The 7 Best Black Water Tanks
This wiki has been updated 26 times since it was first published in October of 2016. Although feces and urine may not be the most pleasant of subject matter, figuring out what to do with them when you're traveling in a recreational vehicle is an essential consideration. Fortunately, these black water tanks provide an easy and relatively sanitary way to dispose of your family's waste. We've included both portable models and those intended for permanent installation. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Camco Rhino
2. Alpha Systems VB22548H
3. Barker 27844
Editor's Notes
June 26, 2020:
When you live at home or visit a lot of public places (e.g. shopping malls and restaurants), you might take for granted the modern facilities responsible for rinsing and flushing your waste away. You probably don't worry about any issues with using a traditional toilet in these places because you know the plumbing system to which the equipment is connected ultimately sends your "business" into the sewer line or septic system. But when you travel for long periods of time in your own recreational vehicle without access to these facilities, the only thing you can do is leverage the RV's waste containment system and keep the stuff stored on board until you find a safe place to dump it. While many RVs have their own bathrooms and waste containment systems, you're still going to need a way to transport it for disposal. Our hope is that these black water tanks will help make that job a little easier.
Both the Camco Rhino and Barker 27844 offer the benefit of swiveling front wheels and tow bars, so you can pull them like wagons and easily transport waste to a dump station. The former of these two models is equipped with gate valves and an integrated tank rinse for effortless emptying and easy cleaning.
Now I realize the Alpha Systems VB22548H looks kind of like the monolith from 2001: A Space Odyssey. While it may not jump start a new age of evolution, its durable high-density polyethylene construction and 33-gallon capacity can definitely withstand heavy use. It can also accept customized fittings.
We've also included the Thetford Smart Tote due to its patented AutoStop fill shutoff, which prevents spills and overloads.
The newly-added Vingli Portable utilizes a venting system that allows for the release of excess air pressure, so you can quickly dispose of both grey and black water. Furthermore, its freestanding design eliminates the need to manually hold it upright.
Finally, although it's a small option, the Barker Original Tote-Along is still a good choice for short trips and transferring a few gallons of waste into a larger container or traditional toilet.
Special Honors
Miller Plastic Products Inc. With a 50-year history, Miller Plastic Products Inc. is a family-owned business dedicated to the fabrication and machining of custom plastic products and components. The company's specialties include personal protective equipment, gears, laboratory equipment, filtration systems, pipe fittings, three-dimensional printing, and several lines of water tanks. The company's RV black water tanks can be tailor made to fit recreational vehicles from a variety of manufacturers. In addition to having strong welds, each component of the fabricated tanks is individually cut with computer-controlled precision, ensuring there are no sharp edges or rough surfaces to worry about during installation. millerplastics.com
4. Thetford Smart Tote
5. Vingli Portable
6. Tote-N-Stor Portable
7. Barker Original Tote-Along
Jeff is a dedicated writer and communications professional from San Francisco with a bachelor of arts in anthropology from UC Berkeley. He began his career in computer consulting and later branched out into customer service. Jeff focuses on making complex topics easy to understand. With over 10 years' experience in research, his relentless curiosity fuels a love of writing and learning how things work, and has helped to build expertise in categories such as heavy-duty power tools and computer equipment. Jeff's passion for animals affords him a strong understanding of pet products, including dog houses, beds, and grain-free foods. When he's not writing, he prefers spending time with his family and three dogs, while kicking back and relaxing with a nice glass of red wine.