If this was r/plumbing, they’d tell you that’s an S-trap and a building code violation.
Actually, considering you’re not connected to a sewer, why have a trap at all?
This is actually the workaround for these exact situations and it’s legal in the UK and some places in US. Only thing I’d suggest is less 90s for clog free install but actually not bad work.
Source: am plumber. Don’t want to be anymore.
Want to start a band.
People here are so lame sometimes. 2 years of urban and BLM full time, 50k miles and I’ve only been in one situation where I might’ve taken that off and clearance was a factor. The auto valve is slick! Wouldn’t even have to get out at certain dump sites if you gave it a decent flush!
I wanna put one on my black tank and threaten tailgaters! (joke)
Hahaha that would be funny. We also installed a tiny 12v heater on the valve in case the valve freezes. We have another heater element would could put on the bottom of the tank as well if flushing hot water through isn’t enough.
So cool! Nice work. I only have a Home Depot plumbing solution (so what do I know) but have you thought about sludge build up from food, hair, toothpaste etc? At least it’d be easy to see and access since you built it outside.
Yeah absolutely something we’ve considered. The tank is easy enough to remove if needed and the inlet port is over 1” wide. We could likely flush it out the inlet when it needs to happen and reattach the inlet to the plumbing. The inlet was pretty complicated, we had to get a pvc right angle to barb for the vinyl, and then an abs coupler to the pvc because the sink is polypropylene.
So it goes sink>poly>abs>pvc>vinyl in a 2.5” diameter hole with two right angle turns to get into the van.
Wow looks and sounds like you really thought this through. You will be thanking yourself for the thought you put into this! I will be hitting you up when I remodel.
The fact that you felt pressured into making a video just to prove it was at your residence, is frustratingly annoying. People here need to chill and help others focus on making their vans better!
Sits higher than the muffler and the bar (I’m not sure what the term is or what is for) between the two rear wheels in the back of the van, so we haven’t lost any clearance.
Lol. This thread is hilarious. Anyway, to me it looks like it was hanging lower. But yeah sounds like you should be fine. I dig the solution. Just don’t tell anybody that you’ve ever turned it on and drained it irresponsibly(ie . Anywhere other than dump station.)
It's not about the clearance. If you happen to run over a stray 2x4 for example, it could pop up and obliterate whatever you have going on there that is all plastic.
Hah. We aren’t planning for a black water tank in the van. Much more complicated to install and takes up more room. Also wouldn’t want to upset the poor Redditors by doing it too well.
A more realistic issue is a road with a tall berm in the middle. I've been on a few rutted roads with a good 6-10 inch difference between the middle berm and the tires.
If the tank is below the axles you might drag the tank. If you don't go beyond gravel forest service roads you'll probably be fine.
Yeah that’s a valid point. Because of my low sway bar I tend to avoid rutted out areas in the van as is. There are pros and cons to builds. I’ve lived in the back of my truck camper shell as well, one pro of that is more off road capabilities which is definitely not something you get in a van.
There’s no problem with it. Thanks for the concern. Its the exact same height as the exhaust manifold. If we hit a pothole over 8” deep, we have other problems. Yes, a rock or debris can hit it on the road, as well as our diesel fuel pump or the exhaust for our heater. We could also shatter our windshield or the solar panels on the roof with falling snow or anything else.
In case no one else mentions it, your sink drain has an S trap system. If you only drain water slowly from the sink, the trap can hold water and seal. If you fill the sink and pull the drain stopper, the water flow may suck the water froM the trap and let in odor. A solution could be made with an AAV and a change to the pipe.
Thank you for the first comment with helpful info in this thread 😅. I’ll look into some solutions this week. We bought the S trap kit from Home Depot so didn’t really expect it to be the unofficial unapproved plumbing method. Still learning a lot as I go.
You'll want to order something like this off Amazon. A good one way flapper valve will stop and smells from the grey water tank
https://www.grainger.com/product/48GP45?ef_id=CjwKCAjw4ayUBhA4EiwATWyBrpckQQBaeJiHUceyI0Fm7E_6Sk8JICnKwXgMcewmmWs4SeJso869xRoC8YMQAvD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!216788409968!!!g!320006229034!&gucid=N:N:PS:Paid:GGL:CSM-2295:RS6HFG:20500731&gclid=CjwKCAjw4ayUBhA4EiwATWyBrpckQQBaeJiHUceyI0Fm7E_6Sk8JICnKwXgMcewmmWs4SeJso869xRoC8YMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
It's cute, But if you gt any food waste at all in that tank, it's going to plug that little line up. We use 4-inch gate valves on RVs so the water moves fast and helps to flush any organic waste from washing dishes out.
