Anyone who has fallen in love with the freedom that comes from traveling the open roads in an RV likely has complained at one point and time about having to empty the holding tank.
The holding tank is where all the water that is used in the RV -including what gets flushed- is collected and stored.
When the tank gets full, the contents need to be dumped, so there is room in the tank for the next time you wash dishes, take a shower, or flush the toilet.
The holding tank on most RVs has two different sides- black and greywater.
Blackwater is what wastewater from the toilet is referred to, whereas greywater is wastewater from the shower and sink.
There are two ways to empty the holding tank.
The first is to drive the RV to a designated dump site where you can hook up and drain the holding tanks.
The second is to empty the holding tank before it gets full and uses a portable waste tank to carry the water to the dumping station. For many RV enthusiasts, the portable waste tank is the preferred way to deal with things.
Best RV Portable Waste Tanks For The Money
 |
 |
 |
| Camco Rhino Heavy Duty Portable RV Waste Tank | Barker 4-Wheel Design RV Waste Water Tote Tank | Tote-N-Stor 25608 Portable Waste Transport |
| ★ EDITOR’S PICK ★ | ☆ LUXURY PICK | ☆ QUIET PICK |
| best overall pick | best high end RV waste tank | best quiet RV poop tank |
| Buy at: Amazon | Buy at: Amazon | Buy at: Amazon |
RV Portable Waste Water Dump Tank Reviews
With all of this information now in mind, it is time to actually look for the best RV portable waste tank for your next trip. To help you get started on your search, heightened here are three great tanks that you can benefit from today.
1. Camco Rhino Heavy Duty Portable RV Waste Tank
This is a decent-sized waste dump tank that is made of light yet heavy-duty materials. The wheels are solid, durable plastic, so there is worry about no flat wheels while traversing graven and uneven ground.
The oversized wheels are made with bearings to make transporting from point A to point B smooth and effortless.
It is designed with a low drain hole for quick and complete emptying and easy cleaning out afterward. The integrated ladder hook allows you to secure the tank to your RV’s ladder firmly, and the body of the tank is molded to slide onto the ladder railings snugly.
The collapsible handle makes it easy to store when not in use.
The dump tank comes with flexible hoses and attachment rings for quick and secure emptying of both grey and black water tanks. With a durable construction, the tank is crack and fade-resistant and won’t leak or rupture during use or transport.
The overall design is easy to rinse and clean and dries quickly for easy storage.
- Solid plastic wheel design handles all terrains quite well
- An adjustable handle allows for comfortable towing
- The tank can be pulled by hand or secured to a vehicle tow rig
- Rugged design holds up to excessive wear and tear
- Decent tank size allows for easy dumping whenever needed
- When completely filled, the cart can get very heavy
- Might be too cumbersome for some individuals to pull by hand
Takeaway
This dump tank is made of UV stabilized HDPE that is extra thick for added protection against wear, tear, and the elements. It won’t leak or deteriorate in the sun and is also well-balanced and stable to protect against leaks and spills.
2. Barker 4-Wheel Design RV Waste Water Tote Tank
The streamlined body of this wastewater dump tank is made from blow-molded polyethylene, and also is reinforced with zinc-plated steel and aluminum panels and fixtures. It is designed to be a quiet and smooth-rolling tote tank that is easy to pull to any dumping site with no spillage or leaking.
Durable plastic wheels are arranged in a front-mounted position and are designed with double wheel-swivel engineering for easy maneuvering. The increased rotation of the wheels and durable design makes it easy to pull or push the tank into any potion needed to fill or dump your back and grey water holding tanks.
It comes equipped with a secure three-inch hose and valve set up for ease of use, and all components are designed to be durable and to offer dependable performance. To empty the tank, simply open up the bottom waste valve, and the tank empties itself with no lifting or tilting needed.
- Rugged wheels can handle most terrain
- The large capacity gives more time between dumping
- The collapsible handle makes it easy to pull or tow
- The tank is designed to easily strap onto the RV’s ladder
- User-friendly design is easy to transport, use, and store
- Larger tank size is nearly impossible to pull by hand easily
- Flat tow position may not work well on extremely uneven terrain
Takeaway
This tank is specially designed to be smooth rolling and to be super quiet thanks to is reinforced high-quality wheels and bearings. It can accommodate all of your RV holding tank dumping needs with durability and reliability.
3. Tote-N-Stor 25608 RV Portable Waste Transport
This portable waste transporter tank is made of high-quality materials and is designed to provide you with the added wastewater storage capacity needed for longer camping trips. The larger capacity, combined with a convenient storage compartment for all the accessories, makes this a must-have for avid campers and travelers.
With a unique towing design that can be towed flat or upright, this tank is easy to move to any dumpsite. The solid wheels are adapted for any terrain, and there is no concern about flat tires and unbalanced loads.
The drain port is conveniently located for easy emptying and stress-free transport that is leak and spill-free.
This portable RV dump tank can be used for both grey and black water. It comes with a long three-inch-wide drain hose, one secure hose clamp, and a tow bracket for easy transport. The tank can easily be strapped to the back ladder of your RV and secured in place for easy storage as well as transport.
