Showers

[mikeandhismotorhome]

After our first very successful wild experience I am keen to try wilding for a longer period but the wife says that she need to have access to a shower. I pointed out that the van has one but she is no prepared to have a time [water] restriction so that is out.
So is there someplace we can go to just use the showers? I have also noticed (unless I was dreaming) that some motorway service stations have showers. Does anyone know the deal with these, are they free or do they operate on a "insert a coin" basis?

 

[John H]

We have used sports centre showers - either go for a swim and use the showers or sometimes they let you pay for just the shower.

 

[jenks]

Swimming pools are a great place to get a shower. Some gyms have shower facilities and you can sometimes pay a few quid to use them. Hotels with swimming pools more often than not will let you use the facilities for a small to extortionate fee depending on the hotel or even the staff on reception....... I've paid a fiver in the past to use the swimming pool and showers at a pretty rank hotel, but other times I've paid £2 to use the leisure suite at a 5 star hotel and they even did some photocopying and sent a fax for me

As my MH is tiny inside, I try and plan so that every few days I am either somewhere like above or I'll book into a campsite. I like to use a campsite at least one night a week, as it's a good chance to top up on safe drinking water, empty the loo and socialise, and if I can find one with a good pub then even better. I also like campsites for a good de-clutter, plenty of space with like minded people about, so I can literly empty the entire van and re-organise everything for the next few days on the road.

 

[mikeandhismotorhome]

Blimey, I am not that brave. :mad1:

 

[David & Ann]

We never use our shower in the MH. Wife boils a kettle of water, watering can is 3/4 filled with cold water, hot water added to take the chill off. In swim costume, the water is poured over by the wife, who is standing on a stool. After soaping I get another dose of water. I'm clean. Then it is the wife's turn, same procedure. ☺☺☺ (it's true)

 

[Deleted member 775]

we have used a similer way ourseves its easier than using the shower in the van ,we found that many beach areas down here have outside showers at the side of the loos we used those too, and swimming pools . if all else fails a quick dip in a nice river will suffice or a swim in the sea

 

[kangooroo]

We never use our shower in the MH. Wife boils a kettle of water, watering can is 3/4 filled with cold water, hot water added to take the chill off. In swim costume, the water is poured over by the wife, who is standing on a stool. After soaping I get another dose of water. I'm clean. Then it is the wife's turn, same procedure. ☺☺☺ (it's true)

I've tried a similar approach but as I'm a solo-wilder, it has to be a more basic and one-person job involving tipping a washing-up bowl...

Currently I'm testing a solar shower on our patio before heading off to Scotland - although this is dependent upon having some sun and finding a tap to provide 10-20 litres of water.

Camping in a quiet, remote spot by a waterfall is much more practical - a ready water supply, no drainage problems and it can be quite invigorating too (but chilly!).

 

[John H]

We never use our shower in the MH. Wife boils a kettle of water, watering can is 3/4 filled with cold water, hot water added to take the chill off. In swim costume, the water is poured over by the wife, who is standing on a stool. After soaping I get another dose of water. I'm clean. Then it is the wife's turn, same procedure. ☺☺☺ (it's true)

If you do that in winter I am full of admiration!

 

[Lorry Ball]

This is what I use, 6lt Handy pressure shower, half fill with cold water, then 2 sauce pans of boiling water, pump up then go
Ive had it about 10 years, you can also see how much water is left, it does a decent job
I tend to use about 2/3 of the bottle

Lorry

 

[maingate]

There was a very good tip on here a couple of years ago for a free supply of warm water.

Get a couple of large bottles of soft drinks, the type with the dark brown plastic bottle. Fill with water and leave them in the sun on the dashboard. A clear plastic bottle does not absorb as much heat but will be better than nothing.

 

[Deleted member 967]

A lady visited her doctor complaining about an unpleasant body odour. The doctor asked he if she washed regularly. She replied as far as possible. To this the doctor replied then wash possible as well.

Why mess about when there is a perfectly good shower in the Motorhome? I can appreciate those in camper vans without facilities but where there is a water heater and a shower why mess about in costumes outside when you can have a good wash even washing possible at the same time. No wonder there are comments about smelly motorhomers on some forums.

 

[Byronic]

Some M/H owners it appears, have paid out for what must be a large proportion of the purchase price of a M/H, for a shower room they don't use, and additionly the layout probably has been comprimised just to fit in the facility, particularly so in a small van.
Partly the reason I selfbuild.....I get what I want, a shower cubicle is a must for me.

 

[Bigpeetee]

Showering not such a problem if you remember to switch it off while you lather, then just rinse.

It's the hairdryer my wife insists on, couple of extra batteries, 2000w inverter and away she goes.

I did suggest holding her head out of the window, but, the look said it all!!

 

[David & Ann]

If you do that in winter I am full of admiration!

Hi JH, good to have you back. Read a few of your posts but I stayed in the background. Winter shower, we do that in Goa, India or Oz but under European rules ☺☺

 

[David & Ann]

A lady visited her doctor complaining about an unpleasant body odour. The doctor asked he if she washed regularly. She replied as far as possible. To this the doctor replied then wash possible as well.

Why mess about when there is a perfectly good shower in the Motorhome? I can appreciate those in camper vans without facilities but where there is a water heater and a shower why mess about in costumes outside when you can have a good wash even washing possible at the same time. No wonder there are comments about smelly motorhomers on some forums.

Hi JT, I do agree with you. On the other hand it is the fun and enjoyment of doing things which are not normal in every day life like back home. If for any reason I was stuck and unable to, then I would certainly shower in the MH. In Ericia, Portugal, there were 5 couples, including us, all over 55 to 70, came off the beach and showered out of watering cans, a real laugh, with us old buggers messing around. A good one hour of fun. ☺ AND you don't have to go running around trying to find water to refill your tank.

 

[Deleted member 3011]

Hobby has an 80 litre (or maybe a bit more) tank and we can go for three days with having at least one perfectly adequate shower a day each plus normal washing up and cooking. Your wife may "want" certain facilities but probably doesn't "need" them.

Same with hair dryers.

Unless you are prepared to be very frugal with water, you are not going to get much more than the three days anyway, so certainly possible to do a night or two without having to compromise personal hygiene or convenience.

 

[John H]

Hi JH, good to have you back. Read a few of your posts but I stayed in the background. Winter shower, we do that in Goa, India or Oz but under European rules ☺☺

Hi - its good to be back and I hope you are enjoying the weather we brought with us from Spain. Although I have to say that my admiration is reduced if you don't do it in winter in Cornwall!

 

[David & Ann]

Hi - its good to be back and I hope you are enjoying the weather we brought with us from Spain. Although I have to say that my admiration is reduced if you don't do it in winter in Cornwall!

I am never in Cornwall, or for that matter in England for the winter. Sorry to disappoint you. Sorry. a white lie, spent this winter here due to wife having an operation. First time in 32 years.

 

[John H]

I am never in Cornwall, or for that matter in England for the winter. Sorry to disappoint you. Sorry. a white lie, spent this winter here due to wife having an operation. First time in 32 years.

Don't bame you - we always aim to escape English winters too! Hope Ann is ok now.

 

[christine]

Our shower doesn't seem to drain well and obviously so if we are not dead level. We attached a cheap garden hose on/off push switch to the actual shower head which I hold, point and aim. Basically it is aim, switch on, wet, switch off, soap, switch on etc. I stand in a large washing up bowl also, to catch most of the water. It's amazing how little water you can get away with using.