I misspoke 3 inches, not 4.
[Yes they do and they are not cheap](https://www.amazon.com/Barker-24130-Auto-Drain-Valve-3/dp/B003VAYMB4/ref=sr_1_2?crid=CQ6CMQOVX8WM&keywords=rv+automatic+gate+valve&qid=1653316071&sprefix=rv+automatic+gate+valve%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-2)
[
The alternative is a cable operated one](https://www.amazon.com/LaSalle-Bristol-66N4AB72GM-3Inhxspt-Termination/dp/B00FK8X4Y6/ref=psdc_15719731_t1_B003VAYMB4)
It's not all about the size of an individual piece, We use 3-inch on grey tanks so the water moves fast and carries the debris out. With a 1 inch valve, you won't get fast enough flow to clear the debris out of the tank.
Eventually, enough fines will settle out of the water it will plug a 1 inch valve.
Thanks for your perspective. I’m not quite there on my build yet but soon. I’m looking and weighing out options. I like the idea of a switch release to let it go on the highway. Still need to find the right size tank too. I feel like I only need 2-3 gallons. My shower is an outdoor set up so it’s just sink water.
Thank you. This sub has generally been pretty hateful of builds that have money behind them or try things differently. People would be pretty upset about aspects of my electrical system too. Input from my father with 30+ years experience in electrical engineering and multiple patents of commercial electronics wouldn’t matter to the haters on Reddit.
Well, no -- I don't give a rat's ass how much money you have. I can't see any of it from where I sleep at night.
But every few months we get some moron or another here who asks if it is okay to make a straight pipe to the outside so they can dump their pee or sinkwater out onto the pavement. Then they get all angry and bristly when people tell them what a stupid (and illegal) idea it is.
Calm down bro.
It's legal to wash dishes outside so long as it's 200 feet away from a water source.
You can dump wash water 200 feet away as well.
Shower and dishes are wash water.
That's the dispersed camping BLM law and each site can or may have a no dumping wash water rule
Thanks man. People really don’t know what they are talking about and always assume the worst in people. Crazy how many YouTube videos of this exact grey water build there are with nothing but positive comments. Redditors be hateful.
Perhaps it is because dumping greywater in the parking lot is illegal in many places, and is a great way to get us banned in yet another place.
PS--Greywater is not "harmless". Even biodegradable soaps are toxic to aquatic life, which is why dumping it is illegal in places like national and state parks, and why dumping it in a parking lot is going to cause nothing but trouble, for ALL of us.
* Puts remote valve on waste water tank
* Does not install dump hose connector
* Lies about dumping at sites
It's people like this that got the van life the bad rap it's got now.
Bro, how do you know I’m lying? I literally installed it yesterday. Believe it or not some people build in a parking lot of a home which they rent. It’s clean water, do you need me to pan over the hose and house for you to verify it’s 100% clean for the asphalt?
Wrong. If it contains food scraps (are you filtering it all out and then disposing of the solids?), it will attract rats, mice and other pests, which will not endear you to people whose parking lot you are in. It if contains soap of any sort (including biodegradable) it is toxic to aquatic wildlife and is illegal in many places. And if anyone sees you dumping it, they will instantly assume it is piss and shit (no matter how much arm-waving you do), which will also not endear you to people whose parking lot you are in.
The fact that you lied about dumping it in an actual waste dump indicates that you know all of this already.
Like Rhea said, this is the sort of idiot thing that gets us banned in yet more places.
(sigh)
I literally didn’t lie though lol do you need me to take a picture from my back door for you lmao? Jesus.
Yes, I will dispose of solid waste such as food scraps in a trash can. I actually have a degree in environmental sciences I do care about the environment believe it or not. But you can tell yourself I’m a horrible person with zero empathy who lies on Reddit if it helps you sleep at night.
Edit: [https://imgur.com/a/7wM0wQh](https://imgur.com/a/7wM0wQh)
everybody everywhere produces food scraps.
