Showers inside

[offroad]

Not much discussion about inside showers? &nbsp;Has anyone built a shower stall combination shower and toilet into a single space? &nbsp;When I was in Denmark I stayed at a hostel that had a combination unit. Much like one on a boat. &nbsp;<br /><br />Would think there would be discussion of how to do this in a trailer. How to install one. Or even how to install one in a van.<br /><br />Maybe even a curtained area with a fan vent that set up a convertible shower space. Could use an external sun shower, and a floor drain of some way. &nbsp;Could use same space for your toilet seat and bucket system.&nbsp;

 

[karl]

My step van has a shower made with vinyl flooring material and a grey water tank under the van that is a re-purposed&nbsp; agricultural sanitizer 20 gal poly barrel.<br />I have a 2 gal bug sprayer for water.<br />I installed a plastic cleat on each side to support a shelf that I can lift out.<br />I use the space more for storage than to shower, and would not do the same set up again.<br />Been trying to come up with a simple way to have a shower curtain surround in the aisle and lift out floor panel to access a shower pan and drain.

 

[sidat202]

I had a friend who drove longhaul. He bought one of those propane shower kits. He bought a big round plastic tub, a shower curtain and made a rail at the top to hang the shower curtain on. He gets in the tub, wraps the shower curtain around him inside the tub and takes a shower. Then he just dumps the tub of water outside. It works pretty good, but you need a place to keep the tub. The plastic tub he got had tall sides. it was a little over a foot tall&nbsp; then he put the shower curtain inside the wall of the tub.

 

[Seraphim]

Some RVs - Class Bs and truck campers have a 'wet bath': a toilet area with waterproof walls, where one can sit on the toilet, or stand in front of it, and use a a hand shower. &nbsp;DW and I prefer ours to a campground shower, but we haven't built one ourselves. Recall someone here used black PVC pipes on top of the unit as a solar water heater - only good in warmer climes, though.&nbsp;<br /><br />Building the shower area itself shouldn't be too difficult, though. &nbsp;<br /><br />

 

[randysvan]

They have a thing at Lowe's and Home Depot that is used for mixing mortar or tile grout. Its a black plastic trough. I bought the larger one, roughly 24x30 for about 12 bucks I think. I built a wooden frame to support the sides, set the trough in the frame and drilled a hole through it and the van floor. Then I installed a drain which cost maybe 6-8 bucks. The drain holds it secure to the floor. I intended on putting a grey water tank underneath the van but haven't yet. I covered the walls with those stick-on floor tiles. First hot day they popped off. I put them back on with some heavy duty 3M spray adhesive and they're on there for good, now. I have a hand held shower sprayer that I attach to my kitchen sink faucet when I'm hooked up to water. When not hooked to water, I have a propane shower that I got on ebay for 50 bucks NIB. I have a Thetford porta-pot (30 bucks ebay NIB) that sits in the shower pan. I set it out when I want to shower. It all works great, looks pretty cool and cost very little.

 

[Mortisha]

This is one of my concerns. I have been trying to come up with a way to make a shower/bath sort of thing but the only problem I have is storage. No clue where I would store such a thing. I will keep looking for things that could help =)

 

[SoulRaven]

Boon-docking: 5 Gal. bucket, 3-4 gal. water sun warmed, 1 pot, washcloth, and towel... Done...<br /><br />City dwelling: Get a gym membership to shower or use a gas stations bathroom to wash in...<br /><br />Between baths baby wipes or wet wipes do the job very well...

 

[Les H]

I have played around with the idea similar to Randy, though I think I would use a pan designed to go under a water heater or washing machine. Same $12, but includes a 1" PVC drain . I would also prefer to use a prefabbed shower surround, or at least FRP ( fiberglass reinforced panel) for the walls, as I KNOW it will be waterproof. But then , I am a builder and remodeler with plumbing certifications. I have a 12 gal fresh tank with a pump and a 20 gal black tank waiting ( for time and $) to go into the bus. Lastly, we picked up a 5 gal solar shower bag at wallys for $8.99. It takes about 3-4 hrs to heat up, but does get HOT. hang it up in your waterproof room, a tree or in one of those 4'x4' privacy tents. Nothing wrong with a bucket bath or baby wipes in a pinch either.

 

[randysvan]

I have played around with the idea similar to Randy, though I think I would use a pan designed to go under a water heater or washing machine. Same $12, but includes a 1" PVC drain . I would also prefer to use a prefabbed shower surround, or at least FRP ( fiberglass reinforced panel) for the walls, as I KNOW it will be waterproof. But then , I am a builder and remodeler with plumbing certifications. I have a 12 gal fresh tank with a pump and a 20 gal black tank waiting ( for time and $) to go into the bus. Lastly, we picked up a 5 gal solar shower bag at wallys for $8.99. It takes about 3-4 hrs to heat up, but does get HOT. hang it up in your waterproof room, a tree or in one of those 4'x4' privacy tents. Nothing wrong with a bucket bath or baby wipes in a pinch either.

