CAMPING THE KIWI WAY

Water Water everywhere not a drop to spare… poetic licence in the slight quote change.

On a recent club camp I did a wee survey of the parked vehicles, caravans, motorhomes, buses and others to observe the water supply and disposal systems.

Of 19 campers, there were 10 using a hog with rollaway, 7 with full on-board water and waste tanks, and 2 with a mix of supply and disposal.

I did this with the personal experience of using a 50l water hog for supply and rollaway disposal tank, and having a daughter visit our caravan and use the fresh water rather wastefully. Upon chastisement, I proceeded to show her where the water was coming from, where it was going and the efforts to supply and dispose.

Using a manual supply system of hog and rollaway tank makes one appreciate the efforts to do so and water-conservation thinking does kick in.

I understand 1litre of water is 1kg so a full hog or rollaway tank is 50kg, nearly a dead body weight to move around when setting up, disposing and carrying as onboard cargo.

The benefit of a hog is the flexibility to fill and dispose on demand, the ease of how and where to do so and not having to move your vehicle when you are set up for an extended stay.

Those with inbuilt tanks have to consider whether to fill up before they go or onsite and/or consider whether their vehicle can approach, use, and exit from the dump or water service — access is not guaranteed.

The weight of carrying onboard must be factored in, and maybe how the vehicle travels and tracks with that weight. Caravans have to consider the weight of water, as its location affects the stability and safety while driving (many carry the water in their tow vehicle for this reason).

Onboard tanks are likely to carry more than a hog or rollaway, giving a longer, uninterrupted stay, and there is no need to actually carry the water, as the water is delivered via hoses.

No right or wrong here, just a personal decision of what works best for you, be it your travel plans and systems, or your camp set up. 🏕️

Do your own personal survey next camp, observe, ask and learn.

Photos from the internet