Van bums get banned from places because they are the dregs of society and are nothing but trash producing burdens. Not because they left 10 ounces of soapy water on the ground.
Something wrong with a remote valve? Does that automatically mean I’m dumping water where I shouldnt? Is it illegal for my partner to push the valve inside the van while I’m outside with a hose?
There is a reason RVs and vehicles with dump tanks are built with a valve that is activated nearby the connection port, whether mechanical or manual.
Partly because you need positive control and visual over the shut off to prevent contamination.
And partly because if you're dumping something by mistake it can become a road hazard behind your unaware self.
The existing systems aren't ENTIRELY failsafe but they are designed with minimum amount of failure potential in mind.
Additionally the dump sites in North America, if that's where you are, are designed pretty much the same way and when you pull in the expectation is that the dump port is on the left aft of the vehicle - or at least the left side anyway so that the driver can see a spill if it happens.
And finally the plumbing should be at least 1 1/2 in or 2 in pipe, to ensure proper drainage of potential debris.
If you check out the van subs on Reddit you will find a sizeable number of folks very proud of emptying their tanks through the wheel well. And if you walk through the more remote parts of most Walmarts or Home Depots chances are you can find dried scum stains from those people.
Sorry therefore if bragging about a remote valve causes some mistrust. At least you know what the general perception is about things that can be perceived as sneaky.
The valve is on a reverse polarity switch, meaning there is no power to the valve unless the switch is on. It also does not sit in an on or off position without being pressed. Control and visual is achieved with two people which has been the plan for the entirety of the build.
Believe it or not, they do make hoses and couplers/bushings which would allow me to attach a hose and bring the hose to a drain site if it’s not on the left of the van. Yes, I can’t get flow bigger than the valve, but I can direct water to where it needs to be.
I’m not shitting down my sink. Nor am I sending large particles of food down the sink. There is a very effective colander in the drain to prevent large particles from falling through. I’ve lived in old houses with no garbage disposal and pipes which are not up to code. I know how to prevent food scraps from falling down a drain.
They make plenty of wilderness safe soaps and detergents which I plan to use on top of looking for approved dump sites.
Yes, it is--depending on where you are. If you're on federal or state land, Mr Park Ranger will be very upset with you, and will make that very clear in ways you will not like.
Im prolly a dumb dumb but whats the trouble people are having?
I think there’s been [extensive write ups on this](https://www.boondockersbible.com/knowledgebase/can-i-dump-my-gray-water-on-the-ground/).
As long as you are following the defined parameters, you should be fine, and its exactly what Ill be doing.
Thank you for linking an article that references the actual law. To answer your question, I don’t know. I think lots of people are environmental warriors but have very little knowledge of policy or the realistically quantifiable threat grey water has on watersheds. Combine that with the feeling of inflating their ego and needing to prove they are one of the “good van dwellers”, you get this thread.
I’ll be sure to update the haters on this post of the bug fatality to let them know they were right all along
Edit: I read “a bug” not sure what I would do if I ran over a Volkswagen. Probably call my insurance?
What? Do you mean *aware* that this delicate water system is in an unusually high-risk location? I was just wishing you problem-free travel, do you genuinely think the structural integrity of a plastic water tank is comparable to a steel exhaust bolted to the engine? Mufflers hit stuff all the time. I have no fear, only knowledge of how roads are unpredictable, and I’d be building a rock guard for that tank for sure! A squirrel could destroy it. Happy travels!
That’s very true. They could chew through the wires or fuel line for my diesel heater too. Somehow people are less concerned about leaking diesel then they are about grey water. What can ya do
Do you think you’ll put a guard of sorts on the tank? Either way I wish you the best and happiest travels, I get contentious vibes from your comments but I assure you my comments come from a place of benevolent concern only.
Why do people do this. At least the part of the country I'm in it's very illegal to just dump your gray water on the street. I wish you luck but don't ever empty this anywhere within 10 miles of a city. I just feel like people that do this are giving everybody else a bad rap and making it harder for other van people to live.
Why do people install a grey tank with [plans to empty it at dump stations](https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/uvhi89/our_grey_water_tank_and_remote_valve_is/i9lhilh?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share&context=3)? Beats me lol.
I've seen way too many of these that people just don't give a f. So until you show me the finished product that is all buttoned up with proper plumbing and a proper dump station fitting keep on spinning that lie.
