There is nothing like a missing toilet and shower in a YouTube video to get the commenters commenting. However adding one – or both can add quite a bit of complexity to your system.

Fortunately there are a range of ways to avoid getting too complicated with your van conversion. I will go through these options first and then show you how to build in a proper toilet and shower should you wish to.

Non built-in Shower options

Built in showers take up space, need special systems for water heating, a larger water tank and a grey-water system. Typically a built in shower has a built-in toilet (if you are using the space, why not?).

However, if you do not want to build a large vertical cupboard which you use for only a few minutes a day then here are a whole range of options you can use.

Option 1. Solar shower out the back of the van

I used this for 3 years in my first van. I would leave the Solar Shower in the front of the van to heat up during the day and if I want a shower I hang it on the back doors, use a shower curtain held on by magnets and have a shower.

It is OK. In winter, if the weather is bad or cold it is less then ideal but you can always put a saucepan of hot water into the shower bag and it takes the edge of the cold – making a shower pretty OK.

Option 2. Weed killer bottle

You can use a pressurized weed killer bottle like this one. Do not use a second hand or used one for washing your body – weed killer tends to be incredibly toxic. Again, with this option you can put in warmed up water.

Option 3. Solar roof rack

These are pretty good if you are travelling in warm and sunny places. They are not very stealthy but can be a really effective ways to deliver hot water for showering. Filling them does need a hose though which is not the best system for those travelling off the grid.

Option 4. Bucket / battery powered showers

This electronic product simply pumps it up to the nozzle from a bucket. You could also use a metal bucket and warm the water-up direct from the hob. This is a simple and cost effective system and the unit charges via USB.

Option 5. Portable gas-powered portable shower 

These systems can be fitted to the back of your van and can be connected up to a gas bottle and are for outside use only (not suitable – or safe - for permanent internal shower)

I used the ‘Eccotemp L5’ Portable Outdoor Tankless Water Heater. You can find them in Europe and the US through different suppliers. I chose this unit because it was vertically small (so it would fit under the bed) and would do the job.

I removed the grey handle and made a frame to mount the shower.

It is important to note that this cannot be installed inside your van. I did this nevertheless because I can only use it when the backdoors are wide open. Therefore when the gas burns and the poisonous gasses vent – they also go outside.

I created a heat shield to stop the

heat and moisture from burned gas from going into the bed for obvious reasons.. I used 1.5mm aluminum sheet and bent it to fit – however it would also be possible to mount it in such a way that it did not vent into the bed if your metal working skills are not up to scratch.

VIDEO GUIDE

The gas shower is simply attached to the LPG gas line and the waterline coming from the pump. When you turn on the shower, the pump fires up, and the two DD batteries in the shower ignite the gas and you have hot water.

The shower came with a gas hose attached to a regulator. I already has a regulator so I simply cut the hose (to keep the fittings that went directly onto the shower unit) and got a 8mm-8mm hose adaptor and connected it into my gas system.

I could not find a one-piece male-male 8mm adaptor in my local hardware shop is I screwed these two parts together using Gas PTFE tape.

After years of looking at vans and living in a van I think this is the best middle ground without sacrificing the space – and feel of a van for a   built in shower cubicle.

The shower is hot – whenever I want it making it a significant level up compared to the solar shower.

Built in shower – Pros, Cons & How to install one

It probably seems crazy to a lot of people why you would not have a shower and toilet in the van. So if you decide you want a full on shower room in your van - fair play!

We have made this video guide with the help of Calan & Megan who’s build we featured on my channel.

VIDEO GUIDE

If I wanted a shower and a toilet I would choose a larger shower tray & use it to store a portable cassette toilet.

Build the frame

Your frame is entirely built around the size of the shower tray and the orientation of your shower within the van.

Simply build it using stud-work like you have many other parts of your van.

The water heating system

There are a lot of options but here is a pretty simple route to go down.

Fix your pipes to adapters (the exact type will depend on the plumbing standards for your

region) any good hardware store will be able to advise. This could also go straight into a mixer tap-unit.

Pipe & connection type

Plumbing wise, push fit connectors are the way forward. Push fit connectors come in plastic and metal.

The best size to go for is 12mm (perhaps half-inch in US) as you can get all of the connector shapes and angles you want, it gives the right amount of flow and you can easily get push- fit to domestic size adapters in the same size.

It can be a little trickier in other sizes – the easiest thing is to go to a plumbing supplier and get someone to help you pick out the parts that are all compatible.

Rigid plastic pipe is a better option; softer polyurethane pipe can kink, pierce easily and is prone to faster algae growth.

Here is a good overview video about push-fit pipes;

5. Glue in shower tray, you may need to add some wood below it to support Be sure that it is well supported and sits well when placed.

• Glue it in with sikaflex or similar sealing adhesive. I would be quite generous with the adhesive.

6. Add Shower Wall – I would recommend using plastic shower wall as it is easy to cut and can give a durable and nice

• If you are adding a curved top – the plastic board can be scored (outer layer cut) from behind to allow it to
• Plastic shower walls come with a range of corner options which should be used to create a nice effect and a better seal
  • Here is a good explanation video:

7. Door & sealing – there are probably a hundred ways to seal your door. I would recommend looking at the plastic panel manufacturer’s options for seals and edgings  as there may be some good

Otherwise, here is a simple method using a slightly extended wall panel

The door is made with a simple frame – the front and back (perhaps thin ply on outerside & shower wall on the inside). By including trims and some rubber seal you can probably make the door waterproof quite easily. Magnetic shower seals are also available.

It is helpful to have some kind of catch or lock to hold your door shut while you are inside it!

At the floor level built in a step and again look at rubber sealing options – this will depend on the configuration of your door. But you want to make sure that the water will not run down the door and out the bottom of it into your van!

Shower Heater Installation

GAS WARNING! Again, get it done by an expert if you do not know what you are doing. At absolute minimum get it checked – gas & faulty heater flue systems can kill you!

You must have your heater adequately and safely vented – if you do not the heater will burn up all the oxygen in the van and give you carbon monoxide poisoning which can kill you.

UK