Little "Blue Totes" (How to) - Montana Owners Club

dsprik · 08-14-2006, 05:44 AM

OK, looks like I will be needing one of these. Camping for a week w/o sewer hookup. More of these times coming, I can tell.

What size do people use for our Montana size holding tanks? And how specifically do you use them and keep them clean? (ie: tricks and tips...)

Dave and Cheryl Sprik
Bellaire, MI

2002 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Ext Cab, LB, SLE (w/ full power/elect options)
Reese 16K Hitch, Draw Tite Brake Controller (Activator II)
Full undercoating, Rhino Spray-In Liner
2007 3400RL
Venetian Gold Interior
2nd A/C, Fireplace, Dual Pane Windows, Central Vac
WE'RE HOME!

Don't EVER give up on your Dream.

richfaa · 08-14-2006, 06:26 AM

I think the biggest one is 30 gallons..we have one in the back of the truck at all times.Use it for the grey tanks..we like showers..which is one reason we do not like boon bocking and the only reason we have the big blue tank...

Rich& Helen N.Ridgeville,Ohio.

F-350SD, Lariat, V-10,4:30 Diff, tow command Long bed, Crew Cab Dually, 06 3400RL
Mor-Ryde Pin Box

Wandering Star · 08-14-2006, 06:28 AM

Brought out tank from Camping World, buy largest size @ 30/35 gallons. We boondock alot and tank has made camping so enjoyable, empyting the tank is a small price to pay for the comforts of showers and hot water washing. Tank tows easily behind truck even on dirt and bumpy roads, use bungy cord to secure tow bar to trailer hitch for ease of mind that tank won,t come loose from towing. I made up a 3/4 foot sewer hose to hook trailer to tank, use same hose at dumping station to dump, also made up a 6 foot water hose for rinsing tank and hose at dumping station. I leave three dumping valves on trailer closed while hook up to tank, open valves seperately when emptying trailer with black water first and grey water last, this way rinses sewer pipe and hose. we get about 4/5 days between dumping.

Jon & Jo Ann
Harwinton, CT
2000 Ford PSD, SC, SD,
4x4 lariot, short bed
2001 2955 5th wheel

Lije Baley · 08-14-2006, 06:53 AM

We also researched getting a blue tote. One thing to keep in mind is that the 4 wheeled tote is going to be much easier to empty than the
2 wheel version as there is no "lifting" involved. The larger the better!

Bill and Mariana McCamy
'05 F-250 Lariat 6L PSD
'05 2955RL
Woodland, CA

Broome101 · 08-14-2006, 09:16 AM

OK rich you got me here, you don't boondock which by the way i don't either. So what do you need the blue tank for? Just a question, as my family can fill up the gray tank in one day. My oldest who is picky where he takes shower if it's dirty he want go in the bath house, takes about 3 showers a day along with my wife while camping so I end up just leaving the gray and galley open while camping.

Broome101
2005 F350 PSD,SRW,CC,LB, King Ranch, 4x4
2005 3685FL
http://www.picturetrail.com/broome101

sreigle · 08-14-2006, 09:31 AM

Dave, a lot of people use the blue tank but they are a bit pricey, or were back when we had one.

You can probably do a week without dumping if you are careful. Turn water off and on as needed when showering, etc.

The thing I find helps us the most is one of those $20 twist on gate valves from Camping World. It's a dump valve and it goes on the dump pipe the same way your sewer connector do. With that you can close that valve and open both grey valves. The two 38 gallon (each) gray tanks will now share capacity. Since we don't fill up the galley tank nearly as quickly as the shower tank, this really helps. It extends time between dumps by 2 or 3 days or more, depending on how much showering you do, etc.

$17.99 for P.C. members.

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/s...27868&src=SRQB

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

richfaa · 08-14-2006, 10:14 AM

Broome 101.. We avoid boon docking like the plague.We also, when on our own have full hookups. We do however camp with our local camping group and in many campgrounds that means the "group area" which seldom has full hook ups. Electric and water yes, sewer no..hence the blue tank for the Grey tanks so we can shower. Bath houses are Ok for me but most females , wife included, are picky about bath houses.BTW boon docking to me means....nothing...no hookups of any kind and no generators.. I get a kick about folks boon docking with the generator humming away, A/C running, Sat dish set up outside..that is really roughing it....We had reservations about going to Quartsite till I saw the pictures with all those generators alongsde the campers...boondocking...right...