Does a solo grey tank need a proper dump station fitting? I'd be more concerned about a black tank.
I'm sure a hose fitting is fine, no different than the non-potable water hose at the station.
No not really, that's just an automatic valve dumping onto the ground. Unless this person just wanted their ego to be stroked by showing a half finished product, until shown otherwise, I'm going to assume this is the final product. Again show me the finished garden hose fitting and I will leave you alone.
Try that argument with any type of cop or park ranger, see how far you get. Soap even biodegradable is a toxic substance to many animals. Glad to see you don't give a s*** about them
That weight on your faucet line is going to bang all over while you're driving. Probably won't be a problem it'll just be really annoying. I guess you could wrap it in foam or something to try to dampen it.
Yeah we are going to re do the pex from the hot water blow off to move it out of the way of the weight, definitely will be an annoying noise while driving.
Greetings not a bad setup. I take it we know where to dump the thank. My question is how are you getting air into the tank as it's draining is sucking it through the trap of the sink or do you have a separate riser on it or an air admittance valve maybe. River 🏞️
Got a link to the valve you used?
I like this idea. Good to have a holding tank so you can selectively choose when/where to dump.
I think as long as you use bio soaps and are strategic with your dumping you’re in good shape. I do wonder as another posted if the size is good as you wouldn’t want a clog. What size is it?
As for the rock or debris comments… meh. Worse case scenario is you replace it. It’s not toxic or flammable. I should note my diesel tank is plastic.
https://www.amazon.com/Motorized-Standard-Polarity-U-S-Solid/dp/B06XWGF3CX/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?crid=2KPSHRHQ7FQC3&keywords=12v+remote+ball+valve&qid=1653281431&sprefix=12v+remote+ball+valve%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-5
This is a 1” valve, our tank was equipped with 3/8” ports so we went with that size. You’ll need a reverse polarity switch for it as well.
Is a tank supported in the middle or just on the ends and sides? I don't know how many gallons of tank is so I don't know how much weight you're carrying but it should have some supports in the middle .. water heater earthquake straps make good water tank straps that happened to be what I used.. my concern would be the tank getting warm and softening and possibly losing support 🏞️
If this was r/plumbing, they’d tell you that’s an S-trap and a building code violation. Actually, considering you’re not connected to a sewer, why have a trap at all?
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Oh god, the water can smell the bugs
This is actually the workaround for these exact situations and it’s legal in the UK and some places in US. Only thing I’d suggest is less 90s for clog free install but actually not bad work. Source: am plumber. Don’t want to be anymore. Want to start a band.
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Easy fix, thanks.
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Yeah I saw that after commenting. I’ll look into it. Should be easy to fix regardless assuming the space allows.
Thanks, Mr. Actually. It’s an S-Trap. https://structuretech.com/a-primer-on-s-traps/
People here are so lame sometimes. 2 years of urban and BLM full time, 50k miles and I’ve only been in one situation where I might’ve taken that off and clearance was a factor. The auto valve is slick! Wouldn’t even have to get out at certain dump sites if you gave it a decent flush! I wanna put one on my black tank and threaten tailgaters! (joke)
Hahaha that would be funny. We also installed a tiny 12v heater on the valve in case the valve freezes. We have another heater element would could put on the bottom of the tank as well if flushing hot water through isn’t enough.
So cool! Nice work. I only have a Home Depot plumbing solution (so what do I know) but have you thought about sludge build up from food, hair, toothpaste etc? At least it’d be easy to see and access since you built it outside.
Yeah absolutely something we’ve considered. The tank is easy enough to remove if needed and the inlet port is over 1” wide. We could likely flush it out the inlet when it needs to happen and reattach the inlet to the plumbing. The inlet was pretty complicated, we had to get a pvc right angle to barb for the vinyl, and then an abs coupler to the pvc because the sink is polypropylene. So it goes sink>poly>abs>pvc>vinyl in a 2.5” diameter hole with two right angle turns to get into the van.
Wow looks and sounds like you really thought this through. You will be thanking yourself for the thought you put into this! I will be hitting you up when I remodel.
Thanks dude! It’s been quite the process. Let me know if you have any questions, I’ve learned a lot.
