Questions about showers

[Robin Bobula]

I'm planning some sort of small shower area combined with a spot for my Luggable Loo. Am contemplating a "wet room" vs. shower pan with curtain. Plumbing would be very simple -- PVC drain through floor to bucket or portable gray water tank. Probably will use a pressurized garden sprayer filled with water heated on the stove for the water supply. I've searched this forum, but can't find enough specifics, so here are my questions:

How do you best waterproof a cargo trailer floor in a bathroom area? Not really interested in tile. Thought about something like this for a wet room:
http://www.driptite.com/washing_machine ... al_pan.htm

but fear the lip may be too low.

Would it be better just to bite the bullet and get a shower pan? (I have no experience with fiberglass, so doing my own would probably be more than I want to handle, for a questionable result). How hard are shower pans to install? Can the seal for the drain be made secure enough that it won't leak? Do you seal the floor first, and/or put some sort of liner between pan and floor?

I'd hate to have all the hard work that has been put into the trailer so far be ruined by a rotting bathroom. Happened in our old (and I do mean OLD) RV some years back. But it would be nice to be able to wash up comfortably.

Comments and suggestions greatly appreciated!
Robin

[eamarquardt]

I think it will be difficult to find one exactly the right size and configuration that you want. You could make your own by taking some 1/4" or so plywood for a base, add some 1X3 (or so) around the edge, give it several coats of oil based enamel, and it would probably last several years. Drying it with a towel after each use would really help to extend the useful life. Install it in such a way that it would be easy to replace. Put a layer of fiberglass and resin on the inside and it would last forever.

Cheers,

Gus

[jwhite]

I built a tile floor base and it looked good but it never drained right and it held moisture so I had to tear it out and was supprise at how much water damage I was going to have to deal with.
the shower pan is the way to go they do cost more but I am happy with the results,the main thing is they are made solid and will drain the water out most of the time,my trailer is not parked on level ground now and I have a little water in it but as soon as I move it it will all drain.
I bought mine like most of the things I bought off Ebay but on ebay you it may get a 2nd mine had a small chip on the corner but you really can tell it.
I was lucky when I planned the shower I had been looking at the shower pans so I built the shower the same size 2x3 so when I did buy the pan it would fit and it did.
I wound up wasteing money building the shower base with tile caulk ect,wasted money on stick down flouring that I had to replace and I wasted money on a portable AC. so you can learn alot from others mistakes and not make them yourself.

[accrete]

Greetings,

On RV shower pans not _fully_ draining...
My wife and i live in a 38ft mobile suite, beautiful and top quality in all areas...but if i don't get it level (even a fraction of the bubble from plum) we have to utilize a window squeegee after each shower to get the standing water out. No big deal, but it's not like living in a stick built in that respect!

On wet verses dry room...
While doing our van conversion what had that choice to make and went the dry-room shower-pan/shower-curtain route. 2 years into the rig and we are happy we went the dry design. It only takes a quick wipe down of the curtain and pan and all is clean and ready to fold away into a wall cabinet like the shower was never there. Once back home we take the curtains out and toss them in the laundry and no issues with mold/mildew.
_ _ _Most likely the dry-room/curtains is how we will proceed with our CTC conversion when the time comes. It's so easy to just fold it all up into a wall cabinet to make room for other uses (dressing, potty, etc) in a multifunction area.

Happy Trails,
Thom

[Robin Bobula]

Ok, so a shower pan is sounding like a better option than a wet room. Thom, what did you mean about folding the shower into a wall cabinet? I really like the concept, just can't picture how something could be made waterproof yet foldable. Do you have any pictures, or links to what you're talking about? Since the area will be used much more often for toilet and changing, it would be nice to have the floor space open most of the time.

Thanks,
Robin

[A Plus MM]

I wonder about framing up a wet room with a pitched floor to a drain and spray in Rhino Liner truck bed liner? You can pretty much get that in any color, it's totally waterproof and still slightly flexible. I believe there is some weight to it but not too much.

