Enthusiast I
Anyone have a list with materials on how to make these? I know REI has a video but I know there’s some others. Any ideas are welcomed
DIY shower
- Thread starter Gavin Ryan-Massa
- Start date
I made mine out of a 3 gallon garden sprayer and a Kitchen Sink Faucet Spray Head Attachment with Thumb Trigger.
I made a pipe with 4 inch PVC pipe that I mounted to my roof rack. I added outdoor hose attachments to it on one end. Not pressurized at the moment but did purchase the parts to do so after using it on this last trip and getting tired of the super low pressure of the water flow. It;s fine for washing dishes but not so great when showering. I can make up a parts list of what I used if this is what you were looking for. Here are two old pics from 2019 when I built it. Both ends have been changed a bit. The front it now straight with an end cap and fill hole is on top. The rear I redid to a 90 degree which puts the output on the side, but now that I'll be pressurizing it I will be using another 45 degree possibly attached to the 90 at some point depending on where it drops down to. Or 45 alone just shorter so it doesn't hang off the back of the truck and interfere with the rear hatch.
Enthusiast II
I made mine out of 4" PVC. It has a fill/pressurize cap on one end and a hose attachment on the other. Used it this past weekend and it was nice to have a warm shower after riding all day. The whole thing was maybe $50-$60. Everything came from Lowe's. I had to use white PVC because they didn't have black in 4", but covered it in black truck bed liner.
I can take some closeup shots of it if you like so you can see the parts you will need and how it all goes together.
I can take some closeup shots of it if you like so you can see the parts you will need and how it all goes together.
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I like how your's looks!! I have two questions as I'm about to redo my exit end. What parts did you use to come out of the PVC on the endcap? I have had issues with mine having a slow leak. 2nd Did you put the pressure stem on a removable cap on the filler side? I was going to put mine somewhere on the exit end when I redo it, not sure if it's better to put it on the other end. Thanx in advance. -Jon-
Just re-read your post and see you said it's on a cap. sorry.....
Advocate I
Enthusiast II
Member III
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Enthusiast II
This is my hot shower setup, by using a heat exchanger to get hot water when the engine is running.
Here I did start to collect solutions and components for a hot shower by gas, diesel, 12v, 110v/220v and solar at this link:
Heisse Aussendusche - Lösungsansätze für Vanlife und Overlanding
Warmwasser und Duschen - Es gibt Lösungsansätze für Vanlife und Overlanding
I`m still wondering what components are common in the US actually are used. They have too good rv brands like earthroamer. Unfortunately they never wrote more than "6-gallon hot water tank" and no exact brand.
trippin
Enthusiast III
I just installed a system using a heat exchanger in my FJ Cruiser. I posted a full write up here in case anyone is interested in doing something like this. It works very well: Hot shower for overlanding
lhoffm4
Rank III
Advocate I
Have you made any decisions? Is it strictly for use as a road-shower style set up or will it serve other purposes? Ex- Shower, Dishes, Hot Water for cooking, coffee, etc.? The reason I ask is because when considering these questions for myself, I got hung up on the quality/durability/cost of the DIY build and the limited functionality of a system only dedicated to showers/rinsing off. I opted for a inexpensive battery operated unit from Amazon that is basically a small battery operated pump connected to a shower head by a length of tubing. It plugs into a 12v battery for power. I can use it for shower, rinsing, washing the dog, washing dishes, etc. It doesn't have high pressure, and I have to heat the water in a pot on a burner and then add cold water to get it to the desired temperature, but it packs down very small and does all I ask of it so far. Under $30. No DIY required... unless that is your goal... lol
I have actually a 2nd travel rig beside of my land cruiser with hot shower like showed some posts before. That in the landcruiser I just use for showering. I never did optain the water for washing the dishes - because I just had hot water after running the engine. After cooking the timedelay is to high, the water is could again.
The new rig (near like showed above) has a has an 12v hot water boiler who can be used to shower, washing hands, washing dishes. Not hot enough for cofee, it is like hot tab water you have at home. It is a 12v Boiler who uses 25 Ampere over 12v - without my 2x 95 AGM Battery Setup (or similar Lifepo4 setup) and 390 Watt solar - it wouldn be really useful...
If it is easy acessible, you will use it more often.
Your 30$ amazon option is more wasted money at the end. But it is not a lot of $ - so you can try it - and please - review it - for other readers here!
Others travel the world in an vw beetle - so - it is more luxurary and not mandatory - to have hot water... But I love that comfort personally.
trippin
Enthusiast III
I still think the heat exchanger method I used and discussed above is best for all situations. Provided you have enough water, you can have unlimited amounts of very hot water for any purposes. The only drawback is you need to have your engine running while you are using a lot of hot water.
