Portable waste tanks

[urocav2001]

Could someone tell me what the reasons are or disadvantages of using the tank for black water as well as grey water?


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[doc73]

My issue / concern is over filling. My tank is a barker 25 or 30 gallons (not sure while laying in bed) and the TT have almost 75 gallons of gray and black. ... need to make sure you do not overfill. And do not forget what is in the hose as needing to go somewhere.... in 10 years of rving in a popup to TT only used it twice. But better to had and never need.

[BigJohnD]

I don't see any disadvantages really, besides having to tow the thing to the dump station. We don't use one often, but have on extended stays at some state parks without full hook ups. We've used it for both black and / or grey water, as that's what it's designed for. As long as you clean it, all is well. It beats hauling the whole rig to a dump station.

Curious why you ask?

[jevanb]

if you camp at a state park or no full hookup and have lots of waste it is easier to put it in the portable then drag over to the dump station then break camp and dump the trailer

[urocav2001]

A lot of people we talk to say they would never use it for black water. The tank we have has a fill guage, hose to rinse it out after and I could probably put some chemicals in after just like the normal holding tanks.


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[itat]

You can use it for the black tank, dump it and then use it for the grey tank immediately afterwards so the grey water helps flush the portable tank just like it does for your sewer hose.

You'll probably need to dump your grey tank twice as often as the black tank.

[bikendan]

if you always camp with full hookups, there's NO need for a waste tote tank.

but, if you dry camp or boondock, a tote tank is a must.

we dry camp all the time but we NEVER use our tote tank for black water.
we have a 30 gallon black tank and it would take us over two weeks in one spot to even come close to filling it. so, we'll always use the dump station for it.

but the 30 gallon gray tank, which gets kitchen/bathroom sinks and shower, will easily fill up within a few days. that's what we use our waste tote tank for.

having the tote tank, along with a 6 gallon water jug, two deep cycle batteries, a Honda 2000 and a 400w inverter, allows us to not need any hookups, which opens up a huge amount of camping choices.

[urocav2001]

See getting mixed opinions lol


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[bikendan]

Originally Posted by urocav2001

See getting mixed opinions lol


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which opinions are you talking about?

if you want to tow or pull a plastic tank full of poo, through the campground, then go for it. i wouldn't want to nor do i need to. that's a disadvantage to a tote tank if you plan on transporting black water with it.

i just find it hard to believe that people can fill a 30 gallon or more black tank in just a few days. unless your shower dumps into the black tank instead of the gray tank.
a lot depends on size of tanks and how you use them.

most dry campers and boondockers are used to conserving water, so they don't waste it on long showers, long flushes and letting water run in the sinks.

[prof_fate]

last 3 CGs we stayed at offered no sewer hookup. We don't need to empty unless we stay more than 4 or 5 days (2 adults, 2 kids).

And then you don't have to completely empty the tanks - 15gal off each or so gives you another couple of days - so unless we're staying over a week we only need to use our blue boy once.

Those CGs all also offer 'honeydipper' service where they'll come and pump your tanks. Not sure the cost.

[RedStick]

I purchased the 25 gal tote n stor portable tank but only use it for grey water.

I'd never even think of using the thing for black water use. Too much can go wrong in my opinion at the dump station or even on the ride to the dump station.

You'd have to consider where you are going to store the tank when at home as well as to/from camp adventures.

We are a family of three - we don't dry camp, always have elect and water at a minimum but rarely have full hookups.

It takes us about 3-4 days of use for grey to be filled and at least 8 days or longer to fill the black - we've never filled the black up while camping....but my 9 year old son likes to flush the toilet .

Just my .02 cents.


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[abjb]

Originally Posted by itat

You can use it for the black tank, dump it and then use it for the grey tank immediately afterwards so the grey water helps flush the portable tank just like it does for your sewer hose.

You'll probably need to dump your grey tank twice as often as the black tank.

+1

We have a small portable.
I usually make 1 trip for the black (doesn't empty it) then 2 for the gray.
Portable is clean after the second gray dump.

ab&jb

[2gocamp]

At the provincial parks we go, there are never any hookups. We often dry camp. I have a 10 gallon Barker with a gauge. With a family of 4, camping for a week or two, I have to dump some black and grey water. The 10 gallon tote allows me to dump some black and grey and I can easily pick it up and put it in the back of the pickup to the dumping area. Full, it weights about 90 pounds. Most times, I just need to make room in the black and grey tanks for a few extra days, not empty the whole thing. The big empty tanks take a lot of room. I'm able to store mine on the rear bumper between the trailer and the spare. I couldn't go without it.


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[prof_fate]

With poo you have nothing to fear but fear itself. Just keep your mouth closed. LOL

Not sure why you're afraid of your own effluent...you have no idea what the person before you at the dumpstation did, or failed to do, or their 'health'.