Rich& Helen N.Ridgeville,Ohio.

F-350SD, Lariat, V-10,4:30 Diff, tow command Long bed, Crew Cab Dually, 06 3400RL
Mor-Ryde Pin Box

cmp-shooter · 08-14-2006, 11:18 AM

When full, I send it airfreight to an ALKIDA TRAINING CAMP.........
and drop it there

2006 GMC SIERRA 3500-SRW and 2005 MONTANA 3380RL

Broome101 · 08-14-2006, 11:40 AM

I am with you on that one Rich.

Broome101
2005 F350 PSD,SRW,CC,LB, King Ranch, 4x4
2005 3685FL
http://www.picturetrail.com/broome101

indy roadrunner · 08-14-2006, 12:09 PM

Dave, I messed around and got one of them 32 Gal two wheel cheaper model that is colored almost the same as this format background and that was a mistake. I have a tow bar to hook to TV but pulling it on those two wheels when full is almost more than I can handle. So I resolved to empty to portable tank more often rather than wait till tanks are full. 32 Gallons of **** weights a lot believe me. Spend the extra money and get a 4 wheeler and save your back.

Phill & Gladys
Sometimes me sits and thinks - sometimes me just sits.
06 GMC 2500HD Duramax 4x4
06 Montana 3400RL
Bichon - CEO

Shane01638 · 08-14-2006, 12:46 PM

The 2 wheel 32 gallon is alot to handle on uneven ground. If you do get one, I wouldn't bother with tank bobber guage from camping world. It goes on the small screw on garden hose type connector. The problem is that it doesn't let any air escape so it takes a very long time to fill the tank. It's worthless. Also, I would recommend leaving the small cap off while traveling or during large temperature changes. I didn't think about it and left mine on when we drove from Alaska to Las Vegas. By the time we got to Vegas I noticed the tank was balloned out. I unscrewed that cap and a large whoosh of air brought it back to size. It still has a little roundness to it though.

Anchorage, AK
2005 Montana 3295RK Loaded with custom floor plan!
2005 Silverado LT CC D/A LB Loaded
25K Air Ride Hitch by Air Ride Technologies
Prodigy Brake Controller

campbud · 08-14-2006, 12:51 PM

We have one and use it when camping more than a week..well worth the money.

2005 2955RL Montana
2002 Chevy 2500HD 8.1 Ext Cab 4x4
Bob and Kathy

Trailer Trash 2 · 08-14-2006, 12:53 PM

I have the 15 or 20 gal one with 2 wheels and the thing that goes over the ball on the hitch for transporting. dont forget what water weighs about 8 lbs. per gal and that can be HEAVY when you have to move it around to dump it. I can make a couple of trips if needed with my small tank.

Don, Georgia and Smokey.
AKA: Trailer Trash 2
FORD F-350 Turbo Diesel, Clydesdale, Banks Stinger, Prodigy Controler,
Pullin a Super Fine 2004 / 2980-RL

Trailer Trash 2's link

Glenn and Lorraine · 08-14-2006, 01:14 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by sreigle

Dave, a lot of people use the blue tank but they are a bit pricey, or were back when we had one.

You can probably do a week without dumping if you are careful. Turn water off and on as needed when showering, etc.

The thing I find helps us the most is one of those $20 twist on gate valves from Camping World. It's a dump valve and it goes on the dump pipe the same way your sewer connector do. With that you can close that valve and open both grey valves. The two 38 gallon (each) gray tanks will now share capacity. Since we don't fill up the galley tank nearly as quickly as the shower tank, this really helps. It extends time between dumps by 2 or 3 days or more, depending on how much showering you do, etc.

