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RE: blue tote question

Started by gsm x2, Sep 09, 2003, 10:22 PM

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PopUpTrio

Sep 28, 2003, 07:05 PM
 We are planning an 8 night trip next summer and since we ve yet to spend more than 4 nts at once in our camper, we re not sure about needing to empty our holding tanks.  There are no sewer hookups.  We have seen the blue totes that people take to the dump stations and are considering getting one.  Now for the really " we re inexperienced"  questions.  Do you just use these totes for grey water only?  What about the black water?  How do you empty them once you get to the dump station?  If we have to, our black tank can hold out if we use the campground facilities which we try to do alot anyway.  But, I just hate to think " stuff"  will be sitting in the tank for that many days.  By the way it will be during July in Texas so we can expect really hot weather.  Can someone enlighten us?

gsm x2

#1
Sep 09, 2003, 10:22 PM
 PopUpTrio
QuoteWe are planning an 8 night trip next summer and since we ve yet to spend more than 4 nts at once in our camper, we re not sure about needing to empty our holding tanks. There are no sewer hookups. We have seen the blue totes that people take to the dump stations and are considering getting one. Now for the really " we re inexperienced"  questions. Do you just use these totes for grey water only? What about the black water? How do you empty them once you get to the dump station? If we have to, our black tank can hold out if we use the campground facilities which we try to do alot anyway. But, I just hate to think " stuff"  will be sitting in the tank for that many days. By the way it will be during July in Texas so we can expect really hot weather. Can someone enlighten us?

 The blue totes are for gray water only.  Sorry, I don t know about the black water...we walk.
 
 The blue tote comes with an extra clamp.  Attach this to an appropriate sized flexible hose with a hose clamp.  When you roll to the dump station, remove the lid, attach the clamp and hose.  Lift up the handle and open the air vent and water will flow out.  At least that s the technique I use.  As for the size of the blue tote you get, remember that water weighs eight pounds to the gallon so a 30 gallon take will weigh 240 pounds.  I have a ten gallon model and pretty well have decided to empty it once a day even if its not full---it s just much easier to deal with when not overflowing.
 
 Hope that helps.
 
 gsm x2

griffsmom

#2
Sep 10, 2003, 01:01 AM
 PopUpTrioBlue totes are for grey water only.  Black water has its own special container with chemicals.  Don t know much else about black water.  We pass gsm and g-whiz on our walks...[;)]
 
 A lot of people like the $7 blue containers you can get at Wal-mart.  They look like this: http://community.webshots.com/photo/50278041/46636587cOOVcE
 
 We paid a bit more and bought a Barker blue container from Camping World that is specially made for the disposal of grey water.  It holds 25 gal. and the wheels make it easier to transport when full.  It loooks like this: http://www.campingworld.com/browse/products/index.cfm?prodID=1571&src=SRCH&tcode=37
 
 Hope that helps! [:)]

tlhdoc

#3
Sep 10, 2003, 06:47 AM
 PopUpTrioI have two 5 gallon blue totes.  When one gets full I switch tanks and then dump it when I have time.  I just unscrew the cap to dump the grey water into a toilet or dump station.  Some campgrounds even have a special sink to dump grey water in.
 
 Like the rest the blue totes are for grey water and not black water.  Does the campground offer honey wagon service?  Most private campgrounds will come around and empty your black water tank.  They charge, but it may be worth it.

SheBantam

#4
Sep 10, 2003, 07:14 AM
 PopUpTrioYou may find that your Trail Crusier is as low as my Bantam, that means the 22 gallon tote I have is not efficient, it is actually higher than the trailers outlet.
 
 Camping world does have the newer 15 gallon tote tank that is meant for the popup, infact it looks to be the same one that comes with some of the upper end Colemans. I have never used my 22 gallon tank, I wanted it for Mother s Day last year. It is big and bulky and does not travel well in my opinion. I am looking at the smaller, lower profile 15 gallon, but would I use it more than the 22 gallon? Do not know, I look for sewer sites if I am going to be more than a long weekend.
 
 We do not shower in the popup, I may wash the shower out with the shower hose as the boys do use the hereford and sometimes track in dirt on their shoes. I use the kitchen sink and after 4 days, the shower backs up (unless you are blessed with monitors, that is how you know the gray water is full), my  99 Bantam does not have monitors and we have a 7 gallon Black water and a 20 gallon Gray, some of the newer TL trailers have bigger tanks.

campingboaters

#5
Sep 10, 2003, 08:24 AM
 PopUpTrioWe can go 4 days with no hookups and then the gray tank (30 gal.) is full and the black tank is half to 2/3rd full (and we only use our potty - not the campground s).  We don t shower in the camper and we use paper plates and plastic-ware to cut on the dish washing.  We ve taken our tote tank we purchased from our RV dealer with us twice and didn t use it once.  We ve only ever actually used it when we had our pop-up with NO waste tank.
 
