The Perfect Portable RV Waste Tank Guide
We love to camp, but one aspect of camping that can cause anxiety is emptying your wastewater. This can be a big concern if you are camping for an extended period where the campsite is not a full hookup.
If your campsite does not have a sewer hookup, you might reach the limit on your grey or black water tank during your stay. There are a few ways to handle this complex problem.
The first is to not use the facilities inside of your camper. Use the campground showers and restrooms instead of those in your trailer. Many people do this, but we prefer to use our own bathroom and shower. Sometimes the campground facilities are dirty, even if they are cleaned regularly. It is also less convenient to use campground facilities.
A second option is to take your camper to the dump station during your stay, but this is a hassle, especially if you are in a travel trailer or a 5th wheel.
The final option, and our preference, is to use a portable RV waste tank. A portable waste tank can hold up to 35 gallons of waste. You can fill the tank at your site, carry it to the dump station, empty the waste, clean the tank out, and return it to the camper. Most portable RV waste tanks can be hooked to your bumper, easily transporting them to the dump station.
Features to Consider when Purchasing a Portable RV Waste Tank
How Big of a Portable RV Waste Tank Do I Need?
Storage capacity is one of the most important factors in determining which portable RV waste tank is best for you. Portable RV waste tanks are available as small as six to seven gallons and as large as 36 gallons. Smaller tanks are less expensive and easier to store and transport. However, a small tank also means you may make several runs to empty the tank at the dump station. Large tanks can also be cumbersome.
A gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds, so a tank with 20 gallons weighs over 166 pounds, and a full 42-pound tote weighs 350 pounds. You do not want to lift a tank that heavy.
Number of Wheels
Portable RV Waste Tanks come in 2 and 4-wheel models. The two-wheel models only have a large set of wheels on the rear of the tank. Four-wheel models have two large wheels in the back and two smaller wheels that are usually located under the front of the storage tank, and they rotate, making it easier to turn and move around your portable RV waste tank.
There are several advantages to having a four-wheeled portable RV waste tank. In addition to making it easier to maneuver, having two wheels on the front of your tank keeps it level. Four wheels also make it easier to pull with your truck. If the tank only has two rear wheels, you have to lift the front to tow it behind your vehicle, which can be difficult if the tank is full, making the storage tank heavy.
Construction of the Wheels and Tires
The wheel construction is an essential factor to consider when purchasing a portable RV waste tank. You will pull the tank behind your truck to the dump station, so you want to ensure the wheels can withstand being pulled along bumpy roads and asphalt.
Some tanks come with pneumatic tires. A pneumatic tire is a tire that is filled with air. Automobile and camper tires are pneumatic tires.
Many tanks have a hard plastic wheel with a rubber tread for a tire. This type of tire is ok if the wheel is well-made, but a pneumatic tire will probably last longer. However, the pneumatic tires and metal wheels are a little heavier, so they add weight to the tank. These tires can also go flat, which means more maintenance.
It is essential that the wheels on the tanks have ball bearings in them to ensure that your tote pulls smoothly and the wheels last. Some models have a zerk fitting so that you can grease the bearings.
Handle
Four-wheel models come with a handle similar to pulling a wagon. Most two-wheel models have a handle that is part of the tank so that you can lift the front and pull it on its two rear wheels. The end of the four-wheel model handle is open and designed to slip right onto your hitch so that you can easily tow the tank behind your truck. Many two-wheeled models come with a tow bracket (check it out on Amazon), but some do not. If the model you choose does not come with a tow bracket, you will need to purchase one.
How to Tell if Your Portable RV Waste Tank is Full?
The last thing you want to do is dump too much waste into your portable RV waste tank. If you overfill your tote, you will have spillage, and your campsite will smell like wastewater. Use an RV Tote Tank Gauge (check it out on Amazon) to ensure you do not overfill your portable RV waste tank.
How do you Empty Your Portable RV Waste Tank?
The type of drain valve on the waste tank will determine how you empty your tank. We prefer models with a gate valve on the side of the waste tank. A gate valve is what is used to drain most RVs. If you have a gate valve on the side of the tank, you must connect your sewer hose and open the valve to empty the tank. However, if the ground is not level, you must still lift and maneuver the tank to ensure it completely drains.
Most totes will have a vent cap as well. Open the vent when emptying the tank to help waste empty easier.
Some portable waste tanks do not have an actual valve. Instead, the outlet is on top of your tank. In this case, you have to hook up your sewer hose and then tilt up one end of the storage tank so that it will empty.
How do You Fill Your Portable RV Waste Tank?
