important to weigh up the options and to know what drives the decision between the two. Here’s everything you should think about when it comes to choosing between a portable toilet and a restroom trailer.
Event Type and Guest Demographics
When choosing between the two, it’s important to consider the event type and the guest demographics in attendance.
For example, the difference between casual and formal events will determine whether you opt for the restroom trailer or portable toilet. High-end events like weddings and galas will likely demand trailers, and casual gatherings like construction sites or festivals will suit standard portable toilets.
Guest attire is also something that factors into the type of sanitation option you choose. Formalwear like a long gown or suit is going to require the cleanliness that comes with restroom trailers and the spaciousness that comes with this option.
Duration of the Event or Project
The duration of the event or project also matters greatly to the type of toilets you choose. It’s worth looking at the differences between short-term and multi-day projects.
Long-term construction projects will often benefit from robust trailer amenities, while single-day marathons will thrive on the use of high-volume portable toilets.
It’s good to be mindful of the duration of the event or project because portable toilets aren’t always going to be sustainable over the course of a few days. Of course, they’re used for festivals, but using them in this environment requires regular and constant cleaning and maintenance.
Location, Space, and Logistics
Portable toilets will fit better into tight corners and remote spaces. They’re a bit more flexible when you’re looking for something that can fit a variety of spaces, especially when those locations are too tight to fit a trailer in.
Portable restroom trailers will also need flat ground and a wide clearance for towing. That might not always be available in certain locations, and the logistics of getting a trailer onto the site might be too difficult.
Trailers will also need utility access, as mentioned above. Portable restroom trailers need access to a 110V power source and a water spigot or large onboard freshwater tanks. Standard units are also fully autonomous.
Budget and Total Cost of Investment
It’s important to consider the budget and total cost of investment for each sanitation option. Portable toilets are highly cost-effective for tight budgets and therefore are often the preferred choice, even if they’re not the most luxurious of choices for guests or those intending to use them.
A lot of job sites will use portable toilets, especially when the budget for miscellaneous expenses is limited. However, when it comes to restroom trailers, they cost more but can elevate the event’s prestige and guest retention.
Sometimes, hiring a restroom trailer is a lot more of a worthwhile investment, especially when you’re trying to make a great first impression.
Capacity and Throughput
Standard units can often be lined up in large numbers to handle massive crowds quickly. That’s a great solution for those who are organizing big events like festivals, for example.
Portable restroom trailers will handle fewer people simultaneously but offer a better individual experience. It’s good to weigh up these options and to figure out which matters more: simply serving a sanitation service or offering a better experience.
How to Find a Portable Toilet or Restroom Trailer
When it comes to finding the right portable toilet or restroom trailer for hire or purchase, there are several steps to pursue.
1. Renting for an Event or Construction
When it comes to renting for an event or construction, it’s good to distinguish the difference between hiring and purchasing. For short-term and temporary use, hiring is the most practical route. You’ll generally need one portable toilet for every fifty guests for a standard event.
It’s worth exploring local sanitation experts and directories to find these sanitation types, whether you choose between a portable toilet and a restroom trailer. There is a wide range of large services for rentals and more niche companies that provide fewer but often better-quality options.
2. Buying a Restroom Trailer
When you’re looking to purchase a trailer for a business or for frequent personal use, buying directly from an established domestic manufacturer is often recommended over importing or renting one.
It ensures structural quality and offers local code compliance. Whether you're after brand new or used will also be something to consider. Of course, new restroom trailers will be costly. If you’re looking to save some money, then used standard or luxury units are also worth looking into, especially within local classified listings.
3. Locating Existing Public Restrooms
When it comes to traveling and you’re looking to find an existing public restroom, there are thankfully some great apps that you can download or use online to find one near you.
This can be handy for businesses and venues that are perhaps looking to attract patrons to their doors, like bars or open food venue spaces.
Portable Toilet vs. Restroom Trailer Comparison Summary
Let’s round up the differences between the two to figure out which option is the most suited to your needs.
Cost
When it comes to standard portable toilets, they’re low-cost and effective for large crowds or tight budgets. Weekly hires are affordable, although the cost will increase with high-end VIP flush units.
With restroom trailers, they’re substantially more costly upfront, and the rental costs are significantly higher too. They’re usually justified due to the multi-stall capacity and provide luxury finishes for the customer experience.
Comfort
Standard units come with no running water or electricity. There are advanced chemical or flushable models that offer marginal improvements but lack the modern indoor amenities.
Restroom trailers provide a true, at-home experience with flushing toilets, hot/cold running water, AC and heating to sound systems.
Mobility
Due to them being easily maneuvered and available for uneven terrain, standard portable toilets are more flexible mobility-wise. Restroom trailers require an accessible, flat, and level paved or gravel surface for delivery.
Setup Time
Portable toilets can typically be placed and made ready for use within minutes. They only require the routine chemical drop-in to be ready for use.
Restroom trailers, these require significant leveling, stabilizing, and hooking up to power and water sources, as well as sewer/holding tanks, before they can be used.
Pick Between a Portable Toilet and Restroom Trailer
The right choice will depend on balancing the budget, guest expectations, and venue constraints.
There are some top-tier options out there for both, so it’s good to explore and do your research to find the right sanitation type. From rentals to purchase, weigh up all the features and comparatives above to find the right one for you and your needs.
Rent With Go Potties!
Whether you are looking to rent a portable toilet or a restroom trailer, Go Potties! is here to help. Contact us today to learn all about how our team can help you with your portable restroom needs today!
