It is impossible to imagine having an RV without a proper holding tank. Doing so would mean that an RV’s kitchen and bathroom will be of no use. Typically, an RV has two types of holding tanks: the first one simply stores freshwater, and the other holding tank stores wastewater.
RV Holding Tank Types
Before speaking about the sizes of RV holding tank, one has to understand that 3 different holding systems are present in an RV and they have their purposes.
Black Water Tank
400;”>Water that is flushed from the toilet is stored safely in a wastewater tank known as the black water tank
Grey Water Tank
The grey water tank is the tank that usually stores wastewater from the shower or the sink. This water typically contains food particles or soap residue
Freshwater Tank
The freshwater tank is a storage tank that holds the freshwater used on the RV. The water flows through the RV’s plumbing system on the occasions that municipal water is unavailable.
Each of these 3 tanks is kept separated and they all require adequate maintenance for efficient function.
What size should an RV Holding Tank be?
A tank’s capacity can significantly influence your RV travels. If an RV has a smaller tank than required, it could mean that certain outings and fun events will have to be cut short simply because the tank is full and needs to be emptied.
This also goes for the freshwater tank. Imagine being in the middle of nowhere only to discover that you are almost out of freshwater. That can be quite a disturbing realization.
In either of these situations, you have no other choice but to pack everything up and locate the nearest municipal sewer to dump your wastewater. Additionally, you will have to search for the closest water hook-up so you can refill the fresh water tank.
The best way to avoid the above scenarios would be to ensure that your RV has a suitable holding tank that meets your specifications. When it comes to a typical RV holding tank’s size, the actual size depends on the size of the RV and the occupants.
It is possible to find 15-gallon black water tanks, a minimum of 32 gallons for greywater, but as said earlier, the size of the holding tank should correlate with the size of the RV.
Is there a way to tell when the holding tank is at full capacity?
The majority of RVs sold have a built-in system that enables you to know the exact capacity of every holding tank. This is a feature that is typically found in newer RV models. When it comes to smaller and older RVs, a backed-up toilet might be the sign that the tank is at full capacity.
9 Best RV Holding Tanks
Seeing as we have been able to cover the basics surrounding what a holding tank is and why it is necessary, it is time to have a look at 9 of the very best holding tanks available for sale today.
There is one thing to note, however, is that RVs usually have built-in tanks but if you require extra support for your RV or your RV does not have a holding tank, then purchasing a portable tank should be something that you do.
Barker (27844) Tote Tank
This Barker Tote Tank is clear evidence that the Baker brand is synonymous with great quality products. It has a 32-gallon storage capacity, ensuring that storage is never going to be a problem.
The 27844 like the other Barker product on this list has embedded zin and aluminum plates in its housing, ensuring that it is rust free, light, and yet sturdy. The 27844 comes with a 5 feet sewer hose and bayonet fittings.
Tote-N-Store 20129 Portable Transport 4 Wheeler
This holding tank is perhaps the largest on this list when it comes to storage capacity. Thanks to its massive 38 gallons, you are bound to have no problems using this tank.
A great feature of this tank apart from its size is its ability to rapidly drain. It takes just a couple of minutes for the tank to be empty. Tote N Store has designed this tank to be drained seamlessly without lifting.
When it comes to additional accessories, you are not left out with this tank. It comes with a 3 inch and ¾ inch garden hose, as well as a straight hose adapter measuring 3 inches.
Tote-N-Store 25609 Portable Transport
This Tote N Store tank is another great tank that comes with a decent amount of storage capacity. The tank is capable of storing a maximum of 32 gallons. It comes with rubber wheels which make portability smooth and also help reduce the noise level typically associated with transport.
When you get this tank, you get quite a lot of extra accessories such as a hose clamp, drain hose, adapter, a 15-inch garden hose, and a garden hose cap. Every one of these accessories can prove useful when it is time to drain the tank.
SmartTote Portable RV Waste Tote Tank
This SmartTote tank is perfect for those that travel alone on their RV. This is because it has a storage capacity of just 12 gallons ensuring that it is perfectly suited to those looking for a small tank.
While the SmartTote may be smaller than the tanks on this list, it does not suffer when it comes to quality. It has been constructed with polypropylene ensuring that the tank remains sturdy. When it comes to portability, this tank comes with a tow bracket and rubber wheels.
Thetford SmartTote2 RV Waste Tank
This tank has a rugged structure with sturdy wheels and body rounding up its heavy-duty design. This is a tank that has been created to last quite a while. The Thetford comes with a gauge that stops you from overfilling the tank.
When it comes to portability, its 4 wheels make moving it a breeze. The tank can be easily drained thanks to the bayonet fitted sturdy hose.
Camco Rhino (39002) Tote Tank
The Camco Rhino Tank has been designed to be heavy-duty and it has a completely sealed design making it one of the very best holding tanks available for purchase. As with the majority of tanks on here, the Camco tote tank is already assembled and is ready for use.
Additionally, a kit consisting of storage, maintenance, and cleaning accessories is included with it. The Rhino tank has been fabricated from UV stabilized, high-density polyethylene ensuring that it is able to survive the most grueling weather conditions. In addition to that, it comes with a 21-gallon storage capacity.
Alpha Systems Holding Tank VB22548H
This Alpha Systems tank has been created to be extremely durable. It also ranks as one of the tanks with the largest storage capacity on this list with it able to hold 33 gallons. The tank has been designed to meet international standards and one of its outstanding features is its versatility.
This tank is able to be attached to just about any RV type. It can also be used for either grey water or black water, as long as your preference is met.
Barker (31342) Tote Tank
The Barker Tote Tank 31342 has a massive 30 gallons of storage capacity, which depending on how you use it and how many people are in the RV, could last a couple of days. This Barker Tote Tank has been designed with zinc lined brackets.
The reasoning behind this is to prevent foul odor. Its frame is constructed with embedded aluminum which makes it easier and lighter to transport. Additionally, maneuvering the tank is quite easy thanks to its extremely large rubber constructed wheels and sturdy tow handle. The tank has been pre-assembled and can be used instantly. It comes with a 5-foot sewer hose as well as a 3-inch sewer valve.
Tote-N-Store 20123 Portable Waste Transport 4-Wheeler
The Tote N Store Tank has been constructed with a compact design that is still able to provide quite a bit of storage. It has a storage capacity of around 25 gallons, making it one of the smaller sized tanks on this list.
It weighs just 39 pounds when empty. It has been designed to have a low profile, which with its very long tow handle makes it easier to move around. Its portability has obviously considered given that it also has rubber wheels on it. This tank has been pre-assembled so it is available for use almost instantaneously.
It also comes with engineered vents to allow seamless filling. A standout feature of this tank is the fact that it has an indicator system which enables you to seamlessly oversee the tank’s capacity.
Conclusion
After reading this article, it should be much easier to figure out not only what the typical RV holding tank size is, but also just how important a role capacity plays in selecting a tank. The most important thing to do is to assess your preferences and needs when purchasing a holding tank.
