Editors Choice
Barker (30844) 4-Wheeler
With the largest capacity on our list at an outstanding 42 gallons, the Barker 30844 takes the top spot as our best RV portable waste tank. This RV tank is easy to fill and empty and is even dual function so can be used to hold black or gray water.
There are a couple of features that make this portable camper sewer tank so easy to use. For filling it has a full-tank indicator to prevent overfilling. Whilst the design allows for a natural flow that assists when emptying as well as having a closing valve to prevent accidental messes.
You will also not have any problem getting the Barker 30844 to a dumping station as this wastage tank comes with four wheels arranged in a triangular placement. Even better, it includes an extended handle that has a rounded head suitable for most gooseneck towing hitches.
Bottom Line: With an enormous capacity, a great filling and emptying design, and an extended handle suitable for towing, the Barker 30844 shoots straight to the top of our RV portable waste tank reviews.
Boondock For Longer: RV Portable Waste Tank Reviews
Many RV camps have their own solid sewer system and include use of this as part of their rental fees. However, for many, the RV lifestyle will also include periods of traveling off the beaten path to camp in places of solitude without the company of other people.
While this setting can be great for peace and quiet, it leaves you in a bit of a lurch for certain RV maintenance. Most RV owners would agree that the biggest bummer when camping away from civilization is the need to empty your RV’s sewage.
That is why we have provided this buyer’s guide to help you figure out what features are most important in the best RV portable waste tank. We have also put together seven reviews of RV portable waste tanks, highlighting their pros and cons and why each one may be the right portable waste tank for you.
Looking For the Best Portable RV Dump Tank?
- What features are most important in an RV portable holding tank
- Why you should prioritize ease of use and durability
- Reviews of portable RV waste tanks for 7 top models on the market
Why You Should Consider Buying an RV Sewer Tote
For RVers that like to travel off the beaten track emptying your tank regularly may not be an option. Even if you rarely camp in secluded locations, an RV waste tank might still come in handy. Aside from the especially vigilant when it comes to monitoring your RV’s wastage capacity, you may need to empty on the fly.
This is precisely what a portable wastage tank is for. Having an RV waste tank allows you to empty your RV’s waste without having to stop at a specific location. Conversely, an RV waste tank can provide a little bit of extra capacity, acting as a backup tank until you can reach a dump station.
Further Reading: If you want to know the ins and outs of your RV’s plumbing, then check out our guide here.
Things to Consider When Buying an RV Portable Waste Tank
Type of Waste Tank
The type of RV waste tank refers to the kind of water it can hold, the two main types being gray and black holding dump tanks. Gray water tanks hold RV water that has been used for purposes such as taking a shower or washing tasks.
Portable black water tanks are designed to handle sewage exclusively without suffering from any durability concerns. Keep in mind, manufacturers often design RV waste tanks for a particular purpose, and they may not withstand use for another purpose.
Materials Used
Because an RV waste tank holds septic liquids, they need to be made of heavy-duty materials that resist rust or corrosion. In general, most RV holding tanks for waste are made of durable plastic, with polypropylene (PP) and heavy-duty polyethylene (HDPE) being the two most common.
Both of these materials are chosen due to their structural integrity when in contact with the types of harmful substances and fluids that will be present in a septic tank. On top of that, neither of these materials will leach, making them non-toxic.
Between the two, PP is more durable and rigid than HDPE and also has a higher melting point. On the other hand, HDPE is lighter than PP, which is especially important when emptying a full waste tank and often a little less expensive than PP.
Ease of Use
This is easily one of the most important factors to consider, especially if you use a portable RV waste tank to hold and dispose of black water. While a couple of the stages can be made more or less difficult by any particular tank, emptying it cleanly is likely a top priority.
Waste tanks with standard size ports are a must unless you are happy to purchase an additional adapter or are looking for a non-standard sewer hose. Some tanks even include a flush valve to help you flush the tank by hand.
Outside of emptying the tank, cleaning the tank is also incredibly important to prevent the development of odors or buildup of bacterial hazards. Most portable waste tanks provide instructions for how to clean and disinfect them, but some are easier to clean than others. Given the unpleasant nature of this particular job, this may be a top priority for you.
Keeping track of how much wastage is in the tank is essential. Many options employ anti-overflow features or include different types of capacity indicators to help you do this.
Portability
Along with ease of use, portability is important, especially once your tank is filled. While all portable tanks come with wheels, some of them come with 4-wheels while others only come with 2.
