Why One of the Top Custom Van Conversion Companies in the U.S. Recommends Trelino Toilets

Van life isn’t just a travel trend—it’s a lifestyle rooted in freedom, simplicity, and thoughtful living. Whether you’re chasing sunsets across the West or parking off-grid for a long weekend, the experience is shaped by the tools and choices you make along the way.

At Drifter Vans, we build custom camper vans for people who want to take home on the road—without sacrificing comfort or quality. Our mission is to create functional, beautiful, road-ready spaces that reflect how our clients actually live. And one thing we’ve learned over years of building vans: few decisions impact day-to-day comfort more than your toilet setup.

That’s why we confidently recommend Trelino composting toilets. They’re practical, clean, and designed to fit seamlessly into the mobile lifestyle. If you’re new to the world of van conversions or exploring your first off-grid setup, this post will walk you through how we build with Trelino—and why it’s become our go-to solution for vanlife bathrooms.

Who We Are: Meet Drifter Vans

We’re a custom van conversion company based in Michigan, serving adventurers across the U.S. From first-time road trippers to full-time travelers, we’ve worked with hundreds of clients to create vans that function as well as they look.

Unlike mass-produced RVs or prefab builds, our vans are tailored from the ground up—designed for your lifestyle, your hobbies, your goals. Whether that means a full kitchen, dedicated workspace, or a stealth rig for city living, we believe your van should feel like home.

Our process is collaborative and transparent, and it starts with a simple five-step journey:

1. Initial Consult – A video call to get to know your travel plans, must-haves, and inspiration.
   
   

2. Book Your Build – A deposit locks in your spot on our production schedule.
   
   

3. Order Your Van – We help source a Promaster, Transit, or Sprinter and walk you through every detail.
   
   

4. Contract & Final Specs – Together, we finalize layout, electrical, plumbing, cabinetry, and fixtures.
   
   

5. Interior Design – Choose a curated package or work with our designer to craft your dream interior.
   
   

Along the way, we help our clients make smart decisions about power, climate control, water systems—and yes, toilets.

The Role of a Great Toilet in Van Life

It might not be glamorous, but having a dependable, odor-free toilet is a game changer when you’re living in a van. In fact, it’s often one of the first things our clients ask about—right after solar and sleeping arrangements.

Many people underestimate just how freeing it is to have your own private, chemical-free toilet on board. You can camp anywhere. Stay longer. Avoid public restrooms. Be truly self-sufficient.

That’s where Trelino comes in.

Why We Recommend Trelino Composting Toilets

We’ve worked with all kinds of toilet systems—cassette setups, chemical options, DIY hacks. Most come with trade-offs. Some are messy. Others smell or require frequent dumping at designated stations. And very few fit naturally into the compact, curated spaces we build.

Trelino is different. Here's why we consistently integrate it into our custom builds:

Odor-Free Without Chemicals

Trelino’s separation design keeps solids and liquids apart, eliminating the cause of most odors. Covering solids with litter absorbs moisture and smell, while the urine canister seals tightly and can be emptied easily in any toilet connected to the sewage system.

Compact, Clean Design

Space matters in a van. Trelino’s toilets are thoughtfully designed to be both functional and aesthetically clean. They’re easy to tuck under benches, build into cabinets, or even leave freestanding in smaller layouts.

Zero Plumbing, Low Maintenance

No water hookups. No chemical waste. No complex installation. That means fewer things that can break—and fewer limitations on where or how you use it. Cleaning is as easy as a vinegar spray and wipe-down.

Built for Real Travel

Trelino toilets are sturdy. Whether you’re bouncing down a forest road or parked in a humid coastal town, they’re up to the task. No flimsy hinges or leaking seals—just durable, practical construction you can rely on.

What Van Builders Look for in a Composting Toilet

As professional builders, we think about toilets differently than most travelers. We don’t just need a toilet that works—we need one that integrates into a complete mobile system. Here’s what makes Trelino stand out in our eyes:

Installation Flexibility

Our clients all have different needs. Some want a hidden bathroom cabinet; others want a toilet that’s always ready to go. Trelino’s line works in both scenarios and can be fixed in place or left mobile depending on layout.

Simple User Experience

Whether someone’s traveling solo or with their kids, they need a toilet that’s intuitive. With Trelino, we never have to explain complex maintenance routines or chemical mixing. A quick demo is enough.

Tip: For clients who are new to composting toilets, we often recommend keeping a small container of litter and a spray bottle of vinegar tucked nearby for easy maintenance.

Design Compatibility

Every Drifter Van build has its own interior style. Trelino’s minimalist aesthetic and color options make it easy for us to build cabinetry or storage systems around the toilet—without it looking out of place.

Long-Term Reliability

Our goal is to build vans that last for years. That means using components that hold up over time. Trelino has proven to be consistent in quality, with materials and design that can withstand everyday use, not just weekend trips.

Final Thoughts

Building a great van is about balancing practicality with personality. Every decision, from your power system to your toilet, affects how you live in your space.

We recommend Trelino not because it’s trendy—but because it works. It solves a very real need with smart design and simplicity, and it’s helped dozens of our clients feel more at home on the road.

If you’re planning a build—whether with us or DIY—Trelino is one of those upgrades that genuinely improves life on the move. It’s compact, clean, chemical-free, and designed for real people doing real travel.

Thanks to the team at Trelino for building such a thoughtful product. We’re proud to include it in our vans—and even prouder to recommend it.

Want to see how we integrate Trelino into real van builds? Visit driftervans.com or follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook for behind-the-scenes builds, layout inspiration, and tips from the road.

Here’s to the next great adventure—wherever your van (and composting toilet) takes you.