Van with shower

Why add a shower to a compact travel rig

A van with shower offers self sufficiency, privacy, and routine on long trips. It removes campground lines from your day and makes dawn starts or late arrivals painless. The tradeoffs are space, weight, and complexity, so success comes from sizing the system to your habits rather than building a house bathroom inside a rolling cabin. Simple, reliable, and easy to clean beats oversized and fussy in a tight footprint.

Wet bath vs dry bath

• Wet bath: The entire enclosure gets wet. It uses a smaller footprint, lighter materials, and a single drain pan. Expect faster clean up and lower weight.
• Dry bath: Separate shower and toilet areas stay dry during use. It adds comfort but costs more volume, weight, and build time.
• Curtain pods and folding walls can mimic a dry feel inside a wet bath footprint by shielding the toilet and cabinets during a rinse.

Shower time and water math

A typical efficient shower uses 1 to 2 gallons per minute. With a low flow head and a marine style pause valve, many travelers rinse with 1 to 3 gallons per shower. For two people over two days, plan roughly 8 to 12 gallons. Fresh tank capacity should also cover cooking and drinking, so a common range is 20 to 40 gallons for compact vans. Grey tanks often match or trail fresh capacity by 20 to 30 percent if some water is dispersed externally for dishes in camp where allowed.

Space and layout decisions that work

In a short wheelbase, a corner wet bath or a midship shower across from the galley can keep the aisle open. In long wheelbase platforms, a rear bath can double as a mud room with a floor drain, vents, and hooks for wet gear. The key is preserving flow from slider to bed and kitchen while keeping weight low and centered.

Pans, drains, and waterproofing

• Use a formed pan with a single low point and trap to reduce odors. A sloped floor under the pan improves drainage on uneven ground.
• Waterproof walls with composite panels or sealed laminate over a continuous membrane. Avoid unsealed wood inside the enclosure.
• Seal every penetration with marine grade sealant and backer. A single missed screw hole is where leaks start.

Doors, curtains, and light

Rigid doors give privacy and control splashes but take more space. Folding doors and curtains save inches and can be replaced easily. Use a light colored interior and a translucent roof vent to keep the space bright, which helps with cleaning and morale on rainy days.

Water, heat, airflow, and hygiene

A van with shower lives and dies by moisture control. Good airflow, warm water on demand, and clean surfaces keep the space fresh day after day.

Hot water options

• On demand propane heater: Compact and efficient, it needs careful venting and gas safety planning.
• Engine based heat exchanger: Free heat while you drive, plus a small electric element or booster for stationary use.
• Electric boiler: Quiet and simple when paired with a robust battery and shore power plan. Recovery time matters, so size for actual use.

Ventilation and humidity control

Run a roof fan during and after showering. A dedicated vent or louver near the enclosure helps steam escape quickly. In cold climates, warm the space before showering and keep towels dry with a small air gap and consistent airflow. A squeegee and microfiber cloth reduce lingering moisture, which slows mildew.

Tanks, filtration, and waste

Fresh water should pass through sediment and carbon filters to protect heaters and fixtures. Grey water needs a vented tank with an accessible cleanout. Where toilets are present, many travelers pair a wet bath with a cassette or composting unit to avoid black tanks in small vans. If you include a black tank, plan for service access and accurate level monitoring.

Winter use and freeze protection

Insulate lines, route plumbing inside conditioned space, and add heat pads to tanks if you camp below freezing. Draining the system after trips prevents freeze damage. Keep a small backup water container inside for cold snaps when the main lines are winterized.

Weight, center of gravity, and service

Use composite wall panels, aluminum frames, and compact fixtures to keep mass down. Keep tanks low and near the axle to preserve handling. Design panels for service access to valves, filters, and fittings. A few minutes saved in daily use is worth more than a complex feature that is hard to maintain.

Budget ranges and tradeoffs

A basic indoor shower with a curtain, formed pan, and on demand heater can be cost effective. Full dry bath designs with solid doors, tile style panels, and premium fixtures raise the budget. Spend where performance matters most such as waterproofing, heat, and ventilation. Fixtures and trim can be updated later, but hidden layers must be right on day one.

Cleanability and daily habits

Choose smooth wall panels and minimal seams for quick wipe downs. Keep a designated squeegee and vent routine after each use. Treat the space like a gear wash on muddy days and a quick rinse booth on travel days. Consistent small habits prevent odors, stains, and corrosion.

Custom solutions with OZK Customs

When you are ready to turn a plan into a dependable build, our team can integrate compact wet baths, sealed enclosures, and right sized water and power systems into a complete package. Explore our recreational vans to see how layouts, storage, and utility come together. If you want a from scratch layout tailored to your travel style, start with our custom build van path. Looking for a platform that can finance and move quickly, review our mainstream vans options and then dial in the bath system that fits.

Tell us how you travel, how often you shower on the road, and what climate you chase. We will design and install a moisture safe, easy to clean shower that fits your layout, power, and water plan, then hand you a ready to roam van. Reach out today to schedule a consult and get a build plan in motion.