Portable Black Water tank needed

Outsider · 09-01-2021, 10:21 AM

I feel sure this has been covered but my "Searching" here on the forum didn't turn up the results I was hoping for. Sorry if it's been covered a hundred times. You can point me in the right direction or just give your valued input.

I need to buy a 20-30 gal portable black water tank immediately. We're doing a 4-week trip soon (some of which will be dry camping/boon docking) and just want to be sure I'm properly prepared. I'm afraid my 10 gal unit from the previous camper might be too small. (Just the 2 of us in a 20' camper and we're very conservative with all resources.)

I'd like your suggestions on brand and where to buy. (You can tell me brands to stay away from as well.) Again, here are my preferences:

20-30 gal.

4 wheels so I don't need to lift it when full

Wheels/tires good enough to tow a little ways if necessary (rubber? air?)

I take good care of stuff but I want it rugged enough to last 5-10 yrs

I'd like to stay in the $200 price range (certainly under $300)

This is NOT something I will be using multiple times per week. Will probably use it only 2-3 times per year.

Thanks for your help.

Csbadvisor · 09-01-2021, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outsider

I feel sure this has been covered but my "Searching" here on the forum didn't turn up the results I was hoping for. Sorry if it's been covered a hundred times. You can point me in the right direction or just give your valued input.

I need to buy a 20-30 gal portable black water tank immediately. We're doing a 4-week trip soon (some of which will be dry camping/boon docking) and just want to be sure I'm properly prepared. I'm afraid my 10 gal unit from the previous camper might be too small. (Just the 2 of us in a 20' camper and we're very conservative with all resources.)

I'd like your suggestions on brand and where to buy. (You can tell me brands to stay away from as well.) Again, here are my preferences:

20-30 gal.

4 wheels so I don't need to lift it when full

Wheels/tires good enough to tow a little ways if necessary (rubber? air?)

I take good care of stuff but I want it rugged enough to last 5-10 yrs

I'd like to stay in the $200 price range (certainly under $300)

This is NOT something I will be using multiple times per week. Will probably use it only 2-3 times per year.

Thanks for your help.

I purchased the Rhino 28 gal. Mine is 2 wheel but they do make a 4 wheel. I set up with a macerator so I can put tote in bed of truck and pump up to it. Eliminates slow drive of shame to the dump station.
What is capacity of your black tank? . If you are conservative with use may be able to get several days and use 10 gal tote to stretch a couple more days and save some cash

**Iwritecode** · 09-01-2021, 11:30 AM

I'm surprised your search didn't yield the results. The subject has been discussed many times.

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...es-212395.html

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ng-205533.html

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...nk-194762.html

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ns-199909.html

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...on-198742.html

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...es-182312.html

FWIW, I'd go with the Barker 25 gallon tank. 4 rubber wheels. A long metal tow handle and the fact that it fills from the top but empties from the side are all great features.

I got the 40 gallon version but my parents use this one and it works well for them.

https://www.amazon.com/Barker-25895-...36758444&psc=1

Outsider · 09-01-2021, 12:30 PM

Csbadvisor, the specs say the camper has a 30 gal black & 30 gal grey. Problem is, my current 10 gal portable is 2-wheel only so I have to pick it up or do the unhandy pull-by-hand to the dump. I do NOT have a macerator setup so this seems like a good time to do an upgrade. (I do appreciate your mention of saving that $200 if the opportunity is there.)

Iwritecode, I guess my failure to get good "search" returns was my choice of words. (portable black water tank). Thanks for your help.

I'd still appreciate anyone's solid input.

robo44 · 09-01-2021, 12:46 PM

A good review on 2 of them,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNUaRX0vhmY

rfifer · 09-01-2021, 01:28 PM

I have a 38 gallon Tote-N-Stor with 4 wheels and a long handle that slips over my ball hitch. It has been easy to use both to fill and to dump. I would have no hesitation to recommend it.

Tundra 2014 · 09-01-2021, 03:35 PM

I have the 32 gallon Barker. You do not want to completely fill any of them. So, ours holds 28 gallons. You want one that is slightly larger than rig tank or plan on making 2 trips to dump. We have used ours several times a tear w/ no problems. The advantage of the Barker over others, better attached tow handle, all 4 wheels are steel , drain is located where you can get almost everything out at the dump. Disadvantages, no good grip areas, heavy., and the short drain hose is junk-get the Rino hose. I could not decide between this and the Rino, until I was following a guy. He had the Rino and his plastic wheel broke. Within 15 feet, it was leaking. Trying to lift a 200 leaking tank into the back of his truck was tough.

McRabbet · 09-01-2021, 06:10 PM

I have a Thetford SmartTote2 18-gallon 2 wheel sewer tote (under $120 on Amazon) that I bought 3 years ago and have used a few times when I didn't have a full hookup in state park campgrounds. With three people, my black water tank can last 5-6 days without dumping. This unit has a solid heavy rubber connector that allows the tote handle to be looped onto my Tundra tow hitch and it pulls easily to a dump station. I chose the smaller capacity (under half of my black water tank size) so it is smaller for storage in either my shower or in the bed of my Tundra. I don't see the benefit in getting a much larger tote; this one moves easily with its two wheels even when full and the sewer connection works flawlessly.

StarRyder · 09-01-2021, 06:19 PM

I bought the camco rhino 20gal. 4 wheel steerable, easy hookup to ball hitch to transaport, nice setup on gate valve.

itat · 09-01-2021, 06:30 PM

Barker and Camco Rhino are the most popular brands. Whatever you get I recommend 4 pneumatic tires. I have a 32 gallon Barker that I bought specifically because, at the time, Barker was the only manufacturer that offered 4 pneumatic tires. I believe that you can get them with a Camco Rhino tank now, or at least you can add them.

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