RV Portable Waste Tank

Man Towing a Trailer and an Outhouse, Outdoor Plumbing
16 in. x 12 in.
Buy This At Allposters.com

A portable RV waste tank helps get your black water or gray water from "here" to "there"...a necessity in RV life. Sounds simple enough...yes...but...

In the right environment and conditions, they are absolutely essential for RVers. However, there are considerations you need to keep in mind prior to your purchasing a portable septic solution. You want to be certain it is the right investment and that you are buying the right model to suit your specific needs.

So take a few moments to think about the following things before making a decision:

DURATION: WILL YOU USE IT FOR BLACK WATER OR GRAY WATER?

If you plan to use your portable waste tank for gray water, then the duration of your trip should not be a factor prior to your purchase. Most likely, you will be using it daily given that gray water adds up quickly. For gray water you will need the waste tank so you can empty the contents frequently...even if just for a weekend getaway.

If you intend to use your waste tank solely for black water, how long you will be staying in an environment should weigh heavily on your decision to purchase. Most waste holding tanks in an RV are adequate for a short trip, storing contents until you can head down to a dump station. If you plan to make only brief trips in your RV but still worry about reaching full holding capacity in your RV toilet, then perhaps a portable camping toilet is all you need on board for peace of mind. Be sure to read our articles about CAMPING Portable Toilets and Portable Toilets For Women where we review the top sellers for you.

DUMP STATION LOCATION: WILL THERE BE ONE CLOSE BY?

These plastic, portable waste tanks look innocent and light - especially those with the pull handle. But make no mistake, when they are full, they are extremely heavy! We are currently in an older campground that has water and electric, but the only septic option is a waste station. These tanks are perfectly suited for a campground or location like this, that only has sites with electric and water, and a dump station at the main entrance. They would not be recommended for boondocking unless you have a unique solution to the weight dilemma, such as a trailer to roll them up onto for transporting to a dump station. You can buy a smaller size to compensate for the weight issues but you will still need to be able to transport the contents safely in your vehicle or RV, so keep that in mind as you make your decision.

CREATIVE THINKING AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

Even though we have discussed the ideal setting for using your RV portable waste tank (frequent use such as gray water, dump station close by), there are two other factors to consider: creative thinking and emergency situations.

Creative thinking merely implies that you think outside of the box. The ideal conditions for these waste tanks doesn't mean that your unique situation, with a little creativity thrown in, cannot be achieved by purchasing one of these products. Again, as long as you recognize the extreme weight of these tanks, you might have your own solution or method for transporting them effectively. Don't let their "normal use" interfere with your "creative thinking."

Emergency situations means just that...why not have one for emergencies? You see these portable septic tanks adhered to motorhomes, even on rooftops. When empty, they are easy to handle. Unless your camping and travels rarely change, it certainly cannot hurt to be prepared and have one on board for unseen future scenarios/emergencies. Sometimes the unexpected happens en route to a destination, when staying at unknown campgrounds along the way. A mechanical repair that leaves you stranded in an unexpected and unplanned location for more than a few days would greatly benefit from one of these tanks, for certain.

So let us move on down the road and begin reviewing the Barker Tote-Along and Thetford SmartTote.......

Thetford and Barker are both excellent brands of portable holding tanks. There are fans of both brands, for various reasons. Just keep in mind that, whichever make and model you choose, you are going to be dealing with a heavy item, full of waste. We were amazed at how heavy the 10 gallon, 2 wheel model could get...and it can be tricky to maneuver. We recommend practicing with gray water first, to be safe and to avoid waste leakage. In addition, if you have concerns about over-filling, be sure to purchase a tank larger than your RV tank...then you will never have to worry! Finally, many campers are familiar with the full weight of a 5 gallon water tank (the hard sided, plastic water tanks with spouts). If there are two strong rvers, a smaller holding tank (10 gallon size) might be able to be lifted into a vehicle - which makes boondocking much more possible (though more frequent trips to a dump location). So once again, be sure to get the right size to fit your particular needs.