I have been told that a number of free camps & free overnight stops like boat ramps, car-parks, truck stops and some national parks etc that are bitumized insist on only self contained vehicles being permitted to stay. Units such as Motor homes and 5th wheelers with grey water tanks fitted. I would like to instal a grey water tank under our 22ft Regent Series 2 caravan at the back near shower/kitchen plumbing, something with a valve of some sort to take water from existing plumbing into tank and a tank outlet that will allow me to dump it appropriately fairly quickly. I have our caravan plated to take extra payload, so no concerns traveling with the waste water which will be no heavier than the fresh water carried in anyway.Appreciate comments. Any ideas how I could do it? Has anyone done it before? Cheers Gazzah
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Regards Gazzah
2006 Toyota Landcruiser TD auto/ 22' Regent Cruiser Series 3
Hi Gazzah, There was a very good article on this subject a few issues back in 'Caravan and Motorhome' [don't have it with me]. There is a fair bit of detail around fitting this tank including 'non syphon valves etc. Perhaps a look on C&MH web site may give you some ideas as to the feasibility of DIY or professional fitting. I am interested but will have it done by a tradie. Good Luck anyway.........Chris
Gazzah.Take a look under your van now and look for at the point of discharge ,that is to say where you connect your flexible sullage line to.That height will be the top of your tank and if you use a normal water tank say for your grey water that means it will be a further approx 150ml lower.This generally is not all that good for travelling re ground clearance. So lets say you can fit a tank nearly up to the underfloor line.Can you run 2/3 flexible lines from basin ,sink and shower to the tanktop or upper side even if you have to make 3 separate penetrations ?If yes thats great!Now when I fit the tanks I install them 25 ml out of level that is to say so the discharge side is lower.I then fit a 32or 40ml plastic ball valve into the lowest point.You can buy the relevant fitting for tank penatrations from a water tank supplier.You should have a separate piece of 32/40 ml hose to fit over the outgoing side of the ball valve when you are at your point of discharge so you don,t get growled at !I have installed dozens of these tanks and nearly all are different from the previous one. Try and keep your trap on the shower to stop foul air backflowing thru the floor waste. Always try to evacuate the waste as soon as possible and legally,Cheers John
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Westy. Some people I know are like slinkies. They look really funny when you push them downstairs !
Thanks Westy, what you say all sounds feasible and pretty much along the lines I was thinking. Using flexible lines I suspect means that all waste will have to go through grey tank and then out. How does the ball valve work? Does it work to stop grey going into grey tank when you want to direct discharge grey through the original plumbing or just stop odour. I am hoping to only use the grey tank when I have to. I will hop under again to see what I have to work with. I appreciate your comments. Thanks Gary
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Regards Gazzah
2006 Toyota Landcruiser TD auto/ 22' Regent Cruiser Series 3
Sorry mate ,the term ball valve is not meant like the one in a cistern.It is purely a shut off valve ie..gate valve or stop **** etc.I like to use a large valve so as to empty the tank quick.Yes all 3 should go into tank,if you go to a c/park and the tank is empty you just connect your flex hose to the valve and leave it open ,waste in and straight out again their should be no odour anyway so long as you empty it often. If the tank is near full make sure that the plugs are not in the fixtures so as to allow air in and to create a syphoning circuit. Plus the bigger outlet allows for kitchen sink debris to not block any thing .Proir to doing the installation I often tell clients to bung the outlet hose from all 3 into a large receptacle and use the van at home for 24 hrs to calculate a daily usage.It gives you an idea for storage capacity reqmnts. Westy
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Westy. Some people I know are like slinkies. They look really funny when you push them downstairs !
Hi Gazza, We had our caravan qualify for "Self Containment" when it was first released by CMCA. To collect our grey water we purchased a "tote tank" that has served us admirably. Ours, 65 litres, is similar to this one in the link. Great value for well under $200.00, purchased at Camec.
Thanks Westy I understand completely now, thanks for all of your assistance, I really appreciate it. The 45 litre TOTE tanks that another member has recommended is another thought. http://www.rvaccessories.com.au/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=38
Thanks Gary
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Regards Gazzah
2006 Toyota Landcruiser TD auto/ 22' Regent Cruiser Series 3
Thanks herbie I have already done that. I have had my caravan inspected and certified to increase payload 350kg with a Qld Blue Plate and had the rego label changed to match, I do not hope to be going too far with grey water on board. Thanks for the reminder though. Gary
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Regards Gazzah
2006 Toyota Landcruiser TD auto/ 22' Regent Cruiser Series 3
