The future of free camps

Endless autumn · Newbie

The future of free camps

shekon · Guru

I think free camps will be always around. The only way to ensure that survive for all to enjoy is to look after them when using them and abide by any by-laws that may be posted. I know that may be a tad idealist but it really is the only way they are going to survive. Unfortunately there are so many that do not abide by the rules of camping and they are people that will eventually have some of the greatest spots closed down.

Bruce and Bev · Guru

Shekon is right with regards the way free camp areas are trashed and littered.

Grey Nomads do have to take some blame for it, but its been my observations while using many of them that its the ones in little vans that throw their rubbish towards the nearest lot of trees or bush and most certainly empty themselves out and then leave the toilet paper to blow in the breeze.

But if you travel on major roads that the long haul truckies use, they are not provided with an in-truck toilet, so have to use roadside areas and once again we have the issue of toilet paper.

Many of these areas do have bins, but they are not emptied often enough or don't have lids on them that stops the crows and wind pulling the paper rubbish out.

Some of these places look like so bad, youd be excused for thinking it had just snowed, the ground in the are is so covered on bog paper

Free camps will disappear in the coastal areas and prime tourist areas as CP's pressure councils and shires to ban free camping, but we will just have to go a little away from these areas or further in from the coast to find plenty still. We will also see more low cost and "RV friendly towns" compliments of the CMCA - but because you must store grey water, it will only suit motor homes and the minority of 'vans that have grey water holding tanks and most van manufacturers are still not installing them

Big Gorilla · Guru

To answer the basic question without going into detail as Shekon has, which I totally agree with incidentally, look at the number of free camps detailed in Camps 7 and other publications of a similar nature. There are literally thousands scattered across our fair lands. I agree that they will always be available, but could they be in diminishing numbers ? That's where taking care of these valuable assets comes into play. The commercial aspects of this real estate being closed down for our use is something we need to fight against as a group whenever the need arises

aussie_paul · Guru

Big Gorilla wrote:
To answer the basic question without going into detail as Shekon has, which I totally agree with incidentally, look at the number of free camps detailed in Camps 7 and other publications of a similar nature. There are literally thousands scattered across our fair lands. I agree that they will always be available, but could they be in diminishing numbers ? That's where taking care of these valuable assets comes into play. The commercial aspects of this real estate being closed down for our use is something we need to fight against as a group whenever the need arises

Absolutely BG. AND we all need to act responsibly.

Aussie Paul. smile

-- Edited by aussie_paul on Sunday 22nd of February 2015 04:08:24 PM

Friar Park · Senior Member

I agree wholeheartedly with the comments from Shekon and B.G. I would add that commentary here and on other similar sites by other likeminded individuals is merely voices in the wilderness. Unless the RV fraternity can put their differences aside to achieve a common goal ( I have in mind the acc and the cmca and other similar groups) then the better organised (not necessarily better off) opposition are more likely to achieve their goal, and free and/or budget sites will be gone forever. So my answer is join one or more of these associations and lobby their hierarchy to get the results we all desire. Yes I am amember of ACC and do at times voice my concerns to them over this issue.

Friar

madaboutled · Guru

There is something being done by a small group of volunteers putting together a national survey which addresses the need to preserve Freedom of Choice camping, rather than repeating info already given please see this topic http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t59499391/freedom-camping-web-site-survey/ and if you can get involved.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

The CMCA recently announced a programme to purchase and lease properties that will be developed into free and low cost camps for their own Members exclusive use.
Each will have potable water and a dump point and vehicles will need to be self contained.

Cheers,
Peter

PeterInSa · Guru

re (free and low cost camps for their own Members exclusive use. Each will have potable water and a dump point and vehicles will need to be self contained.)

My understanding covers members and associate member vehicles ie. Campervans, Motorhomes, Ute/Trucks with Slide ons, 5' er's, and Caravans all fitted with toilet, container for rubbish, water and grey water tanks.

Bring it on.

Peter

Bruce and Bev · Guru

The CMCA idea is a great one if it gets off the ground, but the majority of caravans still being made do not have grey water storage. The CMCA will therefore only be catering to those members with motorhomes generally as a result

Its easy to say get one retro fitted, but it causes a weight problem when under tow. For years manufacturers have made vans which by the time you take into account the 2 gas bottles and filling up the fresh water tanks and storing your annexe, anything else, like food and clothing, will put you overweight.

I am told by my Dealer that the industry association is looking to adopt the NZ standards and regulations and get them applied nationally, but this "looking" has been going on for some years now. While they can sell 'vans, theyre not going to change issues like this

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Bruce and Bev wrote:
The CMCA idea is a great one if it gets off the ground, but the majority of caravans still being made do not have grey water storage. The CMCA will therefore only be catering to those members with motorhomes generally as a result

Its easy to say get one retro fitted, but it causes a weight problem when under tow.

Not sure how you come to that conclusion.

These camp sites will have a dump point on site. No one will need to take their grey water anywhere, just not put it on the ground.

Cheers,

Peter

chris & terry · Senior Member

I am sure there would be a few very thirsty trees just wishing for a bucket of grey water to drink. I hear they are not too fussy during dry periods.

Cruising Cruze · Guru

@ Chris & Terry

You so right there, I think myself it wont do any harm at all

Cheers John

madaboutled · Guru

Bruce and Bev wrote:
Its easy to say get one retro fitted, but it causes a weight problem when under tow. For years manufacturers have made vans which by the time you take into account the 2 gas bottles and filling up the fresh water tanks and storing your annexe, anything else, like food and clothing, will put you overweight.

Adding a Grey water tank could add less than 10Kg for the tank itself, the brackets & outlet tap, apart from that you're not carrying any extra weight because as you use water from the main tank into your sinks, basin, shower base etc... then whatever is left in the drains to the grey water tank. In most cases less water goes into the gery tank than what you use.

You only need to have a tank that holds grey water there's nothing saying it has to be the same size as your main tank. We carry 100lt water but our grey water tank is about 30 lt it's a black poly tank & weighs next to nothing. We've found the holding capacity for the grey water this is plenty for 2 to 3 days camping because we conserve water as much as possible and its easy enough to empty at the next dump point.