Thetford totes

modern family wrote:
Don't forget your 90 degree sewer connection. My first time, I traveled kind of far to the dump station (at 5 mph) waited On line... Then realized I forgot the connection. I had to go back to get it and wait on line again. But I have the 32 gallon thetford, it is nice to have.

When we bought our Thetford the salesperson suggested drilling a small hole in the handle of the trap-door thing that holds the hose in place then connect a bungee between the hose and the handle (not the hinged handle, but the place it's connected). I wrapped the bungee around the handle side and closed the hook onto the cord so it is permanently installed. He suggested this as the trap-door for the hose might open and drag... damaging the trap-door.

I use this bungee to store my 90 degree elbow... just slide the bungee through the connector and connect the bungee to the hole in the trap-door's handle. So, everything is always with the tote... well, except my gloves. ;)

Happy Camping!
John.

We have the big Thetford tank... I think it's 35 gallons. We've had it for about 5 years. It works great when needed. We dump both black & grey water in ours and store it under our camper on a platform we added. It goes everywhere we go. ;)

As for the Barker... I think it has a side dump valve which would be nice, but then you have to carry the hose with you (as others noted). It's a trade off I guess... both will surely do the job equally as well.

Happy Camping!
John.

Don't forget your 90 degree sewer connection. My first time, I traveled kind of far to the dump station (at 5 mph) waited On line... Then realized I forgot the connection. I had to go back to get it and wait on line again. But I have the 32 gallon thetford, it is nice to have.

Get a 4 wheel version

Got two here, don't need but one, bought one real cheap, was in a bind, decided to sell it , cause didn't need it any more, they brought it back , said it leaked, oh wow used it for 30 days didn't know that, got home found a leak, fixed it, now I got two , wow got two RV covers too don't need but one ether Wow Now it's all happy-camping

I have a 25 gallon tote N store and use it at state parks, or at home (hurricane recovery dumping). Used it on the recent forth weekend, and woops must have lost the hitch. I tilted it on its nose and walked the wheeled end up my step bumper into the rear of 3/4 sub. Don't try that if you can't manage 100 plus pounds of sloppy gray water.

swburbguy wrote:
I'm thinking of getting a tote. I was wondering if any others use them. Any comments would be appreciated as I've only been camping a few years.

Just bought a Thetford 27 gal tote. Have yet to use it. The handle fits over the ball hitch for easy tow to dump station.i got free shipping from CW.

I've got this Thetford smart tote

Love that it has the hose already attached and it collapses back into the unit. Wheel it up to the side of the trailer, hook up the fitting, pull the handle. Nice little popup valve on top lets you know when/if it's full. Push in your handle and cap your hose and stow.

I back the truck up to it, drop the folding handle over the hitch ball and proceed to the dump station. 5mph unless I want to scare my feel camper with thoughts of 27 gallons of waste rolling though their campsite ;-)

I've had other totes but this one is less trouble, less messy and just worth the money to me.

swburbguy wrote:
I'm thinking of getting a tote. I was wondering if any others use them. Any comments would be appreciated as I've only been camping a few years.

Go for the Thetford portable tank. It was my preference when I was in the market and am totally glad I got the 35 gallon Thetford SmartTote instead of the Barker. It does the job well, it is rugged and easy to handle and its colour and shape is much nicer than the Barker.

swburbguy wrote:
I'm thinking of getting a tote. I was wondering if any others use them. Any comments would be appreciated as I've only been camping a few years.

I have an 18 gallon Barker tote. Very handy when camping w/o full hookups. It has only two wheels (the larger capacity models have 4), but the handle allows easy hookup to the trailer ball to pull it to the CG dump station. The tank came with a short section of sewer hose with a bayonet coupling on one end and a short section of hose to attach to the flush connection. Paid a lot less ($105 online, free shipping but can't remember from who) for it than a Thetford tote. My opinion only, but I think the Barker totes are built better than the Thetford product.

I wouldn't get much larger than an 18 or 20 gal. capacity, whatever you decide. Even though you pull it with your TV, that's still a lot of weight to lift up the short distance on to the trailer ball.