Where can a restroom trailer be placed?

The great thing about restroom trailers is that they are mobile and can be placed almost anywhere. There are a few things we want to avoid when placing, or parking a restroom trailer. First, restroom trailers are not allowed to be placed on public streets, alleys, or sidewalks without approval or permission from the local municipality or authority. Second, mobile bathroom trailers are very heavy, especially when the tank is full of water and/or waste. So we make sure the landing surface is either paved or compacted. If necessary, we can place blocks under each support leg to prevent ground sinking and/or damage to the surface. Third, the space where the restroom trailer is parked must be in space for our trucks to maneuver in-out and be accessible on both sides of the trailer. This is important because the backside of the unit is where the mechanical components are located. In the unlikely event of a water or power issue, our technicians must be able to access the service door. So parking up against a wall or a fence is okay as long as there is a greater 5-foot distance between the restroom trailer and fixed divider (wall or fence).

How much do portable restroom trailers cost?

Just like anything most things, it depends. However, you should expect to pay $800-$8000 to rent a portable restroom trailer. On the lower end ($800) this would be for a single-day mid-week rental of a 2-station bathroom trailer. On the high end ($8000) would be a month-long commercial rental for a 9-station luxury restroom trailer. So it depends on the size of the trailer, the duration of the rental, and the season. Depending on whom you rent from their inventory will also be reflected in the price. The size of the trailer is the single largest factor in price. The larger the restroom trailer the higher the prices. And depending on how long the bathroom trailer rental will be needed (night, day, weekend, mid-week, week, or month) will influence the price. However, the longer you rent the portable restroom trailer the cheaper your average daily rate will be. Lastly, seasonality is something that can drive the cost of a restroom trailer rental. For those summer and winter months there aren’t many events, so companies will rent the restroom trailer out for less. But during those peak wedding season months of fall and spring, prices historically have surged and are known to double.

How do I keep my restroom rental maintained during an event?

Luxury restroom trailers are simple to maintain and require little to no effort by those who rent a portable bathroom trailer. The three biggest things are: power, water, and supplies. The Lavatory luxury restroom trailers have air conditioning and heating units installed in them and require a dedicated 20 amp service. Typically a washing machine, home refrigerator, microwave, etc., are plugged into a 20A. They look like your standard 3-prong plug but one receptacle shaped like the letter “T.” Please work with your Lavatory luxury restroom trailer technician to find a dedicated 20A service. The trailer cannot be parked more than 100’ from where it’s plugged in. This will ensure that the heating/cooling and lights operate properly. Each portable restroom trailer can be connected to the city or local water with just your average ½” garden water hose. Similar to the power, this cannot be further than 100’ away from the restroom trailer. In the unlikely event it does, each trailer is equipped with a 200-gallon freshwater tank that can be filled on site. Lastly, keeping the luxury restroom trailer stocked with supplies is an absolute must. Each trailer is clean and fully stocked with supplies to accommodate single-day events. Additional supplies (toilet paper, towels, soap, etc.) can be found under the sink of both the men's and women’s stations.

What chemicals do you put in a portable toilet?

The Lavatory luxury mobile restrooms use a sophisticated pump and filtration system similar to those found in airplanes. This means the use of chemicals is limited. The only thing that we put in our tanks is scent tablets to help eliminate odor. They are used also for RVs and marine use. They are safe for all septic tanks and completely biodegradable, the drop-ins are made with an ultra-concentrated formula that does not contain the toxic, formaldehyde-releasing ingredient bronopol. Other than that, we use basic household chemicals to clean and sanitize the restroom trailers. We use a variety of products including bleach, multiple-purpose cleaner, and glass cleaner. Our luxury portable restroom trailers have Meyers brand hand soap and Purely hand sanitizer. Lastly, for extra freshness, each bathroom trailer has an automatic air freshener that sprays a pleasant smell into the air every 15-30 minutes.

Can portable toilets be used in hot climates?

It's much better and easier to have a portable restroom trailer than porta potties in hot climates. Each of The Lavatory luxury restroom trailers is equipped with an independent air conditioning system. The thermostat is located in the service room and is only accessible to our technicians. We do our best to keep the restroom trailer at a comfortable 68 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a specific temperature request please let the technician know. Another thing to consider is the steps and handrails to get in and out of the trailer are also metal. When exposed to direct sunlight they can get very hot. So please be cautious when using the entry and exit hardware of a portable restroom trailer.

