New Zealand's self-containment rules changed in 2023. From that point on, campervans seeking a green warrant card must have a fixed toilet — one that is permanently secured to the vehicle and cannot be moved during normal use. Portable toilets sitting loose under a bed no longer qualify.
For many van-lifers and campervan owners, that raised an immediate question: does this mean throwing out a perfectly good toilet?
The answer is no — if you have the right bracket.
What the Regulations Actually Require
Under NZ's Self-Contained Motor Vehicle legislation, a toilet qualifies as "fixed" when it is permanently mounted in the vehicle, the waste cassette or holding tank is removable without moving the toilet itself, and the installation meets hygiene and access requirements.
The regulation does not require a brand-new toilet. It requires a toilet that is secured in a way that meets those conditions. That distinction matters — and it's exactly what Fix'n'Rail™ was designed around.
Already Have a Portable Toilet? Here's How to Make It Compliant
The Fix'n'Rail™ is a heavy-duty sliding rail bracket system, designed and trademarked in New Zealand by Myst Enterprise. It secures an existing portable toilet permanently inside a campervan, converting it into a compliant fixed installation without replacing the toilet itself.
Specs at a glance:
Dimensions (retracted): ~292mm (H) × 345mm (W) × 455mm (D)
Dimensions (extended rails): ~540mm (H) × 375mm (W) × 905mm (D)
Base plate: ~405mm (L) × 330mm (W)
Arm height: ~85mm (H) × 65mm (W) × 375mm (L)
Weight: 5.2kg
Material: High-strength steel
Feature: Built-in sliding rails — toilet slides out for use, locks in place during transit
Officially Approved for Green Warrant Certification
This is the part that matters most for anyone going through self-containment inspection.
NZ Lifestyle Camping Ltd — a NZ-wide Certifying Authority approved by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board for green warrant self-containment — has formally examined the Fix'n'Rail™ and issued a Notice of Approval dated 18 October 2024.
The approval confirms the Fix'n'Rail™ qualifies as a fixed toilet installation for self-containment certification, provided the base is permanently fixed to the vehicle, the toilet is bolted onto the bracket and cannot be removed in normal operation, the waste cassette is removable without spillage, and surrounding surfaces are sealed and cleanable.
This is not a manufacturer's claim. It is a third-party endorsement from a recognised certifying authority.
Endorsement of Fix'n'rail™ Toilet Base.pdf
Compatible Toilet Models
The Fix'n'Rail™ works with a wide range of portable toilets sold in NZ. Two bracket options cover the full range — the standard bracket for most models, and a dedicated arm for Thetford 565e & 565p.
Fix'n'Rail™ Standard Bracket
The Fix'n'Rail™ works with a wide range of portable toilets sold in NZ:
Default hook included: Rocktrail, Seaflo, Burnsco, Camp Master, Camec, Zempire Portacamp
Optional hook required: Thetford 145, 165, 345, 365 — Thetford hook available separately
Dometic hook: Available separately for Dometic models
All hooks are included in the package — arms need to be purchased separately.
Thetford 565e & 565p — Dedicated Arm
The Thetford 565e and 565p are among the most widely used portable cassette toilets in NZ campervans. Both models have a design that differs from earlier Thetford versions, so a dedicated Fix'n'Rail™ arm has been developed specifically for them.
The arm is available separately and fits directly onto the Fix'n'Rail™ bracket — no modifications needed. If your van runs a 565e or 565p, this is the add-on that completes your compliant fixed installation.
If you already own any of these toilets, the Fix'n'Rail™ is the direct path to compliance without buying a new unit.
The Environmental Case
Fix'n'Rail™ was designed with a specific goal beyond compliance: keeping portable toilets out of landfill.
New Zealand has an estimated 50,000kg to 2 million kg of portable toilet plastic at risk of becoming waste as van-lifers upgrade to meet the new fixed toilet requirement. Fix'n'Rail™ recycles that existing equipment back into compliant use rather than discarding it.
For anyone building or upgrading a campervan with sustainability in mind, this matters.
Six Steps to Install
Installation follows a straightforward sequence:
- Sort the components
- Align the top bars onto the rails
- Attach the arms
- Mount the base plate to the floor with four screws
- Secure the sliders and top bar once width is set
- Attach the correct hook for your toilet model
The full assembly guide and YouTube walkthrough are available at mystenterprise.com.
Get the Fix'n'Rail™
The Fix'n'Rail™ bracket is available now. The Thetford 565e & 565p arm is available as a separate add-on.
Get in touch at www.mystenterprise.com or email [email protected]