Outside Shower leaking into hull

[dfdouglas]

Has anyone experienced the outside shower box leaking on the inside, dripping down into the hull?  It leaks on the input side around one of the rubber gaskets between two pieces.  I have replaced both pieces to no avail.  I may just order a complete replacement but this one from Fontana doesn't appear to be the quality that Oliver normally installs.  I'll first search for a better replacement that will fit the cutout.   Thanks for any feedback.

[topgun2]

I've had no problems with the outdoor shower on my Oliver.  But, I did have one develop a leak in a camper I owned previously.  Indeed, the plastic "feeder tube" or "mixer" area of that shower had cracked thus requiring a total replacement.

If you decide that you are going to replace the unit you might want to give Jason in Service a call, asking what price he'd charge for the unit.

Bill

[Mainiac]

Just a "might" work solution. If you can get to the gaskets, make sure they are not cracked or broken. If they are sound, try rubbing them with a very light coat of Vaseline.  Reseat the fittings and see how it does.

[DavidS]

I had a similar problem this summer, with water leaking inside the hull from the outside shower unit. The insulation below was wet, and water was coming out of the seep holes. 

When the shower valves were open, there was water coming out of the hole in the photo. 

I found part numbers from the manufacturer’s web site, and then found parts on Amazon. 

Replacement Vacuum Breaker. https://www.amazon.com/Fontana-97022-006-DB-Replacement-Vacuum-Breaker/dp/B015Q89WCM

Replacement Straight Nipple, Seal Collar and O-Rings. https://www.amazon.com/Fontana-97020-080-DB-Replacement-Straight-Nipple/dp/B015Q89WA4

Replacement Faucet Set. https://www.amazon.com/ITC-97022008-Exterior-Shower-Repair/dp/B007HRVOHW

They also had the entire unit for $99: https://www.amazon.com/Fontanna-97022-Compact-Exterior-Shower/dp/B019F81FQ0

I contacted Jason in Service, and he said that it would be much easier to replace the unit than to try to swap out parts in that hard-to-reach space. He also was able to send me a replacement unit for a price much cheaper than Amazon's. 

The outdoor shower unit is held in place by rivets, and since I don't have a rivet gun, I called a mobile RV tech that I had used previously, and he came out to where my trailer was stored and installed it. He charged me $75 for 45 minutes work. 

So, I agree with @topgun2 and I suggest you call Jason. 

 

[dfdouglas]

@DavidS, that exactly where mine is leaking.  As soon as I turn water on it spurts out from several places.  I've replaced the Straight Nipple, with new seal collar and o-ring but no improvement.  Fontana has a new model out that I'm trying to find out if it is an exact replacement for the 9"x4.5" cut out.  It looks better made.   I also have a note into Jason to see if they are using the newer model and the price on a replacement unit.  I'll keep this post updated as I make progress.

Also DavidS I enjoyed looking through your travel photos.

 

Edited October 27, 2020 by dfdouglas

[Overland]

I'd suggest that if you're going through the trouble of repairing or replacing the shower box, that you add some cutoff valves on the water lines.  This will allow you a quick solution to any future problems and might also be useful when traveling through cold weather, to cut off the supply and drain the unit as best you can.  

If you get the new model, I'd be interested if it performs any better than the old one.  I wouldn't say that mine trickles, but it's not exactly forceful either.  

Edited October 27, 2020 by Overland

[SeaDawg]

That's a really vulnerable area for freezing, as it is in any rv with an outside shower. And, it's easy to forget when winterizing. (Ask me how I know... yup.) We replaced ours once already . 

I think a bypass/shutoff , as I  have said before, would be a grand idea. 

 

[dfdouglas]

Update:  I got a replacement unit from Jason at Oliver and problem solved.  I did find other brands that I thought were better constructed but they would not fit in the existing hull cutout.

[Ray and Susan Huff]

On 10/27/2020 at 2:52 PM, SeaDawg said:

That's a really vulnerable area for freezing, as it is in any rv with an outside shower. And, it's easy to forget when winterizing. (Ask me how I know... yup.) We replaced ours once already . 

I think a bypass/shutoff , as I  have said before, would be a grand idea. 

 

How much do people actually use the outdoor shower?  I would like the option to at least drain it and have a cutoff valve for Winter use.

[SeaDawg]

48 minutes ago, Susan Huff said:

How much do people actually use the outdoor shower?  I would like the option to at least drain it and have a cutoff valve for Winter use.

Mostly, people use it for doing dishes, and washing dogs, from what I've seen.

And yes, we've actually used it as an outdoor shower. But noone uses it in the winter, I'm sure.😅

[Jim_Oker]

37 minutes ago, SeaDawg said:

yes, we've actually used it as an outdoor shower

Yeah,  I can  totally  see doing that while boondocking in  decent weather in a sufficiently  private spot. But I like your shutoff idea

[Ray and Susan Huff]

4 hours ago, SeaDawg said:

Mostly, people use it for doing dishes, and washing dogs, from what I've seen.

And yes, we've actually used it as an outdoor shower. But noone uses it in the winter, I'm sure.😅

We don't have a dog . . . . nice for cleaning off dirty feet, but I could live without it.

Sure would be nice to not have to worry about leaky connections or freeze damage.