<br /><br />I considered both the water heater pan and the washing machine pan. Both would be great but they took up more space than I could spare. Funny thing is, I find when I'm somewhere that has a water hook-up there is usually a shower as well. If I'm in the boonies, I don't really need the indoor shower because I can use the propane set-up outside. Just need something to stand on to keep your feet out of the mud you'll make. But I like to have options. I still carry baby wipes and also a spray bottle for a "quickie" <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[yesican]

So many good pointers.&nbsp; Showering was always one of my concerns.&nbsp; On the trip this week, I boiled wanter on the stove, washed my hair outside, and then the rest of me inside on a towel (it was about 40 to 50 degrees and raining half of my trip).&nbsp; It works, I felt clean and Pita the dog didn't complain about any smells.<br />Rae

 

[Mortisha]

I think I have found that answer for me =) I am of course going to do the outdoor shower when it is warm but I found this bathtub and it will fit in my van and i think is big enough for me to bathe LOL Yes I know it is for dogs LOL<br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/ABO-Gear-Dirty-Portable-Bath/dp/B001GAPNCI

 

[Rollin]

I like the looks of that Mortisha&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[Seraphim]

Mprtisha

An excellent idea. Would make an excellent base for a sit down shower, as well.

 

[josephusminimus]

I've used this method on and off for a number of years.<br /><br /><img src="http://sofarfromheavendotcom.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/shower-and-tub.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br /><br />Just heat half-gallon of water and place it high enough so's the spray head will reach your hair, pump it up and go for it.&nbsp; Upside down garbage lid's great for catching the water if you need to catch it.<br /><br />Admittedly it requires some storage space.

 

[Guest]

Hi Offroad, I have never found that&nbsp; a shower in my rig would be big enough for me and not take up far too much room. I learned from some of the women Vandwellers how to use about a quart of water, and small plastic bowl for the bath, and my small solar shower for hair washing. It helps to have really short hair.<br /><br />When I pay for a shower (often dry camping in an rv park for $10 or $15 dollars, or in a state campground) I can take a real good hot shower...If I have camped for free several nights, I stop at a truck stop, buy a shower and luxuriate for about $9. I figure it is very well worth it to me.<br /><br />In some towns in the west, the laundromats have showers for rent also....many marinas seem to have showers. We lived for years in Alaska paying for showers at the laundromat.<br /><br />If you can get past the idea you need a shower every day, you can take one every few days and do the plastic bowl bath in the meantime.<br /><br />The payoff is how incredible it feels to have one after a couple days of not having one...LOL<br />Bri

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

They have a thing at Lowe's and Home Depot that is used for mixing mortar or tile grout. Its a black plastic trough. I bought the larger one, roughly 24x30 for about 12 bucks I think. .

Ha! I spent all yesterday researching for the cheapest way to do a tub, and came up with the same idea. Wish i had seen this thread first <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

I was thinking trying this pan which is the same dimensions as 150 dollar rv pans....
http://www.amazon.com/Maccourt-St3608-x24-Plastic-Utility/dp/B000ATU5YC/ref=pd_sim_sbs_petsupplies_3 but if its cheaper at lows for something similar....

 

[Where~the~wind~blows]

what is nice about the cement mixing pan is the smooth edges, easy to clean! no mildew. Me I use a spray bottle filled with warm water if I can get it. if not cold is fine it's just a slight mist, I wet my skin and wipe with a very lightly soaped rag, then spray again and wipe with a clean dry rag, this rag then becomes my soap rag for the next day. I use baby body soap johnson and johnson baby magic the lavender one. I love it. I feel very clean and I can wash up my bits and bobs very neatly without getting completely naked! lol. I will treat myself to a shower at the Y and use the whirlpool too, for 5.00 and I feel like a new woman when I leave!&nbsp;<br /><br />I do love to crash at hospitals, foods cheap, lots of bathrooms and nobody looks at you strange if you carry a bag around with you. I often wash my hair there because they have the handicap faucets so you can get your whole head underneath it.&nbsp;<br /><br />Our forefathers washed up in a tub once a week to once a month, they usually just washed up their hands and face daily (hence the basin and pitcher in every room).....<br /><br /><br /><br />

 

[gp]

If anyone wants to check it out, here is&nbsp;the indoor shower setup in my van. It works very well for me. I did cut down the sides of the shower pan to only 4 inches high so it is less bulky.<br /><a href="http://tinycamper.wordpress.com/from-cargo-to-camper-van/"><br />http://tinycamper.wordpress.com/from-cargo-to-camper-van/</a>

 

[Guest]

Even living in a stick and brick, I never have a shower every day. &nbsp;I have been minimizing my impact on the planet for some time now and daily showers were among the first things I sacrificed. Most people shower far too often.<br /><br />Also, hotels like the Best Western, have gyms and showers that anyone can use for a fee. &nbsp;These facilities are not restricted to guests. If you are unable to find a community center, try a local hotel.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Thanks a lot gp, nice looking rig you have there! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br />&nbsp;<br /><br />I was thinking about the walls.&nbsp;&nbsp; I want to make a little 'bathroom' out of wood.&nbsp; I was trying to think of the cheapest/easiest way to completely waterproof the walls.&nbsp; Would rhino liner work?&nbsp; Its basically just rubber right?<br /><br />http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rust-Oleum-Auto-Truck-Bed-Coating-1-Gallon/16652311?findingMethod=rr<br /><br />Seems this would be easier than buying, cutting, gluing and caulking the frp panels.<br /><br /><br />