What are temporary restrooms for long-term rentals?

Long-term portable restroom trailers have exclusive commercial pricing and specific requirements. Having a restroom available to your employees and customers is typically required by most local city, county, and state government regulations. In the unexpected event, something happens to your onsite facilities, a temporary restroom in the form of a portable bathroom trailer rental can immediately accommodate your needs and requirements. Repairing a commercial restroom can be time-consuming and frustrating ordinal. But renting a temporary restroom trailer for short-term or long-term periods doesn’t need to be. Depending on the number of employees or expected customer use, we can help you determine what size luxury portable restroom trailer will accommodate your needs. Once the site has been determined for the presented use cases, identifying the parking location onsite will be the next challenge. Typically for long-term restroom trailer rentals, we tap directly into the local sewage. Where onsite sewage is not available to the bathroom trailer, we will schedule a local third-party pump service. The schedule and number of pumping services necessary will be determined by the portable restroom trailer’s usage frequency. All associated pump servicing fees are passed directly onto the customer. Along with sewage, the restroom trailer will be connected to onsite water and power. These hookups cannot be further than 100’ from the trailer. The bathroom trailer does have locks for security purposes. However, our preference is that the restroom trailer is enclosed in an area that is fenced off from public access. When securely enclosing the luxury restroom trailer isn’t possible, onsite security may be required or other arrangements may need to be made.

What is included in your restroom trailer price?

Customers just want to know what the bottom line price is. The Lavatory luxury mobile restrooms believe in offering flat rate no-nonsense pricing on all our portable bathroom trailers. The single price you’re quoted from The Lavatory is all you’ll ever pay for your restroom trailer rental. After providing the base rate, most of our competitors will add additional fees. Some of these fees can include taxes, sewage, sanitation, delivery, transportation, setup, administration, etc. All these fees can become exhausting and drive up the original base rate. The Lavatory includes all of this into a single, including taxes. Once the restroom trailer is delivered and set up, you’ll be completely stocked with paper products. This includes toilet paper and paper towels. Sanitation supplies, soap, and hand sanitizer will be topped off. Extra supplies can be found underneath each vanity on both the men's and women’s sides. Additional supplies may be found in the maintenance closet on the backside of the restroom trailer. The only exception here is for a long-term restroom trailer rental. Long-term is any temporary bathroom trailer rental lasting one week and longer.

Where will the luxury portable restrooms be set up?

Deciding where to place the portable restroom trailer needs identified before delivery. Several things need to be considered before setting up. The primary thing to consider is where the bathroom trailer will be parked. Once the portable restroom trailer is placed it cannot be moved. The surface area needs to be flat, cemented, or impacted enough to hold up 25,000LBS. The ideal location for setup is patios and driveways. The secondary considerations are the distance from power and water. The mobile restroom trailer cannot be parked further than 100’ from the power and water sources. The trailer’s powered services need a dedicated 20 amp service to adequately power the onsite heating/cooling system and lighting. Anything further than a 100’ run will not provide enough electricity to adequately power the unit. The same applies to the water hookup, if the distance is more than 100’ from the restroom trailer there may not be enough water pressure to service the sinks and toilets. Lastly, and often overlooked is the placement for aesthetic purposes. The bathroom trailer is the last backdrop anyone would want in a photo or be something people have to walk by before getting food. Think about a place where a portable restroom trailer can be easily accessed, but out of the way from everything else that may be going on. No matter where you decide to park the luxury bathroom trailer, a truck needs to be able to get in and out when dropping it off then picking it up.

What's Inside a Luxury Restroom Trailer?

Aug 10
6 min read

When someone says at an outdoor event, "restroom trailer," the image that most people have is of the usual plastic port-a-potty. Luxury restroom trailers, on the other hand, belong to a completely different category. They are designed to resemble a normal bathroom, just on wheels.

This article explains in detail what’s inside a luxury restroom trailer, how it functions, and what you should check before booking one.

What's Inside a Luxury Restroom Trailer: At a Glance

The interior of a restroom trailer with everything you will find inside a standard portable restroom trailer.

