Sand spear?

[muddy]

Hey all, well we finally ordered our own camper trailer the other day and we can't wait. Anyway, now we are getting pretty well set-up and the boy is getting older we are looking at going to more remote places and for longer periods of time. The power situation is sorted and the trailer will have a water tank but I was looking at different stuff on the net as you do and found this site about sand spears.

http://motorcare.com.au/sspear.htm

My question is has any one had any experience with these and is it as simple and as good as it seems? Am I right in reading the water would be fresh even from the ocean side? Even if I couldn't drink it but just wash dishes and us in it it would meen we could save the tank water for purely drinking. Any thoughts?

Matt

[Jeepster]

We used one on Moreton and more places are looking to ban the use of sand spears which is a shame.

We never drank from it, but showered, washed dishes etc and hosed the vehicles down. We tanked it into plastic 44 gallon drums.

Can be hard work getting down enough but worth it when completed.

[dirtygq]

why would they ban sand spears ?

[muddy]

We used one on Moreton and more places are looking to ban the use of sand spears which is a shame.

We never drank from it, but showered, washed dishes etc and hosed the vehicles down. We tanked it into plastic 44 gallon drums.

Can be hard work getting down enough but worth it when completed.



So it would be reasonably fresh then?? Its not a gimick? How salty was it still?

[dirtygq]

mate the sand works a filter and pulls the salt out over time(apparently)before it goes to where you extract it,it tastes unsalty to me (that was at moreton)

[Bundy]

why would they ban sand spears ?

Cause so many people use the pit type toilet up the beach and people were getting sick.....Its a load of crap(no pun intended) but as usual the minority reck it for the majority.

I have one and they are great, might have to dig a bit but well worth it.

[HeathGQ]

This shows the flow out of the sand at Fraser
http://www.goldcoast4wdclub.org.au/albums/album61/aaz.sized.jpg
And they were using it for this
http://www.goldcoast4wdclub.org.au/albums/album61/aat.sized.jpg

[rumpig]

we use 2 spears at fraser every time we go. like already said, you wouldn't drink it but we shower and wash dishes with the water. we actually run one as a hose for cleaning fish and washing our hands after going to the toilet, and the other is run to a instantanious gas hot water system which is hooked up to the shower set up.
basically when you camp on the beach it all depends on how high up the dunes you are as to how hard it will be to get water. we usually end up digging a metre to a metre and a half deep hole until we find water starting to seep through the sand, this isn't mandatory but we do it to make sure we get a good flow of water, and we refill the hole in to bury the spear so as it can't easily be stolen, and so no kids fall in the hole. all you then need is a 12V power supply to the pump and away it goes.
we took water out of the pump (sand spear) one year at fraser and bottled it to get it tested by a friend, but unfortunately we should have refridgerated it after bottling it, so the water couldn't be tested to see what it was actually like. maybe we are better off not knowing.

[dirtygq]

This shows the flow out of the sand at Fraser
http://www.goldcoast4wdclub.org.au/albums/album61/aaz.sized.jpg
And they were using it for this
http://www.goldcoast4wdclub.org.au/albums/album61/aat.sized.jpg
way cool :cool: :cool: last time we used a friends at moreton ...what are they worth to buy ?

[muddy]

That motor care site said $730 or so for spear and pump but am curious to price others. BCF have 1500mm spears on special for 350 at the moment but not sure on different lengths available or required yet??

[dirtygq]

That motor care site said $730 or so for spear and pump but am curious to price others. BCF have 1500mm spears on special for 350 at the moment but not sure on different lengths available or required yet??at bcf is that with sureflo pump ?

[Jeeps]

Cause so many people use the pit type toilet up the beach and people were getting sick.....Its a load of crap(no pun intended) but as usual the minority reck it for the majority.

I have one and they are great, might have to dig a bit but well worth it.

I know people who won't camp up at teewah at all anymore because they're worried about getting sick just from walking about up there :)

[2 BRUTAL]

they are good, they are a must for sand camping if you need to increase your water capabilities over a long period of time, but it only really filters the sand out, not the salt, sand will kill your pumps big time even if you are pumping out of a bucket, so you really need to filter the water.

There is always the chance when you dig your hole that it might be close to someones elses previous dunny.
How deep you need to dig will vary depending on where you are and how much flow you want.
Prices will vary depending on stainless quality and size.
Just remember you have to store it somewhere when travelling as well.

[Big Boots]

As far as I know GLIND are the only manufacturers of the sand spear so why not deal direct ?

http://www.glind.com.au/htm/product.asp

[tumoit]

They had a stall setup at the 4x4 show in Brissie last year selling them directly with "special show discounts".

The 4x4 show is on again this weekend so if you're around this area and want a live demo you should go along.

[dirtygq]

going today mate.

[Mikes F250]

I don't have one, but always thought they would be good during long stays on the beach. They are banned around Rainbow Beach down to Noosa now, not sure about Fraser. Fraser is one of the largest water taps in the south east, i guess the @%nkers will ban them there too. The water that supply's Kingfisher resort is from spears, all they do is add chlorine to it to give it a taste.

[wrongdrum]

I have used them but a lot larger, chasing water in creeks to water stock.
I used to use a back hoe to find the water then put the spear in, back fill it, drope the foot valve in and pumped water away from the creek to the stock.
On old properties, I have came across old sand spears when digging for water. they were made from hollow logs and wire. The new style with the stainless mesh are a lot better than the logs.
I have also used a pvc pipe with fine saw cuts in it on the sides and with a cap on the bottom. In fine sand like at the beach you could wrap the bottom in fine mesh.
You could buy a lot of PVC for $700.

[rumpig]

That motor care site said $730 or so for spear and pump but am curious to price others. BCF have 1500mm spears on special for 350 at the moment but not sure on different lengths available or required yet??
grabbed a broucher off the guy selling them at the brisbane 4x4 show, recommended retail prices as of Dec. 2006: sand spear with jet tube $405, 12V pressure pump kit $322.60. all prices inc. gst. that was a 1500mm long spear. says they are available at all tentworld stores.