Complete Guide to Portable Waste Tanks for RVs: When to Use a Tote Tank

A portable waste tank — often called a tote tank or blue boy — is one of those RV accessories that seems unnecessary until you're in the exact situation where it's invaluable. Instead of breaking camp and driving your entire rig to a dump station, you dump into a wheeled portable tank, tow it to the station, empty it, and return. For extended-stay campers, boondockers in remote areas, or anyone dealing with a campsite that's difficult to exit and re-enter, a portable waste tank can be a game-changer.

What Is a Portable RV Waste Tank?

A portable waste tank is essentially a heavy-duty plastic tank on wheels with a tow handle, an inlet valve for connecting your RV's sewer hose, and an outlet valve for dumping at a station. Capacities range from 15 gallons (compact models for small trailers) to 42 gallons (heavy-duty units for Class A motorhomes). Most are designed to be towed behind a vehicle or pulled by hand across a campground.

Think of it as a mobile extension of your RV's holding tanks — a way to offload waste without moving the rig itself.

When a Portable Waste Tank Makes Sense

Extended Campground Stays

If you're set up at a campsite without sewer hookups for a week or more, your black and gray tanks will fill before you're ready to leave. Rather than tearing down your entire setup — awning, outdoor furniture, leveling blocks, slide-outs — just to dump and return, you can drain into a portable tank and make a quick trip to the dump station. This is the single most common use case and the reason most RVers buy one.

Difficult Site Access

Some campsites are challenging to exit once you're leveled and set up: tight turns, narrow gates, steep grades, or sites blocked by other rigs. If getting out requires an hour of maneuvering and a spotter, a $150 tote tank saves you that hassle every time you need to dump.

Boondocking Without Nearby Dump Access

Boondockers on BLM land or in national forest dispersed sites often camp miles from the nearest dump station. A portable tank lets you extend your stay by days without driving the entire rig down rough access roads just to empty tanks. Dump into the tote, load it in your tow vehicle, drive to the nearest station, and return to camp without breaking down your site.

Emergency Backup

If your RV's dump valve fails, your outlet becomes clogged, or your black tank develops a blockage you can't immediately clear, a portable tank can serve as an emergency bypass until you reach a repair facility. It's not ideal, but it's vastly better than being stranded with a full black tank and no way to empty it.

Top Portable Waste Tank Brands and Models

Thetford SmartTote2

Capacity: 35 gallons
Best for: Most RVers — the industry standard

The SmartTote2 is the most popular portable tank for good reason. It's durable, well-designed, and holds enough waste for most RVs' gray and black tanks combined. The four-wheel design makes it easy to tow, and the rotomolded construction resists cracks even after years of use. The built-in sight tube lets you monitor fill level. At around $200, it's the sweet spot of capacity, durability, and price.

Barker 4-Wheeler Tote Tank

Capacity: 32 gallons
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers

The Barker 4-Wheeler is slightly smaller than the Thetford but costs $40 to $60 less. It's a solid choice if you only need to handle gray water or partial black tank dumps. The wheels are smaller, so towing over rough ground is harder than the SmartTote, but on paved campground roads it performs just fine.

Camco Rhino Tote Tank

Capacity: 36 gallons
Best for: Heavy-duty use and larger rigs

Camco's Rhino series uses thicker walls and larger diameter wheels than most competitors, making it the choice for RVers who dump frequently or tow over uneven terrain. The steel tow handle is reinforced and less likely to bend under load. Expect to pay a bit more — around $250 — but the durability justifies it for full-time RVers.

Tote-N-Stor Portable Waste Tank

Capacity: 25 gallons
Best for: Small trailers and pop-up campers

If you're running a small trailer with 20-gallon tanks or less, the Tote-N-Stor is perfectly sized and easier to maneuver than larger units. It's also lighter when full, which matters if you're pulling it by hand rather than towing behind a vehicle. Around $120, it's a good entry-level option.

How to Use a Portable Waste Tank Safely

Step 1 — Position the tank under your RV's sewer outlet. Roll the tote directly beneath your dump valves. Most units have a low profile that fits under even low-clearance trailers.

Step 2 — Connect your sewer hose. Attach one end of your sewer hose to your RV's outlet and the other end to the tote's inlet valve. Make sure both connections are secure — a loose fitting will create a mess when you open the tank valve.

Step 3 — Open your RV's dump valves. Black tank first, then gray tank, just like a standard dump. Monitor the tote's sight tube or fill indicator to avoid overfilling. Most portable tanks hold less than your RV's tanks, so you may need to make multiple trips or only dump partial tanks.

Step 4 — Close valves and disconnect. Once the tote is full (or your tanks are empty, whichever comes first), close your RV's dump valves, disconnect the hose, and cap the tote's inlet.

Step 5 — Tow to the dump station. Most totes have a hitch-compatible tow bar, or you can pull them by hand. Move slowly — a 35-gallon tote full of waste weighs over 300 pounds. Secure the cap tightly before moving.

Step 6 — Dump the tote. At the dump station, remove the tote's outlet cap, insert the outlet into the dump station inlet, and open the tote's dump valve. Gravity does the work. Once empty, rinse the tote's interior using the station's rinse hose.

Step 7 — Return and store. Tow the empty tote back to your site and store it in your RV's exterior compartment or under the rig. Never store a tote with residual waste inside — rinse it completely after every use.

Portable Tank vs. Driving to a Dump Station

Which approach is better depends on your situation:

• Use a portable tank if: You're staying put for a week or more, your site is hard to exit, or the nearest dump station is within a short drive but not worth moving your entire rig for.
• Drive your rig if: You're breaking camp anyway, the dump station is directly on your route, or your tanks are completely full and would require multiple tote trips to empty.

For many RVers, the answer is "both." Keep a portable tank for mid-stay dumps, but plan full rig dumps when you're leaving a site or passing a convenient station. The tote is a tool, not a replacement for traditional dumping — use it when it makes your life easier.

Maintenance and Cleaning

Portable tanks need the same care as your RV's built-in tanks. Rinse thoroughly after every dump. Periodically add tank cleaner and let it sit overnight to break down residue and control odor. Inspect the wheels, valves, and seals every few months for wear. A well-maintained tote tank can last ten years or more.