Forum Discussion

otrfun's avatar
otrfun
Explorer II
Sep 30, 2013

RV Tote Tanks - Size? Model?

Gonna be doing some dry camping next month. Got everything worked out on the power/generator/battery side of the house. However, got a few questions about our tanks. We have a 25 gal black and 38 gal grey tank and usually fill these tanks in 3-4 days. Thinking about purchasing one of those "tote-tanks" to empty our tanks occasionally.

Some of the sewer drop sites may be a few miles away, so I'm debating the pros and cons of purchasing a smaller (10-15 gal) or larger (25-35 gal) tote-tank. Got concerns about the wheels on the larger tanks surviving a potential several mile drive (while hitched) to some of the sewer drop sites 3 or 4 times a week. If I purchased a smaller tank I'm hoping two of us could lift it into the bed of our truck and make maybe, two runs a day. Or, possibly purchase a larger tank and just do partial fills when the sewer drops are too far away and retaining the larger capacity for the closer locations? Thoughts?

Also, opinions on make or model tote-tanks? I've noticed Barker, Tote-N-Stor, Thetland, etc. Amazon seems to have the best deals with their free shipping.

Thanks!
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Sep 30, 2013
    If your planning on lifting the tank into the bed of a truck remember that water weighs 8.2 lbs per gallon. My 25 gallon tank is very heavy just lifting one end to hook to the hitch.
  • subcamper's avatar
    subcamper
    Explorer II
    Sep 30, 2013
    Lantley wrote:
    Pauljdav wrote:
    Lynnmor wrote:
    I think you are right about the wheels. Maybe buy a macerator pump and keep the tank in the truck bed?



    X2. This is the best way. I even put the rubber tires on by Barker and it tows like junk.

    I agree towing 2 miles OK, more than that get a pump


    I have a Barker 32 gal 4-wheel tote. I replaced the rear wheels with pneumatic 10" HF which helped a lot.

    However, I would say maybe a mile or two IF its a paved road and IF you go 10mph or less.

    Steve
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Sep 30, 2013
    Pauljdav wrote:
    Lynnmor wrote:
    I think you are right about the wheels. Maybe buy a macerator pump and keep the tank in the truck bed?



    X2. This is the best way. I even put the rubber tires on by Barker and it tows like junk.

    I agree towing 2 miles OK, more than that get a pump
  • Pauljdav's avatar
    Pauljdav
    Explorer
    Sep 30, 2013
    Lynnmor wrote:
    I think you are right about the wheels. Maybe buy a macerator pump and keep the tank in the truck bed?



    X2. This is the best way. I even put the rubber tires on by Barker and it tows like junk.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Sep 30, 2013
    otrfun wrote:
    Got concerns about the wheels on the larger tanks surviving a potential several mile drive (while hitched) to some of the sewer drop sites 3 or 4 times a week.
    Yah, that isn't going to happen. You could strap the tank to a hand truck that has air tires.

    As said, either lift into the bed and dump from there, or use a macerator.
  • handye9's avatar
    handye9
    Explorer II
    Sep 30, 2013
    I use a 22 gallon tank and a ramp to roll it into the truck bed.

    Ramp is two 7 foot 2 X 6's.

    If your tank doesn't come with a gate valve. One of these will make things easier at the dump station.
  • Norskeman's avatar
    Norskeman
    Explorer
    Sep 30, 2013
    We have the Thetford Smart tote - 18 Gallon Tank with Handle. I also have a 10 gallon tank that we can lift into the back of the truck.

    http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/Thetford-SmartTote-LX-Portable-Waste-Tank-18-Gallon/37870/&?&cvsfa=2734&cvsfe=2&cvsfhu=3337383730

    We use it when we go to some state parks for longer that 3 nights in the summer. Use it mainly for dumping our gray water tanks - wife prefers to use the shower in the RV. Also, need it for the gray tank that the kitchen sink drains to.

    We have to pull it for about a mile to the dump station - pull slow to preserve the wheels.

    I only dry camp a few times a year. I have 2 12V batteries in the trailer. I have a 4000 Yamaha generator - so I can run the AC a few times during the day to cool down the RV. If I did not run the AC I would purchase a 2000 watt Honda or Yamaha generator (much lighter).
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Sep 30, 2013
    I prefer Barker. To me it is easier to dump.
    I also prefer the larger sizes. Large enough to hold the full capacity of your grey tank. With a large tank there is no need to worry about overflowing the portable tank. You do not have to stop the flow or deal with the overflow mess.
    You do not need to make multiple trips to empty your tank. Many are concerned about the weight of the larger tanks, but you never have to lift tanks. They are designed to be towed.
    Even if the dump is a mile or 2 away you can tow tank slowly with your flashers on. The new larger Barker tanks now come with air filled pneumatic rubber wheels.
  • chiefneon's avatar
    chiefneon
    Explorer
    Sep 30, 2013
    Howdy!

    We have a large 32 gallon Barker tank with a waste gate on the side of the tank. I place the tank on my truck and use a macerator pump. Drive to the dump station and dump the tank and rinse. You can also control how much waste goes into the tank using a macerator pump. The last thing you want to happen is pull the valve on your tank and over fill the blue tank, there's no going back up that 3" line.

    "Happy Trails"
    Chiefneon
  • Dick_B's avatar
    Dick_B
    Explorer
    Sep 30, 2013
    Did you search this Forum for words like `blue tote'?
    I'd then search the results for `black' or `gray' or `grey', or `wheels', etc.

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