self contained caravans

keiron · Senior Member

self contained caravans

Chris61 · Senior Member

keiron wrote:
I am looking to replace my van, with one having an en-suite.
My dilemna is this; I have lately seen some parks that will only accept fully self contained units, which I believe having "hold-over" tanks for ALL waste water, captured within the van, and disposed of later at presunably a "Dump" point, or similar.
Am I correct in my understanding? And if so, how much of a move is there to force us to follow that direction??
Cheers, and thanks, KB

Hi Keiron, I do have 2 grey water tanks. I think you would better off with grey water tanks if you are going to upgrade your van but there will be plenty who say they are not needed.
More and more camping areas in built up areas are starting to require fully self contained vans.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I have a 95lt grey water tank on my van and all plumbing goes into it first. I then empty via a sullage hose or dump point, deoending on where I am. Black water is via the toot canister.

Just keep an eye on the GVM. I had 2 x 95lt fresh water tanks fitted plus the grey and have a problem with GVM.

KFT · Guru

We just don't like the idea of staying in a town unless we are in a park.

On the road though we do enjoy a few camp outs and always manage to responsibly dispose of our grey water one way or another.

Up to now we have only seen two riverside camps that required self contain of waste water so we kept going.

at this stage we would not be considering GW tanks.

frank

Bruce and Bev · Guru

most new caravans still do not have grey water tanks due to weight problems.

But many small townships who are RV Friendly thanks to the hard work of the CMCA require you to be self contained (grey water tanks) and you cannot dump grey water on the ground.

CMCA primarily represent owners of motor homes and the like which usually have grey tanks - hence the self contained push and also it makes it easier, no doubt, to convince a local town to be Friendly, if theres nothing spilling on the ground (whether or not grey water is harmful or not is a heated issue here). My 'van doesn't have a grey tank or I would be over weight.

Also you often follow self contained RV's along the road with a wet trail coming from underneath - emptying the grey tank(s) no doubt

Happywanderer · The Master

It is definitely becoming more of a requirement. I have just stayed in Hughenden where I stayed at the RV park next to the showgrounds, $6 a night. They were most insistent I had to be fully self contained, to the point of interrogation till I showed the guy all my holding tanks. He didn't believe me because of the small size of my van.
Ah, fully self contained also means having a proper shower, He said. He was going to ask me to leave. I insisted I would have a shower when I wanted to, not when I was told to, which would not be tonight. He begrudgingly let me stay. Not his fault. He said the lady environmentalist in charge is a bit of an ogre.

PeterInSa · Guru

KB,
You cannot overnight in the Kalgoolie WA near the CBD unless your waste water goes into a sealable container to be later dumped in their dump point/ or elsewhere at another location. Rangers check the rest area morning an night. $250 fines apply.

A 20lt screw top Diesel/water container ( or 2 or 3)will do the job but its a case of storing same. Have seen a specially built container that can do the job but its a storage issue again.

Valid point about the GVM, But U could look at it this way, out of the fresh water tank into the washing up sink into the grey water tank with no weight gain.

I installed a specially built tank on a motorhome from this Org
Atlas Tanks 1800666125 or on the Web: ATLASTANKS.com.au

Price was reasonable

Peter

Plendo · Guru

Thankfully a grey water tank does not add much weight to a van.

How it does cause problems is when you transfer water form your clean water tanks to your grey water tank, as the grey water tank is typically behind the axle.

brickies · Guru

Thanks for your post PeterinSa I have wonder is a screw top drum under you sink waste would be classed has self contained , And Happy Wanderer I am with you there are plenty of place on the road to have a shower other than your overnight stop also what is your self contain set up is it a tank or a screw top drum .

Happywanderer · The Master

Brickies mine are all fully fitted permanent tanks. Very lucky the way it is all fitted out.

PeterInSa · Guru

Brickes,
A friend has mounted 2 x 20lt Petrol/Diesel plastic Gerry cans under his van floor and uses them as a grey water tank. The containers are connected and when needed he uses valves to divert the GW into his tank and to let the grey water empty.

Peter

brickies · Guru

Thanks HW and PSA

TommyG · Senior Member

"My 'van doesn't have a grey tank or I would be over weight".

I'm sorry but I cannot comprehend this. If I have 180 litres of fresh water and use 100 litres of it and that goes into my grey water tank, how much effect does that have on the weight of the vehicle?

Hylda&Jon · Guru

I will be investing in a couple of these 20ltr collapsible water tanks to keep us going.

$_12.JPG

-- Edited by Hylda&Jon on Tuesday 23rd of June 2015 04:29:26 PM

Roving-Dutchy · Guru

I use 15 litre containers with a screw on cap they can, when full, be carried away from the site in the back of the vehicle and dumped at a convenient location.
15 litres is more than enough for grey water for a day if your van is not equipped with a shower, also have a porta potti and would be prepared to argue that I am completely self contained, but have found that in most places you are never asked.
Cheers
David

Helbob · Newbie

We have a plastic foldable bag with screw top lid, takes up next to no space when not in use. Unfold it to capture grey water when needed, then seal and take with us when leaving. Refold after use. They cost around $11 at camping stores or Supercheap.

Baz421 · Guru

TommyG wrote:
"My 'van doesn't have a grey tank or I would be over weight".
I'm sorry but I cannot comprehend this. If I have 180 litres of fresh water and use 100 litres of it and that goes into my grey water tank, how much effect does that have on the weight of the vehicle?

You are right BUT some may fill up fresh before dumping the grey,,, who knows why.