What is a honey wagon? 25 September 2023 A familiar term in the film and TV industries, today’s honey wagons are a far cry from their original namesakes, and very different to their US cousins. We look at the history of the honey wagon and what they are today. The history of the honey wagon In the days of the chamber pot, before indoor plumbing and flushable toilets, horse-drawn wagons would travel from street to street, collecting human waste. The wagons carried barrels, into which the waste was emptied, and they got their name from the colour of the waste. In time, the term honey wagon became the slang term used in the US to refer to vacuum pump trucks. What is a honey wagon today? Today in the UK honey wagon refers to mobile toilet units used by cast and crew members in TV and film production, particularly when working on location. In the US, however, a honey wagon is the name given to a portable unit or trailer that contains both toilets and dressing rooms. Characteristic of the honey wagon is its portability, and its ability to be transferred quickly and easily from one location to another. Advantages of honey wagon hire Offering security, privacy and a luxurious feel, honey wagon trailers are preferable to the standard, single use portable toilet, in terms of facilities and quality. Their size enables them to be positioned in busy, urban locations where they can sit without disrupting traffic and all but the smallest unit, feature heaters making them perfect for year round use and filming on location in winter. When a shoot requires a change of location, the honey wagon can be transported easily to a new site. Types of honey wagon At Fortis Hire, we offer an extensive choice of luxury toilet units that are ideal for honey wagon hire. The glamorous interiors are befitting of the professionals who will be using them and feature heaters (in all but the smallest unit), spacious vanity areas with recessed lighting, flushable toilets, and hot and cold running water. All the units are fully stocked with indulgent consumables and eco-friendly paper goods. Popular units include the luxury 1 plus 1 toilet unit, perfect for modest spaces and as a complement to existing facilities, and the luxury 4 plus 2 trailer that will accommodate up to 450 people, as well as single or mixed gender units. We also offer a range of Fresh Flush portable honey wagons, the most eco-friendly portable toilet available in today’s market. Find out more about the fresh flush toilets here. Honey wagon hire from Fortis Hire Over our 20+ years’ experience in the provision of luxury portable toilets, we have worked at a number of industry leading film and television studios, including Pinewood, Longcross, Elstree and OMA:X, and we are proud to have been approved as a We Are Albert supplier. We Are Albert is at the forefront of environmental sustainability in the film and TV industry and is committed to reducing the environmental impact of the industry. As an approved supplier, we can give our customers the peace of mind that we meet our environmental responsibilities while delivering market-leading products sustainably. To chat to us about your next location shoot, simply give our expert sales team a call on 01525 643850 or send an email to sales@fortishire.co.uk Categories Occasions Events