How to build a RV Grey Water Tote

CMCA and Responsible RV Travel

As Australia's largest recreational vehicle club, CMCA has long championed environmentally responsible travel. Central to this is our Self-Contained Vehicle (SCV) Policy and Leave No Trace® (LNT) Code of Conduct, a framework that demonstrates how RV travellers can explore Australia's towns, regions and open spaces without leaving a negative impact on the environment.

The principle is straightforward: a self-contained vehicle retains all waste, including fresh water, grey water, black water and rubbish, within the vehicle itself. This allows travellers to overnight in locations with no facilities while still meeting environmental and council requirements.

What is a grey water tote?

A grey water tote is an external, portable tank that connects to your vehicle's grey water outlet and collects wastewater while you're travelling or camping. Commercially manufactured totes are available for $50–$150, but many are imported and not easily compatible with standard Australian RV fittings.

CMCA member Richard Mainey has developed a tried-and-tested DIY design that solves that problem using parts you can find at any good irrigation supply or hardware store.

Build your own grey water tote tank

Before you start: choosing the right container

The size of your tote will be limited by the height between your vehicle's grey water outlet and the ground - this is why many commercial units have a low profile. A 15-litre squat container works well for most vehicles and sits neatly underneath. Keep in mind that a 40-litre container will weigh 40kg when full, making it difficult to move without a trolley. A semi-transparent container is ideal so you can monitor the grey water level easily.

What you'll need

All parts are available from irrigation supply stores or hardware shops. The fittings below cost around $32 in total. Add a container (~$16) and shut-off valve (~$7–$25) and you can build the whole unit for under $50.

Fittings:

Shut-off valve (twist or lever action) — 1 inch or ¾ inch BSP threaded, PVC or brass — $7–$25
Camlock Type A, 20mm
Camlock Type B, 20mm
LD Director 19mm Barb x 20mm Male Iron
Holman Hose Connector Flo-Thru 18mm click-on
Holman Tap Adaptor 18mm click-on (universal)
Poly Nipple 20mm
Poly Elbow (Male & Female) 20mm
LD Valve In-Line 13mm (for breather)
Rubber grommet (available from Clark Rubber, under $0.50)

Also required:

PVC Marine Flex Hose 19mm (metal-core, non-kinking) — approx. $5 per metre
Container, 10–20 litre squat design — approx. $16
Silicon or suitable waterproof sealant
Stainless steel hose clamp, 16–27mm

Optional but recommended:

Camlock dust cover (prevents dirt entering valve while travelling)
Hose connector with stop-flow valve (prevents spillage when disconnecting a full hose)
Spare cap for container (available at pool shops, useful for cleaning and storage)

A step by step guide

Step 1: Fit a shut-off valve to your vehicle
Any RV discharging grey water needs a working shut-off valve. Most modern motorhomes have one fitted; many caravans do not. If yours doesn't have one, a shut-off valve will need to be retrofitted to the grey water outlet before connecting a tote. The CMCA SCV Policy requires that the tote be connected to the vehicle by a drainage pipe with a watertight seal and a working shut-off valve to prevent overflow.

Step 2: Attach the camlock
Connect Camlock Type A to the shut-off valve via thread. Camlock Type B then fits into the coupler on the shut-off valve and locks into place using the folding wings. Optionally, reverse the camlock connection using a threaded pipe nipple. This allows a dust cover to be fitted while travelling.

Step 3: Connect the drainage hose
Attach the PVC Marine Flex Hose to Camlock Type B using a 19mm Tail x 20mm BSP Male Director, secured with a stainless steel clamp and silicon for a watertight seal. At the other end of the hose, attach a Holman Hose Connector Flo-Thru (18mm click-on), again sealed with silicon.

Step 4: Connect to the container
Connect the drainage hose to the container via an 18mm click-on tap adaptor, which attaches to a Poly Elbow (Male & Female, 20mm). Thread a Poly Nipple 20mm into the Poly Elbow and through the container cap. If the cap has no thread, use a locking nut and sealant.
Note: the Poly Elbow is optional - the tap adaptor can connect directly to the Poly Nipple if preferred.

Step 5: Add a breather
This step is essential. As grey water enters the container, air needs to escape. Fit a 13mm in-line barbed tap into the top of the container using a rubber grommet as a seal. This acts as the breather and prevents pressure build-up.

To empty the tote
Disconnect the hose connector and unscrew the elbow connector from the container, then dispose of the grey water at a dump point or sullage facility.

Download the Grey Water Tote Guide