Portable waste tank question

SoundGuy wrote:

otrfun wrote:
We also use a macerator to off-load our black and grey tanks when we dry camp. However, we don't lift or tow any containers/tanks when we load or off-load. We simply leave our 42-gallon Barker waste tank in the bed of our truck bed the entire time we dry camp. When our black and grey tanks are nearly full, we transfer everything via macerator to the Barker. We then drive to the dump site with the full Barker waste tank still in the bed of our truck, open the Barker's side valve and gravity dump. If water is available at the dump site we also flush the Barker. No lifting or concerns about rocky roads or distance. Works well for us.

We also store 5, 7 gal. Aquatainers in the bed of our truck. Typically, when we make our dump-station run we also fill the Aquatainers. When we get back to the trailer we use a portable water pump to pump it from the truck bed to the trailer. Again, no lifting or moving of any containers.

Agree, except instead of a heavy, expensive wheeled tote tank I find it much easier to deal with individual 7 gal Aquatainers dedicated to the purpose of collecting off loaded grey & macerated black water. For me this has nothing to do with dry camping as even electric sites here in Ontario often don't offer water or sewer anyway. My preference for Aquatainers over a tote tank is because the 'Tainers are so much easier to deal with as they weigh nothing when empty, are easy to store and don't waste space as they're cube shaped, can be lifted when full if necessary as each only weighs 60 lbs when totally filled, inexpensive, durable, and easy to flush out. When not camping I can store individual Aquatainers in different locations in the trailer, unlike a large tote tank which would not only chew up space in the truck for transport but then when home has to be stored somewhere. :( Yes, I can use my macerator for off loading grey as well as macerated black but since I off load grey daily and rarely have the need to off load black while camping I just find it simpler to gravity drain the grey and lift the full 60 lb 'Tainer into the back of the truck - no biggie at all, even at my age. However, regardless of the type of container used it's hard to beat a macerator for managing waste tank servicing, whether camping or at home. :B

Gotcha, different strokes for different folks.

Every year we dry camp for a month or so at one of our favorite spots in the FL Keys. We try to keep the same rituals we have at home when we dry camp there. This requires a 42 gal. black/grey dump and a 35 gal. freshwater transfer/fill (total weight 616 lbs!!) every 2-3 days. It only takes me 30 minutes to do both and requires no lifting or towing--just moving two sets of 5/8" hoses around.

Yes, like you, I'm very thankful for the capability this macerator (and our portable freshwater water pump) provides. Without them our favorite vacation would be a lot less fun. Bottom line, happy wife, happy life :)