Earthroamer

[Robthebrit]

My mog has a gray water bypass, I typically just dump the shower on the ground or use the outdoor shower.

Don't be too hard on the casette toilet, I have one and they are kind of convienient. In the middle of nowhere or in another country you may have problems finding a dump station. With a casette you can empty it in a regular toilet, pit toilet, dump station etc. You can find a pit toilet pretty much anywhere and regular flush toilets are fairly easy to come by, a lot of camp grounds have oversized toilets just for this purpose. Another advantage is I can dump at home in the garage toilet and I don't have to drive around after a long trip trying to find a black tank dump.

I have a smallish porta potty, it probably holds 6 gallons and it lasts the wife and I more than 4 days without any problems at all. It is kind of messy but I don't find it any worse than a black tank and that disgusting hose. I have no problems with black hose drainage and I don't have to carry that hose around with me.

If you are in a camp site with hook ups and you are there for a few days then the black tank may be better as you can leave it connected to the sewer. But why are you camping in a camp ground?

If you get to the point where you are digging holes then either system is just as likely to cause problems.

Just my opinion...

Rob

 

[erod]

My mog has a gray water bypass, I typically just dump the shower on the ground or use the outdoor shower.

Don't be too hard on the casette toilet, I have one and they are kind of convienient. In the middle of nowhere or in another country you may have problems finding a dump station. With a casette you can empty it in a regular toilet, pit toilet, dump station etc. You can find a pit toilet pretty much anywhere and regular flush toilets are fairly easy to come by, a lot of camp grounds have oversized toilets just for this purpose. Another advantage is I can dump at home in the garage toilet and I don't have to drive around after a long trip trying to find a black tank dump.

I have a smallish porta potty, it probably holds 6 gallons and it lasts the wife and I more than 4 days without any problems at all. It is kind of messy but I don't find it any worse than a black tank and that disgusting hose. I have no problems with black hose drainage and I don't have to carry that hose around with me.

If you are in a camp site with hook ups and you are there for a few days then the black tank may be better as you can leave it connected to the sewer. But why are you camping in a camp ground?

If you get to the point where you are digging holes then either system is just as likely to cause problems.

Just my opinion...

Rob

man, that sounds nasty, i think i would rather $%#& in the woods !

 

[charlieaarons]

Regarding cassette vs. black water tank: I suppose if I were in a place like a campground that had a flush toilet but no black water drainhole I could drain my tank into a 5 gal pail and pour it into the toilet. But since I primarily boonie camp it's infinitely easy to pull that blade valve and run back into the cab before it hits the ground and drive off and close it later....

Charlie

 

[elcoyote]

You might want to read this site about a couple's first hand experience with their Espar diesel heater and a Wallus 85 diesel stove.
http://s94153639.onlinehome.us/sportsmobile/appliances.html

My own personal experience with a Thetford cassette toilet for 24 continuous days was excellent. I found it much easier to use than a black tank and higher quality than most portapotties. 2 of us were able to go for 3-4 days at a time before emptying the cassette. You may also want to consider a composting unit as an alternative. Units made by SunMar are being used in marine and rv applications. http://www.sun-mar.com/prod_self_mobi.html

 

[Rhode Trip]

Regarding cassette vs. black water tank: I suppose if I were in a place like a campground that had a flush toilet but no black water drainhole I could drain my tank into a 5 gal pail and pour it into the toilet. But since I primarily boonie camp it's infinitely easy to pull that blade valve and run back into the cab before it hits the ground and drive off and close it later....

Charlie

You might want to consider hooking up a macerator pump. You could then hook up a garden hose and spray that "S#&t" right into the pristine mountain stream of your choice. Or you could, of course, use the hose to dump in an outhouse, trench, or pit toilet, or at least spread out in the woods! I guess I won't be asking you for any boonie camp recommendations, Charlie!

 

[Bella PSD]

You might want to consider hooking up a macerator pump. You could then hook up a garden hose and spray that "S#&t" right into the pristine mountain stream of your choice. Or you could, of course, use the hose to dump in an outhouse, trench, or pit toilet, or at least spread out in the woods! I guess I won't be asking you for any boonie camp recommendations, Charlie!

I hope Charlie was joking??

Louie

 

[Rhode Trip]

I hope Charlie was joking??

Louie

I'm sure he is! But a macerator pump really does expand your options for dumping an on board tank. And by having a separate gray tank, it means you can rinse after you "flush", which does a pretty good job of cleaning the hose, wheter its a standard dump hose or a long garden hose with the macerator.

 

[explore this]

Lots of good info! Thanks!

Oh, and I'll pass on dumping my ******* all over the ground. I'll pray not to run onto that gift of someone else in my lifetime. Precisely why I stay away from campgrounds...

This is interesting...
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_business/article/0,2777,DRMN_23916_5627073,00.html


Maybe with some more volume they can get some economies of scale and start to offer more options like a small generator, more black tank options, etc.

 

[explore this]

I'm currently considering the purchase of an EarthRoamer and have talked to three couples that own them. All three said they can go for up to four days with two people on the cassette. One said he would vastly prefer the cassette since he can dump at any toilet. You can also carry a second cassette onboard for extended stay. None of the people I've talked to had any complaints about the cassette system. But I doubt they take their rigs into as any true off-road areas as you guys.

