Smaug
Guest
We get a lot of Newbies on here asking similar questions, would an FAQ page be helpful & what do you think should be on it? I realise that we are all different & wild in different ways & different places, but there are common concerns for new campers.
I think it would be very useful & might include questions like;
Can I park anywhere?
No, but within sensible limits there should be few problems. Obey any Traffic Regulation Orders that may prohibit parking & park so that you are not causing an obstruction or nuisance to others. Motorhomes can be large & may overhang painted parking bays, this can lead to getting a ticket in some places. Town & city centres (& seaside locations) can be very restrictive for parking & all multi-storey car parks or height barriered plots are no use to tall vehicles.
There are plenty of suitable lay-bys on trunk roads available for long distance lorry drivers, some of them are well separated from the road & ideal for overnighting on a journey.
Will the Police Move me on?
Not normally, but it can happen if you are considered to be obstructing traffic, illegally parked or sometimes in a National Park, if someone complains.
How can we make sure we don't upset the locals?
Of course, you can never be sure that no-one will object to your presence, but "take nothing, leave nothing" is a good start. Try to be unobtrusive, the more remote the location, the less likely anyone will even know you are there. Arrive late & leave early also reduces the risk of upsetting people, as does being quiet & not shining lights everywhere.
Buy local if you can & be friendly to passers-by, many will be interested in where you are from, where you have visited & where you are going next, we have had locals tell us good places to visit or even stay that we may have otherwise missed.
Where can I empty my toilet cassette?
With permission, you can use facilities in a camp site (there may be a charge), or a marina. The Canals & Rivers Trust (key required) or public toilets (make sure you clean up any splashes) may also be an option. Do not just dump it in ditches or drains as these are designed for surface water & not to carry away potentially dangerous waste which needs further treatment.
As a last resort, you could bury the contents in a remote location, but try to get the hole deep enough to avoid possible damage to vegetation (from chemicals) or discourage animals digging it up. This is more acceptable if you use Bio-Tablets rather than Elsan type chemicals to break down the waste.
What is an SOG toilet?
This is the use of a filter & forced ventilation system on a toilet that means there is no need for any additives (chemical or biological) to the waste in a toilet cassette. There is a small fan that creates negative pressure in the cassette when the toilet is in use & the waste valve is opened, this minimises unpleasant smells in the van.
Where can Grey water be disposed of?
Camp sites usually have facilities, but small quantities dumped in remote grassy locations or ditches will not cause harm. Please don't dump large quantities in street gutters as the grease & food particles will attract flies & other vermin. Just consider where you would throw a bowl of dirty dishes water in your own garden.
Where can I get water?
Ask at a garage when you buy fuel, there are also often public taps at harbours. The Canals & Rivers Trust service points have taps but again, a key may be required. Some cemeteries & parks also have useful taps if they allow vehicle access. If you join this site as a Full Member you will have access to a database of suitable tap locations.
What is "Stealth Camping"?
This is where a van is set up so that it is difficult to tell if it is inhabited or just parked up. It means having no signs of occupation visible outside (levelling ramps/ chocks, external screens, dog bowls, chairs etc) Some people take this further by having the camper indistinguishable from a plain van.
Can I be "drunk in charge" when asleep in the van?
Strictly speaking, yes as you could get up & drive while still under the influence of drink, however, if you can show that you had no intention of doing so (& taking your clothes off & going to bed is a pretty good indication) then the chances of it happening are slight.
I'm sure you can all think of some similar regular newbie questions & typical answers.
I think it would be very useful & might include questions like;
Can I park anywhere?
No, but within sensible limits there should be few problems. Obey any Traffic Regulation Orders that may prohibit parking & park so that you are not causing an obstruction or nuisance to others. Motorhomes can be large & may overhang painted parking bays, this can lead to getting a ticket in some places. Town & city centres (& seaside locations) can be very restrictive for parking & all multi-storey car parks or height barriered plots are no use to tall vehicles.
There are plenty of suitable lay-bys on trunk roads available for long distance lorry drivers, some of them are well separated from the road & ideal for overnighting on a journey.
Will the Police Move me on?
Not normally, but it can happen if you are considered to be obstructing traffic, illegally parked or sometimes in a National Park, if someone complains.
How can we make sure we don't upset the locals?
Of course, you can never be sure that no-one will object to your presence, but "take nothing, leave nothing" is a good start. Try to be unobtrusive, the more remote the location, the less likely anyone will even know you are there. Arrive late & leave early also reduces the risk of upsetting people, as does being quiet & not shining lights everywhere.
Buy local if you can & be friendly to passers-by, many will be interested in where you are from, where you have visited & where you are going next, we have had locals tell us good places to visit or even stay that we may have otherwise missed.
Where can I empty my toilet cassette?
With permission, you can use facilities in a camp site (there may be a charge), or a marina. The Canals & Rivers Trust (key required) or public toilets (make sure you clean up any splashes) may also be an option. Do not just dump it in ditches or drains as these are designed for surface water & not to carry away potentially dangerous waste which needs further treatment.
As a last resort, you could bury the contents in a remote location, but try to get the hole deep enough to avoid possible damage to vegetation (from chemicals) or discourage animals digging it up. This is more acceptable if you use Bio-Tablets rather than Elsan type chemicals to break down the waste.
What is an SOG toilet?
This is the use of a filter & forced ventilation system on a toilet that means there is no need for any additives (chemical or biological) to the waste in a toilet cassette. There is a small fan that creates negative pressure in the cassette when the toilet is in use & the waste valve is opened, this minimises unpleasant smells in the van.
Where can Grey water be disposed of?
Camp sites usually have facilities, but small quantities dumped in remote grassy locations or ditches will not cause harm. Please don't dump large quantities in street gutters as the grease & food particles will attract flies & other vermin. Just consider where you would throw a bowl of dirty dishes water in your own garden.
Where can I get water?
Ask at a garage when you buy fuel, there are also often public taps at harbours. The Canals & Rivers Trust service points have taps but again, a key may be required. Some cemeteries & parks also have useful taps if they allow vehicle access. If you join this site as a Full Member you will have access to a database of suitable tap locations.
What is "Stealth Camping"?
This is where a van is set up so that it is difficult to tell if it is inhabited or just parked up. It means having no signs of occupation visible outside (levelling ramps/ chocks, external screens, dog bowls, chairs etc) Some people take this further by having the camper indistinguishable from a plain van.
Can I be "drunk in charge" when asleep in the van?
Strictly speaking, yes as you could get up & drive while still under the influence of drink, however, if you can show that you had no intention of doing so (& taking your clothes off & going to bed is a pretty good indication) then the chances of it happening are slight.
I'm sure you can all think of some similar regular newbie questions & typical answers.