Solar Showers

Ems

Guest
My van is too small to fit a shower in. I know most of you have bigger vans with showers, but what do people without showers in their van do? Are the solar showers, which are effectively a black bag with a pipe on them, any good? I've heard mixed reviews. I thought if I made an enclosure on the tailgate of my T4 I could put a solor shower on the roof and feed the pipe/shower head in! You probably all think I'm mad now! lol

I'd like to avoid using campsites as much as possible, but at the moment I have to, to have a shower! Any suggestions welcome.
 
I've only just got my shower room working, but previously I've just boiled a kettle of water then used a strip washdown with a towel dipped frequently into the hot water. I've never tried the solar shower as you have to go outside the van, the weather has to be suitable, and can't strip unless there's nobody about :scared:

I know some people use disposable wet wipes.
 
I use wet wipes and have a good wash but sometimes its nice to have a shower and also wash my hair! I thought if I had a 3 sides to the tailgate no one would see! Good point about the weather, not sure I'd fancy an outside shower in the winter but when its hot in the summer could be nice to cool off! lol
 
I have a black bag thingy which is obviously gravity fed when in use. I also have one which you plug into a ciggy lighter socket and it pumps the water from a bucket or other recepticle. This one is far better as you don't need to get a head for the water.
I also have a tail gate curtain bought through bongo fury which evidently fits any tail gate. it is great and i have even used it to shower when coming out of the sea at Exmouth. Wish I had known you needed one when we were at Brandon I could have shown you mine. The shower that is.:lol-053:

I live in Brandon so if you are passing come round and see for yourself.
 
Ems it was one of the reason I changed our beloved Reanult because we didnt have a shower in fact we didnt have any water full stop. I have heard great reviews on some of the solar showers so it would be worth looking into. Where there is a will theres a way.....:D
 
No running water either, just some bottles! I've spent so much time getting it to where it is now I don't want to get rid of it. Ideally I'll get a couple of years use out of it and then upgrade.

If I see you at another meet, Donkey Too I'll have a look at your showers please :D I'm heading to Snetterton August bank holiday weekend which is over your way but I'll be with my brother and his kids so probably won't have time to stop.

The solar ones are cheap so may just get one to try.

I like the look of the 12v ones, I've seen them online. Do they take much power? I'm guessing you have to heat the water first unless you want a cold shower! lol

Thanks for the replies.
 
Ems, that should work just fine for you. I used exactly the same method for years with my self-build. Open up the two back doors. Extendable shower curtain pole across the top of the back doors to create a shower room. When not used the pole can be put inside and extended across the back.

If you;'re parked up you can fill the solar shower up with water and let the sun heat it or fill it with cold water and then top it up with hot water out of the kettle until it's at the right temperature. A bag full of water gives you plenty of time for a long shower (or for two people).

Stand in a large washing up bowl and you wont cause a muddy patch (too much).
 
Ems do you have a water pump fitted in your van if you have get an external shower here's some pictures it just pushes in and turns we use this mostly for cleaning the dog off but works very well its hot and cold or you can just have cold £35 off ebay just another option for you 2012-07-27 19.35.08.jpg2012-07-27 19.35.20.jpg2012-07-27 19.36.04.jpg2012-07-27 19.36.09.jpg
 
Hi Emms
My feeling is if the solar showers are cheap buy one and to begin with you could use it wearing a swimming costume if that was good then go for the curtain.
When I use the shower in my van it is more of a stand up wash than a full shower. Obviously it is inside and therefore warmer, it could be invigorating having a shower outside.
If nothing else it may be a good way to was you hair.
Lee
 
solar shower

Solar showers are ok if you have the sun to warm them up,but the best thing for yourself is a garden sprayer 5 to 10 litres,cut the end off put shower head on leaving the trigger system.Fill up with water to right temperature from kettle pump up garden spray pull trigger and stand under it. I used to use one of these when i camped still got it and still use it sometimes.:dance:
 
Thanks for all the ideas, I think I'll get one of the solar ones and give it a go! I just hope the weather stays warm! lol
 
Ems said:
I use wet wipes and have a good wash but sometimes its nice to have a shower and also wash my hair! I thought if I had a 3 sides to the tailgate no one would see! Good point about the weather, not sure I'd fancy an outside shower in the winter but when its hot in the summer could be nice to cool off! lol
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Ems I always take some dry shampoo ...it livens my hair up a treat I end up looking like a Scary Mary :scared:
 
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My running water is really simple.

2x25 litre containers (Halfrauds etc) each using an outdoor shower hose with submersible 12v pump. The shower room one has the shower head still on while the kitchen one feeds a smev tap.

If you can fit a 25 litre container somewhere you can use and outdoor shower kit to feed a small sink and the hose could go outside the van for a shower.

eg

Ring Automotive RS1 12V Portable Shower: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike
 
Firefox said:
My running water is really simple.

2x25 litre containers (Halfrauds etc) each using an outdoor shower hose with submersible 12v pump. The shower room one has the shower head still on while the kitchen one feeds a smev tap.

If you can fit a 25 litre container somewhere you can use and outdoor shower kit to feed a small sink and the hose could go outside the van for a shower.

eg

Ring Automotive RS1 12V Portable Shower: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike
Click to expand...

They are the ones I was looking at but would just put it in a bucket of water.

I don't have space to start putting 25l containers in and trying to avoid a fitted sink. I've just about got room for my bed and a cupboard! I might be able to put a container/bucket in the back and use one of those pumps. I think it will be trial and error from the sounds of it to see what suits me! Could be interesting! lol
 
Ems said:
I'd like to avoid using campsites as much as possible, but at the moment I have to, to have a shower! Any suggestions welcome.
Click to expand...

Whenever you fancy getting under a proper shower, sports centres are great, there are plenty about and usually only charge a quid or two (sometimes nothing).

I too have used most of the methods mentioned here, and all are great in the absence of anything else :)
Also I can wash my hair with a 2 litre water bottle - filled from the kettle of course as I am a Southern Softie :wacko:
 
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