Campervan Outdoor Shower Ideas
More than any other type of RV a campervan is extremely limited for space. Some do have a dedicated wet bath area that combines a sink, shower, and toilet but even these combo areas use an enormous amount of space. I do like the idea of having a shower and toilet area at the back of the campervan and I like the idea of having a spacious shower outside the rear doors of the campervan even more. Having the shower outside negates the need for a shower pan and drainage system. It removes all that moisture from the interior of your campervan.
Main Components Of An Outdoor Campervan Shower
To make an outdoor campervan shower you’ll need these elements:
- A modesty screen or enclosure
- Water Heater
- Shower head
- Platform to stand on
1. Camp Shower Modesty Enclosure
These magnetic hooks will hold up to 130 lbs.
A basic shower curtain rod can be made from PVC tubing. The PVC tubing serves not only to hang the curtain but to also keep the rear doors open. Hooks can be screwed into the door to match. Good magnetic hooks could also be used. The shower curtain can be made of canvas. The weight will allow it to hang nicely. Some of the light weight nylon shower curtains took shabby when hanging.
The image at the top of the page was on Pinterest placed by Outbound Living and is attributed to Three_Vanlifers. The privacy curtian is actually a shower curtain on a rope between the doors. There are hooks on the doors for towels and a basket/shelf for soaps. I see a pallet for a base and a 5 gallon jug of water on the ground. I do not see a heater so I hope it’s a warm climate.
Premade Shower Curtain
The Rolef magnetic shower curtain, from Nordic Supply Company, is made of UV-resistant, flame-retardant, and water resistant nylon. It attaches with strong magnets and Velcro. There is a small pouch to store it in when not in use. It comes in three sections that cover the doors to keep them dry.
Rolef makes many different kinds and shapes of nylon doors for campervans. Many have bug proof screen and built in zippers for easy access and good air flow. The picture shows not only the shower curtain but the rear curtain screen door. See them at the Nordic Supply Company website.
Van-N-Camp also makes a similar system (a lot less expensive): See it here.
Awning Camping Shower/Privacy Room
The Awning Shower & Privacy Room is a self contained three wall kit that easily mount to your vehicle. It provides quick setup and can be used for showers, dressing, or a private enclosure for a portable toilet.
Many companies make these. The one shown attached to the side of a campulance is made by KickAss but is currently unavailable. Amazon has several to choose from. The one I like is made by All Top and includes a top as well as a floor pan with a drain tube.
Freestanding Portable Outdoor Privacy Tent
This versatile pop-up shower tent is designed for quick and effortless setup, allowing you to establish a private space for showering, changing, or taking care of personal business in mere moments. The tent features a durable and water-resistant material with a built-in floor to ensure your feet stay clean and dry. The addition of an integrated LED light ensures visibility at night, making it perfect for those late returns to camp. Plus, the included portable shower with a 5-gallon capacity provides a refreshing cleanse.
There are dozens of these pop-up shower tents on Amazon to choose from some as low as $36.00*.
2. Tankless Water Heaters for Campervan Showers
A tankless water heater is a luxury you’ll love every time you use it. A nice hot shower is most refreshing. Your campervan might already have one installed and it could be as simple as extending the sprayer from the kitchen faucet to provide your hot water. Make sure you use a shower head with an on/off switch to save water. If not, tankless water heater manufactures have some great portable units that are easy to setup.
BougeRV Portable Propane Outdoor Camping Water Heater
The BougeRV portable outdoor water heater is a neat package that not only contains a tankless water heater but the water pump with rechargeable battery. It also includes the shower head.
Designed to run on a small propane bottle it can be adapted to a larger bottle with the included adapter. This camper propane water heater can provide you with easy access to hot water for cleaning, washing dishes and showering. It has a maximum thermal efficiency power of 20,500 BTUs and is capable of a rapid temperature rise of 45℉(25°C). Gas Consumption: 20MJ/h Water Flow: 2.2-3L/min. The rechargeable batter will last 60 minutes per charge.
Snap on the water hoses, drop the inset hose in a bucket of water, hit the On switch and you’re ready for a long, refreshing, hot shower.