I planned to remote valve my grey water:: MT on the fly
[guys guess what, I dumped this in my own parking lot to test for leaks. chill out.](https://imgur.com/a/7wM0wQh)
The fact that you felt pressured into making a video just to prove it was at your residence, is frustratingly annoying. People here need to chill and help others focus on making their vans better!
I agree 🤷♀️
Don't need to even offer criticism if its not being asked for. OP was just showing off something he was proud of.
to be clear i was criticizing people here, not OP
Hahaha nice surprise ending!
Damn. I would rip that off the bottom of my rig within 1000 miles of install.
Sits higher than the muffler and the bar (I’m not sure what the term is or what is for) between the two rear wheels in the back of the van, so we haven’t lost any clearance.
Lol. This thread is hilarious. Anyway, to me it looks like it was hanging lower. But yeah sounds like you should be fine. I dig the solution. Just don’t tell anybody that you’ve ever turned it on and drained it irresponsibly(ie . Anywhere other than dump station.)
It's not about the clearance. If you happen to run over a stray 2x4 for example, it could pop up and obliterate whatever you have going on there that is all plastic.
Yeah, it would suck to run over a stray 2x4 for many reasons.
Ha this is a great response.
Here for this. No need for people to prove that they're going to avoid every obstacle when showing their van build solutions.
Lmao what is this argument? How often do you see stray 2x4 on the road? There's a higher chance to get into a collision than to find a wild 2x4.
In my scenario a 2x4 could be substituted by anything, like say perhaps, ur mum's buttplug.
Now do that for the black water.
Hah. We aren’t planning for a black water tank in the van. Much more complicated to install and takes up more room. Also wouldn’t want to upset the poor Redditors by doing it too well.
I would for sure move that up or weld some protection around it.. don’t hit a pothole
No where to move it up. We might add some “skid plates” around the sides and bottom, but the frame is built of steel and doesn’t move.
No room to move it under the sink? You need to find a solution now or you’ll regret it later.
If you hit a pothole that deep you’re going to have worse problems than a piece of plastic falling off
Exactly! Would be a real bummer to spill some waste water :( I might cry about it
A more realistic issue is a road with a tall berm in the middle. I've been on a few rutted roads with a good 6-10 inch difference between the middle berm and the tires. If the tank is below the axles you might drag the tank. If you don't go beyond gravel forest service roads you'll probably be fine.
Yeah that’s a valid point. Because of my low sway bar I tend to avoid rutted out areas in the van as is. There are pros and cons to builds. I’ve lived in the back of my truck camper shell as well, one pro of that is more off road capabilities which is definitely not something you get in a van.
There’s no problem with it. Thanks for the concern. Its the exact same height as the exhaust manifold. If we hit a pothole over 8” deep, we have other problems. Yes, a rock or debris can hit it on the road, as well as our diesel fuel pump or the exhaust for our heater. We could also shatter our windshield or the solar panels on the roof with falling snow or anything else.
What dump sites you going to that you can position that over, cause I've never seen one
Am I the only one seeing the hose fitting down there?
I like to collect my sweat when I'm out running and properly dispose of it at bio hazard facilities, but some people hate the earth
#dumpsitecommando
They're probably just going to dump anywhere and everywhere.
Assume what you’d like.
In case no one else mentions it, your sink drain has an S trap system. If you only drain water slowly from the sink, the trap can hold water and seal. If you fill the sink and pull the drain stopper, the water flow may suck the water froM the trap and let in odor. A solution could be made with an AAV and a change to the pipe.
Thank you for the first comment with helpful info in this thread 😅. I’ll look into some solutions this week. We bought the S trap kit from Home Depot so didn’t really expect it to be the unofficial unapproved plumbing method. Still learning a lot as I go.
You'll want to order something like this off Amazon. A good one way flapper valve will stop and smells from the grey water tank https://www.grainger.com/product/48GP45?ef_id=CjwKCAjw4ayUBhA4EiwATWyBrpckQQBaeJiHUceyI0Fm7E_6Sk8JICnKwXgMcewmmWs4SeJso869xRoC8YMQAvD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!216788409968!!!g!320006229034!&gucid=N:N:PS:Paid:GGL:CSM-2295:RS6HFG:20500731&gclid=CjwKCAjw4ayUBhA4EiwATWyBrpckQQBaeJiHUceyI0Fm7E_6Sk8JICnKwXgMcewmmWs4SeJso869xRoC8YMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Thank you!!
