How to Empty Holding Tanks RemotelyKevinOphoff2024-03-17T11:23:14-06:00

How to Empty Holding Tanks Remotely Without Moving Your Rig

Perhaps you have your travel trailer or tiny home in the most idyllic setting ever imagined but there’s no way to connect to sewer and water. Drawing fresh water from the nearby house is no problem, just run a drinking water-safe hose. But draining your rigs holding tanks is not so simple.

Gray water can be used in the garden once properly filtered. But the black water needs to be disposed of properly.

Black waste and toilet paper will not easily flow thru a garden size hose unless it is ground up (macerated) into very small pieces. Even then there needs to be some pressure behind it.

The Flojet Portable RV Waste Pump/Macerator Expands Your Living Situation

Designed to greatly improve one of the least desirable functions of the RV experience. Cleanly handle both the black and gray water from your holding tanks with this new self-priming, powerful macerator pump. The pump housing is designed to connect on to the standard 3″ sewer adapter. Power leads with plug may be permanently attached to vehicle, or battery clips may be attached for complete portability. Note: Some vehicles require an angle adapter for proper fit.

The FloJet will pump waste up to 75′, even uphill. This really broadens your possible parking spots.

So go ahead. Plant your tiny home or travel trailer under that pretty tree in the meadow far from the main house. There are ways to handle your waste.

Here is a great YouTube® video explaining the use of the Flojet Portable RV Waste Pump/Macerator

Marinas had to come up with a way to empty a boat’s holding tanks and offer sewer services to houseboats permanently moored.

The TMC Marine Electric Toilet with Macerator Pump is used on boats but could also be used in an RV or tiny home situation.

The self-priming flush pump rinses the bowl as the macerator and high capacity scavenger pump grinds up waste and pumps it out.

See the page on Floating Tiny Homes for more information.

Empty Holding Tanks into this Portable Black Water Tote Tank

If you can’t reach a proper waste disposal facility (like a sewer drain, or toilet) with a hose you could use this portable black water tote tank.

This 32 gallon tank can be very heavy when full. The macerator pump allows you to put the empty tote tank in the bed of your truck and then pump the waste into it, thus avoiding the heavy lift.

Bringing tote tank to dump station

Erik & Jeanne Anderson of LinaBugRVTravels empty their tanks this way then drag the portable tote tank 1.5 miles to the nearest dump station (see photo at top of page).

They drive at a brisk 5 MPH.

“We’re boondocking in the desert for two full MONTHS, so we bought the Rhino tote to give it a try,” Erik said. “It all worked well and now we feel even more self-sufficient than usual off-the-grid!”

Erik Anderson remotely emptying the holding tanks on his RV using a portable tote tank.

Empty your waste tanks properly

Use this RVer’s Guide to Dump Stations to find the dump station nearest you.

I’ve heard hunters discuss digging a hole and draining your tanks into that but I would check with your county and Forest Service before doing that. They might consider it hazardous waste (depending on how hot last night chili dinner was).

Here are some DIY septic systems.

You should be able to drain your holding tanks into your sewer system at home as shown above. Again, call your water company first and check what tank deodorizers they don’t want coming into their system. Use the deodorizer they want you to.

Where to store your tote tank:

If you don’t have an available storage bay use this bracket to neatly carry your Rhino Portable Waste Holding Tank on your bumper.

The Rhino Bumper Mount Tote Tank Holder securely holds your Rhino Tote Tank onto standard RV bumpers and fits both 4-inch and 4-1/2-inch bumpers. It’s perfect for RVs without ladders.

The holder is constructed of powder-coated steel with zinc-coated hardware for durability.

Holds all four Rhino Tote Tank sizes (15, 21, 28 and 36 gallons) and is also compatible with most portable waste holding tanks on the market. Includes straps to secure your tote tank in place.