They are much better than the usual plastic porta-potties, and the difference gets obvious as soon as you open the door.

1. Real Flushing Toilets

This is most likely the first difference that people notice.

A standard port-a-potty has the toilet seat positioned directly above the chemical waste tank.

Luxury restroom trailers function in a completely different way. Most of them come with real flushable porcelain toilets that resemble the toilet you have in your house. These toilets have a foot pedal/step-down, or some other low-water flushing mechanism.

When you press the pedal, fresh water flows through the toilet and pushes the waste down into the trailer's holding tank.

It’s that simple.

There is no chemical soup located directly under the toilet seat.

All the waste can be flushed away after each use. As a result, the restrooms remain considerably cleaner and smell much better throughout the event.

Men's sections in multi-stall restroom trailers almost always include one or more urinals as well.

Inside of restroom trailer with a toilet and urinal.

2. Sinks With Running Water

Yes, you can really wash your hands.

That seems like an awfully simple amenity to be happy about until you remember that most traditional portable toilets give you a little hand-sanitizer dispenser attached to the wall.

A luxury restroom trailer is supplied with genuine sinks, taps, soap dispensers, mirrors, paper towels, and trash bins.

Unlike a plastic portable handwashing unit that is left outside, all the facilities are located inside the climate-controlled trailer. These portable restroom units provide both hot and cold running water. This amenity is especially important at weddings, corporate events, festivals, film productions, and other occasions where people might be eating and drinking all day.

3. Air Conditioning, Heating, and Ventilation

This amenity of restroom trailers completely beats ordinary portable toilets.

Think about what happens to a plastic port-a-potty sitting outside in July. It basically turns into a greenhouse that traps heat and odors. This makes using a port-a-potty a terrible experience, especially for guests in tailored suits and formal wear.

A luxury restroom trailer is equipped with climate control so that the temperature remains comfortable and stale air is moved out.

Many two-stall restroom trailers have roof-mounted air conditioning and heating equipment. Built-in exhaust fans expel moisture and odors outside rather than letting them accumulate inside the trailer.

So instead of walking into a 95°F hot plastic box in your formal dress, you step into an air-conditioned restroom.

Read More: Toilet Trailers vs. Traditional Port-a-Potties

4- Vanity Mirrors, Countertops, and Cabinetry

This is where the "luxury" part of the restroom trailer starts becoming obvious.

Most luxury restroom trailers have proper vanity areas with large mirrors, countertops, sinks, lighting, cabinetry, and nicer finishes.

Depending on the trailer, you may see:

solid-surface countertops
faux marble
wood-style cabinets
stainless-steel fixtures
large vanity mirrors
decorative wall panels
wood-look flooring
upscale faucets
modern lighting

Is any of this necessary to use the bathroom?

No.

But if you are spending $30,000, $50,000, or significantly more on a wedding, the last thing you want sitting behind the reception tent is five ugly plastic porta-potties.

The restroom trailer actually looks like it belongs at the event. Plus, you can decorate it however you want to match your wedding theme.

Read More: Luxury Restroom Trailer For Wedding

5. Interior and Exterior LED Lighting

Luxury restroom trailers also have full interior lighting, mostly LEDs.

LED lights are now common since they give a lot of light yet use only a small amount of electricity. This keeps the trailer bright enough for you to see what you're doing, fix your makeup, wash your hands, and move about without having to use your phone's flashlight.

Many trailers also have exterior lighting around the entrance and on the stairs.

Good exterior lighting is particularly important for events like weddings, concerts, or private parties that go on after dark.

A restroom trailer sits several feet off the ground. So most standard portable restroom trailer models have stairs leading up to the entrance door. Once the sun goes down, those steps need to be visible.

Before you rent a trailer, make sure to check this feature. Even the nicest restroom interior won’t help if guests can’t see the steps at night.

6. Soap, Paper Towels and Other Restroom Supplies

Most luxury restroom trailer rentals arrive already stocked with the basics.

That normally includes:

toilet paper
hand soap
paper towels
trash liners
toilet seat covers (not always though)
other basic restroom supplies

Larger restroom trailers may use commercial dispensers that hold enough product to get through a bigger event without repeated restocking.

But don't assume everything is included in your quote.