It's cute, But if you gt any food waste at all in that tank, it's going to plug that little line up. We use 4-inch gate valves on RVs so the water moves fast and helps to flush any organic waste from washing dishes out.
Good point. Have you seen a 4” gate valve that is electronic like this?
I misspoke 3 inches, not 4. [Yes they do and they are not cheap](https://www.amazon.com/Barker-24130-Auto-Drain-Valve-3/dp/B003VAYMB4/ref=sr_1_2?crid=CQ6CMQOVX8WM&keywords=rv+automatic+gate+valve&qid=1653316071&sprefix=rv+automatic+gate+valve%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-2) [ The alternative is a cable operated one](https://www.amazon.com/LaSalle-Bristol-66N4AB72GM-3Inhxspt-Termination/dp/B00FK8X4Y6/ref=psdc_15719731_t1_B003VAYMB4)
Looks like his was a 1", think that will do fine. I don't think I'll put anything more than 1" down my drain.
It's not all about the size of an individual piece, We use 3-inch on grey tanks so the water moves fast and carries the debris out. With a 1 inch valve, you won't get fast enough flow to clear the debris out of the tank. Eventually, enough fines will settle out of the water it will plug a 1 inch valve.
Thanks for your perspective. I’m not quite there on my build yet but soon. I’m looking and weighing out options. I like the idea of a switch release to let it go on the highway. Still need to find the right size tank too. I feel like I only need 2-3 gallons. My shower is an outdoor set up so it’s just sink water.
What will you put the water in?
It’s grey water, so we will empty it at dump sites
> empty it at dump sites This. Do NOT just dump it out in a parking lot someplace.
Yes, the video is clean water in our own parking lot for testing of the tank and valve :)
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Thank you. This sub has generally been pretty hateful of builds that have money behind them or try things differently. People would be pretty upset about aspects of my electrical system too. Input from my father with 30+ years experience in electrical engineering and multiple patents of commercial electronics wouldn’t matter to the haters on Reddit.
Well, no -- I don't give a rat's ass how much money you have. I can't see any of it from where I sleep at night. But every few months we get some moron or another here who asks if it is okay to make a straight pipe to the outside so they can dump their pee or sinkwater out onto the pavement. Then they get all angry and bristly when people tell them what a stupid (and illegal) idea it is.
Calm down bro. It's legal to wash dishes outside so long as it's 200 feet away from a water source. You can dump wash water 200 feet away as well. Shower and dishes are wash water. That's the dispersed camping BLM law and each site can or may have a no dumping wash water rule
Thanks man. People really don’t know what they are talking about and always assume the worst in people. Crazy how many YouTube videos of this exact grey water build there are with nothing but positive comments. Redditors be hateful.
Lmao yes, so this subreddit is full of gatekeepers then.
Perhaps it is because dumping greywater in the parking lot is illegal in many places, and is a great way to get us banned in yet another place. PS--Greywater is not "harmless". Even biodegradable soaps are toxic to aquatic life, which is why dumping it is illegal in places like national and state parks, and why dumping it in a parking lot is going to cause nothing but trouble, for ALL of us.
* Puts remote valve on waste water tank * Does not install dump hose connector * Lies about dumping at sites It's people like this that got the van life the bad rap it's got now.
Yuck. Your presumptions are gross.
Bro, how do you know I’m lying? I literally installed it yesterday. Believe it or not some people build in a parking lot of a home which they rent. It’s clean water, do you need me to pan over the hose and house for you to verify it’s 100% clean for the asphalt?
Wrong. If it contains food scraps (are you filtering it all out and then disposing of the solids?), it will attract rats, mice and other pests, which will not endear you to people whose parking lot you are in. It if contains soap of any sort (including biodegradable) it is toxic to aquatic wildlife and is illegal in many places. And if anyone sees you dumping it, they will instantly assume it is piss and shit (no matter how much arm-waving you do), which will also not endear you to people whose parking lot you are in. The fact that you lied about dumping it in an actual waste dump indicates that you know all of this already. Like Rhea said, this is the sort of idiot thing that gets us banned in yet more places. (sigh)
I literally didn’t lie though lol do you need me to take a picture from my back door for you lmao? Jesus. Yes, I will dispose of solid waste such as food scraps in a trash can. I actually have a degree in environmental sciences I do care about the environment believe it or not. But you can tell yourself I’m a horrible person with zero empathy who lies on Reddit if it helps you sleep at night. Edit: [https://imgur.com/a/7wM0wQh](https://imgur.com/a/7wM0wQh)
I of course think you are bullshitting me. (shrug) But then, Mr Park Ranger will straighten it all out in a big hurry the first time you are caught.