[d30gaijin]

Robin,

We originally intended to instal a shower in our 6x10 CT but later changed our minds to go with an outdoor shower, something we have yet to actually do, but here is the fiberglass indoor shower pan we bought and where we bought it (from my build thread):

"I bought the shower pan from http://tweetys.com/, specifically here: http://tweetys.com/shower-pan-24-x24-4-flange-frnt-ctr-drn.aspx they have other sizes available too, if 24" x 24" isn't big enough."

You can see pics of the shower pan here, page down about 2/3rds of the way and follow the thread: http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=38095&start=45

The pan wasn't all that expensive and there are multiple ways it could be used.

Don

[Wolfscout]

I have always had a desire to add a shower.. but in the time I've had my trailer, I've had yet to actually need my own shower. it would be more like... a added luxury.
I too think I would only do it as a outside shower, perhaps with curtain supported by the camper has been my drawn plan for some time. and Like Don, I've not gotten around to it as the needs not been that great.
We usually stay in campgrounds where there's always showers so far.

[Pyrofish]

The idea of building your own from plywood would work and reminded of a trick we once used on an old plywood pontoon boat deck. My dad stopped by a boat builder to ask if we could get some marine grade plywood (this was back in the 80's), and the guy said no, not really. All the wood was spoken for. Then he told us how to make the deck of the pontoon boat, which was in the water pretty much 100% of the time, last 15 years with minimal warping. You take fiberglass epoxy and roll it on with a paint roller IIRC, we did two coats as it really soaks into the wood. Once dry, you paint over it with some sand mixed into the paint for texture 15 years later that deck was a little warped, but still strong as ever.

So if you built your own shower pan to whatever your dimension... Just spit ballin here because I plan an outside shower. Do a 3'x3' piece with 1x on the bottom to keep it off the ground. No need for sides outside. Then 3 pieces of channel on the outside back door for it to slip into for travel. A couple of threaded floor flanges to hold up the curtain, water source of choice. I like it. Thanks for the idea!

[accrete]

Greetings Robin and all : )

My wife and i are gadget nuts and do lots of web searches for ideas... Here are two links to the seeds of what became our idea for the van conversion:

First the folding shower (ours is much simpler and i will explain)



We took that idea and created a simple ~$25 dollar version out of a contractors concrete mix tub ~24"x18"x8" from home depot and then two sets of shower curtains. The interior set that is only up during showers are two plastic curtains ~$5 that we replace once a year after several washings. The second set is always available clipped to the wall by simple hooks and are nice shower curtains in a complementary fabric to match our interior ACU Camo theme in the van...(sorry no pic of that side but here is a fun shot of the interior marine grade fabric and ACU camo):

cari did all the fabric install : )

And then here is the inspiration for our toilet that comes out from under the bed (think a storage cabinet or bottom of closet):
The Turtle Expedition "Turtle V"



Think fun and simple...going from dressing area (inside fabric shower curtains that one curtain rod gets moved from hooks on the wall to hooks on the ceiling) to toilet (pulled out) takes 30 seconds. Potty moved into hide mode, shower curtains clipped inside fabric curtains, shower pan from wall storage less than two minutes...get out 1 gallon pesticide sprayer, fill one kettle of room temp water + one kettle of boiling water ...another 5 minutes....and you have a nice ~105 degree pressurized shower that will last ~5 minutes with standard misting sprayer (our preferred method).

Have fun on the build!
Thom

[bikeopelli]

Robin,
I realize your desire is to install a shower in your camper but consider this...