This is a premium-built unit using all metal parts and a good quality shower head. It comes through many brand names costing as much as $399.00* but BougeRV sells for $309.00*. Get an additional 3% off site wide thru this link: bougerv
Charlie & Dale of nohma.com wrote The Van Conversion Bible in 2021 while living in their converted van. They use the Camplx 5L tankless water heater for their showers. The package that includes the shower head and 1.2 gal./min. water pump is only $165.00* from amazon.com. Read the reviews. It requires 2 D batteries.
You can read more about their outdoor shower setup at their blog: nohma.com Learn more about their electrical design service on out page: Converted Camper Vans
Pressurized Water Tank for Camping Shower
Here’s an interesting idea. This 5.28 gallon water tank heats in the sun creating it’s own pressure for the shower.
It includes the shower head and mounting hardware. There is also a 7 gallon tank.
There is a pressure regulator so the pressure stays even for a long period of time.
It comes under many brand names but Amazon has it for cheapest. It’s $102.00* with a 5% off coupon.
No Water Heater Camp Shower
For our hardiest RVer’s or those on a very strict budget, you can still get clean with this economical rechargeable camp shower.
This inexpensive rechargeable camp shower is non -heated but has all of the essentials to get you clean. You could fill the 5 gallon bucket with hot water from a camping stove if you want. You simply turn on the included pump, select the mode, and drop the pump in the bucket.
A surprisingly strong flow of six liters per minute will give you a refreshing shower for up to 180 minutes per charge. There are several versions of this type of camp shower but this one is $44.99* and had a 15% off coupon on top of that.
It has everything you need including a convenient mesh carrying bag.
It’s a well thought out product and gets good reviews.
3. Campervan Outdoor Shower Heads
Extending the kitchen faucet out a nearby window is a great idea. But, it’s a little bit trickier than it seems at first glance.
- First, you’ll need a shower head that has an on/off switch so you’re not wasting water.
- Second, you need a long enough hose to reach outside.
- Third you need the right adapter to mate to the existing faucet.
Adapting your hose to the faucet
A sink valve diverter splitter like this one can be screwed on to any faucet that has an aerator. The lever directs the water either into the sink or to the hose outlet.
I found an 18 piece adapter kit that should convert just about any faucet.
RV Shower Head With Hose
Connect a long hose and a shower head, like this one, that has a built-in on/off switch. There’s a bracket for the shower head that you can mount outside your RV or on the rear door.
This one is only $26.99* and there is a 5% off coupon too.
4. Campervan Outdoor Shower Platforms
We recommend a platform of some kind for your shower. These shower bases provide a safe comfortable place to stand when you’re bare feet. It folds into a tiny package for easy storage. This one is 41″ square and five inches deep. Because of it’s depth you could use is as a baby bathtub for the little or a dog wash. It’s strong enough to withstand the dogs claws.
It has a drain opening on the side and comes with a length of tubing to drain water away.
Amazon has many outdoor shower platform sizes so you can pick the best one that’s best for your situation.
Raised Shower Base
If you want to stay out of standing water, mud, or grass a raised shower base will be a handy accessory.
I’ve heard some people recommend a pallet but there are a lot of reasons not to use on of those. Besides being filthy, the spaces between the slats are too wide, and their splintery.
This bamboo base measures 21.3 x 14.2 x 1.2 inches and is just $33.99* from Amazon. There’s a larger size available but this one should be big enough and easy enough to store.
More Pages Of The Tiny Life Consulting Website You’ll Be Interested In:
Dealing with Moisture in an RV
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Camping Van
Campervan Outdoor Shower Installation Video
This is a good YouTube® video showing a guy installing an outdoor shower into the existing water system of his campervan. He uses pex plumbing parts in a very detailed how-to instruction.
Here is the shower head he installs.
Basically you t-off the existing hot and cold water lines and run them to the location of your choosing. This system assumes you already have a water heater and water tank installed.
You’ll also need this Pex Clamp Tool Kit and some Pex tubing. It’s not expensive and is pretty easy to do with the right tools.
For more information on plumbing a campervan this book, Van Build, has a solid chapter about it.
For more great campervan conversion resources visit this page: Converted Camper Vans
Stay clean my friends.
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