Portable/Blue Boy

ryand · 06-22-2013, 08:50 PM

I am debating on purchasing a portable tote tank for use as we have rarely camp with full hookups and we are looking to start extending our trips up to a week without water or sewer next year. I have managed to solve the water issue with a few 6 gallon tanks but would like to have a solution to the waste. Looking at the Barker 42 Gallon model. I can store it under the Trailer when not in use and load it in the back of my truck but I really would like to make a removeable mount to store it behind the axles Under the trailer when traveling. Any one ever done this or seen it done? Anyone have any opnion on the models available? Seen Thetford and Barker as the main choices. Am I missing anything?

**dcheatwood** · 06-22-2013, 09:09 PM

I have a 30 gal and it weighs more than 270 lbs full. It was work loading it into the truck. Room 3 men. I hope you find a way to mount it. I'll be following your post for ideas. Good luck.

ryand · 06-22-2013, 09:15 PM

I would intend to tow it and only load/mount when empty.

BombDoc · 06-22-2013, 09:16 PM

Ryand,
I just purchase a Barker 22 Gallon tote along from a local RV Repair place here in my small town. Didn't want to drive 45 minutes to CW and the one I purchased was bigger than the 15 gallon one available for sale at our favorite SP camp ground store. We like our local SP a lot and have been out there often. None of their sites have full hook ups. We were out there last weekend for 3 nights and 4 days. I needed the ability to dump one of my gray tanks that holds the kitchen sink water. The 22 gallon Barker I purchase came with an attachment that allows me to hook the tank to my 2" ball on the back of my TV and drive to the dump station. Cost for the Barker was $159. We will be tailgating in the fall for college football and have reserved a spot in the fairgrounds. I will need it once the coldies start flowing and we will be at the spot from Friday night until mid day Sunday. I haven't used it yet, but know I will. I really like the ability to hook it to a friends golf cart or to the rear of my truck instead of hand pulling it 300 yards to dump. Hope this helps.

**dcheatwood** · 06-22-2013, 10:46 PM

Bombdoc. I have the barker 30g. The telescoping steel tow bar is a back saver on short runs. I think with better tires it could make a longer trip.

ryand · 06-23-2013, 09:00 AM

Would you recommend getting a tank large enough to hold a full dump of your rv tanks? Largest barker I have seen is 42 gallons or do you simply just never top off your tanks?

BombDoc · 06-23-2013, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryand

Would you recommend getting a tank large enough to hold a full dump of your rv tanks? Largest barker I have seen is 42 gallons or do you simply just never top off your tanks?

I personally wouldn't want one that large due to having a place to keep it while traveling and having to muscle around 42 gallons of waste water. My RCTS has 3 tanks, 2 gray and 1 black. Each are 42 gallons. I'd rather make a couple trips with a lighter tote than one trip with a really heavy one.
While out camping I have a tendency to watch others. The size I purchased seems to be the norm. Not too hard to store and light enough to handle.

BombDoc · 06-23-2013, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BombDoc

I personally wouldn't want one that large due to having a place to keep it while traveling and having to muscle around 42 gallons of waste water. My RCTS has 3 tanks, 2 gray and 1 black. Each are 42 gallons. I'd rather make a couple trips with a lighter tote than one trip with a really heavy one.
While out camping I have a tendency to watch others. The size I purchased seems to be the norm. Not too hard to store and light enough to handle.

I should add that it's just the DW and I most of the time. It takes us a little time to fill any of the tanks. If I had a camper full of little ones it would be much different I'm sure.

**Herk7769** · 06-23-2013, 09:40 AM

We also have the 42 Gallon tank and made a mount out of perforated structural steel, aluminum plate and some stainless steel 4 inch square U bolts from Granger. I also upgraded the wheels for quieter towing behind the truck and easier pulling if close enough to walk.

**dcheatwood** · 06-23-2013, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryand

I would intend to tow it and only load/mount when empty.

Oh yeah. Towing is way better. But in this case, we had a 4 mile run, up hill to the dump station. Sticker on the side says no faster than walking speed. So that would have been a long haul. Lol. Mine has the thin plastic wheels on rear. No front wheels.

BombDoc · 06-23-2013, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

We also have the 42 Gallon tank and made a mount out of perforated structural steel, aluminum plate and some stainless steel 4 inch square U bolts from Granger. I also upgraded the wheels for quieter towing behind the truck and easier pulling if close enough to walk.

Lou, how did you attach the structural steel to the camper?

**Herk7769** · 06-23-2013, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BombDoc

Lou, how did you attach the structural steel to the camper?

It is not attached to the camper; just the bumper. By reversing the clamps and mounting the steel on the camper side of the bumper there is about an inch of space between the steel and the wall.

I made "bumpers" from white crutch tips and cut them an inch and a half long and mounted them to the steel with reversed bolts (washer inside the tip) and the lock washer and nut on the steel. Once everything is tight, those crutch tips are hard up against the wall and there is very little play.

I had to pry the structure away from the wall enough to place the crutch tips where they needed to go (loosening the bumper U-Bolts helped) then tightened everything up. The crutch tips are starting to show their age and I will need to replace them in a year or two (they are 3 years old now).

BombDoc · 06-23-2013, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

It is not attached to the camper; just the bumper. By reversing the clamps and mounting the steel on the camper side of the bumper there is about an inch of space between the steel and the wall.

I made "bumpers" from white crutch tips and cut them an inch and a half long and mounted them to the steel with reversed bolts (washer inside the tip) and the lock washer and nut on the steel. Once everything is tight, those crutch tips are hard up against the wall and there is very little play.

I had to pry the structure away from the wall enough to place the crutch tips where they needed to go (loosening the bumper U-Bolts helped) then tightened everything up. The crutch tips are starting to show their age and I will need to replace them in a year or two (they are 3 years old now).

I got it! I thought from one of the pics, you had actually mounted the steel to the camper. Great mod and thanks for the explanation.

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