How do you use a Tote-Along Tank

[dillonalaska]

Sent: 4/19/2005

I've got my 1975 D-19 set up in a permanent location for staying in while I'm in town to work.  This involves not moving it from it's position in the parking lot at my place of employment.  So I am considering using a tote-along tank to empty grey and black water.  Does anyone have experience using these tanks?  What's involved by way of all equipment needed?  Hoses, attachments, etc.  Not sure if my older motorhome's outlets will match up to the inlets on the tank.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  Does anybody know the size of the black and grey tanks on the d-19s, in addition the fresh water tank capacity?

[Derrek]

Sent: 4/20/2005 9:37 AM

Ahhh yes, the ol' "blue thunder" portable holding tank. (Given the nickname because of the noise it make while being towed empty)

I have a 22 gallon portable tank that I have used many times. The tank should come with all accessories that you will need including a hose to connect from your holding tank, to the portable tank, and also a small section of garden hose with female attachments on both ends to flush the tank clean after you dump it. It also comes with a handle that fits right over the ball hitch of the vehicle that you will be using to tow the tank.

You may also want to consider purchasing one of these tank bobber gauges to ensure that you do not overfill the portable tank...

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?deptID=&subOf=65,19&skunum=19175

If you are going to be parked for an extended period of time or plan to dry camp with this motor home in the future, you may want to also consider adding a macerator pump.
A macerator pump is a pump that can be piped into your sewage system that will grind up and pump the waste out through a garden hose. I installed one on my motor home and find that it makes emptying the tanks much easier. When I am using my portable tank I can simply flip the pump off when the tank gets about 3/4 full so there are no worries about overflowing the tank. It also allows me to easily pump my tanks into my septic tank at home after returning from a weekend of dry camping. I was able to purchase mine brand new on Ebay for $65.

Here is some more info on macerator pumps and RV sewage systems:

http://www.phrannie.org/macerator.html (info on macerator pumps is about half way down the page)

[Oz]

Sent: 4/21/2005

This is another good option if you have an Indian with separate dump valves.  You go to a campground with full hook-ups but, you have two dump valves!  So, you connect one and when you need to, you switch the hose to the other tank and dump it.  Not much better than stopping at the dump-station.

You can run two drain tubes together or use the porta-tank for your other holding tank. - Sob