- Reinforced plastic material holds up to long term use
- The convenient layout is easy to fill and dump
- The tank is made to be weather resistant
- Easy to tow and store with a flat and compact design
- Quiet roll wheels don’t shake and squeak
- Pretty much has to be towed due to its weight
- The hose may not be long enough for some people
Takeaway
Durable overall design holds up well to the wear and tear and frequent use of longer camping trips. Leak-proof seal caps and durable wheel design helps to prevent spills and leaks during transport and dumping.
Why You Need A Portable Waste Tank
If you are new to the joys of RV life and travel, you may be wondering why you would need to bother with buying a portable dump tank. After all, your campground has a dump station on-site, and you can usually find RV access locations fairly quickly.
But any seasoned RVer will tell you that an excellent portable waste tank can be worth its weight in gold.
There are a number of key reasons why you should invest in one before you head out for your first camping trip in your RV:
Freedom of Movement
One of the primary, as well as most obvious, benefits of having a portable waste tank is that it can let you camp longer because you don’t have to move sites or pack up whenever your tank gets full.
It can also be very useful if you’re not parked near a dump station, so you don’t have to drive your RV a long way to get the holding tank emptied.
When you camp in the same spot for weeks at a time, the ability to empty the holding tank and easily transport it to the dump station, all without having to pack up and move the entire RV off your campsite, is a major benefit you will greatly appreciate.
You can camp much easier where and for however long you want and be in more control over your movement and campground rotation. Doing it once without a portable tank is usually all it takes for beginners to learn how much freedom they really can provide.
Portability
Another benefit of these small water tanks is right in their name- they are portable. These water holding tanks are fitted with durable wheels and handle to make them easy to push or pull as needed.
They are easily be maneuvered under your RV for filling and can also be pulled to the dump station much easier than trying to move the entire RV. The portability is what makes them so popular and is one of the best benefits you can gain from having on with you on any RV trip that you take.
Even if you do not think you will be camping long enough to need one, it is always best to have one on hand. Better safe than sorry!
They are compact and easy to carry with you and can easily be stored on the campsite so they won’t be in the way or be a bother when they are not being used.
Health Benefits
You can also benefit by ensuring your camping experience doe not make yourself, your family, or other campers sick. There are strict rules at all campgrounds about how to hook up and dump wastewater while camping on their grounds.
A portable waste water tank makes it easy to keep this dirty water contained. Rather than leaking it all over the campsite by letting your tank get too full, you can empty it regularly to ensure it does not contaminate any of the camping areas and that the water is disposed of safely.
Being exposed to water contaminated with human waste is a significant health hazard, and knowing how to correctly use a portable waste tank can help ensure your camping experience is a safe and healthy, and happy one. It is a very small and simple thing that can have a truly enormous impact.
Regulations
The final reason you should consider one of these dump tanks on wheels is that you basically are required to have one or some other alternative. As we have already established, you need to be able to safely empty your tanks to avoid contaminating the campsite.
It would be best if you also had something easy to use, so you do it as often as you need to. Violating regulations concerning safe and proper wastewater disposal is not only a guaranteed way to get kicked out of a campground, but it could also land you in serious legal trouble and can result in serious fines and other penalties.
There are many strict regulations in place to help keep everyone safe while camping in their RVs. And the use of a portable waste tank is pretty much inferred to be necessary and is something most campers use to help them easily comply with all regulations and requirements.
Getting The Right Size
Now that we understand how important and beneficial these portable dump tanks can be, the next obvious question is something along the lines of how big should the tank be?
There really is no right or wrong answer to this question as a large part of the decision for how big is big enough depends on your personal wants, needs, and situation.
Here are some general points to keep in mind as you consider the size you will need for your portable waste water tank:
Small
- Ideal for singles or couple camping trips
- Best for short, long weekend RV outings
- Used only for blackwater and not greywater
- Usually holds around 10 gallons or less
Medium
- Meant for longer trips that use little water
- Suitable for singles and couples or small families
- Can handle black and grey water separately
- Usually holds about 15-20 gallons or so
Large
- Perfect for larger families that use more water
- Accommodates longer camping trips
- Allows for less frequent dumping of tanks
- Usually holds somewhere around 25 or more gallons
Extra Large
- Meant for longer camping trips and traveling
- Sufficient for larger families with high water use
- Can handle partial dumps of both grey and black tanks
- Usually holds more than 30 gallons
Final Thoughts
So, by now, several things should be reasonably clear. One, a portable wastewater dump tank, is a valuable tool that any avid RVer won’t travel without.
Two, it is a versatile and vital part of your gear and can help you have a fun, safe, and enjoying camping trip. Three, there are many options available to choose from, so finding the waste tank that is right for you should be no trouble at all.
Make sure you are ready for your next camping trip. Check out the waste tanks that have been highlighted here and then check out some others.
One thing is for sure, though, you do not want to be camping in your RV without one of these on hand- so get yours today!
