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Any shower packages you can buy to install into a cargo van?
With all the bits, water tanks, pumps, etc?
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Any shower packages you can buy to install into a cargo van?
With all the bits, water tanks, pumps, etc?
.
Installing a shower
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
Nope. Gotta build it.
As stated you have to design the thing from the ground up....not for the faint-hearted
1) gray water storage install under van
2) Install shower pan
3) install rough plumbing under floor
4) build structure to support shower walls- decide on shower wall material and how to waterproof
5) decide on water heater
6) decide on water pump
7) Locate water tank
8) Decide on system for monitoring water consumption
9) install electrical system (for ignition, heat control and water monitoring device)
10) Install gas tank
11) Install gas distribution system (pipes)
12) Install finish plumbing (shower heads, sink faucets and sink)
13) test system (electrical, gas, water for leaks, etc.)
14) charge the system and fine tune the heat temperature
dozens upon dozens of hours working it all through ....I'm really only 1/3 to half way there...everything is interconnected and overlapping with other systems.....
1) gray water storage install under van
2) Install shower pan
3) install rough plumbing under floor
4) build structure to support shower walls- decide on shower wall material and how to waterproof
5) decide on water heater
6) decide on water pump
7) Locate water tank
8) Decide on system for monitoring water consumption
9) install electrical system (for ignition, heat control and water monitoring device)
10) Install gas tank
11) Install gas distribution system (pipes)
12) Install finish plumbing (shower heads, sink faucets and sink)
13) test system (electrical, gas, water for leaks, etc.)
14) charge the system and fine tune the heat temperature
dozens upon dozens of hours working it all through ....I'm really only 1/3 to half way there...everything is interconnected and overlapping with other systems.....
.
Ack!
Class B it is then ......
You have no idea how annoying that nobody is producing Transit Class B motorhomes.
( excepting special order hassles like sportmobile )
Promaster looks like the only choice, since I want a gas engine.
Thanks!
.
Ack!
Class B it is then ......
You have no idea how annoying that nobody is producing Transit Class B motorhomes.
( excepting special order hassles like sportmobile )
Promaster looks like the only choice, since I want a gas engine.
Thanks!
.
The basics you need for indoor shower:
1. A shower pan
2. A gray water tank
3. A 5-6 gallon shower water tank
4. A propane RV 120 volt AC drain plug conversion kit. (it plugs into the Propane heater drain plug to allow electric heating instead of propane)
5. A source of 120 volt power (Shore or a vehicle powered inverter)
6. A tubular submersible 12 volt DC pump.
7. A garden hose
8. A garden on/off hose nozzle.
Run Transit engine for 30-45 minutes with the inverter on and the AC cartridge heater on. Kit has a thermostat to limit water temperature. You get 5-6 gallons of 90 degree water. Turn on the DC water pump to get warm water from the tank through the garden hose. All water is the correct temperature.
No hot/cold water mixing and no plumbing. Shower pan does not need a trap if your drain inlet into the gray water tank goes in the bottom of the tank. Drain piping is the trap.
1. A shower pan
2. A gray water tank
3. A 5-6 gallon shower water tank
4. A propane RV 120 volt AC drain plug conversion kit. (it plugs into the Propane heater drain plug to allow electric heating instead of propane)
5. A source of 120 volt power (Shore or a vehicle powered inverter)
6. A tubular submersible 12 volt DC pump.
7. A garden hose
8. A garden on/off hose nozzle.
Run Transit engine for 30-45 minutes with the inverter on and the AC cartridge heater on. Kit has a thermostat to limit water temperature. You get 5-6 gallons of 90 degree water. Turn on the DC water pump to get warm water from the tank through the garden hose. All water is the correct temperature.
No hot/cold water mixing and no plumbing. Shower pan does not need a trap if your drain inlet into the gray water tank goes in the bottom of the tank. Drain piping is the trap.
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Get a
, an on-demand 12V water pump and you can make it as sophisticated as you want. Install the plumbing indoors or just hang the heater outside with a portable shower enclosure.
I've got one of these little heaters that I installed on my cargo trailer conversion, it will find a home in my new Transit either permanently installed or hung up outside when needed.
Solar showers are great but they are never hot when you really want them to be, eg. they don't work on cool/cloudy days.
