Nature's Head sells one toilet body in four versions, then bundles them into kits for vehicles, boats and buildings. Picking the right one comes down to three questions: how much room you have, where the urine should go, and what you need to vent and power it. This guide walks through each choice using Nature's Head's own product pages and installation drawings, so you can measure before you buy.
Already narrowed it to two? Our short answers cover Weekender vs standard for a van and through-the-floor vs multi-directional urine diverter. This page puts the whole range side by side.
The four Nature's Head toilets
| Model | Size (H x W x D) | Weight | Liquids | Handle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard composting toilet | 21" x 20" x 19" | 23 lbs | 2.2-gallon bottle | Spider or Foot Spider |
| Weekender | 16.75" x 18" x 18" | 19 lbs | 1.75-gallon bottle | Spider only |
| Multi-directional urine diverter | 21" x 20" x 19" | 23 lbs | Hose to a tank (5 ft hose included) | Spider or Foot Spider |
| Through-the-floor urine diverter | 21" x 20" x 19" | 23 lbs | Straight down through the floor (plumbing not included) | Spider or Foot Spider |
All four separate liquids from solids. Solids go into a bin with a composting medium (coco coir or peat moss) and are mixed with the agitator handle. A small 12V fan pulls air through the bin and out a vent hose. Nature's Head says its toilets are designed for 1 to 4 people full-time.
Step 1: measure the space
The outside box is only part of the story. Nature's Head's installation drawings add these clearances:
- Behind the toilet: at least 1.5 inches from a wall or bulkhead so the bowl can tilt back for servicing (standard and Weekender). The through-the-floor drawing asks for about 2 inches.
- To the left (as you face it): 2 inches. The bowl slides left 2 inches to come off the slip hinge when you empty the base.
- Above: enough room for the lid to open fully and for the bowl to tilt back so the liquids bottle can come out.
- At the sides: room for the vent hose on the fan side and for the agitator handle. Both can be moved to the opposite side if your layout needs it.
The base itself is 12.5 inches tall on the standard and 8.25 inches on the Weekender. The bottle sticks out 6 inches in front of the base on both. In a very tight spot, Nature's Head suggests removing the mounting knobs and sliding the toilet out to service it.
Spider or Foot Spider handle?
The Spider Handle has three straight arms with knobs and is turned by hand. The Foot Spider has looped arms you can turn with your foot or hand. Nature's Head says both work equally well and it is personal preference. The Foot Spider is wider: Nature's Head's FAQ says it adds 1 inch, and its manual says half an inch, so allow the full inch if space is tight. The handle choice doesn't change anything else about the toilet, and both are sold as spares (Spider, Foot Spider).
Step 2: decide where the urine goes
This is the bigger decision, and it changes your daily routine more than the toilet's size does.
- Bottle (standard or Weekender). No plumbing at all. Nature's Head's manual says two people full-time might empty the standard's 2.2-gallon bottle every 3 to 4 days, and the Weekender's 1.75-gallon bottle every 1 to 2 days. It recommends emptying at three-quarters full.
- Multi-directional diverter. A 1/2" NPT brass swivel fitting turns 360° and takes a push-in hose, so you can run urine straight down or along the side of the toilet to the back. No floor hole is needed if you run the hose along the side.
- Through-the-floor diverter. A straight outlet goes down through a 1-3/4 inch hole in the floor. You supply the plumbing, typically 3/4" PVC, to a holding tank, gray water system or other approved system.
One point from Nature's Head's own diverter instructions is worth knowing before you choose: sending urine to a tank returns you to a holding-tank setup, and stored urine produces odor over time. Diverters cut out bottle emptying, but you still need an approved place for the liquid to go.
You can convert later. The Through-the-Floor Urine Diverter Kit and the Multi-Directional Urine Diverter Kit both replace the standard bottle and bottle holder. Nature's Head says the multi-directional kit fits the full-size toilets and does not fit the Weekender.
Step 3: pick a kit or buy the parts
Every toilet ships with the fan already mounted, a fuse and fuse holder, an inside vent flange, 5 feet of 1-1/2" vent hose and two mounting brackets with knobs. What it does not include is the outside vent, and it has no 110V AC adapter, because not every install needs one. The kits add those pieces for a given use:
| Kit | Adds to the toilet | Built for |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Kit (also with the multi-directional or through-the-floor toilet) | Shell Vent kit for venting through the wall, plus a 9L bag of coco coir | Vans, RVs, school bus conversions |
| Vehicle Kit with Weekender | Shell Vent kit (Nature's Head's kit page doesn't list coir; its solutions page says all kits include it, so confirm) | Tighter van layouts |
| Marine Kit | Mushroom deck ventilator and a 9L bag of coco coir | Sailboats and powerboats |
| Structure Kit (also multi-directional and through-the-floor) | Shell Vent kit, a 9L bag of coco coir and the 110V AC adapter | Cabins, tiny homes, workshops |
| Emergency Preparedness Kit | Coco coir and the AC adapter | A backup toilet for outages |
If you'd rather build your own, the pieces are sold separately: the Shell Vent with Installation Kit, the Portos-1 mushroom ventilator, the 110V AC adapter and 9L or 35L coco coir. Our Nature's Head kits page lists every kit in one place.
Which one fits your use?
Van or truck camper
Measure height first. If the toilet slides under a bench or bed platform, the Weekender's 16.75 inches may be the only one that fits. If the standard fits, its larger bin and bottle mean less emptying on long trips. If you want urine in a tank, the diverters are built on the standard body.
Travel trailer or motorhome replacing a flush toilet
The standard toilet or a diverter model, usually as a Vehicle Kit. The through-the-floor version suits rigs with a tank directly below the bathroom. The multi-directional version suits a tank off to one side or a floor you can't drill.
Boat
The Marine Kit, with its mushroom ventilator for the deck or cabin top. Nature's Head's marine page says the toilet meets USCG requirements for a Type III marine head. See our Nature's Head boat install guide.
Cabin, tiny home or workshop
A Structure Kit. It includes the AC adapter for 110V household power and the Shell Vent kit with PVC pipe for venting through a framed wall.
Before you order
- Plan the vent run. Nature's Head doesn't recommend more than 20 feet of hose. Our installation guide covers mounting, venting and wiring step by step.
- Plan the power. The fan draws 0.07 A, which is 1.68 Ah a day at 12V, according to Nature's Head's manual. Our fan power and vent answer lists the plug and port options.
- Stock the medium. You'll need about 3 gallons per fill for the standard toilet and 2 gallons for the Weekender. Our coco coir and emptying guide covers the routine.
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FAQ
What size is a Nature's Head composting toilet?
The standard and both diverter models are 21" high, 20" wide and 19" deep, and weigh 23 lbs. The Weekender is 16.75" x 18" x 18" and weighs 19 lbs. Allow at least 1.5" behind (about 2" for through-the-floor) and 2" on the left for servicing.
How many people can use one?
Nature's Head says the toilet is designed for 1 to 4 people full-time. With two full-time users, its manual estimates emptying the solids about every 3 weeks on the standard and every 1 to 2 weeks on the Weekender.
Can I add a urine diverter to a Weekender?
Nature's Head lists the multi-directional diverter kit as not fitting the Weekender, and neither diverter listing names the Weekender as a fit. If you want urine plumbed to a tank, choose a full-size model.
Do I need a kit?
No. A kit bundles the outside vent and other parts you'd otherwise buy separately. Every toilet already includes the fan, fuse holder, vent hose, inside flange and mounting brackets.
See every model and part in our Nature's Head collection, or browse all brands we carry.