Camper van on Houx
Discussion
This year we decided to treat ourselves and hire a camper van to make things a little more civilised. The one we have chosen even has the luxury of a shower and toilet!
I have a couple of questions regarding filling/emptying tanks.
Firstly, where do you empty the toilet cassettes? I know Houx pretty well but I cant recall seeing any disposal points.
Secondly, in order to fill the fresh water tanks, are there any particular types of hose fitting that I will need to get or are they universal fit?
Finally is there anything else I should know about using a camper van on Houx?
Many thanks!
I have a couple of questions regarding filling/emptying tanks.
Firstly, where do you empty the toilet cassettes? I know Houx pretty well but I cant recall seeing any disposal points.
Secondly, in order to fill the fresh water tanks, are there any particular types of hose fitting that I will need to get or are they universal fit?
Finally is there anything else I should know about using a camper van on Houx?
Many thanks!
If it has the european style cassette loo then the normal loos are probably the best you will get. If it is an American RV then you probably will not find anywhere on Houx.
With regard to water, you may be close enough to a tap but these have often been swapped for push button operation and stop automatically. Take some water carriers with you and a 12v submersible pump on hose to pump it alternatively a few of you pour it with a funnel to catch the water! I wouldn't drink this water! Also drive with the water tank empty it full can weigh over 100Kg. When you arrive use a hose to fill it up. Look out for Aire-de-Service spots http://en.airecampingcar.com , these have water and dumping facilities often for only a E1.
With regard to water, you may be close enough to a tap but these have often been swapped for push button operation and stop automatically. Take some water carriers with you and a 12v submersible pump on hose to pump it alternatively a few of you pour it with a funnel to catch the water! I wouldn't drink this water! Also drive with the water tank empty it full can weigh over 100Kg. When you arrive use a hose to fill it up. Look out for Aire-de-Service spots http://en.airecampingcar.com , these have water and dumping facilities often for only a E1.
chasingracecars said:
If it has the european style cassette loo then the normal loos are probably the best you will get. If it is an American RV then you probably will not find anywhere on Houx.
With regard to water, you may be close enough to a tap but these have often been swapped for push button operation and stop automatically. Take some water carriers with you and a 12v submersible pump on hose to pump it alternatively a few of you pour it with a funnel to catch the water! I wouldn't drink this water! Also drive with the water tank empty it full can weigh over 100Kg. When you arrive use a hose to fill it up. Look out for Aire-de-Service spots http://en.airecampingcar.com , these have water and dumping facilities often for only a E1.
So it's ok to empty an elsan cassette down the normal bogs? I was only going to use the onboard water for washing but I expect we will run out at some point. I've seen the push button taps around the place and thats what made me wonder. I think the onboard water tank is only 100l. It's one of these by the way, http://www.tributemotorhomes.co.uk/motorhomes/trib...With regard to water, you may be close enough to a tap but these have often been swapped for push button operation and stop automatically. Take some water carriers with you and a 12v submersible pump on hose to pump it alternatively a few of you pour it with a funnel to catch the water! I wouldn't drink this water! Also drive with the water tank empty it full can weigh over 100Kg. When you arrive use a hose to fill it up. Look out for Aire-de-Service spots http://en.airecampingcar.com , these have water and dumping facilities often for only a E1.
Well emptying it down a normal loo is not ideal but it is possibly the only option, In that particular van you are more then likely to have a cassette loo. You will surprised how quick they fill though!
There is sometimes a tap near the loos that is always on type of thing. That might be useful for the initial fill when you arrive. If you are using electrics take a long lead with you as your pitch can be a long way from the point. Alternatively pop out to the Carrefour and buy a longer lead and swap the connectors over. The fridge will use all your gas very quickly unless you connect it to mains.
Check to see if you have one or two cylinders supplied with hire as the brochure lists 2x 3.9Kg. You will want to take two as the fittings in France are different.
There is sometimes a tap near the loos that is always on type of thing. That might be useful for the initial fill when you arrive. If you are using electrics take a long lead with you as your pitch can be a long way from the point. Alternatively pop out to the Carrefour and buy a longer lead and swap the connectors over. The fridge will use all your gas very quickly unless you connect it to mains.
Check to see if you have one or two cylinders supplied with hire as the brochure lists 2x 3.9Kg. You will want to take two as the fittings in France are different.
chasingracecars said:
Well emptying it down a normal loo is not ideal but it is possibly the only option, In that particular van you are more then likely to have a cassette loo. You will surprised how quick they fill though!
There is sometimes a tap near the loos that is always on type of thing. That might be useful for the initial fill when you arrive. If you are using electrics take a long lead with you as your pitch can be a long way from the point. Alternatively pop out to the Carrefour and buy a longer lead and swap the connectors over. The fridge will use all your gas very quickly unless you connect it to mains.
Check to see if you have one or two cylinders supplied with hire as the brochure lists 2x 3.9Kg. You will want to take two as the fittings in France are different.
Luckily I work at a marina so laying my hands on long mains leads and gas bottles isn't a problem. I usually bring a couple of splitter blocks too. Apparently we are the first people hiring this van so the bottles should be fresh. I will check nonetheless. I think I will bring a bunch of hozelock fixtures (we have loads lying around at work) which might help filling the water tank.There is sometimes a tap near the loos that is always on type of thing. That might be useful for the initial fill when you arrive. If you are using electrics take a long lead with you as your pitch can be a long way from the point. Alternatively pop out to the Carrefour and buy a longer lead and swap the connectors over. The fridge will use all your gas very quickly unless you connect it to mains.
Check to see if you have one or two cylinders supplied with hire as the brochure lists 2x 3.9Kg. You will want to take two as the fittings in France are different.
On Tertre Rouge the waste pipes from the temporary toilets go down a man hole cover round the back. We tip our cassette toilet down there. Probably best to do it when the showers are busy so it washes away quicker and smells of the lynx effect 
We fill our fresh water tank by hand using a 25 litre touring caravan container. Can get a bit wet with the push button top though!
We fill our fresh water tank by hand using a 25 litre touring caravan container. Can get a bit wet with the push button top though!
Assuming the fresh tank is 100l, perceived wisdom in motor home community is to travel with fresh tank full. It's only 100kg and you never know when you may not be able to get water.
The 100 kg is equivalent to one hefty passenger and will add only a tiny amount to fuel consumption. The weight in the tank low down will help to steady you in a cross wind too.
Just my 2p from many trips in France where the Aires are great but often have problems with water supply.
Hope that helps.
The 100 kg is equivalent to one hefty passenger and will add only a tiny amount to fuel consumption. The weight in the tank low down will help to steady you in a cross wind too.
Just my 2p from many trips in France where the Aires are great but often have problems with water supply.
Hope that helps.
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