I don't have personal experience with using the system though... although I have seen an EarthRoamer and I pulled the cassette out and wheeled it around to get an idea of what it involved.

I wish the ER has a graywater bypass and am amazed that no rigs seem to have them... by bypass, I mean being able to let your shower and sink water go directly onto the ground without ever being held in a tank. You turn off the bypass when it would not be appropriate and would rather store it. The RV I currently live on has the bypass and I love it since it allows me to extend my stay somewhere and last for weeks (I also have a combo gray/black tank, so with the bypass on, the whole tank becomes a black water tank).

I don't really understand the solution of carrying an extra suitcase of poo in your back storage to spill on your skis or hiking boots... I would think a 20-30 gal black tank wouldn't be that hard of an install and 4-6 times your capability.

I've yet to see any owners on here. I think there may be some who have experienced, but haven't piped in... How did you track down the owners to talk to? I wonder what the demographics are of those who have too much money and want to look cool and those who actually use them.

 

[FusoFG]

we don't have an earthroamer -too big and too much money - but we have a thetford cassette, a separate gray water tank that empties through a garden hose fixture, a wallas diesel stove and an espar diesel hydronic furnace.

i've had propane units before and they are flimsy, unreliable, throw away rv junk.

And a propane cooktop puts plenty of moisture into the camper that condenses on everything in the cold.

Diesel appliances mean you only have to store, locate and hassle with one fuel.

As for the comment on diesel marine stoves - if an open flame from a propane stove is safe, why not an open flame from a diesel stove? There is still the problem with moisture an condensation - and odor.

If you must use a propane stove at least get a marine version - more rugged and longer lasting.

The wallas works fine at altitude (we've used it up to 14,000) it just runs a little rich. It works fine if you start it on low instead of high like the manual says. Sometimes I have to start it twice for extra preheat. But in the hands of a good cook (my wife) it makes great meals. She likes it best of any stove we've owned - propane, electric, natural gas, alcohol or open flame diesel - best temperature control. The parts manual talks about a fuel metering adjustment so it can be adjusted but there are no instructions and we haven't needed any adjustments.

The espar d5 is industrial strength and heats the camper, the hot water and preheats the engine if necessary. It has never failed at high altitude. I believe the D4 has an option for 2 pumps - on set below 5000 ft amd one set above 5000 - so the pump is obviously adjustable if you want to.

the cassette gives you the most options for dumping - dump station, flush toilet, pit toilet or burial in the boonies. the perfect unit for installation in a wet shower.

I can dump the gray water at a dump station, run it on the ground as i drive a long, or empty with a bucket. Don't like running it straight on the ground in my campsite.

 

[charlieaarons]

You might want to consider hooking up a macerator pump. You could then hook up a garden hose and spray that "S#&t" right into the pristine mountain stream of your choice. Or you could, of course, use the hose to dump in an outhouse, trench, or pit toilet, or at least spread out in the woods! I guess I won't be asking you for any boonie camp recommendations, Charlie!

Oh please excuse me if I've upset someone here. Exactly what difference does it make if bodily waste has spent the night in a holding tank vs. all you tent campers who just do it outside? Of course I don't dump it on a pristine beach; you find a nice generic spot between a sagebrush and a cactus suitably off the road...At least I have the capacity to hold on to it if camping in a sensitive area.
And do any of you have big dogs? Do you follow them around with a shovel when camped beyond nowhere?
Oh and by the way can someone give me the locations of dump stations off the pavement in Baja, in Morocco, along the Alcan and off the paved system in Alaska? I already know the answer - none.
Sorry if this thread is getting "pissy".

Charlie

 

[Rhode Trip]

Ha, Ha, Ha. Not upsetting me, Charlie. As a matter of fact, I'm suggesting you might find the "supersoaker" version of a dump hose to be even more fun than the "dump and run" technique you're using now. Definitely keep your shoes cleaner, and it would help to eliminate those nasty "chunks"!:yikes:

 

[Lynn]

I read a recommendation on another forum for disposing of your waste bi-products.

The guy suggested putting it in old milk jugs, then in a cardboard box. Then wrap the box in giftwrap and leave it in the back of your truck while parked at WalMart.

Someone is bound to steal it.

 

[Dave]

I read a recommendation on another forum for disposing of your waste bi-products.

The guy suggested putting it in old milk jugs, then in a cardboard box. Then wrap the box in giftwrap and leave it in the back of your truck while parked at WalMart.

Someone is bound to steal it.

Dang it, you had me hook, line and sinker on that one. My train of thought as reading...

Milk jugs, makes sense...has a handle, a cap, and is easy to manage a stow. Cardboard box...genius...can be taped closed, keeps milk jugs upright and stable, easy to find. Gift wrap and WalMart? WTH? And then the zinger ---> :coffeedrink:

 

[G35Vortec454]

Cassette

I too have a cassette in my exped RV (not ER nor Mog, though). I prefer the many options of dumping offerred by the cassette than a gray/black tank. Also, with the cassette, you could have as many spare cassettes as you'd like. Contrary to the "****ty" nature of waste, the cassette is very neat (not messy) concept. I could have it lying next to the picnic table and not bother me; it has the feel of a briefcase that can be toted around a fastfood restaurant, rest stop for dumping at their toilets. When in the boonies, all I need is my shovel to dump not too far from the vehicle.