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Camco Rhino vs RecPro — 36-Gallon Portable RV Waste Tank

The two best-selling 36-gallon portable RV waste tanks compared side-by-side — specs, materials, accessories, price, and which one to actually buy. Based on verified Amazon listings and published spec sheets.

Camco Rhino 36-Gallon (39006)
Camco Rhino 36-Gallon Portable RV Waste Tank
$297.65
Amazon list price
ASIN: B07K8NK525
Material: UV-stabilized HDPE
Dims: 46″L × 25″W × 15.5″H
Empty weight: 45 lbs
Full weight: ~345 lbs
Warranty: 2 years
Reviews: 27,262 at 4.7★
See on Amazon →
VS
RecPro 36-Gallon
RecPro 36-Gallon Portable RV Waste Tank
$349.95
Amazon list price
ASIN: B0CTHYXDB9
Material: Heavy-duty Polypropylene
Dims: 44.5″L × 24.75″W × 15″H
Empty weight: not published
Full weight: ~346 lbs
Warranty: not listed
Reviews: 106 at 4.3★
See on Amazon →
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Our Pick for Most RVers
Camco Rhino 36-Gallon
$52 cheaper, 27,000+ proven reviews, UV-resistant HDPE, explicit 2-year warranty. The RecPro is a solid runner-up if you need a capacity indicator or prefer the open-top fill port.

Full Spec Comparison

Both tanks target the same buyer: an RVer who needs to move waste from a site without a sewer hookup to the dump station. The 36-gallon size makes sense for families and larger rigs that fill up fast. Here's how every measurable spec stacks up:

Spec Camco Rhino 36-Gal RecPro 36-Gal Edge
Price (Amazon) $297.65 $349.95 Camco — $52 less
Material UV-stabilized HDPE Heavy-duty Polypropylene (PP) Camco — HDPE is more UV-resistant outdoors
Dimensions (L×W×H) 46″ × 25″ × 15.5″ 44.5″ × 24.75″ × 15″ Essentially identical
Empty weight 45 lbs Not published Camco — transparent spec
Full weight (36 gal) ~345 lbs ~346 lbs Same
Wheels No-flat airless tires No-flat airless, diamond-pattern tread Both airless; RecPro tread may grip better on grass
Capacity indicator None Yes — built-in RecPro — useful feature
Fill port Threaded cap, top inlet Large open-top port RecPro — easier to fill and rinse
Included accessories Sewer hose, 4-in-1 adapter, elbow, caps Sewer hose, gloves, caps, capacity indicator RecPro — gloves included
Assembly required Minimal — wheels pre-attached Fully pre-assembled RecPro — ready out of box
Warranty 2 years (published) Not listed on Amazon Camco — clear coverage
Review count 27,262 reviews 106 reviews Camco — vastly more field data
Rating 4.7★ 4.3★ Camco
Ladder hook storage Yes Not confirmed Camco
Best Seller badge Yes (#1 in category) Yes (#2 in category) Both bestsellers
Prices verified July 2026 · Amazon ASIN B07K8NK525 (Camco) · B0CTHYXDB9 (RecPro) · affiliate links

Material: HDPE vs Polypropylene

This is the most technically meaningful difference between the two tanks. Both are industry-standard waste-grade plastics, but they have different properties in outdoor RV use:

Property HDPE (Camco) Polypropylene (RecPro)
UV resistance High — UV stabilizers added Moderate — degrades faster without UV additives
Impact resistance Very high — resists cracking when dropped Good — slightly more brittle in cold
Chemical resistance Excellent for waste water Excellent for waste water
Density / weight Slightly heavier per cubic inch Lighter per cubic inch
Long-term outdoor storage Better — UV spec confirmed Fine if kept covered or shaded
Bottom line on materials
For a portable waste tank that lives in a storage bay or campground locker, both materials perform fine. If your tank will sit outside in UV-heavy climates (Southwest, high altitude) for extended periods, HDPE's confirmed UV stabilization gives the Camco a long-term edge. Polypropylene is a fine engineering plastic — it's just better suited to sheltered storage.

Accessories: What's in the Box

The accessories differ enough to be a real purchase factor, depending on what you already own:

Camco Rhino 36-Gal — What's Included
  • 3-foot sewer hose
  • 4-in-1 dump station adapter
  • 90° elbow fitting
  • Threaded caps (inlet + outlet)
  • Ladder hook for RV storage
  • Tow bar / handle
RecPro 36-Gal — What's Included
  • Sewer hose
  • Disposable gloves
  • Caps (inlet + outlet)
  • Built-in capacity indicator
  • Pre-assembled — nothing to attach
  • Open-top fill port

The Camco includes a 4-in-1 dump station adapter that the RecPro does not — that's the adapter that fits four different common dump station inlet types. If you don't already have one, you'll need to buy it separately with the RecPro. The RecPro includes gloves, which Camco does not — a nice touch for first-timers, though most experienced RVers have their own.

RecPro's Capacity Indicator: Is It Worth It?

The built-in capacity indicator is the RecPro's most distinctive feature and the primary reason someone would choose it over the Camco. A 36-gallon tote tank weighs around 345 lbs when full — you do not want to discover it's at capacity by having it overflow or become immovable partway to the dump station.

Who benefits most from the capacity indicator
First-time RVers who are still developing a feel for tank timing; solo travelers who can't easily get help lifting a suddenly-heavy tank; anyone who frequently fills from multiple sources (RV black tank + gray tank). Experienced RVers with a good feel for their RV's tank output typically don't miss it on the Camco.

Open-Top vs Threaded Fill Port

The RecPro uses a large open-top port for filling and rinsing — you can rinse directly with a standard garden hose without adapters. The Camco uses a standard threaded cap inlet. In practice:

  • The RecPro's open port is faster to fill and easier to flush out residue during cleaning
  • The Camco's threaded cap is more secure if the tank tips — the closed system prevents spills from a capped inlet
  • Both handle the emptying process identically via the gate valve and sewer hose connection

Price Analysis: Is the RecPro Worth $52 More?

At $349.95 vs $297.65, the RecPro costs about 17.5% more. The extra cost buys you: a capacity indicator (useful), gloves (minor value, ~$5), and the open-top port (genuinely convenient). Whether that's worth $52 depends on how much you value not guessing your tank level.

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RecPro warranty status — check before buying
As of our July 2026 verification, RecPro does not list a warranty term on the Amazon product page for this tank. The Camco explicitly states a 2-year limited warranty. If warranty coverage matters to you, confirm with RecPro directly before purchasing.

Who Should Buy Each Tank

Buy the Camco Rhino 36-Gallon if:

  • You want maximum peace of mind from a proven product (27K+ reviews, 4.7★)
  • You want an explicit 2-year warranty
  • You'll store the tank outside in direct sun for extended periods
  • You want to save $52
  • You already own a dump station adapter and gloves
  • You don't need a built-in level indicator (most experienced RVers don't)

Buy the RecPro 36-Gallon if:

  • A built-in capacity indicator would genuinely change how you use the tank
  • You prefer the open-top port for easier filling and rinsing
  • You want a fully pre-assembled tank with zero setup
  • You like having gloves included in the kit
  • The $52 premium is immaterial to your budget

Also Consider

If you're sizing down or want to compare the full portable waste tank market, see our portable RV waste tank roundup covering all major brands and sizes. The Camco Rhino also comes in 15, 21, and 28-gallon models — the 28-gallon is worth considering if you're a couple rather than a family.

L
Written by
Lawrence

Water and wastewater treatment professional with 18+ years of hands-on experience. Grade IV Wastewater Certification holder. Founded TankAuthority to bring real operator knowledge to water storage decisions.