Even between 4-wheeled models, there can be differences in waste tank mobility with those using separate casters offering a bit more stability. Alternatively, some 4-wheeled portable wastage tanks use axles, so there are fewer parts to worry about.
Aside from wheels, handles also come into play with some handles designed for lifting and some for pulling. Other handles feature particular designs or are made out of metal, which makes them better suited for being towed behind your vehicle.
Of course, you also need to move your wastage tank when it’s empty, so its weight helps determine how easy it is to store when not in use. Also, consider whether or not the tank has handles or hooks designed to make picking it up while empty easier.
Length of Your Trip (Size)
If you go on a longer trip and do not expect to camp in or near RV parks with a sewer connection, you will likely want to use a tank with a larger volume. On the other hand, if you tend to stay in RV parks or near camping grounds, a smaller portable waste tank is usually sufficient to get by until you get to the nearest dump station.
Portable RV holding tank capacities are rated in gallons. Unless you have unusually low capacity needs, you should probably look for a tank with at least 20 gallons but preferably 25 gallons or more.
Best Portable Waste Tanks for RVs: The Results
Camco Rhino 39006
Best with Full Kit
This Camco Rhino heavy-duty portable sewer tank offers solid solutions to the main durability issues that accompany RV waste tanks. While not PP, the Camco Rhino is still made out of UV stabilized HDPE, which means the casing material won’t deteriorate when left out in direct sunlight.
This wastage tank has a very respectable maximum capacity of 36 gallons. It is worth remembering though that the Camco Rhino is a gray water RV portable tank only, so not for use with black water. This wastage tank has two heavy-duty wheels made from rubberized plastic so you will have no concerns over getting flat tires when transporting waste.
This wastage tank comes with a complete kit for hooking up to your RV and for emptying at a dump station. That said, you may want to purchase separate hoses as the included hoses are not noted for having the best seals or the longest lifespan.
That said, the various ports are positioned in convenient locations to make filling and emptying the tank easier than some of its competitors.
PROs
- Has a 36-gallon max capacity
- Has an integrated ladder hook
- Comes with a complete kit
- Is easy to use
CONs
- Not the best sewer hose
- Has a high minimum wastage hookup
Bottom-Line: If you need a solid, convenient gray water waste tank, the Camco Rhino offers everything you need.
Barker (30844) 4-Wheeler
Editors Choice
The Barker 30844 tops our list with a massive 42-gallon volume, four gallons more than its nearest competitor, making it ideal for use on longer camping trips. On top of that, the Barker 30844 is one of the few tote tanks on this list that can be used as both a black or gray tank.
This portable RV sewer tank is easier to use than some other models with a full-tank indicator to help prevent overflows and a functional design for emptying. The Barker 30844 also comes with four wheels, allowing you to transport waste easier than some other models.
The Barker 30844 boasts impressive durability with a blow-molded polyethylene waste tank and stainless steel hose clamps. The front axle for the second set of wheels, however, is less dependable. If you opt for this waste tank it is probably better to transport it by hand rather than tow it behind your vehicle.
It is worth noting that the Barker 30844 is the most expensive RV wastage tank on our list. However, it is also one of the few wastage tanks we reviewed which includes a port valve to prevent accidental spills.
PROs
- Has a large 42-gallon capacity
- Has four wheels
- Has an extended tow handle
- Full-tank indicator
CONs
- More expensive
- The front axle is not the most durable
Bottom-Line: If you have extremely large wastage and need the ability to carry gray and black water in one, the Barker 30844 is the best RV portable waste tank for you.
SmartTote2 40518 LX
Most Transportable
One of the more difficult parts of dealing with your RV’s waste tanks is transporting it once it is full and heavy. Thankfully, the SmartTote2 40518 LX not only comes with four wheels but uses a superior axle design making it more reliable to tow than some other 4-wheeled models we reviewed.
Aside from the solid second axle, the SmartTote2 40518 LX also has the two front wheels attached to an extended tow handle which makes moving it that much more convenient. Furthermore, what makes this wastage tank even easier to use is the included kit to hook up for filling and dumping purposes and an AutoStop level gauge to avoid overfilling.
The SmartTote2 40518 LX can be used for black or gray water. However, the fill design makes using it as a portable black water tank trickier since it fills at the bottom and so the gray water tank needs to be run first.
Also, the maximum capacity of this wastage tank is only 27 gallons and so you should not try to fill both tanks at once.
