Hi all from a couple of caravan Noobs Sandy and Janet. We did have a caravan (Ezy Tow) for a short while about 35 years ago and now we are waiting on our new Karakampa which we expect to arrive late May. We are looking forward to it and doing some free camping. It has a combined shower/toilet but not a grey water tank. I intend getting a 20 litre plastic detergent container and lay it on its side next to the van and run a short grey water hose into it. Can anyone tell me if this will pass as "Self contained" where some sites in "Camps 9" are stated for self contained units, or would it be more compliant if I get a 25 litre portable grey water tank on wheels. We will be towing the van with our 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe
Tony Bev said
12:33 AM Apr 23, 2017
Hello sandman55
May I be one of the first to welcome you to the forum, and I hope that you get a lot of enjoyment, with your new rig
As far as grey water is concerned, some sites will allow a bucket, other sites want a sealed unit
I had no problem doing the lap with an old caravan and an open bucket, using the free camps
If you got the 25 litre portable grey water tank on wheels, as you have suggested
You would be able to wheel it under the Karakampa, it would therefore be out of sight, and out of mind
I have a sealed unit in my motorhome, as per the avatar, but I empty it daily, by bucket, onto the nearby trees
sandman55 said
12:42 AM Apr 23, 2017
Thanks Tony and Bev that's a good idea about wheeling it under the Karakampa so that it is out of sight.
Dougwe said
08:49 AM Apr 23, 2017
Welcome to the gang sandman55, enjoy here and out in the playground.
To answer your question, in some places yes but some no.
Why, well I have been checked twice now one at Waverley Creek Rest Area north of Rockhampton QLD and was ok but others were told to take their bucket or container away and not let out on ground as it is bitumen. One agued with him and was told to leave or the police would be called. The Ranger did suggest I put a cap on my outlet from grey water tank when not draining. I might add here that I have stayed at this spot a few times now and have seen people letting grey water out on the gorund. I talked about this place in one of my monthly updates many moons back.
The second time was a rest area but not an overnighter on the Pacific Hwy north of the Newcastle NSW, turn off. I had pulled in for lunch and was in the van when a knock on the door, it was a uniformed Ranger checking that I wasn't letting water out on the ground even though it was gravel. I showed him it was closed off and the cap was on, I had got one as suggested by then. "Have a safe trip mate".
So as you can see you can get checked and if the authorities are not happy they will move you on. On both occasions I asked about portable containers and was told they can over flow if not checked and the built-in grey water tanks are prefered. So I spose it's all up to us happy campers how we go about it.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Woody n Sue said
08:44 PM Apr 23, 2017
And it's welcome from us two 2 sandman55 good times ahead l can't help as we are full contained for black n grey .
You will have to excuse Doug some days he has his cap on and some days not ............ If it's not on its not on !!!
Woody
sandman55 said
11:51 PM Apr 23, 2017
Thanks guys for the welcome and the info I guess it is a case of try it and see. When we pick up the van in Victoria we have to travel back to South Australia on a permit to register it here and then we will travel to NSW to see the kids which is a bit of a pain to have to make that detour and on that trip we will have the temporary 20 litre detergent container and some of the time we will stop in caravan parks and put our drain hose in their drains or what ever they have. Then when we get home we will decide whether to get a portable grey water tank or not or we might try it and see. Thanks again for all your input.
Cadpete said
09:20 PM Apr 24, 2017
G'day Sandman55, and welcome to the forum. Plenty of great advice and folks on here. Don't forget to try out the two games - Who is This in the I digress section and Pick ThisPlace in the general section. 'Pick this place' is a great way to find new places to explore.
Hi all from a couple of caravan Noobs Sandy and Janet. We did have a caravan (Ezy Tow) for a short while about 35 years ago and now we are waiting on our new Karakampa which we expect to arrive late May. We are looking forward to it and doing some free camping. It has a combined shower/toilet but not a grey water tank. I intend getting a 20 litre plastic detergent container and lay it on its side next to the van and run a short grey water hose into it. Can anyone tell me if this will pass as "Self contained" where some sites in "Camps 9" are stated for self contained units, or would it be more compliant if I get a 25 litre portable grey water tank on wheels. We will be towing the van with our 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe
May I be one of the first to welcome you to the forum, and I hope that you get a lot of enjoyment, with your new rig
As far as grey water is concerned, some sites will allow a bucket, other sites want a sealed unit
I had no problem doing the lap with an old caravan and an open bucket, using the free camps
If you got the 25 litre portable grey water tank on wheels, as you have suggested
You would be able to wheel it under the Karakampa, it would therefore be out of sight, and out of mind
I have a sealed unit in my motorhome, as per the avatar, but I empty it daily, by bucket, onto the nearby trees
To answer your question, in some places yes but some no.
Why, well I have been checked twice now one at Waverley Creek Rest Area north of Rockhampton QLD and was ok but others were told to take their bucket or container away and not let out on ground as it is bitumen. One agued with him and was told to leave or the police would be called. The Ranger did suggest I put a cap on my outlet from grey water tank when not draining. I might add here that I have stayed at this spot a few times now and have seen people letting grey water out on the gorund. I talked about this place in one of my monthly updates many moons back.
The second time was a rest area but not an overnighter on the Pacific Hwy north of the Newcastle NSW, turn off. I had pulled in for lunch and was in the van when a knock on the door, it was a uniformed Ranger checking that I wasn't letting water out on the ground even though it was gravel. I showed him it was closed off and the cap was on, I had got one as suggested by then. "Have a safe trip mate".
So as you can see you can get checked and if the authorities are not happy they will move you on. On both occasions I asked about portable containers and was told they can over flow if not checked and the built-in grey water tanks are prefered. So I spose it's all up to us happy campers how we go about it.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
You will have to excuse Doug some days he has his cap on and some days not ............ If it's not on its not on !!!
Woody
G'day Sandman55, and welcome to the forum. Plenty of great advice and folks on here. Don't forget to try out the two games - Who is This in the I digress section and Pick This Place in the general section. 'Pick this place' is a great way to find new places to explore.
Pete and Marion