I'm just in the process of plumbing a grey water tank onto our Adria and will have to re-route the existing plumbing, which is no biggie. I'm concerned that if I don't fit a check valve into the shower drain line, I may get some "splash back" into the shower if I have to travel too far with a full grey water tank. I need 25mm valves and although I have a couple of spare spring loaded ones here, I'm not sure that the weight of water in the line will be enough to open the valve. Has anyone had experience with this? What low pressure valves are available or perhaps flapper valves for the line ends. TYIA.
watsea said
08:53 PM Nov 28, 2022
My caravan uses HepVO valves on the drainage lines to stop backflow and reduce back odour from the grey water tank. I understand many vans have HepVO valves. Refer to the following link: hepvo.com/
Possum3 said
08:46 AM Nov 29, 2022
Welcome to GN's Saaby.
Carefully consider whether you in fact need a fitted grey water tank - you can always use a portable tank if one is ever required. A fitted tank will greatly alter your caravan dynamics - Adria are designed Overseas and are a lighter chassis van. If wastewater is carried rear of axles it can act as a pendulum and create sway - particularly if no baffles are fitted to tank.
Legally you are required to obtain Engineer Certification when you alter your Tare Weight, which will happen if a tank is fitted - You may disregard this - but your insurance company will have a differing view if/when you are involved in an accident.
Note; Grey water is considered Black Waste (Sewage) after being contained for 8 hours - and can only (legally) be emptied in sewage systems (dump points).
Saaby said
10:45 AM Nov 29, 2022
Thanks for the responses. I'll have a look at HepVo valves. With regard to the other points mentioned, I am fully aware of the Adria caravan characteristics and specifications. I have, after all, had to repair all the faults that have gone bad with it since new 3 years ago. It is such a lemon that I have had a large sign written sentence pasted above the rear Adria sign to advise followers to never buy a new Adria. I am particularly critical of all my weights on both the caravan and the tug. I currently travel underweight and my tow bar downforce is the correct weight. I have no intention of altering the specifications of either the van or the tug, so I travel accordingly. The grey water tank is not intended for full time use. It will simply transfer the fresh water to the grey tank once used, in cases where it is mandated that grey water tanks are required for overnight free camps. It has been reported that a number of free camps run by councils are now demanding grey water tanks be fitted, and that portable tanks are not sufficient for that task. The grey water tank is small and has been fitted immediately forward of the axle. In caravan parks I have designed it to discharge the grey water straight through the tank and the tank will remain empty most of the time. In cases where grey water is held, it shall be discharged as soon as possible. I do not travel to national parks as I have dogs. Grey water according to my research, becomes black water 24 hours after being placed in a tank. Thanks again for the comments and suggestions.
-- Edited by Saaby on Tuesday 29th of November 2022 10:45:39 AM
Mamil said
11:58 PM Dec 1, 2022
Hi Saaby, I'm sorry I can't offer any advice on greywater tanks or their valves, but my ears pricked up when you said your three year old Adria was a lemon.
I had an Adria of similar vintage and on the whole was very impressed by it's design and build quality, the extensive inclusions as standard, and last but not least the price.
Both the Australian importer/distributor and the local Dealer were however another matter, and I found their attitude and service atrocious.
Anyway, just interested what problems you had with your Adria?
Here's mine, a 402PH, what's yours?
-- Edited by Mamil on Friday 2nd of December 2022 12:01:27 AM
Hi Mamil. Ours is a Altea 552 UP Sport bought new from Apollo in Brisbane. From the outset I kept an open mind as the van has promise. There is far too much to write here about precisely what went wrong, failed to work, broke or leaked. I have written 3 reviews I think on Google reviews, a couple I linked together. Apollo fixed the first few failures under warranty as they occurred immediately we used the van. The dodgy job Apollo did in fitting a solar panel to the roof as part of the purchase resulted in water leaking in through the mounting points on the roof, into the ensuite, down the inside wall into the radio cupboard and into the dining room light fitting. This last detail has rusted the light fitting and I have to rebuild it. Apollo refused to accept responsibility for the 7 year water ingress warranty, as the van had not been serviced during the covid period (it didn't travel during that period). I have removed the solar and resealed the roof myself. The failed sink drain I fixed myself as I can at least guarantee my own work. If you visit Google Reviews on the net under the list Adria 552 UP Sport, my reviews show up quite quickly. What Apollo fail to realize is the number of consumers who read reviews. In the past I have had 40,000 people read a couple of reviews I wrote about other items (2 very good reviews and 1 very bad). Half a million people have read a Google Map change I suggested. Companies do not appreciate the extent of people power. Thanks Possum.