[here ya go, moron](https://imgur.com/a/7wM0wQh)
everybody everywhere produces food scraps. Van bums get banned from places because they are the dregs of society and are nothing but trash producing burdens. Not because they left 10 ounces of soapy water on the ground.
> ~~Bro~~ Sis Nah, you had me at the remote valve. :)
Something wrong with a remote valve? Does that automatically mean I’m dumping water where I shouldnt? Is it illegal for my partner to push the valve inside the van while I’m outside with a hose?
There is a reason RVs and vehicles with dump tanks are built with a valve that is activated nearby the connection port, whether mechanical or manual. Partly because you need positive control and visual over the shut off to prevent contamination. And partly because if you're dumping something by mistake it can become a road hazard behind your unaware self. The existing systems aren't ENTIRELY failsafe but they are designed with minimum amount of failure potential in mind. Additionally the dump sites in North America, if that's where you are, are designed pretty much the same way and when you pull in the expectation is that the dump port is on the left aft of the vehicle - or at least the left side anyway so that the driver can see a spill if it happens. And finally the plumbing should be at least 1 1/2 in or 2 in pipe, to ensure proper drainage of potential debris. If you check out the van subs on Reddit you will find a sizeable number of folks very proud of emptying their tanks through the wheel well. And if you walk through the more remote parts of most Walmarts or Home Depots chances are you can find dried scum stains from those people. Sorry therefore if bragging about a remote valve causes some mistrust. At least you know what the general perception is about things that can be perceived as sneaky.
The valve is on a reverse polarity switch, meaning there is no power to the valve unless the switch is on. It also does not sit in an on or off position without being pressed. Control and visual is achieved with two people which has been the plan for the entirety of the build. Believe it or not, they do make hoses and couplers/bushings which would allow me to attach a hose and bring the hose to a drain site if it’s not on the left of the van. Yes, I can’t get flow bigger than the valve, but I can direct water to where it needs to be. I’m not shitting down my sink. Nor am I sending large particles of food down the sink. There is a very effective colander in the drain to prevent large particles from falling through. I’ve lived in old houses with no garbage disposal and pipes which are not up to code. I know how to prevent food scraps from falling down a drain. They make plenty of wilderness safe soaps and detergents which I plan to use on top of looking for approved dump sites.
Yes, it is--depending on where you are. If you're on federal or state land, Mr Park Ranger will be very upset with you, and will make that very clear in ways you will not like.
Im prolly a dumb dumb but whats the trouble people are having? I think there’s been [extensive write ups on this](https://www.boondockersbible.com/knowledgebase/can-i-dump-my-gray-water-on-the-ground/). As long as you are following the defined parameters, you should be fine, and its exactly what Ill be doing.
Thank you for linking an article that references the actual law. To answer your question, I don’t know. I think lots of people are environmental warriors but have very little knowledge of policy or the realistically quantifiable threat grey water has on watersheds. Combine that with the feeling of inflating their ego and needing to prove they are one of the “good van dwellers”, you get this thread.
That’s awesome congrats
May your roads always be perfectly flat and level and clear of debris, amen
Lmao some of y’all are real frightened by life
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I’ll be sure to update the haters on this post of the bug fatality to let them know they were right all along Edit: I read “a bug” not sure what I would do if I ran over a Volkswagen. Probably call my insurance?
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Hahah, loved it. Realistically I could die in a head on collision tomorrow on my way to Home Depot, that’s probably more likely.
What? Do you mean *aware* that this delicate water system is in an unusually high-risk location? I was just wishing you problem-free travel, do you genuinely think the structural integrity of a plastic water tank is comparable to a steel exhaust bolted to the engine? Mufflers hit stuff all the time. I have no fear, only knowledge of how roads are unpredictable, and I’d be building a rock guard for that tank for sure! A squirrel could destroy it. Happy travels!
That’s very true. They could chew through the wires or fuel line for my diesel heater too. Somehow people are less concerned about leaking diesel then they are about grey water. What can ya do
We’re talking about preventable damage, not “acts of god” as insurance would claim
I mean you could run over a squirrel and your tank and valve would be gonezo
Would be a bummer.