Always ask your rental company beforehand.

Some rental companies include all needed supplies. Some charge separately.

Some include the initial toiletry supplies but charge for additional restocking during longer rentals.

Same thing with cleaning.

If the trailer will be used for multiple days, ask beforehand who will be responsible for restocking and cleaning it.

7. Private Stalls and Separate Men's and Women's Sections

Restroom trailer layouts vary by size.

A small 2-stall restroom trailer usually has two separate private restrooms. Larger trailers often have separate men's and women's areas with several fixtures in each section. For instance, a 9-station restroom trailer might have five stalls for women and a men's area with two stalls and two urinals.

Larger trailers also have more sinks so that more guests can wash their hands at the same time.

This is why the number of "stalls" is important when selecting a restroom trailer for your event.

For an event with fewer than 150 guests, a 2-station luxury restroom is usually a good fit. For larger outdoor events with 200 to 600 people, a 5-station restroom is typically sufficient.

Two trailers might look alike from the outside but handle very different numbers of guests.

8. A Freshwater Tank

One of the most important systems inside or underneath the trailer is the freshwater supply.

Running sinks and flushing toilets obviously need water. There are generally two ways a restroom trailer gets it.

The easiest method is connecting a garden hose from the trailer to an outdoor faucet or spigot.

But what happens if your wedding is in the middle of a ranch? Or your construction site doesn't have working plumbing yet?

That's where the onboard freshwater tank comes in.

Some restroom trailers carry their own clean water and use an electric pump to send it to the sinks and toilets.

Tank size can vary substantially by trailer size. For instance, some smaller 2-station restroom trailers carry around 105 gallons of freshwater, while larger trailers may carry 200+ gallons.

There is no universal number.

A freshwater tank does not give a restroom trailer unlimited operation time. Every toilet flush and every second a faucet runs uses some of that water supply.

If your event venue does not provide a suitable water connection, ask the rental company how much freshwater their trailer carries and whether additional water servicing will be necessary.

Read More: Restroom Trailer Power and Water Requirements

9- Wastewater Holding Tank

All of the used water leaving the toilets and sinks has to go somewhere.

Restroom trailers generally contain an integrated wastewater holding tank underneath or within the trailer chassis. Waste from the fixtures drains into this tank until it is pumped out through a service connection.

Waste tanks are normally considerably larger than freshwater tanks because they must accommodate both toilet waste and water entering the system.

Again, capacity varies by trailer. A 2-station luxury restroom trailer has approximately 300 gallons of wastewater storage. A 9-station restroom trailer can have up to 750 gallons.

Event duration, guest count, fixture count, and access to water or pump-out services all affect the appropriate setup.

10. Pumps, Plumbing, and All the Stuff Hidden Behind the Walls

Behind the walls and underneath the floor, there is a plumbing system that carries clean water to the fixtures and wastewater to the holding tank.

Depending on the model, that can include:

water pumps
water lines
drain pipes
pressure regulators
valves
freshwater connections
wastewater connections
tank monitors
water heaters
ventilation ducts

In short, it's all the dull stuff that enables the nice stuff to function in a portable restroom trailer.

If the restroom trailer is connected to pressurized city water, then it can get the water directly from an outdoor spout. Otherwise, the onboard pump draws water from the freshwater tank.

11. Electrical Equipment

A luxury restroom trailer also needs electricity to power things like:

air conditioning
heating
interior lights
exterior lights
water pumps
exhaust fans
water heaters
stereo systems
tank monitors

A small 2-stall restroom trailer only needs a dedicated 20-amp, 110/120-volt circuit. Larger trailers can require 30-amp or even 50-amp service depending on whether they are running AC/heater.

Once you confirm your booking, we will let you know exactly how much power your trailer will need.

Conclusion:

So, what's inside a luxury restroom trailer?

Pretty much everything that you will find inside a regular bathroom at home.

You get real flushing toilets, actual sinks, hot and cold running water, mirrors, lighting, air conditioning, heating, ventilation, countertops, private stalls, and all the little supplies people expect when they step into a luxury restroom.

Then underneath the floor is an entire hidden system of tanks, pumps, plumbing, electrical equipment, and wastewater storage.

That's all what makes a restroom trailer superior to a port-a-potty.