Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hi folks, newbie here, sorry if Im starting a redundant topic .. Ive been considering getting a 6x12 CT for weekend mx races,(usually only one or two bikes) and have convinced myself that a shower and toilet are a necessity. I have searched the forums and found some good ideas, but Im curious if there are any complete wet bath diy kits available?
The plan for now is the wet bath, and AC. Ill skip cabinetry, furniture, microwave, tables, etc to save weight, and keep it simple to start out. I found a site that will add a wet bath as an option but it cost more than the trailer base price.

I guess my first question would be will you be installing a gray water tank? If yes, then I'd look at home depot etc for a shower enclosure. The other option is to create a drop floor area and have a stainless "sink" in the hole that you could stand in.
If you aren't planning a gray water system, then I'd get a large plastic tote, and hang some shower curtains.

FWIW, one of the coolest shower set ups I've seen used the area next to the front door for the shower. There was a drop where you stepped in, and adjacent to the door was a cabinet, when you opened the cabinet it revealed the portable shower set up, and the cabinet door became the interior door for the shower. It was all made of teak. Nice way to save space that is otherwise lost.
Tom

Socal Tom wrote:I guess my first question would be will you be installing a gray water tank? If yes, then I'd look at home depot etc for a shower enclosure. The other option is to create a drop floor area and have a stainless "sink" in the hole that you could stand in.
If you aren't planning a gray water system, then I'd get a large plastic tote, and hang some shower curtains.

FWIW, one of the coolest shower set ups I've seen used the area next to the front door for the shower. There was a drop where you stepped in, and adjacent to the door was a cabinet, when you opened the cabinet it revealed the portable shower set up, and the cabinet door became the interior door for the shower. It was all made of teak. Nice way to save space that is otherwise lost.
Tom

Yes, I would like it to be similar to a typical RV/toy hauler wet bath with fresh, grey and black tanks. Im not sure how well these fit the CT framework though. Id want to keep it to 24"x36" like the small rv units. Wondering if there is room under the floor for the tanks in a typical CT?
I guess a cassette or portable would be an option, but the all in one seem like less hassle. Another thing, with proper maintenance (chemicals/ flushing etc) do these systems still have odor problems?

Out door shower for 6 x 12 in my opinion is the way to go. Saves so much room.

The outdoor is a nice option, but sometimes the races are held in packed parking situations and run off becomes an issue. I bring a solar bag, or my 3 gallon bug sprayer for a quick outdoor shower, it works well enough to get by. I thought if Im going to get a CT, Id like to have the convenience of an indoor restroom. ( I never want to experience port a can splash back ever again either.. )

I knew from the beginning I wanted a shower and bath room toilet but the bare minimum, first mistake I tried to make the shower pan using tile, I had to tear that out and I bought a RV shower pan off ebay it was around 100.00 and it works great but you still have to be really level for it to drain completely.
Originally I was going to use the portable toilets like you can buy at walmart from the camping section and leave it in the shower but I designed my trailer to use the V-vose area as a separate room so I made a rear door on the shower so I could get into that area so I was always having to step over the toilet so I moved it into the V-nose.
The portable toilets are great but cleaning them is not, so I put in a drain and with pvc pipe I can drain and clean mine by opening the cap and with a water hose in the trailer I can really flush it with no problem.
I also went to walmart and in the auto section they sell a round plastic pan that is used to catch the oil when you drain your oil for 7.00 it's perfect to catch you shower water it holds like 5 gallons?
just slide it under the trailer where drain from the shower would run out on the ground to catch the water.

Vetmxer746 wrote:The outdoor is a nice option, but sometimes the races are held in packed parking situations and run off becomes an issue. I bring a solar bag, or my 3 gallon bug sprayer for a quick outdoor shower, it works well enough to get by. I thought if Im going to get a CT, Id like to have the convenience of an indoor restroom. ( I never want to experience port a can splash back ever again either.. )

Lol! That's hilarious. I run mostly outdoor Mx and my outdoor shower works great for where I ride. Like you said though parking isn't that bad where we ride. All the tracks have plenty parking here. For arenacross I can see it being a problem though.

jwhite wrote:I knew from the beginning I wanted a shower and bath room toilet but the bare minimum, first mistake I tried to make the shower pan using tile, I had to tear that out and I bought a RV shower pan off ebay it was around 100.00 and it works great but you still have to be really level for it to drain completely.
Originally I was going to use the portable toilets like you can buy at walmart from the camping section and leave it in the shower but I designed my trailer to use the V-vose area as a separate room so I made a rear door on the shower so I could get into that area so I was always having to step over the toilet so I moved it into the V-nose.
The portable toilets are great but cleaning them is not, so I put in a drain and with pvc pipe I can drain and clean mine by opening the cap and with a water hose in the trailer I can really flush it with no problem.
I also went to walmart and in the auto section they sell a round plastic pan that is used to catch the oil when you drain your oil for 7.00 it's perfect to catch you shower water it holds like 5 gallons?
just slide it under the trailer where drain from the shower would run out on the ground to catch the water.

Thats an interesting set up, do the portables do a decent job at keeping the odor sealed in the tank until you can empty and flush out, as in a weekend trip?

Yes they do good job of keeping the smell down, when I flush it I fill the bowl again with water and it holds it.
I also use one of those deodorant cakes they sell for a regular toilet you just have to modify it with a string for it to work.

My 2cents. I used the porta-potties for many years. They are a pain to empty. And when you miss the toilet when dumping, there is "that" to clean up. I have for the last several years used the Wag Bags. Sooo much easier. It's a gel in a heavy bag. Do your business then fold closed. Insert into second bag and toss in the trash. At first, I used them by just putting them into the bowl of the porta-potty. But the potty is old and smells funky no matter what. Now, I'm drawing up plans to build my own potty with better height for me. They say you can make your own bags with kitty litter.

rebapuck wrote:My 2cents. I used the porta-potties for many years. They are a pain to empty. And when you miss the toilet when dumping, there is "that" to clean up. I have for the last several years used the Wag Bags. Sooo much easier. It's a gel in a heavy bag. Do your business then fold closed. Insert into second bag and toss in the trash. At first, I used them by just putting them into the bowl of the porta-potty. But the potty is old and smells funky no matter what. Now, I'm drawing up plans to build my own potty with better height for me. They say you can make your own bags with kitty litter.

I've gone the same route. I use the walmart doody bags, similar design with the gel, but already has a second bag. I used to haul a porta potty, and I was always worried about it spiling, and didn't know where to haul it once full. With the bags, you just close them up and put them in a dumpster. Problem solved. It seemed like a scary idea at first, but it is much more convenient in the long run.
Tom

We are installing a 5L on demand hot water heater. And going to place it on a hanging system to put it over the back doors. Have a couple pics here. Water heater should be in sometime this week so when we get it done will post a pic

Isn't it funny how cats have to sit on everything? I can't bring anything into the house without them checking it out.

I like the door spreader. Better make that curtain rod secure. Wouldn't want it to drop at an inopportune time.

rebapuck wrote:Isn't it funny how cats have to sit on everything? I can't bring anything into the house without them checking it out.

I like the door spreader. Better make that curtain rod secure. Wouldn't want it to drop at an inopportune time.

I've got 3 cats and it's a race to get in the new cardboard box or bag first.
They sit on a post it note on the floor if it wasn't there before