How Do Van Lifers Shower?
Let’s get right down to business for this one because we know that everyone is curious about WHERE VAN LIFERS SHOWER! There are two categories of ways that van lifers shower:
- Their own built-in showers
- Public showers.
Surprisingly, the split between the two categories is pretty even. First, we will address where you can find public showers. Then, we will dive further into how you can build a shower into your camper van from full DIY indoor showers, to outdoor showers, and even drop in shower options.
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Where Can Van Lifers Find Public Showers?
If van lifers choose to not have a shower onboard their campervan, they must use a public shower. Luckily, public showers are all over, and most only require a small fee (< $5). Here are a few suggestions for finding public showers:
- Family + Friends homes 😉
- Local recreation centers (“rec centers”) offer reasonable prices for day use passes ($10-$15). This comes with access to the gym and the showers. Often times, you can pay an even smaller fee (<$5) for access to just the shower. We find this to be the best option in small cities / towns.
- Major “chain” gym memberships allow you to go to locations around the country for a reasonable monthly fee.
- We have one “Black Card” Planet Fitness membership that allows us to go to Planet Fitness 10x a month, and bring a guest every time. (The guest perk is awesome for couples!). We think this is a good option if you plan to be around major cities; however, we often go months without being near a Planet Fitness.. especially when we did Alaska Van Life.
- 24 Hour Fitness is another option but is in fewer states.
- Active & Fit is another roaming membership option that is growing.
- True public showers (beaches, parks, etc) Apps like iOverlander will show you other options for showers near you such as in public parks, or beaches. Just use the search filter.
"Built In" Camper Van Shower Options
If you would like to have a shower onboard your camper van, you have varying options for complexity and space. These vary all the way from simple outdoor showers to full standing indoor showers. We personally have a shower in a bench that doubles as our outdoor shower. The combo is perfect for us as the indoor shower is useful in the winter, and the outdoor shower is easy in the summer.
In all honesty, even if you decide you want to rely on public showers, we highly HIGHLY recommend at least having the first option below of doubling your sink as an outdoor shower. The cost is around $30 and you will be so happy when you are boondocking to have this option.
🌲 Outdoor Showers in Camper Vans
Is there really anything better than an outdoor shower overlooking a stunning mountain, beach, or desert? To acquire a camper van outdoor shower, you can either have a dedicated shower unit, or utilize your main faucet.
1. [Favorite Hack] Double Your Main Faucet as an Outdoor Shower
If you have a standard sink faucet, you can unscrew the faucet head, screw on a 1/2″ brass nipple, and then screw the other end onto a shower head & hose (see below). The only caveat here is that your shower hose will need to make it from your faucet to outside with enough slack to shower. You might need to purchase an extended shower hose depending on where your sink is. We recommend this option if your sink is near a window, or the sliding door. Setup is extremely easy, and your plumbing system will be simplified.
- 1/2″ NPT Brass Nipple
- Shower Head & Hose (with on/off control on head!)
- [optional] Extended shower hose
- [optional] Foldable bamboo shower mat
Downside? This is not the best for winter van life!
2. Dedicated Outdoor Shower
If utilizing your sink faucet isn’t option, have no fear, you have other options! You can get a dedicated shower unit. There are so many options for this including basic solar showers, dedicated shower boxes, and full blown propane powered hot water showers. Below, we provide a few options:
Camplux 1.32 GPM Portable Propane Outdoor Shower
✅ Consistently heats and delivers hot water
✅ Ready to use
❌ Requires propane and proper venting
❌ Requires pressurized water source
RecPro Outdoor Lockable Shower Box
✅ Simple installation (hooks into existing hot and cold pressurized lines)
✅ Ready to use
❌ Reports of freezing and cracking in cold temperatures
❌ Requires drilling into exterior of van (alternatively, you could mount this inside your van as well).
Advanced Elements 5 Gallon Solar Shower
✅ Zero installation
✅ Doesn’t take up space
❌ Needs sun to heat water and gravity to flow
❌ Limited to 5 gal of hot water with a waiting time
The options above are all purposefully very different, the correct one for you will simply be preference, cost, and utilization frequency! Additionally, if you would like some privacy, we recommend something like a simple magnetic curtain (below) to hang between your two back doors.
🛁 Stow-away / Convertible Camper Van Showers
The next most popular option for built in camper van showers are convertible showers. This simply means an indoor campervan shower that stows away when not in use, and requires set up. Convertible camper van showers are excellent for creating open, and spacious, camper van layout, and for making dual purpose space (the # principle of van building!)
Convertible showers come in many different varieties, and pretty much anything you can dream up. Let’s look at a few.
1. Shower in a Bench
We personally use a “shower in a bench”. This pop up shower in a bench [schematics] is a bench that serves as a seat (revolutionary!) but has a top that is removable to reveal a shower pan and a curtain you can pull out and hang up for a make-shift indoor shower.
We absolutely love it because we can store our composting toilet inside when it is not in use. The one mistake we personally made was not using a sloped shower pan- so be sure to do that.
2. Tetravan Folding Campervan Shower
The Tetravan Folding Camper Van Shower System is a space efficient full shower system that can be easily installed into a rig. If you have the budget, and want a convertible shower, this is absolutely the way to go. We say “if” because the cost of this unit is pretty steep ($1,750), though the price is on par for what it is.
This convertible shower is 21.75” wide by 30.75” tall, and 3.5″ deep. It is installed in the side of a galley, and folds down for the base of the shower. The square curtain then pulls up to the ceiling.
Tetravan Folding Camper Van Shower System
✅ Complex installation compared to other systems
✅ Extremely space efficient!
❌ High price point
🚿 Full Shower in a Camper Van
A full shower in a camper van is exactly what it sounds like: a “room” that has a shower, and often a toilet. Just a lot smaller than you are probably picturing 😉 Think… airplane bathroom size! It is constructed as a floor to ceiling section walled off, typically no more than 2-3 ft in either direction. The walls are water proofed and the floor is a custom shower pan. Most folks store their toilet in the shower and either move out it when the shower is to be used, or opt for a toilet that is waterproof like the Nature’s Head.
✅ Benefits: The benefit of a full shower is that you have no setup, a relatively “house like” shower, and have privacy if you double it as your bathroom (toilet).
❌ Cons: You lose a lot of open air space in your overall layout which is precious!
Below you can see a full shower built by Trio In Transit.
How to Waterproof a Shower in a Camper Van
Waterproofing your shower is extremely important as water where water shouldn’t be in a home usually equates to mold, and unwanted moisture. To waterproof your standing shower, you will need to:
- Create the frame with your material of choice (80/20 or wood).
- We highly recommend having your fan nearby, if not in, your shower box for ventilation.
- Get a properly sized shower pan.
- We custom welded ours with stainless steel.
- This 24×36″ shower pan is common if you can make it work.
- Apply RedGard water proofing membrane to the interior of your shower.
- Sealant or 3M Flashing Tape can be used for gaps and corners.
- There are other waterproofing materials you can find at Home Depot as well.
- Finish your walls with either tiles +grout, or FRP board.
- Add a curtain, or retractable door.
Which Van Life Shower is Right for You?
Deciding which shower is best for you is entirely dependent on your van life style. As 2 ultra-runners and skiers, a shower is quite mandatory to us; however, we don’t have a problem showering outside or spending extra time setting one up. We recommend getting honest with yourself and opt for the decision that will make you the most comfortable in the long run. Van life shouldn’t be uncomfortable!
Thanks for being here! Happy building!
Eric + Colby
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