Thinking about a Barker TOTE, you?

wa8yxm wrote:
Barker been around a long time. Tetford. not so long.

It's not an either / or choice - there's also Tote-n-Stor as well.

myredracer wrote:
For a large tote tank, you might consider a macerator pump. That way the tank could be in the truck or in case you're on a site where you can't drain downhill into the tote tank.

Exactly what I do except I don't even have a tote tank at all and instead park a couple of 7 gal Aquatainers in the back of my truck for collecting grey or macerated black water, as may be needed. Neither trailer waste tank needs to be emptied completely, only emptied enough so we can continue to use the system. Years ago I made the mistake of wasting $$$ on a heavy, expensive, hard to store wheeled tote tank but would never own one again when a macerator eliminates the need entirely for a tote and stinky slinky. :B

Barker been around a long time. Tetford. not so long.

I know at one time folks did not like the Tetford's because due to the location of the dump valve on the tote.. It did not fully drain.

42 gallons is flippin' physically huge and would take up a big chunk of space in OP's truck. Size would depend on where you're going camping. If in a CG without sewer hookup, a smaller one may be just fine if you want to stay past the time when your blank tank is full. We have a small 16 gallon Thetford and it's enough of a PITA even at that size. We're mostly in FHU CGs but when we need the tote tank, we REALLY need it. Two of us can lift it into the bed of our truck. Some people store their small tote tanks under their trailer and some on the rear and have more room in their truck that way.

For a large tote tank, you might consider a macerator pump. That way the tank could be in the truck or in case you're on a site where you can't drain downhill into the tote tank.

Barker seems to be the one that is most often recommended. Having pneumatic tires is a major bonus. Solid wheels are pretty noisy going down a CG gravel road... :(

I had a 25 gallon Thetford tote and used it for a number of years. When we got our new camper, the grey and black tanks were 35 gallons each. So this year I purchased the 42 gallon Baker tote and am impressed with the quality. The new Baker totes have inflatable rubber tires as I guess the older plastic tires were not holding up well.

I think if you purchased the Baker Tote, it will be money well spent.

I've had a 32 gallon unit for that last 15+ years.

I found the mod (i think on this site or a link two it) and replaced both rear tires with harbor frieght 10 inflatable rubber tires.

I've had the misfortune to have my handle disconnect from the trailer ball and now use two carabieners (the d rings that the mountain climbers use with ropes) to connect it to my truck.

I've never dumped my black tank into my barker - but use it for two gray tanks (both are 30 gallons).

If I ever have to replace mine, it'll be a Barker unit

A friend of ours uses a Vise Grip locking welding clamp snapped on his trailer ball to keep his Barker tote secure going down the road.

If you use a tote much you may find it easier to make several trips with a smaller one. I don't tow mine, I carry it on a hand truck. 15 gallons is heavy enough.

It is expensive, it is huge, it is heavy even when empty. It seems to take up half of my short bed pick up box.
BUT it is the best.
We will be staying at a spot without sewer connection for the summer so it is just the ticket for us.
Jesseannie

I have the 32 gallon Barker tote. It's towed behind my truck at least a thousand miles over the last 17(ish) years. It's used every time we go camping, and I use it at home to dump my tanks into my septic tank.

I replaced the wheels about 5 years ago when the rubber literally separated from the plastic wheel. I got new wheels and it's been doing just fine ever since. The slide valve started leaking just last year. I called the Barker company and they sent me a new valve to install completely free, even though the tote is nearly 17 years old. They said it was under "warranty!" I was extremely impressed with that.

If I ever have to get another one, I'll switch to the 42 gallon version. My tanks, if dumped just right, I can dump successfully, flush my black tank and completely empty my black and grey (shower) tanks in the 32 gallon tote. So, I dump about every 2 days. My tanks are all 30 gallon, so if they are completely full, I'll never over spill the 32 gallon tote, but then, I can only do one tank at a time. So my process works well for me.

About moving that 32 gallon tote? I have no problem moving it by hand. At home, I use to tow it behind my John Deere riding mower to a ramp I built for my septic tank clean out. But I found I can simply pull the tote by hand, over the drive way, and over the grass with no problems at all. So I don't use the lawn mower any more. 32 OR 42 GALLONS SOUNDS LIKE A LOT, BUT ON WHEELS, IT'S NOT HARD TO MOVE AT ALL!

On sand, (Florida, South Carolina, and Virginia, I will tie a rope to the tote (when it's full) and pull it up to the road with my truck. Once on the road, it pulls easy by hand. This works great! It also works well using a rope IF the tote is down hill from the road and you've got to pull it uphill to get it attached to your truck-car to drag to the dump station. Remember this trick, you will need to do it sometime. But, that has happened only 1 time in 20 years of camping (on a hill) and about 4 or 5 times on sand (in 17 years of using the tote!)

Get the Barker. You are correct. The slide valve with the hose works very nice. And by the way.... IF you do it right ... you never have to use rubber gloves either!

Just learn when to shut the trailer valves off so it won't over fill. It only takes once to over fill, and then you learn it's limitations REAL fast!

Good luck!

Edit:
By the way. The first photo below, shows how most will tow the tote behind their vehicle. I had the handle pop off the hitch once and the tote decided to go 4-wheeling on it own. That was an embarrassing moment.

I tried different ways to secure the handle to the hitch ball, but eventually I started using these threaded D-rings. (Second photo). The tote has NEVER gone 4-wheeling again. THIS is the way to connect it, so it won't separate from the tow vehicle at the most embarrassing moment imaginable!