Do caravans have showers? (Yes or No?)
By
Elaine Knight
In this article, we answer the following question: Do caravans have showers? We give you 7+ tips for travelling in a motorhome, especially if you decided to take a trip abroad. Read carefully through our list to get the insights of living in a caravan.
Do caravans have showers?
Except for some smaller camper vans, all motorhomes and caravans have a bathroom that includes a toilet, shower and sink, all in just one square meter.
The toilet’s “cistern” system is not like that of a house, since it has a small lever for access to the sewage tank, as well as a small discharge of water for cleaning. For the shower, the same tap is usually used for the sink.
As a tip, when travelling with a caravan it is advisable to bring bathrobes instead of towels to dry off after showering. Why? The reason is simple. If the shower is done inside the caravan, with the bathrobe you will avoid staining the floor with the water that runs down your arms and legs. And if you cool off in the showers at a campsite, it is much more comfortable to dry off in a bathrobe.
Although bathroom cabins vary in size and structure, no matter how isolated the water area is from the locker room, clothes always end up getting wet. The bathrobe will allow you to go to the bathrooms with only it on, and when you leave you can do the same to get dressed inside your caravan and avoid moving your clean clothes to the shower. A flashlight, mixer, and toolbox are also most useful.
Travelling by motorhome is a unique experience. The independence provided by moving “snail style”, that is, with the entire house in tow, is a delight for the more adventurous. Besides, motorhomes free their occupants from the classic worries: where to sleep, where to eat, where to rest.
Calculate your water reserves
The current motorhomes allow normal life in them for 2 days. This calculation is made taking into account the usual consumption of drinking water of four people, one short shower per person and the daily use of the toilet.
After that time, you will likely have to spend the night at a campsite to provide the vehicle with drinking water and electricity – to charge the batteries of mobile phones, cameras or video cameras and other devices – as well as to empty the dirty water tank.
In some motorway service areas, they have water jets to be able to fill the cans of the motorhome, and some even have a place to pour the chemical toilet or greywater – those collected from the sinks and the kitchen sink -. Remember that it is forbidden to empty both grey and black water in any place not authorized for it.
Other things you should know before travelling with a caravan
Kitchen and household items
If the trip is made in a rental caravan, the company may provide an extra household service. It will include sheets and a wide range of kitchen supplies, such as pans, pots and cutlery.
This service is charged separately and normally you have to sign insurance with which they penalize if on the return any of the elements provided are broken or damaged. If you plan to make more than one trip in a motorhome or you prefer not to pay this supplement, you can bring your materials from home.
You must not forget: On the first trip that is made with this means of transport, you are always a rookie: you do not know exactly how much space you have and you are not fully aware of the needs that this vehicle entails. That is why we recommend that you do not forget your pillows. These accessories are not included in the rent, and if you forget them it is possible that you spend the nights uncomfortable and do not get enough rest to enjoy the trip.
Foreign tolls
Gathering prior information before going on a trip is key. Depending on the place you visit, you may have to pay tolls or buy vignettes. The vignettes are stickers to indicate that the ITV has passed.
It is very common in countries such as Bulgaria, Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Switzerland or the Czech Republic, and are the documents that prove that you have paid the tax for the use of the highways.
Here you can see the place where they are placed depending on the country you visit. Find out about the types of vignettes that exist, since depending on the country it is allowed to pay for days of stay or weeks. The fines for travelling without this vignette are very high, so do not risk it.
Vehicle controls
Within the European Union, border controls are practically nil. It will be exceptional if they ask for your passport when you change the country. However, if you are going to get on trains or boats with your motorhome, it is very common for the Police to come up to inspect the vehicle.
When using the Channel Tunnel, for example, in addition to answering a fairly lengthy form on the type of gas that is transported for cooking, heating, etc., officers board the vehicle to make sure there are no irregularities. Apart from the discomfort that the fact that they invade the privacy of your “piggyback house” supposes, it does not result in major problems.
Where to park the motorhome
Urban centres do not usually allow the entry of motorhomes. Normally, the historic centres tend to be full of narrow and very busy streets, so it is more than advisable to find a good parking lot away from the centre to leave the vehicle.
If you have spent the night at the campsite, the best option is not to move the vehicle and travel to the city by public transport. It is very common that near the campsites there are bus, metro or tram stops that take you to the centre of the city that you are wanting to know.
Storage in your caravan
One of the great advantages of travelling by motorhome is the freedom of not having to search for a place to eat every day. Although some days you get carried away by the pleasure of the typical gastronomy of the place, the economic savings are very high if you consume products made by yourself.
The trunk of the motorhome is quite spacious, so you can carry canned provisions or preserves of your favourite foods. Peas, bean stew, potted legumes, cookies, juices, milk cartons, fried tomato, or pineapple and peach in syrup –for desserts– are options that will get you out of more than one hurry.
Take them neatly in boxes so they do not shift around curves. It is also advisable to keep a count of the provisions with which the trip began and those that are being consumed. As for meats and fish – more difficult to find canned if they are not pickled – you can take the opportunity they offer you to visit local markets and buy them in them.
In case of emergency
If unfortunately, you suffer a robbery –or attempted robbery–, do not hesitate to go to the Police to file a complaint. This type of crime is very common in service areas and gas stations and you should spend the night in campsites. Remember that the 112 emergency telephone number works throughout Europe with the same number, and they have a translator service with which they pass calls as soon as they notice that the native language is not spoken.
For your safety
As tempting as it is, travellers are not allowed to lie on the beds of the motorhome while driving. All vehicle users must be seated and wearing the seat belt. In motorhomes for six people, in addition to the pilot and passenger seats, four other seats are placed around a table, which must be folded during the trip.
It is recommended that children or people who get dizzy easily sit in the two seats that are arranged in the same direction as the road.
Conclusions
In this article, we answered the following question: Do caravans have showers? We gave you 7+ tips for travelling in a motorhome, especially if you decided to take a trip abroad. Read carefully through our list to get the insights of living in a caravan.
To resume, yes, almost all caravans have showers, kitchens, bedrooms and usually a living room. Depending, of course, on the size and the model of the caravan, you can get more or less living space.
There are many motorhomes out there to choose from, so if you are thinking of taking a long trip with a caravan, consider all the benefits and the cons of buying/renting a motorhome.
If you have any questions or comments on the content, please let us know!
FAQ on Do caravans have showers?
How does a caravan water heater work?
A caravan water heater is usually dual-fuel with a capability of using mains electricity or LPG or, quite often, both at once for faster heating. Some caravans water heaters also provide the heat inside the caravan.
Do caravans have toilets?
Yes, many caravans and motorhomes have toilets, sinks and showers. The toilets inside a caravan are supplied with their wheels for ease of transportation
Why is my hot water not working in my caravan?
The most common reason why the hot water is not working in a caravan is a broken thermostat. You need to first check if the fuse has no issues, otherwise, you have to change the thermostat.
What is the most expensive caravan?
Among the most expensive caravans are the Sunland Phoenix Federation 25ft ($250,000); Spectrum RV 36ft Emerald Coast ($250,000) ; Bushtracker 24ft ($220-250,000); Bruder X EXP-6 GT ($183,000-plus); Kimberley Kruiser T3 ($175,000).
Is buying a caravan a good idea?
Buying a caravan is a good idea if you love to travel and the idea of being on the road excites you. However, keep in mind that it is pricey to acquire a caravan. It is also essential to think about whether you have a place where the caravan can be parked since they are large vehicles and need a place protected from the cold and heat.
References
Motorhomedepot.com
Rvtrader.com
Escapecampervans.com
Tripsavvy.com
Cruiseamerica.com
