Best RV Portable Waste Tank (Review) in 2022

Nobody wants to talk about RV waste, but it’s a significant part of owning an RV. If you’re hitting the road and visiting different campsites in your RV, you need to handle your waste, and an RV portable waste tank is the best way to handle this. RV portable waste tanks connect to your RV and allow you to transfer waste from your camper to a waste station. It provides a secure container that you can take to a dumping location to cleanly and easily eliminate waste at the end of each trip.

But not all RV portable waste tanks are the same, and they come in different materials, styles, and sizes. If you’re looking for the perfect RV portable waste tank for your RV, check out the following top options.

Best Overall

Camco Rhino Heavy Duty 28 Gallon Portable Waste Tank

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Best Value

Thetford 12-Gallon SmartTote2 Portable RV Waste Tote Tank

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Honorable Mention

Barker 4-Wheeler Tote Tank

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Benefits of RV Portable Waste Tanks

Easy cleanup. Having a portable waste tank for your RV really makes all the difference when it’s time to clean up. You can easily transfer the portable tank to a dumpout and flush it all away. Many even have wheels for a much more convenient way to get rid of your waste.
Reduced weight. While you may not think about it, having waste left in your RV tank adds extra weight to it. Getting rid of this will make the camper lighter, which may make driving smoother.
No mess. Having disgusting waste around in your RV while you sleep in it is just unpleasant. Not to mention, if you get rid of the waste, you also get rid of any potential smells.
Easy parking. You don’t have to drive the RV right next to the dump spot to get rid of your waste. You can simply leave the motorhome parked in its spot and either carry the tank, pull it along by hand, or attach it to a trailer hitch and park your truck outside the dump station.
Saves time. Bringing the portable tank to the dump site will save you much more time than driving your RV to it. You don’t have to worry about reversing the trailer into a difficult-to-reach area or wait for others to move their RV out of the way.
Convenience. Having to pump out what’s in your gray or black waste tank isn’t easy. After driving to the dump site, you have to hook up all the hoses and then get pumping. A portable tank allows you to easily transport it without having to worry about getting in the way of other drivers or campers.

Types of RV Portable Waste Tanks

Compact

Compact RV portable waste tanks are smaller containers you can carry by hand. They may not be as large as other options, but they can still get the job done. These are typically found in smaller RVs and maybe even in truck bed campers and portable RV toilets. Compact tanks aren’t as mobile as wheeled containers but are less expensive.

Wheeled

A wheeled RV waste tank is one that comes with wheels that roll easily. These are also generally larger than compact models. The best thing about a wheeled tank is it is easy to get from point A to point B: you simply detach it from the camper and roll it to the dump site. They also feature handles like a wheelbarrow or ones you connect to a trailer hitch.

Top Brands

Barker

The Barker Manufacturing Company has been in business since 1953 in Battle Creek, Mich. Started by James Barker, the company manufactures RV supplies and equipment. A few of its products are power jacks, freshwater tanks, and portable waste tanks.

Thetford

The Thetford Corporation is among the world’s leading manufacturers of sanitation products for RVs and motorhomes. The company has a headquarters in Ann Arbor, Mich., and has been in business for the past 50 years. It creates low-water-use toilets, freshwater toilets, and RV holding tank treatments, and holding tanks.

Camco

Starting in 1966 with a headquarters in Greensboro, N.C., Camco is one of the most well-known companies when it comes to RVs. The company provides more than 5,600 products and has 10 manufacturing facilities worldwide. It supplies anything from blankets, hoses, toilet flush tablets, and holding tanks.

RV Portable Waste Tank Pricing

$100-$200: Portable RV tanks starting at this price will be smaller. They are typically going to have around a 15-gallon holding tank. They won’t be as hefty or heavy once fully loaded either.
$200 and up: This is where you will find the majority of portable RV waste tanks. They are designed for larger RVs and will hold much more than 15 gallons, reaching 32 gallons or more. They will also feature larger wheels.

Key Features

Wheels

When it comes to portability, you will want to consider what size wheels the tank has. Larger, more robust wheels will make it a lot easier to move from your camper to the dump station. Smaller wheels will get stuck on rocks and grass more easily. Also, totes with four wheels act more like a wheelbarrow and will glide even more easily.