[GarryandKristi]

We had the same leaking problem with our 2018 elite 2. Yes, the shower box is riveted, and I am not sure what the rivet grin length would be since the back side is not exposed inside the trailer.  But it is quite easy to replace the assembly within the box. It’s only $17 from ITC

The key for me was to finally discover that what looked to be one piece hot and cold knobs with a press-on spline fitting actually has a pop-off cap that exposes a screw hole.  The  “aha” that’s what those 2 small screws are for in the assembly package.  So

1. Remove the hot and cold knobs

2. Unscrew the outside retaining nuts just behind the the knobs

3. Go inside under the street-side forward hatch and unthread the hot and cold supply line and shower head flex line  

4. Back out th’e entire assembly  

installation of the new assembly is essentially reverse although I secured the outside retaining nuts prior to reconnecting the inside hoses.

Finally pressure check with a city water connection while operating.  I believe the tube vent acts primarily as a drain as when I turned the knob(s) off water poured out. Since the supply lines would be under pressure, I am not sure it serves much as an anti-siphon valve.   I think it just drains the mixing point downstream of the hot/cold valves.  In the photos the new assembly is shown near the bed hatch. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jd1923]

1 hour ago, GarryandKristi said:

We had the same leaking problem with our 2018 elite 2.

Ours might need the same repair. Took an outside shower yesterday and when the faucets were on, shower head switch off, there was a lot of water coming out along the pull out hose, spilling inside and out. It could be the hose is just loose but as you found the part the hose connects to is often cracked. I won't look under the bed until we're home next week.

Thank you for your post. Could you please supply a link for the shower assembly you purchased?

[GarryandKristi]

2 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Ours might need the same repair. Took an outside shower yesterday and when the faucets were on, shower head switch off, there was a lot of water coming out along the pull out hose, spilling inside and out. It could be the hose is just loose but as you found the part the hose connects to is often cracked. I won't look under the bed until we're home next week.

Thank you for your post. Could you please supply a link for the shower assembly you purchased?

https://itcshopnow.com/products/exterior-shower-service-parts?utm_campaign=gs-2022-01-13&utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22045544770&gbraid=0AAAAABSkRKi20j-rTiz8hmdaZS038ZTU5&gclid=CjwKCAjwyOzSBhBTEiwAmxvJ-mjQQfh7TiHQdheqRWzOQTgUzqKb5pQCZ6wZOJeMZbufqY5UqFFcpRoCVEQQAvD_BwE&variant=32367970320420
 

nasty looking link.  I had my wife operate the shower handle outside while I looked under the hatch to see where the lead was emanating.  I would tell it was from the center of the plastic assembly and not the hose.  You might want to have a few shop towels if you do this to wipe up inside. Our leak weeped over to the basement area under the rubber mat. 

[jd1923]

2 hours ago, GarryandKristi said:

nasty looking link.  I had my wife operate the shower handle outside while I looked under the hatch to see where the lead was emanating.  I would tell it was from the center of the plastic assembly and not the hose.  You might want to have a few shop towels if you do this to wipe up inside. Our leak weeped over to the basement area under the rubber mat. 

Thank you, Garry. Decent price on this part! Not to worry, I had enough water leak down in the basement already. A lot comes out the hull weep holes and out here it all dries in minutes. 

BTW, re long "nasty looking" links. I delete all the extra characters after the ?-mark and replace the ?-mark with a slash (/). Then you can copy/paste a shorter version like this:

https://itcshopnow.com/products/exterior-shower-service-parts/

Edited July 24 by jd1923

[jd1923]

On 7/24/2026 at 7:29 AM, GarryandKristi said:

Yes, the shower box is riveted, and I am not sure what the rivet grip length would be since the back side is not exposed inside the trailer.  But it is quite easy to replace the assembly within the box. It’s only $17 from ITC.

"Quite easy?" You're a good mechanic!

It is easier to purchase and install the entire preassembled unit.
https://itcshopnow.com/products/exterior-shower

Our shower failed in the same way, the same plastic part shown above where the shower hose connects. It must be from pulling on the shower hose.

Drilling and replacing the rivets is the easy part. Do it, don't worry. They are aluminum rivets so each head drilled off in 5 seconds. If you go this route, you can loosen and reconnect each plumbing fitting sitting on a crate outdoors vs. kneeling on the cabin floor and reaching inside the cramped basement.

After the old shower assembly is removed, drill the rivets through. Then screw a sheet metal screw in and turn the rivet butt, push in, give it a tap if needed, and grab it from the backside.

Connect the water lines by holding pliers on the copper ring of the PEX so it doesn't twist. Make these good hand tight or gentle with a pliers. Then when the entire assembly is still hanging exterior to the Oliver as pictured, turn on the water pump, blead the hot and cold lines and test for leaks. Then push in place and rivet the four corners. I had rivets in my shop that were 3/16" and about 3/4" long. OEM might be 7/32" or 6mm but mine held it nicely in place.

UPS arrived with the part today and in an hour or so, job done and we have a brand new outdoor shower with leftover parts saved, like a new shower head replaced just last year. 😎

Edited 9 hours ago by jd1923

[dewdev]

The back of the shower box is exposed in my 2018. The hose at the shower head was leaking. I replaced the entire shower hose and it was easily assessable to unscrew the old hose and screw on the new one.

Edited 43 minutes ago by dewdev