Grey water tanks.

iana · Guru

Grey water tanks.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

How, Ian,

As you more than likely read in your research, a lot of places won't allow the portable tanks only fitted ones. Not saying that is the case at all places though.

I was in one place on the Bruce Highway when coming up to here in down town Townsville and a ranger called in, had all the ID and on his ute as well. Can't remember the council/shire though. Anyway, he said I was ok as mine were fitted but had a little chat about my valve on the outlet. He felt it would be better if I put a scew fitted end on the outlet so it wouldn't leak. I feel that is going too far but see his point. No problem and enjoyed my nights stay.

The van in front didn't enjoy the night there and were asked to move on as he only had a portable container sitting under the waist outlet. It was green with wheels, handle and a funnel like thing under the outlet. The ranger said it could leak over the edge and onto the ground, making it unpleasent for the next person in that spot. I also see his point but didn't think they should have been moved on as a very good effort had been made. Spose the rule is there so we can only obey the rule.

Gee Ian, I have been serious twice this morning, maybe I am coming down with something confuse biggrin

-- Edited by Dougwe on Sunday 23rd of August 2015 11:04:04 AM

Phil C · Guru

I am about to completely replumb my jayco. This idea of sliding the tubes on pipes is yesterday's joke.

I saw a few coromal vans with the grey water outlet at the back under the bumper bar with a quick disconnect union, I will converge all the 3 outlets and the washing machine into one larger pipe and do the same, I'm sick to death of buggerising around with that fool system.

May even get a 30 litre portable drum and park it under the pipe thus I will be "self contained"

Cheers

iana · Guru

Dougwe the only problem I have with the rangers ruling is that an installed grey water tank must have a vent, and when the installed tank is full, the grey water will come out the vent. I can see emptying fixed tanks to be a hassle if set up in a park with no sumps, whereas with portables, one can load it on the ute and take it away to be emptied at the appropriate spot "of course".

Hey Jim · Guru

Hi Ian,

A few weeks back Jayco came back to us, on our Journey Outback 17.55-3 order. And confirmed they were now fitting GWT @ 85 LT and we had our order amended. To be installed on the assembly line @ $530

Now Due mid January with 2016 build date.

Jim

iana · Guru

The way I see it, the grey water tanks would have to be mounted "slung low" so to speak from the chassis, it/they would have to have a large opening port for cleaning, a

large dia hose for dispensing the contents. Fiamma make the tank illustrated, they also make a roll tank of 23lt & 40lt especially for the purpose.

iu[4].jpg

ken thomas · Guru

I have a 95lt grey water tank and no way will I let it fill up or even leave water in in for more than a couple of days, build up starts to stink
Not enough dump points around to empty the tanks when staying in these free camps
Ken

justcruisin01 · Guru

iana wrote:
I have been in touch with Jayco to enquire about their installation of a grey water tank. However my question is whether the tank (tanks) should be permanently mounted, or portable, i.e. with wheels. What is your say on this and all the related hassles with emptying.
How do the various park rules also relate to portable tanks. I have done the search and have read, just after the latest line on this subject,

-- Edited by iana on Sunday 23rd of August 2015 08:53:06 AM

-- Edited by iana on Sunday 23rd of August 2015 12:43:38 PM

The portable tanks that I have seen are long & shallow, take up a lot of storage space as they were too narrow to stand upright.

If it is going to be portable then I dont see why a couple of plastic jerry cans would not do the job & be easier to handle , they have a screw on cap so no different & a lot cheaper . A 40 lt portable will be very heavy to handle.

JC.

Cruising Cruze · Guru

I came across this one on Evil Bay

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Portable-Wheel-Water-Tank-40L-Camping-Motorhome-Caravan-Storage-Waste-Transport-/281316927088?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item417fcba670

Pretty good price to

Cheers John

KevinC · Senior Member

In answer to the original question, portable tanks will allow you to camp in some places, and permanent tanks will allow you to camp in all places. You may think this is fair (or not) but the decision isn't with the vanner. It's with the ranger or the owner of the camp site. You can reason that there are enough places in Australia that allow portable tanks so we don't need to go to the others. And there probably are. But there's always the possibility of disappointment down the track.
I'd make two observations about all this. First, the grey water problem isn't going to go away, and more sites will demand grey water solutions. (Some vanners don't even use a bucket). Second, like generators, the for and against arguments will never go away as long as we are free to express our opinions.
My permanent grey water tank was simple and cheap. I use it daily when we travel. It's certainly removed another problem for us.

Dunmowin · Guru

We are about to travel to Tasmania for 6 months, and have asked the question of both Tassie Tourism and National Park, neither of which were able to give us a precise definition of "self contained", in particular that of grey water. We have, based on this lack of "ordination" decided to carry 2x2litre jerry cans which fit perfectly under our grey water outlet, to be disposed of at dump points.

BTW, the only definition we gained from either of the above was to be self contained, we had to have our own cooking, sleeping and shower and toilet arrangements, all within the confines of the caravan. Therefore, no bbq outside - which we fee is a bit rich, but we will see as we go.

iana · Guru

We have to go and OK the final specs on our van this week. From what I have read so far, the grey water is still a grey area, and I will not get the grey water tank installed, not that I haven't heard what has been said on this tread, but because someone else's install may be quick and cheap and not meet my requirements. I think if its a permanent and fixed installation, some attention to being able to clean the system must be taken into account.

