Often referred to as blue boys or honey wagons, a portable RV waste tank can come in handy on the road. It allows you to be setup at a non-sewer campsite and not have to move to the dump station every time you fill one of your tanks. And though I know people who don’t own one. I would about consider one a must.
A little over a year ago, just before setting out full time, we decided to buy one. A site we were going to did not have full hook up and we were planning on being there for a week. I called around to a few RV dealers to see what they had. I wanted a waste tank that was close to the same size as the tanks on our trailer, which is 35 gallon. Finally, I found a place that had a 35 gallon Thetford Smart Tote 2. So, we dropped by and picked one up.
Opinions Of The Smart Tote 2
Right off the bat there were a few things I didn’t care for about this waste tank. And I found over the next year there are several things I totally didn’t like about it.
Wheels
The first thing was the plastic wheels. Water and “liquid” is very heavy and I really thought metal wheels with rubber tires would be much better. But this tank was the size I wanted so what could I do? It’s not like I’m going to be pulling this thing down the highway. All in all, this would be a minor dislike of the Smart Tote 2.
Valve
After using the Smart Tote 2 a few times a big thing I didn’t like was its lack of a valve on the dump hose. It comes with a cap and a
Hose End
This leads to another issue I have with the Smart Tote. The twist lock bayonet fittings. Evidently, Thetford uses I slightly different bayonet fitting than a lot of other manufacturers use. And after some use the bayonet fitting would not hold the valve on tight enough. If you weren’t careful it would actually fall off the end of the hose. This could get very messy! I ended up replacing the hose and the hose end that came with it to a different brand that holds tighter.
Hinges
Another issue of poor design of the Smart Tote is the plastic “hinges”. Instead of actual hinges, Thetford has just made the plastic very thin at the various hinge points on the tank. This can be fine for occasional use but when using it fairly regularly they tend to break. This happened to the lid that holds the hose and elbow in place for storage and transport. I now have a piece of small rope that holds the everything i
Handle
My final dislike in the design of the Smart Tote 2 is its plastic pull handle. As mentioned,
Conclusion
I still have and occasionally have to use this honey wagon. And on top of wishing I had chosen a different brand I also wish I had bought a smaller one. Sure, it’s nice to be able to empty one of my tanks into it. But 35 gallons can get really heavy and hard to roll across grass and dirt. I think maybe a 20 or so gallon tank would be easier to navigate. And also, not take up so much room in the truck.
These are my issues and dislikes about the Thetford Smart Tote 2. I’m sure other brands may have similar issues as well. If or when I buy another one, I plan on getting a Barker brand. It looks as if they have addressed many of the issues that I have with the Thetford.
What have been some of y’alls likes and dislikes with RV portable waste tanks? Let us know in the comments.
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Thanks. comments and a question:
I have the same “smart” tote and agree with your assessment. Wheels, bayonet fittings and handle stink. I like the idea of using the bayonet fitting valve, great idea!. I always carry one anyway after a trip where my black water main valve failed.
When you changed out the hose, how did you connect the new hose to the tank? I’ve thought about doing the same thing, but was hesitant to do so for fear of a leak. is that a simple hose clamp on a spiral wire hose?
Yes it was just a hose clamp.
I have long since replaced the smart tote with a Barker. The quality of the Barker is way above that of the Thetford.