Failed to consider the size of the Portable Dump tank..

[OhioRVMom]

yes. Yes I did. Was talking to DH about having a tank so we had an option for sites without sewer but with a dump station on grounds. Worried about dumping a full tank into a portable holding tank and having it overflow.

Here's where we got into trouble. DH says "That is why you get a portable tank that is the same size or BIGGER than the tank on the RV".

OK. The tank on the Travel Trailer is 42 Gallons. Now I didn't think about this. Granted. NO. NO I did not. In my mind, in hindsight, I think I was picturing maybe a TEN gallon tank.

The box arrived today. It's nearly as tall as I am :E We haven't taken it out of the box yet. I know it's heavy. AND, I am beginning to question the decision to get such a LARGE tank. Storing it will be no easy feat. I am assuming it will be an easy thing to hook to the ball of the truck and drag to the dump station when needed, and I am sure having one like this would be great in times of need. AM tempted to leave the thing at home except when knowingly going to sites without sewer. Of One thing I am sure. 42 GALLONS is a HECK of a lot More than I had envisioned.

In hind sight, I am understanding why these things have bobbers on them that will indicate when full. Seems simple enough. it starts to get full, you turn off the flow. Haul off the tank and repeat (if you have a smaller one).

So. What think you all. Should we bite the bullet and send back this monstrosity? Get a smaller one? we'll have to pay for shipping to return it since it was our mistake (oh hurray).

Did I mention it was Huge? just in case I forgot. It's HUGE..

[GMandJM]

Lantley wrote:
This post is sort of amusing because it illustrates how many who have never experienced or used the exact item first hand are commenting on what they think it would be like vs.giving real first hand accounts.

Leonardo da Vinci didn't personally attend The Last Supper, but I certainly appreciate his opinion of what it looked like. :C

[2012Coleman]

OhioRVMom wrote:


thanks again to EVERYONE. Having all these opinions helps me to realize that there isn't a single solution that is best. We have to figure out what works best for us and OUR camping situation.

Thank you!!

Tina

Please share your experiences when you find out - maybe I'll upgrade! 😛

[OhioRVMom]

The overwhelming thing I have learned from all of these responses, is that EVERYONE has varying opinions on what is good and what is not. It's kind of funny actually. When I posted a question about our F150 and towing and what it could do or not, etc etc.. there was an overwhelming response supporting that *our* F150 was not capable to do what we wanted. i.e., the majority were in agreement with what was safe/doable. In this case, it's purely a matter of opinion it seems. There doesn't appear to be a 'one size fits all' answer to this question. Which supports my decision to not do anything - yet - until I find out what will work for our Family. I prefer to not be overly conservative with water, and with a 42 Gallon tank, I am hopeful that we can make it on weekends without having to drain off some grey water, but I don't know. Luckily the campground we will frequent mostly we have sewer access. That said, we can do some pretty good tests to see how much usage we can get away with before having to worry about it. I am NOT worried about the black tank at all. we have been spending summer vacations in a cabin for the past 17+ years using a port-a-pot. That thing holds maybe 5 gallons (probably less) - and it EASILY goes for days without being dumped with only a few people using it. I don't think we'd ever fill a 42 gallon tank. Ever. well unless we were camping for a week or had the WHOLE family with us for days.. maybe. so we're not likely to max out the black tank anytime soon. Grey - well- I just don't know. Maybe we just don't take the whole family along unless we know we have sewer, OR, if we have to, we look at getting a big tank then. Right now though, the Extra 42 gallon tank, is almost $300 plus the macerator pump which I don't know it's cost, but I am sure it's not cheap - possibly upwards of $200? either way, we could be saving $500 for now, until we know what we want and need.

thanks again to EVERYONE. Having all these opinions helps me to realize that there isn't a single solution that is best. We have to figure out what works best for us and OUR camping situation.

Thank you!!

Tina

[2012Coleman]

Lantley wrote:
This post is sort of amusing because it illustrates how many who have never experienced or used the exact item first hand are commenting on what they think it would be like vs.giving real first hand accounts.
Those that actually own a 42 gallon tote have no issues with weight or moving the tote around. Those who have never used a 42 gallon tote are commenting on what the think it would be like.

So what your saying is don't give advice or opinions without having experience using or having the actual item - don't give advice based on what you have learned with a similar item, or drawn from the experiences of other discussions you have read. Correct??

So I find it kind of interesting that on this thread on slide out toppers, you feel qualified to give the following advice:

Lantley wrote:
While they do keep the sun and debris off the slide. They also flap in the wind, a pool water in the rain.
You can add beach balls to control the flapping and pooling but in the end toppers create as many issues as they resolve.
For the cost I prefer not to have them.

