How would you like to dump your black tank without moving your RV to the dump station, even when you’re not in a full-hook-up campsite? In Australia, you can!
Getting hooked up and dumping tanks in a caravan park in Australia is different than in the US or Canada. They use 240 volts, so the power cord is different… the grey and black water systems aren’t connected… and full hook-ups are virtually non-existent.
Some of the most common questions we get about managing the systems on our campervan during our trip are related to handling these basics, so we thought we’d share exactly how they do it Down Under.
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26 comments
Looking for a recommendation on best portable waste tank without breaking the bank. TIA.
Not sure how these rate as far as “best” or on price, but they’re the only type of portable tanks we know of, available in various sizes: https://amzn.to/2KMh7ks
After living in the smaller space than the camper you’re used to how would you feel about full-timing in this one!
We love it… but NEVER would full-time in something this small!
I assume you have limited time there but do you have plans in the future to show how larger RVs are set up either down under or in Europe?
We’ve actually seen very few larger RVs here, and they’re mostly 1-off custom jobs. We did get a tour through a honkin’ 4WD rig that the owners use to travel the outback. We’ll be showing that in an upcoming video. We also got to see inside a couple of motorhomes while we were in Scotland. Video about that here: https://www.thervgeeks.com/trip-tips/scotland-uk-motorhomes-caravans/
Another good Post !!!
I wander how was the smell at the dump station. Considering the smell at porter bathrooms in the states.
Amazingly, they’ve all been pretty much odor free!
A bit off topic, but my April issue of International Living just arrived and the Travel Section article is:
Australia by RV: The Five Best Road Trips.
Not positive but it looks like you are doing the first trip mentioned mentioned!
How perfect! ?
RV geeks,
Very nice job with the camera and sound. This was a post that takes out a bit of not understanding how the cassette system works. You show what is needed and how easy it can be done.
It’s always nice how other countries do it other than how we do it in the USA. Thanks for doing it info post.
Enjoy your time down under as it has been well over 40 years since I was there on R & R while assigned to the USAF during the Vietnam war. Thanks to my Aussie friends who seemed to always have our backs while we were over there and down under! I will never forget how to speak Aussie…to speak Aussie remember Forster Lager Oil Cans says it all!
Well that looks great. I really like the way everything is
Done and seems very simple….
Great video really enjoyed it.
Excellent explanation/demonstration of something very few of us have seen or used.
Also: Great work on the steady-cam. Seriously – how does Peter walk and keep the cinematography so smooth?
Thanks! That’s John’s steady camera work with an assist from the optical image stabilization on our Sony Alpha A6000. Only one or two short clips required any additional stabilization in post. Shout out to Jason Wynn for demonstrating and recommending this great camera to us!
Right to the point, what is the capacity of the cassette?
I’m gonna guesstimate it at about 5 gallons. If we find out otherwise, we’ll report back!
Australian has a wonderful design! But it seems awfully small if you wild camp. I wonder what they do then?
Interesting. I would be nervous that I might drop the cap for the cassette into the dump station. It looks like it would easily drop down that hole – whoops!!! Is there a way to attach it to the cassette so that couldn’t happen?
I thought of that a couple of times, Marianne, and what a pickle we’d be in if that were to happen. I should have mentioned, and demonstrated, the wise practice of removing and replacing the cap away from the dump point drain. You’re right.. holding it over that hole is tempting fate!
We agree, and did hear some grumbling about that from dedicated “free campers” (Boondockers). One said he carries a second cassette. Definitely a con of this system compared with much larger American tanks.
Interesting. Are there gauges that show you how full all the tanks are or do you just “eyeball it” somehow?
Similar to what we’re used to, there’s a button you push to light up a little column of light to indicate how full the tank is. But just like so many similar systems in American RVs, it was obviously off. ?
Oh sorry… That gauge is only for the grey tank. For the cassette level, you do indeed just flip open the toilet valve in the bathroom and eyeball it!
On Average, how often do you have to dump the cassette.
The fact that every caravan park has great bathrooms definitely takes the, ahem, load off (sorry LOL). We only used it during the night and when free camping (boondocking). If that is your sole toilet for two people, probably every 3 days max.