Community Forums

Cubey · 02-20-2013, 03:55 PM

I am on the fence about getting a Barker Tote-Along holding tank.

My Class B originally had a grey water holding tank but someone removed it at some point.

I have found a tank that should fit.. a Rondo 28H. But it runs $250 with freight for a 22 gallon tank. Odds are installation is going to be at least $100. So $350 for a 22 gallon, permanently installed tank.

I can get a non-towable Tote-Along tank with 22 gallons capacity for $150 shipped (harder to lug around), a towable 25 gallon one for $230 shipped, or a 42 gallon for $275 shipped. I would also have to empty dump almost half as often with a 42 gallon tank, but considering the fresh water capacity of my van.. 42 might be overkill.

I am mostly going to be in RV parks with full hookups, but I do plan spend time at Quartzsite. I am going to be pulling a utility trailer for my scooter and other gear, so having to haul a tank won't be that much more hassle. Either way, I'd have to move my van to empty the tank. My van has a recirculating toilet so it's self contained with a separate outlet from the grey water.

So... I'm thinking I might be better off getting a 25 gallon tote-along tank for $230 instead of paying $350 for a 22 gallon permanent tank.... and just plumbing the existing lines with ABS pipe (with rubber couplers to the existing lines) to a bayonet fitting/cap. It would save having to maintain a grey water tank when I'm in RV parks most of the time. It will be like a park model for grey water, basically. By using rubber couplers, it can easily be changed later on should I decide to add a permanent tank.

Any thoughts?

Pic of the 25 gallon towable model:

Cubey · 02-20-2013, 07:58 PM

oops... the permanent tank brand is Ronco, not Rondo.

John Hilley · 02-20-2013, 08:48 PM

I would get a 12 gallon Thetford

12 gallon Thetford Tote

That should be all that you need for your Class B and all you would want to haul around. I have a 38' Class A and that is what I use at Quartzsite. Full it weighs 100 lbs.

Cubey · 02-20-2013, 09:07 PM

I need to measure my fresh water tank to figure out the capacity of it. It's a perfect rectangle so I'm sure I can figure out what size it is. it's still good thankfully. I pulled it out a while back and gave it a good rinsing and let it dry as it had old nasty water in it. I need to give the system a proper cleaning with bleach water before I use it.

The one you linked, I've read reviews that it's not as good. Also, you have to tip that kind to try to drain it. Look at the one I put the pic of. It has a drain on the side with a pull valve. It looks MUCH nicer.

I need one that's as close to the capacity of the fresh water as possible, but not less than... so it can't be over filled.

With as much hassle as one of those tanks would be... I think I may just go with a permanently installed tank since there is a space for it. Some idiot just decided to remove it is all. The cheap rent for QS will make up for the extra cost of the tank now. You can only tow those tanks 5mph tops without voiding warranty. Might take a while to get to the dump station at that speed. And any other overnight stops outside of an RV park means I'd have to lug out the tank for grey water storage. I suspect it's probably about 20-22 though.

This site lets you calculate gallons based on dimensions (in feet): http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deput...volcalchtm.htm

John Hilley · 02-21-2013, 09:32 AM

I think for your RV replacing the holding tank would be the best solution. Until you experience Quartzsite you won't realize how difficult towing a tote to the dump station would be. We have been camping at Quartzsite and Imperial Dam for the last seven years. Where we are camped now is over five miles from the dump station. I use the 12 gallon tote and dump gray and black tanks 10 days after parking and once a week after that. It takes two trips, first the black tank and then the gray tank. I have a 45 gallon water bladder and an 8 gallon water container. I usually just use the 8 gallon water container and fill it when I do each dump. When I dump, I fill the tank then lift it into the back of my Jeep Cherokee and drive to the dump station. I then just pull it out of the Jeep, lay it horizontal on the ground, hook up the sewer hose to tote, put other end in dump hole and then lift the tote to vertical.

Since you have a Class B and don't tow a dinghy, you have to drive the RV to the dump station anyway, a tote would just complicate matters.

Replacing the holding tank should increase the resale value of your RV.