How to Carry Portabke Waste Tank

[RUSSELL5000]

Well, we stayed at Chapman State Park in Pennsylvania over the Labor Day weekend. Great place; beautiful country, great campsite. What is most unique is that this is the first time I could convince the wife that we could stay at a site with only an electrical hookup; no water or sewer hookup. We showered in the bath house (very nice bath house) and managed the water supply and tanks fine. We dumped and flushed tanks on the way out. All went well.

Now that my wife has seen that we survived, I think we can do again. We have a potable waste tank – I call it a “turd-toter.” This would make managing the tanks a little easier.

My question: how do you carry your turd-toter? I don’t really want it inside the trailer or inside the truck. I made the PVC fence post storage for the sewer hose – that works great, as it is easy to deal with the hose and it is not in the trailer or truck. Is there a similar approach for a turd-toter?

Thanks!

 

[mwilson]

This is how I carry mine, a bicycle carrier that I had laying around from years ago. I can get you better pics when I get home. The arms come out perfectly under each turd toter wheel spindle. I BELIEVE that mine is a 20 gallon. Will post pic in a minute, there is one on my phone that I will upload..

 

[jeepit]

Is there support on the bottom? or just a bungee around it?

 

[mwilson]

All weight is on the turd toter axle. The bungees just keep it against the rear framework of the carrier.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

That is the idea, for sure. Is the bike carrier bolted to the bumper?

Thanks.

 

[mwilson]

Yes, I'll pop the tank off tomorrow and get you a few more pictures. It works really well.

 

[Jim W]

That will only work if you have a rear bumper. My trailer does not have a rear bumper, so if we carry a tote it is in the truck bed. But not very often maybe once in a two years. My DW wants me to trash the tote but I just store it outside with the garbage cans hidden from view.

Jim W.

 

[mpaulson]

This is what I've done with mine. I just pull the long pin/handle and the one end drops down tot he ground and I grab the handle and roll it out and use it. Then the same in reverse for putting it back in place. out of sight, out of mind till you need it. It just barely fit between the cross members of the trailer frame and I added a small flatbar strip to the cross members so that the tank would be against a flat edge and not a sharp edge. it fits snugly between the cross members so that it doesn't move around at all once it's up. Of course you need to have the ability to do a little welding etc. for this solution. I off road a fair bit with the trailer and have never hit this yet in 7 years.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I hauled mine around for so many miles and then I realized I had not used for a few years and sole it in a garage sale. Don't miss it one bit!

 

[mpaulson]

I hauled mine around for so many miles and then I realized I had not used for a few years and sole it in a garage sale. Don't miss it one bit!

Yea, I hear you. I've only needed it a few times but when I did I was sure glad to have it. When you end up in one spot for too long with no hook ups that can be a problem especially with five of us in the trailer. My friends have used it more than I have!!

 

[RUSSELL5000]

I like the idea of under the trailer, but I have the enclosed underbelly, so I would have to deal with that in addition. I do have a bumper as well as hitch receiver; think I'll study that approach.

I don't think I would need the turd-toter if it was just the two of us. Adding in two teenage boys leads to filling tanks more quickly.

 

[mwilson]

I thought that the under mount was clever but I also have the enclosed belly so no workee for me.I will get your pictures today. Yesterday was kinda' booked.

 

[mwilson]

Talked to wife as to where this frigin' bike rack came from. It would have bought around '95 from what we can remember and probably from a yard sale to boot. Not a lot of extra money then when kids were small. I searched the net this morning and can't find any made like this. I think you could build your own, not a heck of a lot to it.

 

[The patriot]

Mike, were you on the Maine turnpike this past Wednesday?
I was and saw one mounted exactly like your pics....

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Thanks for the pics. I don't recall seeing a bike rack like that, but the pics make approach clear. I'll the measuring tape out and work up this winter.

Thanks!

 

[JR]

Hey Russell, have you ever been to Chatauqua in New York? It is a pretty close drive for you. I can't comment on any Campgrounds specifically because we've always primitive camped/hiked/fished along the gorge but now that we own a camper we plan on visiting some of the camp sites around the lake. The town of Mayville and the area around it is very nice.

 

[mwilson]

Mike, were you on the Maine turnpike this past Wednesday?
I was and saw one mounted exactly like your pics....

No, I was slaving away in Bangor on Weds. We have one more trip before winterizing and putting it away for the winter.

 

[mwilson]

Russell,

I was studying the carrier whilst sipping my morning coffee....no big deal to make one.

If you would like dimensions please let me know.

 

[crispyboy]

Russell5000,
I just carry the tote tank in the back of the truck.

How many days were you camped?
Thus far I have only had to transport gray water. Our trailer has a 50 gallon fresh water tank, 30 gallon gray tank and 30 gallon black tank. For the three of us typically we can make it 3 days on the gray tank. The black tank will last for a week plus. This is with daily showers, drinking, washing hands, brushing teeth, dish washing, etc......
Get your wife to work on conservation of the water and storage space you have and it will open a lot more places to camp.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

crispyboy,

Yes, "Get your wife to work on conservation of the water and storage space you have and it will open a lot more places to camp". Ok, well, working on it. Big step to go someplace without full hookup. I agree it will open up more places; just have to have here come to that conclusion!