Why are tote tanks so expensive?

[lugoismad]

I am going on a longer trip in May, and started looking at tote tanks, because we'll be staying in one spot with water hookup but no sewer for 5 days.

$250 for a decent one!

That's insane.

Went and bought a food grade 30 gallon drum for $10 and I'm making one myself.

[DustyRoads]

Being able to tow behind TV is a great option. I did find a great deal on my 27gal two years ago.

[bikendan]

I bought mine off of Craigslist for $25.

[CNYCamper]

Paid $120 last year for a 27 g Thetford 2 wheel tote. Doesn't have a swing arm to attach to the hitch ball so added a length of rope to the handle and that slips over the hitch.

[Mike and Rose]

Just don't go too big......harder to move!

[JP Camper]

How many people are there? I've never had to drain my BW tank while staying for a week. Last year we were on a site for 7 days, never had an issue. Grey water is a different thing, navy showers are a must and paper plates saves on dish washing.
Conserve water and those tanks aren't an issue.
There are two of us so that does make it a bit easier.
The price reflects the demand, select group buying them, not as many being sold, cost will always be higher.

[bob caldwell]

I winter in Arizona, and ended up with a 4 wheel tote that can be towed with a scooter, or truck......18 gals, and when in need, one pays the price....and being able to haul it also plays into size

[hbillsmith]

I have a 27 gal. blue tank 2 wheel variety that I've had since our first trailer. I've considered getting one of the 35 gal. 4-wheel Tetfords but it has the same issue that my 27 gal does which is that my current trailer has a 50 gal. Black Tank. If I don't empty in time, I stand the chance of Black overflow (if you've ever seen that happen...ew!).

As for the 27gal 2-wheel its very heavy (close to 200#) when full and really a strain to lift up onto my hitch. Its just the 2 of us so mostly we can avoid using it (the blue boy that is ;-) ). But (no pun intended)...it usually has to take a dump at least a couple of times a season.

[DustyRoads]

Originally Posted by hbillsmith

I have a 27 gal. blue tank 2 wheel variety that I've had since our first trailer. I've considered getting one of the 35 gal. 4-wheel Tetfords but it has the same issue that my 27 gal does which is that my current trailer has a 50 gal. Black Tank. If I don't empty in time, I stand the chance of Black overflow (if you've ever seen that happen...ew!).

As for the 27gal 2-wheel its very heavy (close to 200#) when full and really a strain to lift up onto my hitch. Its just the 2 of us so mostly we can avoid using it (the blue boy that is ;-) ). But (no pun intended)...it usually has to take a dump at least a couple of times a season.

My 27gal has a "auto shutoff". Then I shut valve off what is in hose will still fit they say. I tend to stop early myself. Guess work and DW checking inside monitor. If it is working.

[floridela]

Originally Posted by bikendan

I bought mine off of Craigslist for $25.

Sold mine on Craigslist. carried that sucker from east coast to the west coast and never needed it once. I bought it thinking we would need it at some time during our trip but never had a need at all. Even when we stayed for a week in NJ at Liberty Park with no sewer we didn't need it. Short showers a must and eating out works too, at least my wife liked the last part.

[youroo]

The reason they are Expensive is they have to take "Crap" from everybody! Youroo!!

[D_B Travelers]

Originally Posted by Mike and Rose

Just don't go too big......harder to move!

I thought I would get the 27 gallon size so I could really make a dent in the holding tank levels if needed for extended stays. So...first time I dumped the black tanks I filled the new storage tank up! Water weighs something in the neighborhood of 8.3# per gallon I believe, and I can tell you that the contents of a black tank don't weigh any less than that! So this tank now weighs 224#+the weight of the tank! Mine doesn't have the front wheels so I have a steel bracket that fits into the handle then over the hitch ball on the TV. It was a real struggle getting this picked up, install the steel tow handle, and pulled out to the TV; every time you start to pick it up it wants to roll backward. Did I also mention it was raining hard during all of this? No? Well it was raining buckets during this little camping memory. Results: I never, ever fill it up past 1/2 way, and I'll entertain offers to buy it! That $%^*! tank is heavy!

[bob caldwell]

And, the one I have, has a gauge on it that tells you how full it's getting......It also pulls good on a gravel type campgroud without knocking the wheels off

[bob caldwell]

[bob caldwell]

Tow vehicle

[Goat Man]

I have come to realize that there is a high price for fun. Motorcycles, boats, or Rv's it doesn't matter.

[bikendan]

We've NEVER needed to use our tote tank for black water and never will.
We only use it for gray water because nearly everyone fills their gray tank faster, than the black tank.
The two of us have got over two weeks of camping before even coming close to needing to dump the black tank.

[MaineCampingFan]

Not all the CG's I use have full hookups, so the use of a transfer tank is necessary. However, in trying save a few bucks, I bought a 25 +/- gallon tank which is smaller that the gray & black holding tanks. Wish I hadn't done that. Black tank is not an issue but gray does need to be emptied sooner.

[Kimber45]

Ive never understood the interest in hauling around one's dirty stinky waste water. I have no plans on ever buy or toting one. Ill plan accordingly for the length of time of the trip and walk myself to the shower house before I mess with hauling stinky waste water.

[Scrapper]

I bought one in 2004 at a garage sale for 30 bucks. It's one of the old ones with the steel handle. I've used it twice when we stayed longer than planed. I've used it more for hauling firewood to the back of our site when we get a load. I can get 20 to 30 pieces on at a time.