DIY Outdoor Shower Enclosure?

[ShallowGal]

My husband has a problem with modesty - he isn't. He's a really big guy (6'4" 300+lbs) & doesn't plan to use the indoor shower. I've searched & found a few DIY shower enclosures for the outside of RVs but am hoping one of you have seen or invented one that will work on an Ollie. I'd prefer to not need to drill into & attach something to that beautiful body & obviously, would like it to take up as little space as possible. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[Kirkman]

I have something like this I use when I am out with my tear drop.

 

https://www.rei.com/product/101407/kelty-blockhouse-privacy-shelter

[donthompson]

I met a couple of women from the Netherlands at Canyonland National Park last summer. They rented an RV for an extended trip around the Western U.S. They told me they enjoyed boondocking in Utah because they could use the outdoor shower without anyone watching. So one solution is to camp where no one else is camping. :) Seriously, I think your research will pay off. I started to research the subject last year and found these:

 

https://www.rei.com/product/101407/kelty-blockhouse-privacy-shelter

 

https://www.rei.com/product/882468/nemo-helio-pressure-shower

 

These aren't really enclosures for the existing outdoor shower included with the Elite II, but you may want to consider setting up a completely separate shower facility.

 

I've camped a lot since I picked up my Elite II in March, 2016 and I haven't used the indoor shower very often. I like to camp in National Park campgrounds and many have indoor showers. State Park campgrounds often do as well. Although I rarely camp in RV parks, when I do, I pay attention to the descriptions of the bath houses in the reviews. When I'm boondocking, I sometimes use the outdoor shower without fear of being observed. I keep my towel handy in case someone arrives in the vicinity!

[Overland]

We have an Ozark Trail shower tent from Wal Mart. Unlike most shower tents it has a separate 'changing room' which is nice to have.

 

I suppose that if you opt for the street side awning that you might find something in Fiamma's catalog that would work.

[John E Davies]

Before we got Mouse we tent camped and used a sun shower hung from a tree, and ocassionally one of those nylon enclosures. I prefer au natural in the open, but if there are people around you can always wear a small swinsuit and get just as clean. The enclosures work OK but then you have to deal with cleaning them, drying them out and storing them away. Frankly it is a pain in the butt. I don't think they are worth the effort unless the person bathing is really shy. Then you can make them clean it.

 

If it is warm and clear, and minimal wind, these work very well after a few hours of cooking under the sun. .... https://www.amazon.com/Stearns-Sun-Shower-Portable/dp/B000NVC1JY

 

John Davies

 

Spokane WA

 

 

[topgun2]

I'm basically with John on this one - there are many reasons to use an outdoor shower (particularly in the West where grey water is allowed to be "dispursed" on open ground in many places).  If left in the back of my truck while I'm fishing all day (or on a picnic table that is exposed to the sun most of the day) the water in it is simply too hot to take a shower immediately after returning to camp (great excuse to sit down, reflect on the day and have a beer or glass of wine).  I generally use a shower tent but have shied away from getting the more expensive ones for the reason John cites - when it gets too dirty after a few years I simply pitch and replace it.  By using the outdoor shower one has more room to shower, you don't fill your grey water tank, you don't use any of your propane (assuming that you use a solar shower) and (assuming that you refill your solar shower either from the campground pump/water supply or from a crystal clear creek) you don't use your on-board water supply.

 

With the addition of a simple portable toilet, a shower tent can also be used for "other things".  For extended boondocking trips I use a simple toilet that uses what amount to plastic bags with a bit of "material" in the bottom which absorbs fluid and reduces odors.  According to the directions, these bags can be disposed of with the regular trash.  They are available both on line and at WalMart.  Again, using these saves space in the black tank.

 

I store the shower tent and solar shower(s) in the area beneath the street side bed where they fit perfectly - my shower tent is the single room variety.

 

Bill

 

[KarenLukens]

Big man needm big shower :)

 

So get an oversized tent, that way you can shower with him in comfort sometimes. We use a large 6 x 6' tent and it's large enough that a plastic chair can fit in also. The other thing that you will need if you're going to use the onboard outside shower is a longer hose. We've been showering in the woods for a long time and a tent is nice for the ladies. Sun-showers are nice when it's hot out but not so much in the fall. Karen and I have showered together outside many times over the years. The onboard Truma AquaGo Water heater option will give you all the hot water needed. Also, a raised floor keeps your feet clean if you have room for a large shower mat.

 

https://www.amazon.com/KingCamp-Oversize-Portable-Dressing-Changing/dp/B01MS7477H/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1498051764&sr=8-8&keywords=Shower+tent+large

 

 

 

[ShallowGal]

The enclosures work OK but then you have to deal with cleaning them, drying them out and storing them away. Frankly it is a pain in the butt.

Excellent point!

[topgun2]

I wouldn't get too hung up on the cleaning and drying thing.  I usually use a 5 gallon solar shower with my enclosure.  Even taking a fairly long shower I always have at least a gallon of water left when I'm done and I use most of this to spray down the walls and floor of the enclosure when I'm done.  This tends to keep most of the soap and anything that I tracked in to a minimum.  As far as drying - given the usual low humidity out West, the nylon tent fabric dries rapidly.  In the event that it rains or that it doesn't dry I simply wad it up into a garbage bag and throw it into the bottom of the Oliver shower until I get to the next camp.  If I'm not setting it up again I simply lay it over the picnic table (or similar) until it is dry.  Yes, au natural is a great option - when possible.

 

Bill

[Vector - Lanham]

I was watching a blog where there was a pressuized outdoor solar shower, this guy puts the tank up on his roof rack and pressurizes  it pneumatically or with a cycle pump.  I'd never heard of that, but it makes perfect sense.  And since he's getting a lot of pressure, i presume he must require less water...nice.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Nemo-Equipment-Helio-Pressure-Shower/dp/B00ARHKLWS

 

http://www.roadshower.com/

 

Kind of cool concept.

 

 

[Wroady]

These also work really well and are very portable.

 

 

 

http://www.rinsekit.com/buy-now/

[John E Davies]

These also work really well and are very portable.

Buy Now

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That is interesting, but it only holds 2 gallons and is far far bulkier than a soft sided sun shower, which rolls up very small. Two gallons is not really adequate for a shower, especially for a lady with a lot of hair to rinse out.

 

I can see where this unit would be useful if there were nowhere to hang a sun shower, like on the beach...

 

John Davies

 

Spokane WA

 

 

[Overland]

We've used a Zodi Extreme for the past few years and we only fill it to 2 gallons - its plenty. More than that takes too long to heat up anyway. Solar showers are great so long as it's sunny, but the clouds tend to follow us along which is why we went with the zodi.

[topgun2]

For those cloudy/rainy days when the sun will not do its thing on my solar shower, I simply heat a bit of water on the stove, pour it into the solar shower and have at it.  This is particularly true when I'm in full water saving mode and really don't want to use the shower in Twist.

 

Bill