-- Edited by Saaby on Friday 2nd of December 2022 06:36:17 PM
Mamil said
04:43 PM Dec 2, 2022
Hi Saaby, I had a look at your reviews on the Web - they were the first to pop up when I searched so you certainly have the visibility you want.
Sounds like you've had a lot of grief with your van, which I'm sorry to hear about.
I had a few problems with mine, luckily just minor, but they were all with things Apollo had done to the van after it arrived in Australia. Otherwise I was quite happy with the van itself, once I had accepted it for what it was - a basic lightweight European touring van with bigger wheels and a bit of chequer plate thrown on to make it "custom manufacturered to handle Australian and New Zealand road conditions"
I don't have it anymore, but if I was in the market for another I'd certainly consider Adria, although the new prices are literally double what I paid for mine, and I just don't think they are worth that much!
I now have a camper trailer instead, from a company that makes a big deal of their 'built in Australia' credentials. However I've had more problems with this than I ever did with the caravan - but that's another story.....
Saaby said
06:53 PM Dec 2, 2022
Hey Mamil, yeah I hear you about the Adria experience- most other reviews rate them far higher than me. It's a "Friday" manufacture in my view. I too have been shocked at the increase in Adria pricing. Like you, I believe that they are not worth that much. Second hand shall be my direction if I ever need to go bigger/go harder no matter the brand. At least there's an equal chance of getting a lemon or one that has been improved by pre ownership. I came from tents, camper, 2nd hand pop top to this Adria which is supposed to be a journey of learning. I can say that the statement of continued learning and past experience being beneficial is correct. Without that I would've struggled. I had a good camper admittedly. My late wife was an incomplete paraplegic and it was difficult for her to travel in. I never want to hear the sound of a zippered door again. The basics of the Adria are good. The bones are there. That should not be the case however, with a new van, as aside from it "settling in" one should not have to do much except learn its works actions and foibles. Bloke I know with a $90k van built in Qld had a list of 200 items requiring fix at his first service. Some were serious, major chassis faults. After he told me about this, he departed further west in Qld and when he arrived at his next stop about lunchtime, discovered the gas oven had torn out of the cabinetry and was swinging around on the floor on the gas lead. Like you say, another story. Best of luck with the camper. :)
I'm just in the process of plumbing a grey water tank onto our Adria and will have to re-route the existing plumbing, which is no biggie. I'm concerned that if I don't fit a check valve into the shower drain line, I may get some "splash back" into the shower if I have to travel too far with a full grey water tank. I need 25mm valves and although I have a couple of spare spring loaded ones here, I'm not sure that the weight of water in the line will be enough to open the valve. Has anyone had experience with this? What low pressure valves are available or perhaps flapper valves for the line ends. TYIA.
hepvo.com/
Carefully consider whether you in fact need a fitted grey water tank - you can always use a portable tank if one is ever required. A fitted tank will greatly alter your caravan dynamics - Adria are designed Overseas and are a lighter chassis van. If wastewater is carried rear of axles it can act as a pendulum and create sway - particularly if no baffles are fitted to tank.
Legally you are required to obtain Engineer Certification when you alter your Tare Weight, which will happen if a tank is fitted - You may disregard this - but your insurance company will have a differing view if/when you are involved in an accident.
Note; Grey water is considered Black Waste (Sewage) after being contained for 8 hours - and can only (legally) be emptied in sewage systems (dump points).
