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Foiled Again · 09-04-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purman

How remote is this camp site. You know that they use to dump the grey water right out on the ground.. If it is just water used for washing hands and body and no food in it that is a option.....

Detergents in shampoo, body soap, creme rinse for hair - brush your teeth & spit, wash your privite parts, shave your pits or face? Dish detergent, grease, coffee, etc. Gray water may be a lot "blacker" than we think.

50 years ago there were a lot fewer campers so the environment and time could more easily take care of that waste without help. I don't think my boondocking is that "boonie". 2 Air is right about clogging the head on the tank cleaner. I'll use the sewer solution to drain into a 5 gallon drywall bucket, then dump it down the toilet. (Don't trip, and don't overfill the damn bucket!)

Thanks 2 air. Paula

purman · 09-05-2008, 07:56 AM

Guess all those years as a white water guide and mountain guide makes my grey water not so grey, Bio soaps don't drink coffee, the wife does, but it's empty when she's done, If you are gonna dump it just be careful..

Where do you think the stuff you dump at those remote dump stations go????????? Into a septic system that leaches into the ground... You should always think about what you put in your grey tanks, and black for that matter....

Whether it is dumped on the surface or underground it still ends up in the ground.... It's just nice not to see it on the surface, thats for sure..... (Yes the tanks help break it down, the natural stuff, but not the unnatural stuff...)

Just a thought..

Pick · 09-05-2008, 07:58 AM

I don't understand what the big deal is with letting gray water drain on the ground in a boondocking situation, IF it is at a site that is used only a few times a year. It is not much different than washing your car in the yard. Your typical septic system drain field is not absorbing pristine crystal clear drinking water either.

pmclemore · 09-05-2008, 09:47 AM

I think it has to do with the "leave it cleaner than when you arrived philosophy".

Pat

purman · 09-05-2008, 10:07 AM

Well I wouldn't dump it on sand stone but run a hose into the bushes and you should be ok, Just remember if you are in bear country they will be attracted to the smell, especially perfume soap smells, and any food bits.....

Be smart about it.......

And I have only done this in the open forest camp places... and then I have filled the portable tank and hauled it off away form the trailer, when in bear country...

ZoominC6 · 09-05-2008, 11:15 AM

....and when the bear is finished be certain to take one of those little blue bags and pick up after him.

HAPPPY TRAILS

dennisf · 09-08-2008, 01:08 PM

www.tractorsupply.com has a huge selection of wheels of all types and sizes

jimmini · 02-08-2009, 04:22 PM

Here is my waste and fresh water hauling system.I use this in the back of my Ford Excursion with the 3rd row seats removed.After the tanks are in I have plywood that goes on top of them so I can store stuff on top.

Photo 1. Is 100 gal fresh water tank.You could use 50 Gal tank.It goes in SUV first behind the 2nd row seats.

Photo 2. Is fresh water pump.This is same pump as used in the trailer and I plug it into one of the power out lets in the SUV.Then I can pump in to my trailer tank or I just hook it to my city water connection then when I turn the water on in the trailer the pump comes on and when I shut it off the pump stops.The pump is on RT side of SUV at end of the tank.

Photo 3. Is my 100 gal Black/Gray waste tank.You could use a 50 gal tank.It goes in behind the fresh tank at the rear doors of the SUV.The pump valve can be put up so you have more storage room on the floor.The dump valve goes to LF side of SUV.

Photo 4.This is the 12V DC Macerator pump.I power it from my trailer batteries.You hook the large hose to your trailer dump and a 3/4th hose from pump to top of wast tank.You DO WANT to start the pump 1st then open you trailer dump valve.

I have used this now for 3 years and it has worked very well for the kind of boondocking we do.

ROBERT CROSS · 02-08-2009, 05:36 PM

10 days, 6w 3 adults, 4w/two. Black, grey 3/4+ full. Fresh 3/4+ empty.

Granted we started with our 63 Safari so conservation of supplies was paramount, but what are ya'all do'n to fill up in three days? 2gal flushes?

OH...we got no wee ones with us.

henw · 02-08-2009, 06:05 PM

Our bathroom sink runs into the black tank as well. Gray get shower and kitchen sink.
Wife and I both pee alot. So, 3 days is about max on the black tank.
Gray nearly fills in two days with a shower each daily, even on dribble mode as much as possible.
I try to stay where there are sewer hookups or honey depots. Otherwise a three day weekend is it.
I use several collapsable 5 gallon jugs and an electric pump to add extra fresh water. I like the smaller jugs as I can tote them by hand if the nearest faucet has no parking near.
Tom

ROBERT CROSS · 02-08-2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henw

Our bathroom sink runs into the black tank as well. Gray get shower and kitchen sink.
Tom

Now that's something I wasn't aware of, does that apply to all newer units?
We have always brought about 12gal of bottled water with us for cook'n and coffee.
With the 63, after the black tank was 3/4 full, we got in the habit of turning the toilet off and dropping into an open hole, something we still do on occasion, although it's harder getting to the shut-off on the Classic. After dumping a triple flush was needed.
This was a few years ago when most of the remote places allowed grey water honey holes, we always strained thru cheesecloth to separate the gunk.

ScrapIrony-2 · 02-08-2009, 07:26 PM

We have a hand-spray option on our toilet...gives direct spray where you need it and uses a lot less water...when in real conservation mode(fresh tank empty), we use a dishsoap bottle and squeeze it away. I often just 'shower' with a 1 gallon jug outside...it can be done, and well enough to be allowed back in the unit

I was told by the BLM guy out here at Quartzsite that if you wash your dishes in a plastic pan, you can throw out the water on the ground...if you have an outdoor shower, you can wash yourself outside...if you use the gray water tank, the contents are suddenly considered "toxic"...I have no clue as to the reasoning behind this, but, then, it IS a governmental agency...