I've got one of these little heaters that I installed on my cargo trailer conversion, it will find a home in my new Transit either permanently installed or hung up outside when needed.
Solar showers are great but they are never hot when you really want them to be, eg. they don't work on cool/cloudy days.
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245 Posts
I had an exterior shower on my last westfalia. Worked great, stowed away in a little compartment on the side. Kept all that water and moisture outside.
It was not a complete kit, but the fixture was just a kit you cut into the side of your van. You would need water tank, pump and heater. No grey water or pan though.
It was not a complete kit, but the fixture was just a kit you cut into the side of your van. You would need water tank, pump and heater. No grey water or pan though.
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505 Posts
Showers are tricky to build. From material for the walls to location in the van. Either the shower pan doesn't conform to the wheel wells or the drain cannot reach the gray water tank.
Van Williams
Van Williams
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241 Posts
; ) YMMV
1) Find a wonderful MacGirlver
2) Marry said find/keeper
3) Let her do her thing dreaming and scheming
4) Buy her roses and dinner... and whatever lift kit, oversize tires and all other assorted goodies for her daily driver
5) Enjoy camp showers together in her creation
Shower closet closed:
![]()
Shower closet open and ready for use:
![]()
Some times the simple things in life are worth waaaay more than the modern alternative!
: ) Thom
1) Find a wonderful MacGirlver
2) Marry said find/keeper
3) Let her do her thing dreaming and scheming
4) Buy her roses and dinner... and whatever lift kit, oversize tires and all other assorted goodies for her daily driver
5) Enjoy camp showers together in her creation
Shower closet closed:
Shower closet open and ready for use:
Some times the simple things in life are worth waaaay more than the modern alternative!
: ) Thom
Joined
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505 Posts
I may go the same way, but it's not suitable for everybody!
Certainly, those with an extended length van would have enough space for a full-size bathroom; if you have a LWB or RWB vehicle, the portable or exterior shower may be a better solution, like you said.
Van Williams
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371 Posts
accrete, I love your shower set up. Mine will be similar. Do you have an easy solution for emptying the catch pan? Thanks.
I use a similar tub for my shower. To empty the tub, I use a kayak bilge pump with hose attached(looks something like a bike tire pump). 10-20 hand pumps pulls 2-3 gallons from the tub and deposits it into a bucket. Then just lift out the tub and pour the rest into the bucket. I also have a folding slatted wood shower floor that fits perfectly into the tub. The floor lifts you up a couple of inches so that you don't have to stand in pool of water.
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438 Posts
I'm planning on a minimalist setup here also.
We will be using a Mr Heater Aquacube. I only heard good reviews about it. Here is a youtube overview of the unit. It will be stored below the sink for hot water dispensing since it has an integrated faucet to it.
On summer and when privacy allows, we will use a curtain in between the rear doors similar to this.
During cold season, a simple water heater pan will act as a shower base and divert water to a grey tank. Shower will be directly under Maxxfan for humidity evacuation and will be stored when not used.
Our water tanks are simple 7 gallons Aquatainer stored directly under the sink and close to the Mr Heater unit. No fancy plumbing required (and no need to winterize).
This is minimalist, but it will satisfy our needs.
We will be using a Mr Heater Aquacube. I only heard good reviews about it. Here is a youtube overview of the unit. It will be stored below the sink for hot water dispensing since it has an integrated faucet to it.
On summer and when privacy allows, we will use a curtain in between the rear doors similar to this.
During cold season, a simple water heater pan will act as a shower base and divert water to a grey tank. Shower will be directly under Maxxfan for humidity evacuation and will be stored when not used.
Our water tanks are simple 7 gallons Aquatainer stored directly under the sink and close to the Mr Heater unit. No fancy plumbing required (and no need to winterize).
This is minimalist, but it will satisfy our needs.
Attachments
Can the Aquacube survive being frozen? There is water still inside it after being turned off.
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2,286 Posts
Interesting spec on the Mr Heater Aquacube- they state it can only raise the water temp 45 degrees- so 35 deg water comes out at 80? Not very pleasant as a shower brrrrr...
I have one of the Eccotemp units- that thing will scald you if you aren't careful.
I have one of the Eccotemp units- that thing will scald you if you aren't careful.
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