Are motorhome showers any good? (9+ tips)

In this blog post, we will answer the following question: Are motorhome showers any good? We will explain how motorhome showers work and give you an honest review of their functionality. We will also give you a few fundamental tips on how to shower in a motorhome. 

Are motorhome showers any good?

Motorhome showers are good and lifesaving in many cases, but an honest answer would be that it depends on what you mean by “good”. Most motorhomes come equipped with a shower that is connected to a freshwater tank. You won’t find a shower in a small Class B motorhome or in a teardrop trailer, but most other models will have at least a small wet bath. 

The option to take a shower while camping can be a gift! It is not as simple an experience as you might think. It takes a lot of preparation and understanding to be able to shower in a motorhome. 

Here are a few basic tips that every motorhome owner should know before any trip:

1. The most important thing is that you can stand as straight as possible. This will allow you to have a natural position when taking a short bath.

2. Remember that resources are limited. You do not want to waste water that could be a valuable resource when you are in some paradisiacal place and away from the tourist crowds.  Water and food will determine how long you stay in a nice place … So you don’t waste it.

3. Always have a plastic bottle with water at the entrance of the vehicle. This will allow you to wash your feet before entering the camper. It will be very useful if you are on a beach and will help you save water.

4. Install an outdoor shower to be able to take a bath in the middle of nature. Needless to say, use biodegradable products.

5. If you can, build a small wooden platform, as a mat, so that when you bathe outside, you do not splash the earth or sand at your feet ….(This will also help you save water).

6. Some gas stations throughout America have full public restrooms, we mean having showers. A good way to identify them is because they always have a large lot next to them… So that truckers can park their large vehicles.

7. Make sure that your vehicle can offer you privacy, there is nothing more uncomfortable than taking a bath and believing that someone is watching. For that, install blinds or curtains to gain privacy.

8. If you are in a town or city, keep in mind that throwing water onto the public highway is not well seen. And in some cases, it is penalized by law. My recommendation is that you foresee this situation by installing a water storage tank under the motorhome, or failing that, once you shower, throw the water to a place designated for this.

9. A plastic curtain is much more useful than a fabric one…. The cloth one has to wait for it to dry to be able to store it … so the plastic one works very well. Also, it is very cheap and easy to use.

How do I refill the shower water in a motorhome?

Showering in the motorhome is one of the great advantages of this type of vehicle compared to other “camper” vehicles, however, the shower tank is limited and when we shower we quickly empty the stored water.

To recharge it you have the following possibilities:

1. Go to a motorhome rest area: These are spaces reserved for recharging water and other operations related to traveling by motorhome, such as emptying gray water or the toilet.

Some of these areas are services provided by the municipal councils and maybe free. At other times they cost between 2 – 5 dollars.

2. Gas stations: In most states there are gas stations that have spaces where you can fill up the water tank. It usually has a cost between 3 and 6 dollars.

3.  Campsites: Many campsites allow you to recharge the water in their facilities even if you do not spend the night in them. They usually have an approximate cost of 5 dollars and usually also have space for draining gray water and toilets.

4. Public water sources: Although it is not the best option, in a pinch we can always use cans of water that we can fill in public fountains and pour manually into the water tank of our motorhome.

Finally, not all motorhomes have the same water tank, they usually range between 100 and 150 liters.

Guide to the maintenance of a motorhome shower

It is one of the most important parts of any house and also in a motorhome: the bathroom. In this case, it becomes even more important given that these vehicles only have one and in most cases their space is reduced and their continuous use. How to keep the bathroom of a motorhome clean?

When buying a motorhome everything is new and shiny. It is in our hands to carry out regular cleaning and good maintenance of each of the spaces so that everything is always impeccable and lasts as long as possible.

Imagine that you are going to do a tour for a few days or weeks with friends or family, if there is a point that will suffer, especially that is the bathroom. It will be used continuously and showers, especially in summer, will multiply then how to keep a motorhome bathroom tidy and clean?

