Portable Tank Advice Needed Please!

[DebKen]

We are going to have to purchase a portable waste tank for a trip we are taking in October.
The budget is low, but we are looking at maybe a 32 gallon minimum. Also we would like one that can be towed to the dumping station.

Which one do you recommend and why? Where did you purchase it?

Thank in advance!

[Crabman]

I have had a towable Barker 22 for about 8 years now with no issues. I think I got it on sale at JCwitney but I would try Amazon. I have had good luck with Barker products including a tongue jack.

[shawnh]

We have a seasonal site with no sewer hook up. So, we bought a 43 gallon Barker 4 wheel tote. Have used it twice - no problems.

[stateboy]

I agree with Crabman. I also bought the Barker 22 gallon made in Battle Creek, MI with the tow bar from Ebay for $126. I looked at the Thetford but many reviews led me away from that purchase.

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[Sundancer330]

Another vote for Barker. Check the Warehouse Deals on Amazon items come and go fast, these are return items that have not been used. I purchased a Barker 3500 VIP tongue jack with free shipping for $80, the box was a bit beat up but the jack looked and works like new also got a Barker tote for a great price.

[norty1]

Barker 15 gallon is small and meets my needs.

It does not take up much space either.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

We bought a 32 gallon Barker that has pneumatic tires on it. I built a rigid conduit hitch for it so I can tow it with my bike. Works awesome! Got it from RV Parts Country online. Was about $230 shipped. Had it in 2 days!

[Berg]

Barker 42 gallon. I've been using it regularly for about a year and am happy with it. The pneumatic tires are a big plus. Much quieter when towing to the dump station.
Edit to add: Bought it on Amazon.

[stateboy]

One consideration is what your lift capabilities are to move it to the hitch and lift it onto the hitch. Water is 8.3 pounds a gallon. 15 gallon is about 125 pounds. 22 gallon is about 183 pounds. 32 gallon is about 266 pounds and 42 gallon is about 349 pounds. All this plus the weight of the unit.

Of course, you wouldn't lift the entire weight listed above on any of those. I can't speak for the larger units but my full 22 gallon was plenty for me to muscle around the camper and then lift onto the hitch. Just offering the logistics of having to move it.

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[DonaandDon]

One item to review is the necessary height requirement. My last 5r was perfect for the Barker I bought it for but since then I have traded it for my NP 381. The discharge is considerably lower now. I have thought about a modification to the barker but I have already fiber-glassed the bottom once. Those speed bumps did a number on it the last couple of years. I now have a macerator to pump the fluid into the Barker. So that is a couple of items to review.

[Murff]

A 32 gallon tank full of $#!+ is no fun to lift. If the park you are in has paved roads, I would get one with four wheels.

You also want to make sure that it is as big or bigger than your holding tank. (Don't ask me how I know).

Murff

[Nismo66]

Spend the money and buy the Barker. Has the pneumatic tires and the gate valve on the side of the tank. Your back will thank you later.

[Iraqvet05]

I don't recall what size or brand I bought (think it was a Barker based on the blue tank) but PPL Motorhomes had the cheapest price at the time. We have only use it twice in 4 years. The first time I used it, I thought I was going to wake the dead with the loud plastic wheels rolling down the road so I bought 2 pneumatic wheels from Harbor Freight to replace them.

[Parcany]

I have a 27 gallon Thetford and it is great. Never had a Barker but I have nothing bad to say about the Thetford. Yes it has plastic wheels but I fill it up and take it to the dump station when everybody is up. The only thing that I replaced was the hose, the Thetford is 8 years old.

[nunyadamn]

I have a Barker 42 gallon I bought from a guy local to me on craigslist for $100 - I called Barker to buy the pneumatic tires and they said they would just send them to me for free. That's customer service.

I also have a 32 gallon Barker I bought from a nice woman on craigslist for $25. My tanks are 35 gallon so I haven't tried it yet.

The one thing about the 42 gallon is it is large and takes up a bunch of space in the back of my truck (only in there when empty). The other problem is my trailer sewer line is just a little too low for the tank to connect with the large standard connection. We only use it for grey water so I just connect the hose fitting to the sewer line and run it to the 42 gallon tank - it fits under the sewer line for my trailer but just barely.

We only use it when we know for sure we will be somewhere for a long time without hookups. We can go a couple weeks without filling the black tank but only a couple days with the grey tanks - I take a shower everyday.

[Bassdogs]

Originally Posted by 36fire412

One consideration is what your lift capabilities are to move it to the hitch and lift it onto the hitch. Water is 8.3 pounds a gallon. 15 gallon is about 125 pounds. 22 gallon is about 183 pounds. 32 gallon is about 266 pounds and 42 gallon is about 349 pounds. All this plus the weight of the unit.

Of course, you wouldn't lift the entire weight listed above on any of those. I can't speak for the larger units but my full 22 gallon was plenty for me to muscle around the camper and then lift onto the hitch. Just offering the logistics of having to move it.

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X2!! Read and re-read this post. Handling one of these can get pretty intimidating and the bigger it is the heavier its going to be. I think mine is a 27 gallon and I learned early on that I need to preplan the path from the fill location to the hitch ball. Pulling it over even smooth gravel can be a challenge and you want to get the TV as close as you can. Another consideration is that you have to pack the empty tank in your tv or attached to the bumper of the TT or somewhere. A big one will be pretty light when empty but still can be a bear to lug into the bed next to the lawn chairs.

[bigcuzauto]

I have the barker 32 gallon it is great. Had the 22 before with 2 wheels Make sure to get a 4 wheeler. Also the 32 is rather large make sure you have the extra room to transport it.
But it is the best turd toter I have had.

[ctbailey]

One thing to consider that I haven't heard mentioned yet; some RV "resorts" actually offer a honey wagon service on set days. If you are going seasonal, you should inquire if that service is available.

We've been weekend warriors for four seasons with our current camper, and as such have never really needed the 12 gallon tote I carry For "emergency." The 12 gallon is nice because two of them fit perfectly under the cross box toolchest in my pickup.

(Don't ask what happened to my second tote)


Craig Bailey
New Hampshire
Jayflight 32 BHDS
Chevy 2500HD CC