OP asked for opinions, and received plenty of great responses. Kind of fits with the purpose of this whole discussion board - oh IMO of course...

[SoundGuy]

Lantley wrote:
However the macerator takes to long to empty the tanks for me .

SoundGuy wrote:
"Too long"? :? The FloJet Waste Macerator is rated to empty a 30 gal waste tank in under 3 minutes ... that's slow? :h

Lantley wrote:
While I did not time it. I imagine my 40 gallon tanks took 5-6 minutes or so to dump 25' slightly uphill. That is slow compared to the 30 seconds to a minute it takes using the stinky slinky.
The macerator has its place and it is another tool in the arsenal, however I'll take plain ol' gravity anyday.

I learn something new here every day. 😉 I can understand why someone not familiar with just how easy it is to service a trailer's waste tanks with a macerator pump like the FloJet may initially balk at the cost but I must admit I'm baffled by anyone who already owns one but doesn't use it in favour of sticking with the old fashioned method of gravity dumping into a heavy wheeled tote tank, even if the offload process itself is quicker. Thanks, but I'll spend a couple extra minutes using my macerator if it means I don't have to ever deal with a heavy wheeled tote tank and slimy stinky slinky. :E To each his / her own I guess. :R

[Lantley]

SoundGuy wrote:

Lantley wrote:
However the macerator takes to long to empty the tanks for me .

"Too long"? :? The FloJet Waste Macerator is rated to empty a 30 gal waste tank in under 3 minutes ... that's slow? :h

While I did not time it. I imagine my 40 gallon tanks took 5-6 minutes or so to dump 25' slightly uphill. That is slow compared to the 30 seconds to a minute it takes using the stinky slinky.
The macerator has its place and it is another tool in the arsenal, however I'll take plain ol' gravity anyday.

[SoundGuy]

Lantley wrote:
However the macerator takes to long to empty the tanks for me .

"Too long"? :? The FloJet Waste Macerator is rated to empty a 30 gal waste tank in under 3 minutes ... that's slow? :h

[Lantley]

I have a macerator that I could easily use it pump grey water into a 42 gallon tote placed in the bed of the truck. However the macerator takes to long to empty the tanks for me .
Give me gravity and a 3" stinky slinky anyday.
I could be 1/2 way to the dump station before the macerator finishes emptying the tank.

[SoundGuy]

lanerd wrote:
Most macerator hoses are expandable to 20' or so....getting that close with your F150 to the trailer should not pose a problem either. Install a 12v connector on the back of the truck for power to the macerator.

The FloJet Waste Macerator is rated for up to 50' of 3/4" hose, exactly what I use here at the house. When camping a 25' 1/2" hose is plenty for reaching the back of the truck where my portable containers are sitting ... couldn't be easier. :B

[tragusa3]

We used a 27 gal tank for years. It was perfect. Big enough to make a dent, small enough to handle. We bought a new trailer, and the buyer wanted our 27 gal tank with the old trailer (I know, yuk!) So, we bought a new one and I went up to 35 gal. I'm sorry I did so. I think 27 gal is the sweet spot "for my family".

That said, this works okay. But I'd sell it if I didn't loose much.

To the OP, thanks for posting. There's always plenty of grumpies around here to tell you how silly your questions and comments are.

[Beaker]

That is why I bought a 27 gal tank even though my waste tanks are larger. I figured 2-3 lighter trips rather than 1-2 very heavy ones. And a tank easier to load/unload and carry around.

I have 15 gal blue(forgot brand)tank used only for grey. Removed handle, put tank on truck, and pump with flojet. Yes, 2 or 3 trips and no rolling thunder.

[Swampman597]

Lantley wrote:
I never really used it phenomenon occurs a lot across lots of topics.

x2 (Why don't we have an AGREE button for posts like this?)

[dwayneb236]

Exactly Lantly. Not sure how the tote can't be moved when my wife, a 150lb 47 year old woman, (man I hope she never see's this), pulled it all by herself from our camper to the dump site. Wasn't that far but she did it with no problems that I could see. Of course I said I would pull it but she didn't want me too. She likes doing physical stuff.

[ls1mike]

I wish I had the 42 gallon tank. I have the 27 gallon tank (my grey and black are 30 gallons.). I don't even hook mine up to the ball. I call it the walk of shame. I flll it, get a beer and walk it to dump. Ah good times.

[Swampman597]

rbpru wrote:
...... a host of other "must haves".

A few trips out and you will know what you must have and what is already suffucient for YOUR needs.

Then what will we put on our Xmas wishlists??