Dave, I gotta go along with Steve on this one. Take the money for that blue tote and spend a small portion on the gate valve Steve is talking about. Than while still at CW take the rest of the money and buy something else that you really need (or at least think you need).
We have the same set up as Steve and it works great.
If it is just you and Cheryl and you are a bit conservative about water going into the tanks there is no reason you cannot go a week without dumping. Also you say "a week" but that is probably taking a day to get there and another day home so your actual camping will probably only be 5 days.
One easy way to conserve water is doing dishes. Wash the dishes in a pan and save that dish water for flushing the toilet.

dsprik · 08-14-2006, 01:41 PM

Thanks, Guys! I have that gate valve at the top of my list, Steve. As we are about 280 miles from the nearest CW, I will have to order. We need other stuff too, but need to save up to get everything at once to keep from getting hosed on the shipping. It sounds like it's what you get used to doing, that you prefer to do.

Some have set themselves to not need the blue tote and others wouldn't be caught with it. It does take up space in the pickup bed while traveling. On the other hand, I don't really want a lot of my time consumed with fretting about how full my tanks are, as my guages already don't work, and I haven't had them long enough yet to judge the "sound". I'll just wait for more responses here.

I must admit, Glenn... I do like the idea of maybe saving our money. Might try to handle this week coming up from the 14th - 20th of Sept. (our first trip) w/o the tote and see how it goes...

Dave and Cheryl Sprik
Bellaire, MI

2002 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Ext Cab, LB, SLE (w/ full power/elect options)
Reese 16K Hitch, Draw Tite Brake Controller (Activator II)
Full undercoating, Rhino Spray-In Liner
2007 3400RL
Venetian Gold Interior
2nd A/C, Fireplace, Dual Pane Windows, Central Vac
WE'RE HOME!

Don't EVER give up on your Dream.

Parrothead · 08-14-2006, 02:14 PM

We bought the big one several years ago. Used it once. Sat in the garage for years, finally sold it at a garage sale.
Happy trails.....................

Sue and Ed Rowe
Hemet California

2005 3400RL

2006 GMC 3500 Dually, D/A, Crew Cab, Long Bed

richfaa · 08-14-2006, 03:14 PM

The simple answer to Blue tote or no blue tote is never be in a campground without full hookups. I our early days of Camping and camping with our local group we had a need for a blue tote. We took it with us to the FCRV camvention in Canada last month because we were at a fairground and no sewer hookup. We had not used it before that in maybe 3 or 4 years. We will take it next year to Denver because again fairground with no sewer.If we go to Quartzsite we will not be in a circle of campers with the generator alongside the camper and waiting for the honey wagon... we will be in a real campground with full hookups..taking a shower 3 or 4 times a day and anything else we want to take 3 or 4 times a day.. So there...

Rich& Helen N.Ridgeville,Ohio.

F-350SD, Lariat, V-10,4:30 Diff, tow command Long bed, Crew Cab Dually, 06 3400RL
Mor-Ryde Pin Box

dsprik · 08-14-2006, 03:41 PM

Rich, you are definitely a camper with "attitude". I love it!

Dave and Cheryl Sprik
Bellaire, MI

2002 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Ext Cab, LB, SLE (w/ full power/elect options)
Reese 16K Hitch, Draw Tite Brake Controller (Activator II)
Full undercoating, Rhino Spray-In Liner
2007 3400RL
Venetian Gold Interior
2nd A/C, Fireplace, Dual Pane Windows, Central Vac
WE'RE HOME!

Don't EVER give up on your Dream.

Mac · 08-14-2006, 04:14 PM

Rich,

What's going on "next year in Denver"? What am I missing???

mac

1999 Silverado LS Extended Cab, Prodigy Brake Controller
2006 2955RL

sreigle · 08-14-2006, 04:17 PM

Dave, if you don't need it before the rally there is a Camping World in Elkhart.

The biggest problem I had with the little blue wagon was knowing when it was "almost" full so I could close the dump valve. When it filled up the flow would stop but closing the valve still left the little hose full of black "stuff" that had to go somewhere and the tank was already full. This was quite a few years ago and many people use them successfully so maybe they've improved them.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

You may also like: