With more and mor free camps insisting on vans being self contained and not discharging grey water onto the ground, what are the alternatives to having a grey water tank permanently installed? For example is there a portable option available. We sometimes do trips where no free camping is involved. Looking for a cost effective (cheap), workable and acceptable options.
Thanking you all in anticipation.
Cheers
Hurls
brickies said
04:39 PM Jul 16, 2015
Huris I to hoping for some good feed back on this one
Dougwe said
04:54 PM Jul 16, 2015
Hi Hurls,
I had a 95lt Grey Water tank fitted to my van. I had all plumbing except toilet going straight into the tank. I got them to fit a valve so I can store the grey water or open the valve and let the grey water out into a drain or whatever. If I store I disolve a cap full of that no name nappy san in the sink and let run through to tha closed tank. Helps with any smell etc. Works well for me.
brickies said
05:06 PM Jul 16, 2015
Doug do you have a fitting on tank that you can hook up the sullage hose to it when you are at a caravan park
Gus1949 said
05:10 PM Jul 16, 2015
At the RV Super Store in Melbourne (Ferntree Gully) I saw fairly flat portable grey water tanks with wheels that hold about 40 to 50 litres. Flat so they fit under the vans water outlet. Assume you chuck them in the back of your ute (if you have one) or dig a hole somewhere suitable and empty it. Cost about $90. Best option but far more expensive is to fit a grey water tank but if you do watch you vehicle weights.
Dougwe said
05:33 PM Jul 16, 2015
The valve is on a 42mm PVC pipe, I think they are at the big green shed. To that I have a PVC fitting that just slips over the opening and that is fitted to a standard grey sullage hose also at said shed.
If you have time to look there are cheaper suppliers around.
Hey Jim said
08:33 PM Jul 16, 2015
Hi Doug/ Chief of the tribe, Howe.
I had not till now even through about a holding tank for our new wagon wheels.
Jayco says it can fit an extra tank which now, we would want as a grey holding unit.I might ask them tomorrow and their supply and cost.
Flea bay has plenty on offer, but first I need to check the frame layout to support the tank, and it would need to be at the rear to accommodate kitchen and ensuit.
I never gave it a thought when ordering our first ever van.
Our camper had an offsuit Don't ask where. Oh I guess I will earn more browie points keeping Lambie happy. five months till pickup.
Regards Jim
Cruising Cruze said
08:39 PM Jul 16, 2015
Hi Hurls
same one as from Camec only 48 dollars cheeper from Evil Bay
I To have been concerned about the grey issues that are now coming into plan for free camping or staying in national parks. I ended up purchesing a 40 Ltr holding tank from E-bay for about $138 including delivery. While i haven't used it yet we will be taking the caravan over to tassie next month.
The 40 Ltr will slide under my caravan and I modified the inlet to take the hose from the manafold on the caravan so as to only have one discharge pipe to the grey water tank.
Bruce and Bev said
09:17 PM Jul 16, 2015
some councils and shires will not accept portable grey water tanks - even those designed for that purpose rather than a bucket - when you park in one of their "self contained" vehicles only. Depends on each Ranger I suspect, but I saw a guy moved on from such an area even though he had a proper portable grey tank.
You can often tell which vehicle has a grey water tank - as they are driving along, they leave a wet line along the road lol. The first time I saw this, I flashed the driver and he stopped. When I told him his potable water tanks were emptying out, he got all uppty and told me he was emptying his grey water and to "F" off ! Needless to say, I don't bother telling anyone if I see water coming from underneath their RV's on the road anymore
iana said
10:51 PM Jul 16, 2015
Hey Jim wrote:
Hi Doug/ Chief of the tribe, Howe.
I had not till now even through about a holding tank for our new wagon wheels.
Jayco says it can fit an extra tank which now, we would want as a grey holding unit.I might ask them tomorrow and their supply and cost.
Flea bay has plenty on offer, but first I need to check the frame layout to support the tank, and it would need to be at the rear to accommodate kitchen and ensuit.
I never gave it a thought when ordering our first ever van.
Our camper had an offsuit Don't ask where. Oh I guess I will earn more browie points keeping Lambie happy. five months till pickup.
Regards Jim
Jim, Jayco do not do grey water tanks, you have to have a third water tank fitted (c/w plumbing) and convert it yourself to a Grey water tank.
JohnR said
12:12 AM Jul 17, 2015
The issue of grey water comes up in this forum and others on a regular basis and has been concerning us for some time.A recent picture of a set up in the Caravan & Motor Home (Edition 203) gave me something to think about. After a couple of visits to the local plumbers, Plumbtec in Mildura, we have come up with the following.
1) PVC (sewer strength) 150ml x 1.85m plumbed into the kitchen sink and vanity. 2) PVC (sewer strength) 150ml x 1.85m plumbed into the shower only.
The tap end is fixed but the other end has a screw on cap to facilitate cleaning out with a hose. Each unit has a capacity of approx 32 litres.
Cost $230.
May help someone who has similar concerns with the issue of disposing of grey water and the need to be "self-contained".
*******
We have been running with the above grey water set up for over 12 months. We are accepted in "fully" self contained accommodation sites and when staying in CP's forsay 2/3 days utilize the holding tanks and then dispose of grey water at closest dump point. The van is currently in storage and the screw lids are off to provide ventilation and prevent any build up of smell/etc.
We do travel with taps open and yes residual grey water escapes to the road but certainly not emptying the tanks. The other major benefit is that the shower drains without any issues being no grey water hoses to block up or slow down the drainage.
-- Edited by NeilandRaine on Friday 17th of July 2015 07:59:23 AM
Hylda&Jon said
08:10 AM Jul 17, 2015
We don't have the room or the money to install a grey water tank so have invested in one of these collapsible water containers. It does the trick and it packs away small when not in use.
Great post, liked the photos most practical way of doing it showing away of doing the job.
With my caravan I may run the one pipe down from the centre kitchen along the inside chassis rail to the rear of caravan, we don't have a on broad shower will not be needing the second one.
Thank you John for the idea. Radar.
Hey Jim said
09:00 AM Jul 17, 2015
Hi Ian, John R, Neil & Raine and all,
Thanks very much for your contributions.
I would like to expand the grey water containment idea.
We will be doing 80-90% free camping( off the road = scrub) in the new van. The ground clearance has me worried at the moment slinging the tank under the rear may get hung up or ripped out all together. The new van is a Jayco journey outback 17.55. with extra clearance.
When I finish up in July next year I will be doing a Tafe tig & mig aluminium welding course ( something I have wanted to do for decades). So for Now I will go along with John R's format. then I can knock up a custom tank with an off set to completely drain and be a bit more damage resistant, for our out of the way stays.
I Have to keep the mind active, or I will go stir crazy when not out there in the hotter summer months.
Regards Jim & Lambie
Treecrest14 said
09:05 AM Jul 17, 2015
Had room to hang another 90 litre tank under the van - so put in a "T" on the drain pipe opposite the new tank inlet and a stop **** on the end of the existing outlet. From the "T" put in another stop **** on the new tank. Home brand napisan contains the bugs/smell. Minimal extra weight and you are basically shifting water from one tank to another - so no increase in overall weight!
So if I need to contain grey water, I open the 'grey water tank' stop **** and close the outlet one. Can use the black drain hose to empty into a dump point etc.
PeterInSa said
09:13 AM Jul 17, 2015
A friend plumed in 2 x 20Lt Fuel tanks under his van, uses valves to direct the grey water into the tanks and release the GW or bypass them.
I think there are electrically operated valves available to save you getting underneath the van, but they may only be available in 24v DC.
Peter
rockylizard said
09:14 AM Jul 17, 2015
Hey Jim wrote:
~~~SNIP .....We will be doing 80-90% free camping( off the road = scrub) in the new van. SNIP~~~
Regards Jim & Lambie
Gday...
Whilst understanding the apparently increasing requirement by some (many?) councils, I have found that if you see that you will be "free" camping "off the road = scrub" I think you will find that there is minimal requirement for grey water containment.
The areas/sites that are increasingly restricting the 'free-flow' of grey water are mainly within, or close to, towns that attract large numbers of travellers in a restricted area which quickly turns the ground into a soggy mess - or is on a 'hard stand' which does not absorb water.
Others can feel free to jump in here and either tell me I am wrong - or provide those concerned about 'grey water discharge issues' with advice on what you have encountered in your travels.
I have yet to find a site that is "self-contained only" ... mainly because I do not 'camp' at those within, or close to, towns. Although, the majority of small inland towns welcome the grey water on their trees and grass - often the only water it gets.
Cheers - and happy carefree travelling - John
brickies said
09:36 AM Jul 17, 2015
I think you would have to fit a trap under your sink to stop smells coming into your rig
Ontos45 said
10:36 AM Jul 17, 2015
brickies wrote:
Thanks JohnR great idea
Looks OK except for the plastic taps.
Had the same plastic taps on our van but on the trip to Birdsville in 2010 I found that the Gibber stones loved them. Broke all 3 I had. Had to replace them with metal ones, no trouble since.
Phil C said
02:11 PM Jul 17, 2015
Hi all
At camps where we have to be self contained we do one of 2 things.
1. Don't use the grey water system ie sink, shower etc OR
2. We have a 30 litre sealed tank that collects the grey water for later disposal.
I read someplace that the container needs to be able to be sealed for transport. Ours was less than $40 at the big green toolbox (Bunnings)
Cheers
aussie_paul said
04:14 PM Jul 17, 2015
Phil C wrote:
Hi all
At camps where we have to be self contained we do one of 2 things.
1. Don't use the grey water system ie sink, shower etc OR 2. We have a 30 litre sealed tank that collects the grey water for later disposal.
I read someplace that the container needs to be able to be sealed for transport. Ours was less than $40 at the big green toolbox (Bunnings)
Cheers
Sounds like a common sense plan Phil.
Aussie Paul.
brickies said
05:16 PM Jul 17, 2015
No matter what we have , It will be up to what ever the ranger will accept at the time and at many different free camps could be lots of fun .
Sarge9 said
09:57 PM Jul 17, 2015
I too am fitting a self made grey water tank... Blackall town camp required self contained vans only....
One thing I have not seen mentioned to help eliminate smells from the stored grey water is a waterless trap... fitted in place of an S bend under the sink. Grey water will get a pong up quite quickly ... this is not my van/photo, found by Mr Google.... looks like a HepVo ...
Hi All,
With more and mor free camps insisting on vans being self contained and not discharging grey water onto the ground, what are the alternatives to having a grey water tank permanently installed? For example is there a portable option available. We sometimes do trips where no free camping is involved. Looking for a cost effective (cheap), workable and acceptable options.
Thanking you all in anticipation.
Cheers
Hurls
I had a 95lt Grey Water tank fitted to my van. I had all plumbing except toilet going straight into the tank. I got them to fit a valve so I can store the grey water or open the valve and let the grey water out into a drain or whatever. If I store I disolve a cap full of that no name nappy san in the sink and let run through to tha closed tank. Helps with any smell etc. Works well for me.
At the RV Super Store in Melbourne (Ferntree Gully) I saw fairly flat portable grey water tanks with wheels that hold about 40 to 50 litres. Flat so they fit under the vans water outlet. Assume you chuck them in the back of your ute (if you have one) or dig a hole somewhere suitable and empty it. Cost about $90. Best option but far more expensive is to fit a grey water tank but if you do watch you vehicle weights.
This is what I have, http://camec.com/fiamma-roll-tank-40-litre.html
If you have time to look there are cheaper suppliers around.
Hi Doug/ Chief of the tribe, Howe.
I had not till now even through about a holding tank for our new wagon wheels.
Jayco says it can fit an extra tank which now, we would want as a grey holding unit.I might ask them tomorrow and their supply and cost.
Flea bay has plenty on offer, but first I need to check the frame layout to support the tank, and it would need to be at the rear to accommodate kitchen and ensuit.
I never gave it a thought when ordering our first ever van.
Our camper had an offsuit Don't ask where.
Oh I guess I will earn more browie points keeping Lambie happy. five months till pickup.
Regards Jim
Hi Hurls
same one as from Camec only 48 dollars cheeper from Evil Bay
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/40L-Portable-Wheel-Water-Tank-Camping-Motorhome-Caravan-Storage-Waste-Transport-/350967631604?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item51b74d0ef4
Cheers John
Hi all;
I To have been concerned about the grey issues that are now coming into plan for free camping or staying in national parks. I ended up purchesing a 40 Ltr holding tank from E-bay for about $138 including delivery. While i haven't used it yet we will be taking the caravan over to tassie next month.
The 40 Ltr will slide under my caravan and I modified the inlet to take the hose from the manafold on the caravan so as to only have one discharge pipe to the grey water tank.
You can often tell which vehicle has a grey water tank - as they are driving along, they leave a wet line along the road lol. The first time I saw this, I flashed the driver and he stopped. When I told him his potable water tanks were emptying out, he got all uppty and told me he was emptying his grey water and to "F" off ! Needless to say, I don't bother telling anyone if I see water coming from underneath their RV's on the road anymore
Jim, Jayco do not do grey water tanks, you have to have a third water tank fitted (c/w plumbing) and convert it yourself to a Grey water tank.
The issue of grey water comes up in this forum and others on a regular basis and has been concerning us for some time.A recent picture of a set up in the Caravan & Motor Home (Edition 203) gave me something to think about.
After a couple of visits to the local plumbers, Plumbtec in Mildura, we have come up with the following.
1) PVC (sewer strength) 150ml x 1.85m plumbed into the kitchen sink and vanity. 2) PVC (sewer strength) 150ml x 1.85m plumbed into the shower only.
The tap end is fixed but the other end has a screw on cap to facilitate cleaning out with a hose.
Each unit has a capacity of approx 32 litres.
Cost $230.
May help someone who has similar concerns with the issue of disposing of grey water and the need to be "self-contained".
*******
We have been running with the above grey water set up for over 12 months. We are accepted in "fully" self contained accommodation sites and when staying in CP's forsay 2/3 days utilize the holding tanks and then dispose of grey water at closest dump point. The van is currently in storage and the screw lids are off to provide ventilation and prevent any build up of smell/etc.
We do travel with taps open and yes residual grey water escapes to the road but certainly not emptying the tanks. The other major benefit is that the shower drains without any issues being no grey water hoses to block up or slow down the drainage.
JohnR
__________________
www.thisisouraustralia.com/installing-a-grey-water-tank-in-a-caravan/
Might help.
I like JohnR's idea
This has been covered before http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t54191471/how-to-fit-a-caravan-grey-water-tank/
-- Edited by NeilandRaine on Friday 17th of July 2015 07:59:23 AM
We don't have the room or the money to install a grey water tank so have invested in one of these collapsible water containers. It does the trick and it packs away small when not in use.
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313.TR2.TRC1.A0.H0.TRS0&_nkw=COLLAPSIBLE+WATER+CONTAINER&_sacat=0
Hi JohnR.
Great post, liked the photos most practical way of doing it showing away of doing the job.
With my caravan I may run the one pipe down from the centre kitchen along the inside chassis rail to the rear of caravan, we don't have a on broad shower will not be needing the second one.
Thank you John for the idea. Radar.
Hi Ian, John R, Neil & Raine and all,
Thanks very much for your contributions.
I would like to expand the grey water containment idea.
We will be doing 80-90% free camping( off the road = scrub) in the new van. The ground clearance has me worried at the moment slinging the tank under the rear may get hung up or ripped out all together. The new van is a Jayco journey outback 17.55. with extra clearance.
When I finish up in July next year I will be doing a Tafe tig & mig aluminium welding course ( something I have wanted to do for decades). So for Now I will go along with John R's format. then I can knock up a custom tank with an off set to completely drain and be a bit more damage resistant, for our out of the way stays.
I Have to keep the mind active, or I will go stir crazy when not out there in the hotter summer months.
Regards Jim & Lambie
So if I need to contain grey water, I open the 'grey water tank' stop **** and close the outlet one. Can use the black drain hose to empty into a dump point etc.
I think there are electrically operated valves available to save you getting underneath the van, but they may only be available in 24v DC.
Peter
Gday...
Whilst understanding the apparently increasing requirement by some (many?) councils, I have found that if you see that you will be "free" camping "off the road = scrub" I think you will find that there is minimal requirement for grey water containment.
The areas/sites that are increasingly restricting the 'free-flow' of grey water are mainly within, or close to, towns that attract large numbers of travellers in a restricted area which quickly turns the ground into a soggy mess - or is on a 'hard stand' which does not absorb water.
Others can feel free to jump in here and either tell me I am wrong - or provide those concerned about 'grey water discharge issues' with advice on what you have encountered in your travels.
I have yet to find a site that is "self-contained only" ... mainly because I do not 'camp' at those within, or close to, towns. Although, the majority of small inland towns welcome the grey water on their trees and grass - often the only water it gets.
Cheers - and happy carefree travelling - John
Looks OK except for the plastic taps.
Had the same plastic taps on our van but on the trip to Birdsville in 2010 I found that the Gibber stones loved them. Broke all 3 I had. Had to replace them with metal ones, no trouble since.
At camps where we have to be self contained we do one of 2 things.
1. Don't use the grey water system ie sink, shower etc OR
2. We have a 30 litre sealed tank that collects the grey water for later disposal.
I read someplace that the container needs to be able to be sealed for transport. Ours was less than $40 at the big green toolbox (Bunnings)
Cheers
Sounds like a common sense plan Phil.
Aussie Paul.
I too am fitting a self made grey water tank... Blackall town camp required self contained vans only....
One thing I have not seen mentioned to help eliminate smells from the stored grey water is a waterless trap... fitted in place of an S bend under the sink. Grey water will get a pong up quite quickly ... this is not my van/photo, found by Mr Google.... looks like a HepVo ...
Hope this is of some help...
Sarge