Over the years I have been downsizing and downsizing until my camping is done with a 4x6 Haulmark 'Transporter'. Obviously an 'indoor' shower is not even an option but even if it were, I am pretty sure I would stay with what I have unless I went back up to a 40' Diesel Pusher... something that isn't likely to happen soon. Water has to be the most insidious substance on the planet, at least when it comes to campers. Enter the $40 Walmart Shower.
It is shown in its original 'storebought' form on the left. On the right is after my mods.
For the price this is a nifty little unit. Problem is, in its original incarnation, it is a nightmare to put together and takes waaaay too long. Look close at the poles/sleeves on the left, the the clips/poles on the right. This goes up/comes down now in just a coupla minutes.
Look at the left image again...For my water source I fill a 5 gallon bucket with water and let it sit in the sun. Just to the right of the bucket is a typical 12 volt diaphragm pump connected (inlet) to a plastic spigot and (output) one of those kitchen prayers with a long flexible line. (I had to modify the pump pressure (too high)... more info upon request)).
Take a shower, spray water all over the place, track it all around... who cares!

The water system also doubles as a water source for washing dishes, etc.

[bigbendhiker]

Bikeopelli,

Not meaning to hijack the thread, but I am curious about your 4x6 Haulmark trailer. How do you have it set up? Would be interested in seeing pictures of your trailer. I started out looking at a 4x6 a few years ago, then a 4x8, and finally settled on a 5x10.

[bikeopelli]

Bikeopelli,

Not meaning to hijack the thread...

Scott,
I just signed up up on this forum yesterday. I guess I have been operating in a vacuum as I had no idea how popular "CTC's" are. I live in No. California and have done a lot of camping up and down the Coast, the Sierra's, etc. and have never seen one other than mine.
Anyway, with your 5x10 I am sure you can do just a whole lot more stuff than I can. We have an attached awning that we use during the day and just use the Haulmark to sleep in, and of course, haul all our 'stuff'.
I would be interested to see what you have done so lets swap some images. To view one
of my Picasa albums, click here but before you do read this... Google has made it much more difficult to view the older Picasa albums (which are way better than Google+) but in order to view albums in Picasa you have to do the following. When you click on the link, wait a few seconds and you will see "Click here to go back to Picasa web albums" in a yellow background. Click the "here" to view, then click 'slideshow'.

[GuitarPhotog]

Robin,
I realize your desire is to install a shower in your camper but consider this...

Over the years I have been downsizing and downsizing until my camping is done with a 4x6 Haulmark 'Transporter'. Obviously an 'indoor' shower is not even an option but even if it were, I am pretty sure I would stay with what I have unless I went back up to a 40' Diesel Pusher... something that isn't likely to happen soon. Water has to be the most insidious substance on the planet, at least when it comes to campers. Enter the $40 Walmart Shower.
It is shown in its original 'storebought' form on the left. On the right is after my mods.
For the price this is a nifty little unit. Problem is, in its original incarnation, it is a nightmare to put together and takes waaaay too long. Look close at the poles/sleeves on the left, the the clips/poles on the right. This goes up/comes down now in just a coupla minutes.
Look at the left image again...For my water source I fill a 5 gallon bucket with water and let it sit in the sun. Just to the right of the bucket is a typical 12 volt diaphragm pump connected (inlet) to a plastic spigot and (output) one of those kitchen prayers with a long flexible line. (I had to modify the pump pressure (too high)... more info upon request)).
Take a shower, spray water all over the place, track it all around... who cares!

The water system also doubles as a water source for washing dishes, etc.

So what happens to the soapy water from your shower? You just let it run out on the ground? Doesn't that turn your shower area into a mud pit?

<Chas>

[Robin Bobula]

Bikeopelli, thanks for your question and photos. I also have one of those privacy tents, but as Chas noted, unless a wood pallet were placed on the ground inside, I'd end up standing in mud. But the main reason I feel I want some sort of wash up area is that my husband and I may end up staying in the trailer full time, and it will be more of a necessity than a luxury at that point. We can also take showers at the gym, but that's not always too convenient. I don't have to have a full, fiberglass shower unit, but need something that will do in a pinch. Outdoor showers in the colder months of the year wouldn't be practical here in PA.

Thanks,
Robin