Filling your portable RV waste tank is easy. Most tanks have an inlet on the top where you connect your sewer hose. Connect one end of the sewer hose to your camper and the other end to your tank. Empty the waste from the trailer to the storage tank just like you would generally dump your waste. However, it would be best not to overfill the storage tank.
Carrying Your Portable RV Waste Tank
The easiest way to carry your storage tank is to strap it to your ladder. Some models even have a hook to make it easier to hook the tote to the ladder. Many tanks have a location to place the straps around the storage tank.
How Do You Clean Your Portable RV Waste Tank
Cleaning your portable RV waste tank can be cumbersome, depending on the features of your tote.
Some storage tanks have a multidimensional flush valve; all you have to do is hook a water hose up to your waste tank and let it run, and it sprays down the inside of your tank. The flush works particularly well if your model has a side valve to empty your tank as it is flushing.
Models without a multi-directional flush valve require you to fill up the tank with a water hose to clean it out or use a portable flush device to clean out your tank.
Accessories That Come with Your Portable RV Waste Tank
Most waste tanks come with a few accessories. At a minimum, there is usually a short sewer hose and a flush hose. Some models come with additional accessories, such as a 90-degree elbow, to make it easier to hook the sewer hose to your tote.
How Much is a Portable RV Waste Tank?
Prices vary widely based on size and features. Small tanks are available for around $100, and larger tanks cost over $300. How much you will spend on your tote should be based on how often you use it. If you stay primarily in full hookup sites and only need the storage tank once a year, we recommend getting a smaller, more economical model. However, if you stay in many state parks or other locations that do not have full hookups, you will probably want to spend more money on a larger model with more features.
Do You Need a Portable RV Storage Tank?
You only need a portable storage tank if you stay for an extended time at campgrounds that do not have full hookups. If you stay at campgrounds with full hookups or stay for a weekend, you do not need a portable waste tank. The larger the holding tanks on your camper, the longer you can go without filling the tank and having to dump. Generally, your grey tank will fill up before your black tank, especially if you shower inside your camper.
Choosing the Best Portable RV Waste Tank
There are several factors to consider when purchasing your RV waste tank, such as price and portability. If lifting is strenuous, then the size and number of wheels are essential factors to consider.
Two-Wheeled Portable RV Waste Tanks
In our opinion, Camco Rhino 15-Gallon Portable RV Waste Tank (check it out on Amazon) is the best-valued smaller RV waste tank. This model runs around $150, but when you consider the accessories it comes with, it is a better value than less expensive models. The Rhino 15-gallon tank is a well-constructed 2-wheel model with large rubber wheels with bearings. This model has an extensive accessory package, including a 3-foot sewer hose, a 4-in-1 adapter, and a clear 90-degree elbow.
The Rhino 15-gallon tank also has an integrated multidimensional tank flush, making it easy to clean up the tank once you are done. It also has a hook on the bottom, making it easy to hang on your ladder if you have one installed on your camper. In addition, there is a location on the tote to run straps that will hold the tank in place while strapped on your ladder.
Camco also manufactures a 28-gallon (check it out on Amazon) version of this tote. The advantage of the 28-gallon tote is that it has a side gate valve making it easier to empty the tank. This model has four wheels (check it out on Amazon).
Four-Wheeled Portable RV Waste Tanks
There are two clear winners when comparing more oversized totes. The first is the Barker 42 Gallon Tote (check it out on Amazon). This model has the best pneumatic tires, giving it a considerable advantage over other models when towing behind a truck. The Barker has four wheels with a removable handle that slips over your truck’s hitch. The model also comes with zerk fittings to grease the bearings. The wheels are metal and heavier-duty than those we have seen on any other tote.
The other large model we recommend is the Camco Rhino 36 Gallon Portable RV Waste Tank (check it out on Amazon). This model is similar to the 15-gallon model listed above, except it has four wheels and a gate valve on the side. It has the advantage of being designed to hang on the ladder on the back of many campers. The Camco waste tank also has a multidimensional tank flush. Like the Barker model, it comes with a handle that slips over the hitch on your truck. This waste tank has great accessories, such as a heavy-duty three-foot sewer hose and a clear 90-degree elbow.
Managing your holding tanks on an extended trip without a sewer hookup is daunting. Choosing the perfect portable RV waste tank makes these extended trips much more accessible. There are a lot of models to choose from, but in our opinion, you can not go wrong with the Camco or Barker models.
Do you use a portable RV waste tank when you are camping? We would love to hear from you. Please leave us a message in the comment section below.
