CK5
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Road Shower...
- Thread starter Big Ray
- Start date
rampage
3/4 ton status
$300 !?!? 
I can build one for $10 with some PVC and a couple fittings from the hardware store in 20 mins. Or does that one include the bikini clad model?
I can build one for $10 with some PVC and a couple fittings from the hardware store in 20 mins. Or does that one include the bikini clad model?
Hook up your on board air for better pressure.
I imagine that one heats better than a PVC one. Buying the black ABS pipe would help, but plastic is still a good insulator. It does seem like an aluminum tube on the roof rack would cool a lot while driving, though. There are some great Australian systems that use a water-water heat exchanger with the engine coolant and an electric pump. You can park next to a river or bring up a bucket of water. Again, you can replicate these, since home brewing has brought the cost of heat exchangers down, but it still won't be like hillbilly cheap. The best one I saw used air-type quick connect fittings on the vehicle and a temperature regulating valve. The problem is that the temp is fine as long as water keeps flowing, but when you stop the water mid shower (army style) the water gets super hot for a couple seconds.
The super cheap method I've used is to fill a $12 solar shower bag as soon as getting to camp and putting it on the intake manifold. After dinner, the lake/river water is at least up to ambient. Then you put the bag on the roof rack and let gravity deliver the water. Of course you can also heat water on your camp stove or campfire and add hot to the bag.
It's best to fill your water up and carry it all day since that gets it to room temp, but of course you need a water carrier that you trust not to leak, or just use a rear mount jerry can or something.
The super cheap method I've used is to fill a $12 solar shower bag as soon as getting to camp and putting it on the intake manifold. After dinner, the lake/river water is at least up to ambient. Then you put the bag on the roof rack and let gravity deliver the water. Of course you can also heat water on your camp stove or campfire and add hot to the bag.
It's best to fill your water up and carry it all day since that gets it to room temp, but of course you need a water carrier that you trust not to leak, or just use a rear mount jerry can or something.
I had a Coleman camping shower that worked well. Heater ran off a one lb propane bottle and 4 d batteries and could pump from a 5 gallon bucket. Also had a 12v hook up.
He does, paging Richard, Richard to the garage 
I have the Road Shower. It is a little pricey and it was given to me as a gift before my last road trip last summer from my grandmother who wanted to make sure I stayed extra clean.
I only used it a few times. It does heat up well and the tank holds decent pressure. I pressurized it in September for a trip and didn't use it. I went to take it off my truck in November and there was still plenty of air. You do have to mount them mostly flat to get them to work right. Also, the brackets they come with are garbage. I made new ones out of 1/4 inch flat stock.
The cheap plastic bag solar showers also seem to heat up decent.
I only used it a few times. It does heat up well and the tank holds decent pressure. I pressurized it in September for a trip and didn't use it. I went to take it off my truck in November and there was still plenty of air. You do have to mount them mostly flat to get them to work right. Also, the brackets they come with are garbage. I made new ones out of 1/4 inch flat stock.
The cheap plastic bag solar showers also seem to heat up decent.
owenst7
1/2 ton status
Check out Sunvelope. They're made here in Reno. I've checked out their facility. Really cool and simple idea. I will most likely get one of their small motorhome sized units eventually for camping.
runamok151
1 ton status
I just take a bar of Ivory soap to the nearest lake or stream to wash and I keep a 2 gal. garden sprayer in the truck incase I need a little pressurized water. Total cost about $30. Silly me.
Hope no one downstream from you needs drinking water...
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Up here if you tried bathing in a stream or river,even during the summer,you'd risk "significant shrinkage"..the water stays icy cold in many streams and rivers around here!..
....Up here if you tried bathing in a stream or river,even during the summer,you'd risk "significant shrinkage"..the water stays icy cold in many streams and rivers around here!..
Not saying I don't do this when there is warm(-ish) water around, but come jump in Lake Superior in June and you'll agree that another plan is needed.
runamok151
1 ton status
Up here if you tried bathing in a stream or river,even during the summer,you'd risk "significant shrinkage"..the water stays icy cold in many streams and rivers around here!..
Not saying I don't do this when there is warm(-ish) water around, but come jump in Lake Superior in June and you'll agree that another plan is needed.
Shouldn't be a problem. I grew up swimming and bathing in Seymour Lake in NE Vermont. The spring water fed creek was 42* all year round and we'd play in that for hours.
I waded into the Mad River in NH when I camped out there once (In Campton NH),it was about 95 degrees with a dew point of about 70 ,and after a few minutes in the frigid waters,I had to be helped out by other people back to my tent,where I sat out in the hot sun a good hour before my teeth stopped chattering!..
In ponds and lakes around here though,they were very warm,depending on the depth..
I guess its all relative and how used you are to local conditions..
In ponds and lakes around here though,they were very warm,depending on the depth..
I guess its all relative and how used you are to local conditions..
