Tote Tanks

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Although I've been researching this for quite a while, the time has come for me to make a decision about what size of portable tank to get. Since the system has been winterized it hasn't been a problem up until now, but temps are rising so it won't be long.

Many of you have larger travel trailers so your have gray water tanks. This allows you to have a smaller tote tank just for those longer stays. Some of you don't have showers, so a small one will work nicely.

I've become pretty convinced that the 15 gallon size is the max I should try and handle. However, the four wheeler sure looks tempting. Since they have four wheels and are emptied on the side, they require no lifting. I believe the smallest four-wheeler is 25 gallon. It also has a real attachable tow handle (wagon style).

What I would like to know is have any of you used a four-wheeler with side discharge. If so, have you regretted getting one that large and why?

Do you have a smaller one? Have you ever wished it was larger?

I really do not like the fact that the two-wheelers have to be lifted to get up to the hitch or to be emptied.

Other than size (which is not a problem when empty) I cannot see a drawback to the four wheeler. Can you give me some from experience?

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Suz, you make some really, really good points.

I have ... and use extensively ... a 15 gallon blue tote tank.

When it's full, it's all I can handle.

And dumping is always an "iffy" proposition, because, as you say, you have to rotate it up at the dump station. So, you are trying to hold the sewer hose in the dump station hole, making sure the hose remains solidly connected to the blue tote, and then trying to rotate the tank up ... it's a three handed job at best.

One thing you aren't taking into account ... however ... and I often use the blue tote tank in this situation ... and that's when you are dry camping.

More often than not, when dry camping in a National Forest campground, there is no dump station.

So you are faced with two alternatives.

1. Taking a partially-filled tank to a pit toilet, lifting up the tank, and dumping the contents into the toilet. Water weighs 8 pounds a gallon, so you do the math. Please note: some campgrounds do not allow campers to do this. If you make a mistake, it's a big mess! And if you use toilet chemicals, you can upset the balance of the pit toilet. So make sure you inquire first.


2. If you are dry camping, in a location without a dump station, and prohibits dumping blue tanks in pit toilets, then you have to lift your blue tote into your tow vehicle and take it to the nearest campground with a dump station. That's usually a commercial campground and they'll charge you $5 or $10 for dumping the tank.

Now, 15 gallon or larger blue totes come with two or four wheels. But the wheels/axles are only rated for something like 2 mph and short distances. You obviously couldn't hook up your blue tank and tow it into town.

In a campground with a dump station, I'll usually have Pam pull the tank to the dump station while I drive over and meet her there ... or, if I'm in a loving mode, we'll pull it together.

In this situation, a four-wheel tank would be a lot easier than a two-wheel ... provided we're only dealing with 15 gallons (even in a 25 gallon tank).

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I have a 15-gallon 2-wheeler. As Charles says, when it's full, it's heavy. Just lifting it from horizontal to vertical position is enough to cause back strain if you aren't careful. And, rolling it around is pretty difficult on less-than-firm ground. I also agree that dumping it is difficult for one person. More often than not, I end up with wet shoes. If you are just using it for gray water, and not for black, I'd suggest two smaller tanks, in the 6 gallon range. Lifting 15 gallons of liquid into the vehicle isn't fun.

My "new" Scamp 13 has a 30 (!) gallon gray water tank underneath, so I don't envision using the blue portable tank anymore.

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Thanks for all your imput. I think that a 15 gallon two wheeler is not going to work. Even if I only put in 10 gallons, I've still got to lift what amounts to a sack of concrete just to dump it. I might even be able to get it in the back of my tow vehicle, but what happens if I forget and fill it up further. Even if they have a dump station, then I have a real problem tipping it up to dump it.

Since I don't have a gray tank, then I have to do something. I'm still thinking I might go with a four wheeler for those places that have dump stations and get two five gallons for those times that I have to haul it out. Maybe a ten on wheels and two fives might be what I really need.:conf

Unfortunately, I've been told that I don't have enough clearance for a gray tank.....but I haven't really put my thinkin' cap on yet. Sometimes I manage to find away around those 'you can't do that' things. :shg

I know there are others out there without gray tanks...what size tote tank do you have?

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Suz
This is just an idea which could work with a little thought and also dual purpose.

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3e714217974bdtank.jpg/>

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3e7142264989dtank1.jpg/>

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3e714238c40e1tank2.jpg/>

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3e7142ff75ef4tank3.jpg/>


The dolly is cheap and can be used for at home and camping.The tank is industrial laundry soap container which I got from my Hotel laundry room.Put the two together and whamo. A true Canadian invention.Other folks out there can probably improve on this.:)

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How much would the shipping be on that Ches. :lol

If I go to a hotel do you think I could get one?

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Hi Jana
You should be able to get them at any place that does laundry.I don't know about your Country but up here they just end up in garbage.I bring them all home hoping to find a use for them.:wave

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Suz

I have a 25 gal 4-wheel tote that I use in a seasonal site. It is true that you don't have to lift the tank at all but you must tote it from the side of the trailer (unless you can get your tow vehicle alongside), to the vehicle. In my case it is on gravel and not real easy and I imagine some terrains could even be worse . Even if only 20 gals , you are talking approx 160 lbs. It is easy to dump but the weight is the drawback. I have a 15 gal for the Casita.
Best Regards- Stan and Bev

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Orginally posted by Phfantom

Mister Taje, It is not clear whether that soap container is plastic or another material. Is it?

It Is Plastic.

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Chester - I'm no stranger to dollies, and believe me, the thought had crossed my mind. In fact, one of ours has pneumatic tires which would work better with that much weight...especially on gravel.

Stan and Bev - I really appreciate the feed back from the experience. I think gravel would make it difficult even with a ten gallon model. I use that as a reference point because all I have to do is think of a sack of concrete (80 lbs). I can handle it fine on a dolly or in a wagon, but lifting it is not my choice of fun things to do at a campsite! ;)

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Truth be told, Suz, if I'm at a campground with a dump station, it sometimes is just easier to disconnect, hook up the trailer and run it by the dump station, and bring the rig back to the campsite ... than it is to hook up the blue tote, dump, pull it to the dump station, dump, figure out where you're going to store the blue tote until the next time, etc. etc.

But since you don't have a grey tank, you'll have to come up with something.

I see a lot of pop-up tent trailers using a hose and a 5 gallon bucket.

[Legacy Posts]

Orginally posted by Charles Watts

Truth be told, Suz, if I'm at a campground with a dump station, it sometimes is just easier to disconnect, hook up the trailer and run it by the dump station, and bring the rig back to the campsite ... than it is to hook up the blue tote, dump, pull it to the dump station, dump, figure out where you're going to store the blue tote until the next time, etc. etc.

But since you don't have a grey tank, you'll have to come up with something.

I see a lot of pop-up tent trailers using a hose and a 5 gallon bucket.

:conf Yep, that's my thinking.

Five gallon bucket. Bucket won't work for me, though.....side spigot is too low to the ground. Besides, I really don't want to do the open container thing.

Not to worry...it may take a while to come up with the best solution...but I'll come up with something. Until I do, I think small is better...for now.


I really appreciate all the input. Believe it or not, it has helped tremendously.