Thanks for the responses. I'll have a look at HepVo valves. With regard to the other points mentioned, I am fully aware of the Adria caravan characteristics and specifications. I have, after all, had to repair all the faults that have gone bad with it since new 3 years ago. It is such a lemon that I have had a large sign written sentence pasted above the rear Adria sign to advise followers to never buy a new Adria. I am particularly critical of all my weights on both the caravan and the tug. I currently travel underweight and my tow bar downforce is the correct weight. I have no intention of altering the specifications of either the van or the tug, so I travel accordingly. The grey water tank is not intended for full time use. It will simply transfer the fresh water to the grey tank once used, in cases where it is mandated that grey water tanks are required for overnight free camps. It has been reported that a number of free camps run by councils are now demanding grey water tanks be fitted, and that portable tanks are not sufficient for that task. The grey water tank is small and has been fitted immediately forward of the axle. In caravan parks I have designed it to discharge the grey water straight through the tank and the tank will remain empty most of the time. In cases where grey water is held, it shall be discharged as soon as possible. I do not travel to national parks as I have dogs. Grey water according to my research, becomes black water 24 hours after being placed in a tank. Thanks again for the comments and suggestions.
-- Edited by Saaby on Tuesday 29th of November 2022 10:45:39 AM
Hi Saaby, I'm sorry I can't offer any advice on greywater tanks or their valves, but my ears pricked up when you said your three year old Adria was a lemon.
I had an Adria of similar vintage and on the whole was very impressed by it's design and build quality, the extensive inclusions as standard, and last but not least the price.
Both the Australian importer/distributor and the local Dealer were however another matter, and I found their attitude and service atrocious.
Anyway, just interested what problems you had with your Adria?
Here's mine, a 402PH, what's yours?
-- Edited by Mamil on Friday 2nd of December 2022 12:01:27 AM
Hi Mamil. Ours is a Altea 552 UP Sport bought new from Apollo in Brisbane. From the outset I kept an open mind as the van has promise. There is far too much to write here about precisely what went wrong, failed to work, broke or leaked. I have written 3 reviews I think on Google reviews, a couple I linked together. Apollo fixed the first few failures under warranty as they occurred immediately we used the van. The dodgy job Apollo did in fitting a solar panel to the roof as part of the purchase resulted in water leaking in through the mounting points on the roof, into the ensuite, down the inside wall into the radio cupboard and into the dining room light fitting. This last detail has rusted the light fitting and I have to rebuild it. Apollo refused to accept responsibility for the 7 year water ingress warranty, as the van had not been serviced during the covid period (it didn't travel during that period). I have removed the solar and resealed the roof myself. The failed sink drain I fixed myself as I can at least guarantee my own work. If you visit Google Reviews on the net under the list Adria 552 UP Sport, my reviews show up quite quickly. What Apollo fail to realize is the number of consumers who read reviews. In the past I have had 40,000 people read a couple of reviews I wrote about other items (2 very good reviews and 1 very bad). Half a million people have read a Google Map change I suggested. Companies do not appreciate the extent of people power. Thanks Possum.
-- Edited by Saaby on Friday 2nd of December 2022 06:36:17 PM
Hi Saaby, I had a look at your reviews on the Web - they were the first to pop up when I searched so you certainly have the visibility you want.
Sounds like you've had a lot of grief with your van, which I'm sorry to hear about.
I had a few problems with mine, luckily just minor, but they were all with things Apollo had done to the van after it arrived in Australia. Otherwise I was quite happy with the van itself, once I had accepted it for what it was - a basic lightweight European touring van with bigger wheels and a bit of chequer plate thrown on to make it "custom manufacturered to handle Australian and New Zealand road conditions"
I don't have it anymore, but if I was in the market for another I'd certainly consider Adria, although the new prices are literally double what I paid for mine, and I just don't think they are worth that much!
I now have a camper trailer instead, from a company that makes a big deal of their 'built in Australia' credentials. However I've had more problems with this than I ever did with the caravan - but that's another story.....