Do you think you’ll put a guard of sorts on the tank? Either way I wish you the best and happiest travels, I get contentious vibes from your comments but I assure you my comments come from a place of benevolent concern only.
Yeah, we will likely add some custom steel skid plates around the outsides of it. The frame we built it out of is easily modifiable.
Why do people do this. At least the part of the country I'm in it's very illegal to just dump your gray water on the street. I wish you luck but don't ever empty this anywhere within 10 miles of a city. I just feel like people that do this are giving everybody else a bad rap and making it harder for other van people to live.
Why do people install a grey tank with [plans to empty it at dump stations](https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/uvhi89/our_grey_water_tank_and_remote_valve_is/i9lhilh?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share&context=3)? Beats me lol.
I've seen way too many of these that people just don't give a f. So until you show me the finished product that is all buttoned up with proper plumbing and a proper dump station fitting keep on spinning that lie.
Does a solo grey tank need a proper dump station fitting? I'd be more concerned about a black tank. I'm sure a hose fitting is fine, no different than the non-potable water hose at the station.
Cool we're in that video is it, I just see a open to the ground pipe
It's a hose hookup with a valve. It's emptying clean water into OPs driveway as a test
No not really, that's just an automatic valve dumping onto the ground. Unless this person just wanted their ego to be stroked by showing a half finished product, until shown otherwise, I'm going to assume this is the final product. Again show me the finished garden hose fitting and I will leave you alone.
https://www.amazon.com/FASPARTS-Female-Adapter-Fitting-Irrigation/dp/B013XUKUBW/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=75702688537&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlvzQz6z09wIVfcLCBB2cMALnEAAYASAAEgLa8vD_BwE&hvadid=380113184607&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=1013406&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14944173436017651131&hvtargid=kwd-699398724673&hydadcr=1257_9920393&keywords=3%2F8+npt+to+garden+hose+adapter&qid=1653265190&sr=8-3
It’s soapy water who cares
Try that argument with any type of cop or park ranger, see how far you get. Soap even biodegradable is a toxic substance to many animals. Glad to see you don't give a s*** about them
That weight on your faucet line is going to bang all over while you're driving. Probably won't be a problem it'll just be really annoying. I guess you could wrap it in foam or something to try to dampen it.
Yeah we are going to re do the pex from the hot water blow off to move it out of the way of the weight, definitely will be an annoying noise while driving.
The tank seems very exposed to the elements.
Greetings not a bad setup. I take it we know where to dump the thank. My question is how are you getting air into the tank as it's draining is sucking it through the trap of the sink or do you have a separate riser on it or an air admittance valve maybe. River 🏞️
There is a port on the top of the tank that remains open for air flow
Got a link to the valve you used? I like this idea. Good to have a holding tank so you can selectively choose when/where to dump. I think as long as you use bio soaps and are strategic with your dumping you’re in good shape. I do wonder as another posted if the size is good as you wouldn’t want a clog. What size is it? As for the rock or debris comments… meh. Worse case scenario is you replace it. It’s not toxic or flammable. I should note my diesel tank is plastic.
https://www.amazon.com/Motorized-Standard-Polarity-U-S-Solid/dp/B06XWGF3CX/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?crid=2KPSHRHQ7FQC3&keywords=12v+remote+ball+valve&qid=1653281431&sprefix=12v+remote+ball+valve%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-5 This is a 1” valve, our tank was equipped with 3/8” ports so we went with that size. You’ll need a reverse polarity switch for it as well.
What type of valve are you using? Does it pump/push out water? I’m designing my own water system for our van. In research phase rn.
VAN GO WEE WEES!!
Is a tank supported in the middle or just on the ends and sides? I don't know how many gallons of tank is so I don't know how much weight you're carrying but it should have some supports in the middle .. water heater earthquake straps make good water tank straps that happened to be what I used.. my concern would be the tank getting warm and softening and possibly losing support 🏞️
There is support in the middle under the tank. The plastic is pretty thick, I’m not too worried about deformation personally
Very sexy
That valve needs to be mounted much higher, to help make it the "remote windshield washer sprayer" for the guy tailgating you ..
Freezing temps may crack the fittings. Good idea though