Nightime discretion is the better part of valor, common sense in any given situation doesn't really cost anything, and WHERE else but the Forums could you discuss...uhm...'stuff' like this??? Gotta love it.

Mexray · 06-03-2009, 11:03 PM

Here's some pics of the 50 gal tank we use to transport the contents of our 20 and 16 gal waste tanks on the AS...when boondocking or dry camping at state parks...

We have a matching 50 gal tank to use for freshwater, and a 12 volt RV pump to transfer the water to the AS...

Thanks Jimmini for the inspiration...

mandolindave · 06-04-2009, 08:16 AM

Wally use to dig a " gopher hole " for running waste into. At first I was apalled to find out that this practice was in the owners manual. Now I think differently.
My buddy who had saved up his grey water, dumped it out all at once. I ran into his camper to warn him that his black water was leaking.
It smelled soooooooooooo bad. I educated him. Let they grey water go as you use it. A minute ago it was on your face and it didn't smell. ( even urine isn't toxic untill it grows bacteria ) If grey water sits in a tank it will grow stuff. A waste pump out " technician " was pumping out the same friends black water tank at the same outing. The "technician" had technical problems and ended up dumping about five gallons of raw black waste on to my campsite. I was furious. He then watered down the area with a few gallons of fresh water and the smell went away in 15 minutes. So I didn't shoot him. A horrible practice none the less.
Now my semi scientific reasoning. There was a study on outhouses.
They found that the nasties didn't get more than an inch or two away from the pit before micro organizims " ate " it. Backup arguments: a hundred gazillion cars loosing 1/4 inch of tread each year. Where do the
bits of rubber go. Micro organizims eat it before it gets a few feet from the road. Cover a tree stump with soil. It will be gone in a few years.
On the otherhand, Jamestown, the first " town " that the settlers settled,
was soon contaminated by waste. Disease is one of the reasons that they moved the town to Williamsburg. On yet another otherhand, the farmers on my road still use cow manure to fertilize the growing fields.
Now for the practical practices. Don't use your sink as a a disposall.
Wipe your dishes into a garbage pail. This also prevents your P-trap from smelling and drawing ants. Use enzymes, not perfumed chemicals, in both waste tanks.
Most of all, use your conscientious best judgement, to protect this fine land, and to honor your neighbors health. I realize that I am inviting backlash from other tree huggers everywhere. I am really only talking about fresh grey water. Dave

ArtStream · 06-04-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Now that's something I wasn't aware of, does that apply to all newer units?
We have always brought about 12gal of bottled water with us for cook'n and coffee.
With the 63, after the black tank was 3/4 full, we got in the habit of turning the toilet off and dropping into an open hole, something we still do on occasion, although it's harder getting to the shut-off on the Classic. After dumping a triple flush was needed.
This was a few years ago when most of the remote places allowed grey water honey holes, we always strained thru cheesecloth to separate the gunk.

The bathroom sink in my 28" Classic runs into the BLACK water tank. An install of convenience.

richie rich · 06-04-2009, 04:02 PM

I personally have not tried this method of conservation ,but here goes.Kitty litter! It works for cats indoors and solves the odor problem.I can think of a thousand jokes to fill this post but all joking aside isn't it feasible for humans? Rap it up in a plastic bag and throw it away.Absolutely no black water is used.There is none to cart to the dump.Call me a pig but after being outdoors for a few days I become acclimated to the weather and just don't have the need to wash much.Of course my wife is not there to tell me otherwise,so I'm good.However,a hot shower in the woods is a pure luxury when I use it.Handy wipes,I like them.Use them and into the plastic bag as well.If all that paper and waste is an odor problem,seal it in an air tight container until its time to go.Meow.

ScrapIrony-2 · 06-04-2009, 07:59 PM

I don't mind the kitty litter idea, but I'm gonna balk at the scratch-over that follows...a good field shower can be had with a gallon jug of H2O warmed in the sun...

AlumaCave · 06-04-2009, 09:02 PM

Cat Box????? I will walk into the woods and go behind a tree before I use a cat box, besides what would my cat say?

ArtStream · 06-04-2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richie rich

I personally have not tried this method of conservation ,but here goes.Kitty litter! It works for cats indoors and solves the odor problem.I can think of a thousand jokes to fill this post but all joking aside isn't it feasible for humans? Rap it up in a plastic bag and throw it away.Absolutely no black water is used.There is none to cart to the dump.Call me a pig but after being outdoors for a few days I become acclimated to the weather and just don't have the need to wash much.Of course my wife is not there to tell me otherwise,so I'm good.However,a hot shower in the woods is a pure luxury when I use it.Handy wipes,I like them.Use them and into the plastic bag as well.If all that paper and waste is an odor problem,seal it in an air tight container until its time to go.Meow.

Hi Richie rich,

Let me get this straight. You line the crapper with a plastic bag and back fill the toilet with Kitty Litter. Is that how it works?

Michael

jmallgood · 06-04-2009, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

What I then do is use the fresh tank for just drinking, cooking and basic things.

I

I never knew you could drink water all by itself until I joined this forum. We only use fresh water for bathing, cleaning, and to put in our Britta filter pitcher. When we need to drink water, even from the Britta, I find it safer to put antiseptic in the water before drinking. After trying several, I find that Bourbon and Scotch work best. Do anything less, and you are taking a big chance. Remember W.C. Field's quote on drinking water: " I never touch the stuff. Fish !#%* in it."