There have been few comments about smell and or cleaning. And none about emptying these tanks. I guess if you are on the move every day and just happen to leave a valve partly open for part of the journey so be it, but what if one stays for a week or more, you have to hitch up the van and take the lot to a suitable dump point, if such a facility exists.

Maybe we somehow need to get clearer meanings to these by-laws somehow?

Bruce and Bev · Guru

Hi Ian. As we move around, we notice many Motorhomes (which usually have a fitted grey water tank) have a small leak coming from underneath - leaving a trail of grey water along the road. I guess when they arrive at the next non-sullage destination, they close the valve again lol

justcruisin01 · Guru

Bruce and Bev wrote:
Hi Ian. As we move around, we notice many Motorhomes (which usually have a fitted grey water tank) have a small leak coming from underneath - leaving a trail of grey water along the road. I guess when they arrive at the next non-sullage destination, they close the valve again lol

Your so right Bruce, saw a guy in a large bus who was camped near us a few weeks back, next morning he opened the tank valve & dropped a huge amount of water that stunk like you would not believe onto a blue metal surface where he was camped, then fled like a dog shot in the butt, then they try to make out they do the right thing . Hippacrits!

JC.

Jaahn · Guru

iana wrote:
There have been few comments about smell and or cleaning. And none about emptying these tanks. I guess if you are on the move every day and just happen to leave a valve partly open for part of the journey so be it, but what if one stays for a week or more, you have to hitch up the van and take the lot to a suitable dump point, if such a facility exists.

Maybe we somehow need to get clearer meanings to these by-laws somehow?

Hi

It is hard to believe that statement is serious. And the next post too by Bruce and Bev making light of this practice. confuse

If you want to know why some people are set against Grey Nomads then this is a classic example, some persons' thinking is back in the dark ages. Put a grey water tank in properly and empty it responsibly. That is all the Rangers are asking for too on behalf of their Councils. Seems good to me as I am the next person to go along that road perhaps. I do not like following PIGS around. hmm

Jaahn

-- Edited by Jaahn on Tuesday 25th of August 2015 08:44:01 AM

justcruisin01 · Guru

justcruisin01 wrote:
Bruce and Bev wrote:
Hi Ian. As we move around, we notice many Motorhomes (which usually have a fitted grey water tank) have a small leak coming from underneath - leaving a trail of grey water along the road. I guess when they arrive at the next non-sullage destination, they close the valve again lol
Your so right Bruce, saw a guy in a large bus who was camped near us a few weeks back, next morning he opened the tank valve & dropped a huge amount of water that stunk like you would not believe onto a blue metal surface where he was camped, then fled like a dog shot in the butt, then they try to make out they do the right thing . Hippacrits!
JC.

I forgot to add that there are three dump points in that particular camp area only 150mtrs from where this moron emptied his tank. disbelief

hotqld · Veteran Member

We have 140 ltr Black tank plus 140 ltr Grey tank Plus 140 fixed water tank.
The two of us can stay put for 9 days before we are full, which does us most of the time to find a dump point.
Grey tank does not stink with s bends under sinks and shower plus a vent to the roof which can be anywhere in your plumbing after the s bends.
Toilet no chemicals does not stink either its only open for a second to let the stuff go in.

Thinking about installing one of these they work great

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLlhs-7T7Cw

The emptying process is completely sealed as well.

We also have the 40 ltr portable dump trolley, and 60 ltrs extra water if we are staying longer or use these portable devices to empty / top up the permanent tanks.

Its great having realistic holding tanks that work perfectly.

None of this is rocket science...Jayco has Jayco USA for the technology as its routine on every USA caravan to have realistic holding tanks.
Its just this silly debate going on about not required and brain washing the Aussie!

-- Edited by hotqld on Tuesday 25th of August 2015 05:10:34 PM

-- Edited by hotqld on Tuesday 25th of August 2015 05:14:33 PM

-- Edited by hotqld on Tuesday 25th of August 2015 05:18:15 PM

LEON · Member

Dougwe wrote:
How, Ian,

As you more than likely read in your research, a lot of places won't allow the portable tanks only fitted ones. Not saying that is the case at all places though.

I was in one place on the Bruce Highway when coming up to here in down town Townsville and a ranger called in, had all the ID and on his ute as well. Can't remember the council/shire though. Anyway, he said I was ok as mine were fitted but had a little chat about my valve on the outlet. He felt it would be better if I put a scew fitted end on the outlet so it wouldn't leak. I feel that is going too far but see his point. No problem and enjoyed my nights stay.

The van in front didn't enjoy the night there and were asked to move on as he only had a portable container sitting under the waist outlet. It was green with wheels, handle and a funnel like thing under the outlet. The ranger said it could leak over the edge and onto the ground, making it unpleasent for the next person in that spot. I also see his point but didn't think they should have been moved on as a very good effort had been made. Spose the rule is there so we can only obey the rule.

Gee Ian, I have been serious twice this morning, maybe I am coming down with something

-- Edited by Dougwe on Sunday 23rd of August 2015 11:04:04 AM

I agree with the use of grey water tanks for self-contained camping site. It just seems strange that back in 1981/1982 and again in the mid 1990s when most of Australia was in drought that most governments and councils would encouraged people to pipe their grey water onto their domestic gardens in the suburbs to help safe water. Now is seem wrong to water the vegetation with grey water (ie dish washing water)