Holding Tank Size

The holding tank’s size is one of the most important factors of a portable RV waste tank. Knowing the size beforehand will ensure you don’t accidentally overfill it even if it has an overflow valve. Tank sizes typically range from below 12 gallons to 40 gallons. Keep in mind, the larger the tank, the heavier it will be to move around.

Attachment

You should know where you’re going to keep the portable RV waste tank before purchasing one. Many can be attached directly to the side of the motorhome and can be left there as you travel. Others may need to be stored underneath the RV or in a cubby or side compartment. No matter where you attach it, it should be easy to access.

Handle

Many RV portable waste holding tanks will have a handle, which can be used for one of two things: pulling the tank by hand or attaching it to a trailer hitch. If you have a larger 40-gallon tank, you may want to go for a handle that attaches to the hitch since larger holding tanks can get quite heavy once full of fluid. Smaller and lighter tanks may be easier to pull along with a handle.

Other Considerations

Hose Size. You should know what size hose is compatible with your portable RV waste tank. The sewer hose is another important aspect of the tank and gets the waste from the tank to the dump station. You should also have a place to store the hose when you are not using the tank.
Guests. If you plan to travel with multiple people in your RV, you may want to consider getting a larger waste tank. While two people may not need a 32-gallon tank, five or may require a larger one.
Autostop Feature. An autostop feature is a built-in function that will stop the fluid from flowing once it reaches a certain point. Think of it as a gas pump at a gas station; once the gas fills to where it nearly overflows, it stops to save you from quite the mess.

Best RV Portable Waste Tank Reviews & Recommendations 2021

Tips

You may want to consider getting a slightly larger portable tank than your gray or black water tank to ensure you don’t overflow the tank and have extra room.
Consider a portable RV tank that has large wheels for easier mobility.
A larger tank will allow you to hold more gray water, reducing the number of trips you will take to the dump station.
If you have a smaller RV, camper bed, or travel trailer, you may be better off with a more compact RV portable waste tank.
An RV portable waste tank with a handle will save you time when transporting it from the RV to the dump site.
Opting for a good quality hose will ensure everything transfers smoothly from the RV to the portable tank.
Portable RV waste tanks with an autostop feature may be more expensive, but they prevent accidental overflows or messes.

FAQs

Q: How do you empty a waste tank?

A: Connect the hose from the RV’s gray water tank to the portable tank and let it siphon out the waste. Once it is finished, you disconnect the hose and roll the waste tank to an official dump station since it is illegal to dump the water on the ground.

Q: What size portable waste tank do I need?

A: The best rule of thumb is to get a tank that is just larger than your gray water tank. This will allow you to fill up the tank without it overflowing. A larger tank will also ensure you aren’t making multiple trips to the dump station.

Q: How do I clean a portable RV tank?

A: The best way to clean a portable RV waste tank is to use sanitizer. Fill the tank with bleach and water and brush it with a toilet brush. You can also use bleach to get the job done.

Q: How often should the tank be emptied?

A: You should clean out the gray and black water tanks on your RV about once a month. This also depends on how many people you have staying in the motorhome with you. For instance, if you have more than four, it might be wiser to dump the tank every few weeks. You should always know how full the tank is to avoid any damage or potential disasters.

Q: What is the point of having a portable waste tank?

A: You could go your whole RV life without having to purchase and use a portable RV waste tank. However, having one makes emptying the gray and black water tanks a whole lot easier. Without one, you would have to drive the RV to the closest dump station and attach a hose from the motorhome to the disposal tank. In contrast, a portable tank allows you to empty the RV water tanks directly into the canister. Then you can simply walk the tank over to the station and dispose of it yourself.

Q: Does it cost to dump a portable RV tank?

A: You will have to pay each time you dump your portable RV waste tank. The costs will vary by where you camp, but they will generally cost between $10 to $25 per dump. You may also be able to get a membership if you plan on traveling throughout the year.

Final Thoughts

For the overall best RV portable waste tank, check out the Camco Rhino Heavy Duty 28 Gallon Portable Waste Tank. It includes a large holding tank and large rolling wheels for better mobility. The Thetford 12-Gallon SmartTote2 Portable RV Waste Tote Tank is a budget-friendly waste tank with a pretty sizable tank as well.