TheSamba.com :: View topic - Is a Westfalia a "self contained vehicle"

Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:01 am

Looking at camping as Silver Strand State beach, and it states only self contained vehicles allowed. What exactly does that mean? Do I need to catch the water out of my sink? Do I have to have a toilet? Any body camped there in a Westfalia?
Thanks,
Biff...

Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:05 am

have to have a toilet.
and contain your grey water as well.

Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:05 am

So if we carry a toilet, which we have, does that count?

Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:09 am

biffmalibu wrote:
"I drive a motherfuckin' Vanagon, it's the dopest fuckin' ride on the planet man" :lol:

I think self-contained means just what you suspected. You need to haul out your greywater/blackwater. But hey, there's WiFi! :)

Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:09 am

OVERNIGHT CAMPING: SELF-CONTAINED VEHICLES ONLY- One which has the capacity to hold waste water in tanks. Minimum - A built-in sink which has an enclosed drain system and a portable toilet (both must have holding tanks). There are no hook-ups or dump stations. Tent camping is not allowed. Campers and their pets may not sleep outside their vehicle. Check out time is 12 noon.

From the CA state site - I believe different states have different rules, even park specific

Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:10 am

biffmalibu wrote: Looking at camping as Silver Strand State beach, and it states only self contained vehicles allowed. What exactly does that mean? Do I need to catch the water out of my sink? Do I have to have a toilet? Any body camped there in a Westfalia?
Thanks,
Biff...
Yes. It means NO effleunt discharge. No greywater, etc.

A real port-a-potty.. should suffice, but I'd call the ranger's station to clarify that. The Port-a-potty must have a closed poop/pee "holding tank" to qualify.

I have not camped there in 20 yrs (?).. but I know a thing or two about onboard sanitation systems, from a couple yrs running bare-boat charters.

Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:13 am

Mang wrote: Tent camping is not allowed. Campers and their pets may not sleep outside their vehicle. Check out time is 12 noon.

From the CA state site - I believe different states have different rules, even park specific

WTF kind of "campground" is this? Do they have werewolves prowling the grounds or something?

Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:24 am

Quote: WTF kind of "campground" is this? Do they have werewolves prowling the grounds or something?
Actually it's more of just a parking lot, but it's right on the beach, the only place I could find in San Diego, where you are right on it, or as close as you can get.
Biff...

Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:27 am

BTDT at that same place. A Westy did NOT meet the requirements for the ranger in question. We were with the boy scouts camping and it was not allowed. We had no catch tank and the porta potty did not count, either. Even a catch tank with a hose on the ground was not good enough. Basically the want "no trace left behind" and zero chance of it not happening. Do not ask why! Everything MUST be on board. Period.

Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:29 am

biffmalibu wrote: Quote: WTF kind of "campground" is this? Do they have werewolves prowling the grounds or something?
Actually it's more of just a parking lot, but it's right on the beach, the only place I could find in San Diego, where you are right on it, or as close as you can get.
Biff...
Go up the coast some. You will find better. Encinitas, for example. Still in the San Diego area. Book early......

Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:44 am

Or my personal favorite -- South Carlsbad.

Not 'on' the beach per se but right on the bluff with the beach just below you and a view of Japan.

Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:46 am

biffmalibu wrote: So if we carry a toilet, which we have, does that count?

Yes that counts. Even one of those $10 crap in a bag seats counts as a toilet. You don't necessarily have to use it, just carry it along. Contain your grey water too as previously mentioned. I guess it depends on if your ranger is a hard ass too though.

Thu Dec 15, 2011 12:37 pm

Insurance companies, DMV and park rangers do not consider a Vanagon Westfalia a "self contained" recreational vehicle.

Thu Dec 15, 2011 1:04 pm

Keep heading south to Baja. Lots of beach camping there :lol:

Thu Dec 15, 2011 1:14 pm

SCM wrote:

WTF kind of "campground" is this? Do they have werewolves prowling the grounds or something?

The kind where they do not want the beach and ocean polluted.

They might close it to camping completely if people violate the rule.

Thu Dec 15, 2011 1:18 pm

insyncro wrote: Insurance companies, DMV and park rangers do not consider a Vanagon Westfalia a "self contained" recreational vehicle.

My van is registered and insured as an RV. Costs more for tabs but cheaper for the insurance.

Thu Dec 15, 2011 1:31 pm

insyncro wrote: Insurance companies, DMV and park rangers do not consider a Vanagon Westfalia a "self contained" recreational vehicle.

Depends on where you are. I've had rangers in CA and OR say I was ok as long as I had a toilet.

Thu Dec 15, 2011 2:09 pm

We wild camp a lot in Scotland - AND LEAVE NO TRACE - in a Westy equivalent Vanagon. We have a 20 litre plastic Jerrycan connected to the sink outlet (just like an underslung - except easier to empty).

We also have a pee (and poo in emergencies :shock: ) pot with a close/tight snap fitting lid - this gets emptied at Public Conveniences (I think "Washroom" is the word.....). Not surprisingly - nothing has ever been accidentally "lost" from this in use.

Some people must have NO imagination.

Thu Dec 15, 2011 2:16 pm

PDXWesty wrote: insyncro wrote: Insurance companies, DMV and park rangers do not consider a Vanagon Westfalia a "self contained" recreational vehicle.

Depends on where you are. I've had rangers in CA and OR say I was ok as long as I had a toilet.
Yep.. Call the ranger direct and if they say "yes".. Get his name in case you have a different ranger when you get to the gate.

Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:58 pm

I learned something new here. I'm one step away (the porta-potty) from qualifying, since I have one of these.