What to Do When There's No Dump Station Nearby

You are boondocking, the tanks are full, and the nearest dump station is an hour out of your way. It happens. Here are the practical ways to handle it, from the ones worth planning around to the ones that are a last resort.

Carry a portable waste tote

A portable tote, sometimes called a "blue boy," is a wheeled tank you fill from your RV and haul to the dump station separately. It lets you empty your black tank without breaking camp and moving the whole rig. For anyone who stays put for several days at a time, a tote is the single most useful thing to keep in the basement.

Use a macerator pump for tight spots

A macerator pump grinds waste and pushes it through a small-diameter hose, which is handy when the dump inlet is uphill, far from where you can park, or a standard gravity hose will not reach. It is slower than a gravity dump but gets you out of spots a regular hose cannot. Many RVers who dry-camp often keep one as backup.

Stretch your tanks in the meantime

• Use campground or public restrooms when they are available
• Keep gray water down by catching dish water in a basin
• Do not add water to the black tank until you are ready to dump
• Take navy showers: rinse, water off, soap, water on

Know where the free dumps are before you need them

The best fix is not needing a workaround at all. Rest areas, wastewater plants, and public parks often have free dump stations that are easy to miss if you are not looking. Plan your route with a stop in mind and full tanks stop being an emergency.

What not to do

Never dump tanks on the ground, into a storm drain, or anywhere that is not a designated station. It is illegal, it carries steep fines, and it poisons the exact places we all camp to enjoy. There is almost always a legal option within reasonable range if you know where to look.

Use our map and trip planner to find dump stations along your route, so you can top off an empty tank before the next stretch of open road.

Frequently asked questions