PROs
- Has four wheels
- Has an extended handle
- Has a venting port
- Has an AutoStop level gauge
CONs
- Has a smaller capacity
- Has a poor fill design
Bottom-Line: For easy travel to and from the RV dump station, the SmartTote2 40518 LX is an excellent and convenient option.
Tote-N-Store 20129
Best for Towing
This portable waste tank stands out due to its unique towing handle design. The handle is not best suited for towing by hand but since it is made of metal and includes two sizes of rings it is ideal for hooking up to a gooseneck hitch and towing behind a vehicle.
It has a great maximum volume of 38 gallons, the second-best on our list, and is one of the few that can be used for both black and gray tanks. This wastage tank also comes fully assembled, unlike some of the other 4-wheeled models we encountered, and comes with a 3” by 36” waste drain hose and hose clamp.
Although the second most expensive model on our list, the durability of this wastage tank is not what could be expected from such a high price point.
PROs
- Has a 38-gallon maximum capacity
- Has four wheels
- Has an extended handle
- Has a convenient storage compartment
CONs
- Higher price point than some other models
- Not the most durable
Bottom-Line: With the second-largest capacity on our list and some of the best towing features, the Tote-N-Store 20129 is excellent for transporting behind your vehicle.
Barker (31342) Blue Boy
Best Mid-Level Option
Whilst not outshining the competition in any particular area, the Barker 31342 offers a good mix of specs that make it a solid mid-tier option. It has a 30-gallon max capacity, a low profile for easy storage, and comes fully assembled.
This is the only tank on our list that comes with a traditional trailer hitch made from durable steel. This makes hooking the Barker 31342 to your towing vehicle easier, and along with its rubber oversized wheels, is better suited for vehicle towing than some other models.
However, the Barker 31342 is not ideal for moving to a dump site by hand.
Furthermore, this wastage tank doesn’t come with a volume indicator. This can lead to overfilling, which can be especially troublesome in hotter climates where the body of the tank may bulge.
PROs
- Has a 30-gallon max volume
- Has a solid tow bracket
- Has zinc-plated steel brackets
- Comes fully assembled
CONs
- Not the best body design
- Doesn’t have a volume indicator
Bottom-Line: So long as you keep it out of the sun, the Barker 31342 is a solid mid-tier option with decent specs across the board.
VINGLI RV Portable Tank
Most Versatile
VINGLI’s offering is perfect if you have a smaller camping group that goes out for shorter trips. This is the lightest tank we reviewed at 16 pounds when empty, making it especially easy to move and store when not in use.
On top of that, this is the only option on our list that offers a wide range of different ports, depending on your hookups and preferences. For both filling and emptying, the VINGLI waste tank includes fast and slow options, as well as the largest cleaning port we saw.
This unit also comes with an integrated anti-splash emptying spout, however, it is not a standard size and will require an adapter to use with most RV hoses.
Regardless, the VINGLI still oozes convenience as one of the few models with both a fullness indicator and an air release vent. Even better, it uses PP for the body and HDPE for its connections, so it is durable where it needs to be as well as being lighter and less expensive.
PROs
- Has numerous ports
- Has dual indicators
- Is more portable than most
- Is made of HDPE and PP
CONs
- Has a smaller capacity
- Has non-standard ports
Bottom-Line: The VINGLI breaks away from the standard approach to offer numerous features that none of the other options have.
SmartTote2 Thetford
Best Budget
SmartTote2 makes a second appearance on our list, this time with a fairly basic tank that is one of the less expensive we reviewed. However, even the SmartTote2’s basic models still come with some of the best features you can find on a flagship model.
The SmartTote2 Thetford is made out of PP, offering a little bit more ruggedness to the body than some of the HDPE options on our list. It is also more lightweight than most of its competition, making it easier to move and store when not in use. This wastage tank also includes an AutoStop level gauge, seen on some models that cost more than twice as much.
Unfortunately, this tank also has the smallest capacity we reviewed at just 12 gallons, though that is part of what allows it to be so light. You will also need to purchase a connecting hose, as this particular model doesn’t come with one.
PROs
- Cheaper option
- Has rubber wheels
- Has an AutoStop level gauge
- Is more portable than most
CONs
- Has a smaller capacity
- Doesn’t come with a hose
Bottom-Line: For pop-up campers and shorter trips, the SmartTote2 Thetford portable waste tank is a great way to save some money while still getting a solid wastage tank.
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API