 Anyway, since we ve never used our tote with our Trail-cruiser, I don t exactly know if it s higher than the valve on the camper (like SheBantam said).  I would measure the height of the valve and then look for a tote tank that is lower than that (if possible).   Also, you can get a handle that holds the tank and goes over the ball on your hitch to " tow"  the tank to the dump station if it s not a long drive and the road is not too bumpy.  Otherwise, get a smaller tote and have someone help you lift it into your tow vehicle for the trip to the dump station -- NOT an easy task.
 
 As for the black tank, I would try to use the campground facilities as much as possible and not worry about what little is in that tank for your vacation.  If it s hot out, we put 2-3 treatments in the black tank to help cut down on the odor.  I think it does a good job.
 
 Glad to see you are already planning ahead for next year s vacation.  I always say " A happy camper is one that plans ahead!"   [:D]

angelsmom10

#6
Sep 10, 2003, 08:33 AM
 PopUpTrioWe decided to get the 15gl blue tote from the dealer ($80.00) and feel it was well worth it.  It depends on how many are camping with us as to how often we have to empty it.  If it is just the 2 of us, it lasts at least 2-3 days -- when we took the teens and did dishes constantly, from Thurs to Sun, we had to empty it on Sat am.  We also got the hook attachment that can connect it to the trailer hitch to town it if the place to dump is too far away.  
 
 On our cassette toilet, we have no problems with odor.  We just put the chemicals in as directed.  DH was surprised.

oldmoose

#7
Sep 10, 2003, 08:54 AM
 PopUpTrioWe have the blue 15 gal tote on wheels. I have to put it on top of the car. We empty our cassette toilet either at the campground toilet or at home. In our Jayco there is no grey water tank for the sink, just for the shower. If we use the shower the tank will get filled after 3 showers. I empty the blue tote at the dump station or where appropriate.

BaysideBruce

#8
Sep 10, 2003, 08:40 PM
 PopUpTrioJust a reminder... water weights about 8 lbs / gallon.  If you use a 15 gallon blue tote, you are talking about moving 120 lbs.  Be careful if you try to do this by yourself.

Gone-Camping

#9
Sep 10, 2003, 10:03 PM
 PopUpTrioWell, the wheeled blue tote s are designed for Gray water, but most have an opening and attachement that you " could"  use it on the black tank...I woudn t recommend it though, but you  could  do it.
 
 That being said, the 30 gallon black tank should hold for a week, especially if you limit the use of the toilet. Showers will fill it fast, as will lot s of TP and solid waste, it all takes up space. Don t fill the bowl with water when flushing and it ll take longer to fill the tank up.
 
 So far I ve only been out a maximum of 3 days/nights with the Trail Cruiser, and have yet to fill the black tank more than 1/3 full. So I figure if we were to continue showering and #2 at the campground faclitiies, I should be able to get 9 days out of the tank.
 
 The gray tank is a different story, though I haven t filled it yet, but have got that one 2/3 full in 3 days! I could conserve and slow that rate some too. I gave away my blue tote when I sold the PU, I figure if I m going to stay long enough to fill 30 gallons of tank, I may as well get a site with sewer hook-ups!

YellowXterra

#10
Sep 11, 2003, 07:37 AM
 PopUpTrio8.34 pounds per gallon [:D]  X 15 gallons = 125.1 + weight of tote tank.

gsm x2

#11
Sep 11, 2003, 09:17 AM
 PopUpTrio
Quote8.34 pounds per gallon  X 15 gallons = 125.1 + weight of tote tank.

 So, if the specific gravity of what is in the black water tank is greater or lesser than 1.0, does the tank weigh more or less or the same as if it was full of just water.  Inquiring minds want to know.
 
 BTW--for those who don t know the practicle application of " specific gravity" , that s what will determine whether a turd floats or  sinks.  Inquiring minds DID NOT want to know.
 
 gsm x2

angelsmom10

#12
Sep 11, 2003, 09:54 AM
 PopUpTrioI don t care how much it weighs, all I know is that when it gets full, IT IS HEAVY AND I HAVE DH DO IT[;)][;)]
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