We have compiled some basic tips so that the bathroom of the motorhome does not become a nightmare when it comes to cleaning. You will see that it does not cost that much but be careful, a correct cleaning goes beyond passing a glass cleaner or splashing water on the floor …

• Make sure to use specialized products when you maintain and clean the bathrooms in your motorhome. As at home, it is important to keep the toilet clean and working properly, especially if you travel to campsites with basic or poor facilities in this regard.

• An external hatch allows the toilet cassette to be easily removed. These can get a bit dirty and smell bad if used regularly, but there are many products designed to keep them clean and help prevent limescale build-up.

• You can find tank cleaners that come in tablet form. When added to the cassette with the required amount of water and allowed to sit, they can have an instant and healthy effect. To keep the rubber seal between the cassette and the toilet in good condition, spray it with a special lubricant or rub it with a little olive oil.

• Plastic shower trays in a motorhome can be damaged. Cracks, chips, and fractures are common over time. Replacing a tray in its entirety can be expensive. However, there are companies that offer specialized repair services to fix motorhome showers. While you can opt for a “coating” that you can place inside the shower tray to protect it until you fix it completely.

• Of course, to avoid wear and tear on your shower tray, it is necessary to clean it repeatedly with products with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. The before and after results can be impressive.

• The sinks in the motorhome also require special care. Make sure to use special cleaning products for caravans or motorhomes, as the chemicals we use for household cleaning can damage plastic sinks. There are some that are used to clean the sink as well as the refrigerator inside.

Remember, carrying out regular cleaning of your bathroom is also essential for your health.

How showers in a motorhome work (explained)

A quick reminder first. When you fill the water in a service area or at your home, it is stored in a tank protected from light. This is where we come to draw water from the shower, the kitchen unit, and the flushing of the toilets using a 12 volt pump, which delivers the water to the tap via a network. of the pipeline.

Once used, the water is collected in a tank of almost the same capacity as that of clean water. It is usually located under the chassis of the vehicle. It should be emptied regularly in a collector in a service area when you go to fill up with water and empty the toilet cassette.

This is mandatory because the sewers that are commonly used for collecting rainwater are not treated. Make sure you always have a filling hose and a connection set to fill up with water.

What is the water capacity of a motorhome?

As with gas and electricity, your water autonomy will depend on the size of the tank, generally 100 to 130 liters, and your consumption. And it varies depending on the number of passengers on board.

It will not have escaped you, reading the sheets of new vehicles arriving on the market, to see flanged tanks from 1 to 30 liters!

In reality, these can receive a much greater volume of water, generally indicated in parentheses. But to respect the standards in force, concerning the maximum admissible mass MAM, and the empty weight of the vehicle, the majority of the manufacturers clamp the tanks.

This makes it possible to gain in payload, (the difference between the maximum admissible mass and the empty weight, but obliges motorhomes to drive with its low capacities …

How often should you fill your tanks with clean water?

By counting between 15 to 20 liters of water per day and per person (shower, dishes), you have to fill up more or less with water every 3 or 4 days. Some are of course, more economical! It is also easy to assess your consumption by monitoring the water control panel.

How to save water in the motorhome?

• Do not leave the tap open unnecessarily.
• Take short showers.
• Bring bottles or a water fountain for consumption.
• Use a jerry can, with 20 liters of drinking water, from which you can draw water for dishes, cleaning, or for troubleshooting.

Conclusions

In final words, we wanted to highlight your advantages if your motorhome is equipped with a shower! And here are a few final tips on maintaining and making the best of your motorhome shower:

• Prevent the appearance of new stains with a window protection product.
• Clean the walls and the glass door with a shower squeegee after each toilet.
• Let the water run before getting out of the shower to drain any dirt.
• Clean the air in the bathroom after each use by leaving the door ajar.

Do you have any questions or comments on the content? Let us know!

Other FAQs about Motorhomes  that you may be interested in.

Are older motorhomes worth buying?

How do you fix a hole in a motorhome?

How many miles will a diesel motorhome last?

References

• Showers in Motorhomes | MotorhomeFun
• How Do Showers Work In A Motorhome? – CrazyTroll.no
• How to take an RV shower using very little water – YouTube