One of the most important parts of living on the road is figuring out how and where you are going to wash yourself, especially if you have someone else with you in your van. Whether it's just a quick nip in a lake or a full blown power shower, it's something you definitely need to consider for life on the road. In this article we will look at a variety of simple campervan shower ideas. We will examine a campervan shower diagram, and go deep on the installation of an indoor campervan shower cubicle.
Index
Shane, the founder of The Van Conversion, is a campervan professional dedicated to helping people transform ordinary vans into homes on wheels. He authored Roaming Home and teaches The Van Conversion Course, guiding many people through their van builds. Shane also writes The Van Conversion Newsletter, where he shares practical tips and insights. After completing two van builds and living on the road full-time since 2020, he is passionate about sharing his expertise with others.
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Our Top Picks
We discuss many campervan shower options in this article. For a quick summary, these are our top picks.
Best Diesel Combi Heater
We love the diesel combi air and water heaters from Webasto. Webasto are an excellent UK-based manufacturer who also make highly-regarded diesel-fuelled air heaters. These kits have a high upfront cost on the face of it, but the fact that they combine a water heater and space heater means they end up saving you money whilst simplifying your installation.
Best Combined Water Heater and Shower
Hybrid heaters like the Webasto are comparatively expensive and form a part of an integrated water heating system like what you have at home. A simpler, all-in-one option that's also cheaper is a portable tankless water heater and shower, like those made by Camplux. This is an all-in-one unit that incorporates a tankless LPG water heater and shower, plus an appropriate water pump. Camplux make both indoor and outdoor versions, so make sure you buy the right one for your installation.
Supplies List
| Your chosen water heater |
 | |
 | Drain for the shower |
 | Remove humidity from the shower room |
 | Allows air flow for the extractor fan |
 | |
 | A concealed bracket for mounting the shower mixing valve |
 | 2X Hepvo valve For preventing bad odors from coming up the shower and sink drain |
Campervan Shower Diagram
Before we hop into the main article and look at some campervan shower ideas, here is a campervan shower diagram.
Do You Need a Campervan Shower?
In the Roaming Home 2023 study, we found that 69% of people have a shower of some sort installed in their van conversion. Of those, the slight majority have an indoor shower.
Do you need a permanent campervan shower cubicle inside your van? For most people the answer is probably no. However, there are a few scenarios where it could be very useful.
You should consider installing a permanent campervan shower cubicle if you meet one or more of these criteria:
You live for extended periods of time very off-grid
You have at minimum a high roof, long wheel base van
You can commit to having a >70L fresh water tank and large grey water tank - it takes up a lot of space! The average person uses 70L of water per shower in a house
You spend a lot of time in cold, wet climates
You have the cash available - all the plumbing supplies can be expensive
After a wet, cold, and muddy hike, a campervan shower is an incredible luxury. But in most cases, an indoor campervan shower cubicle is more of a nice-to-have rather than necessity.
Luckily, there are many alternative campervan shower ideas; let’s explore some of them.
Showering away from your campervan
Freshwater Swims
By far the cheapest and also the most courageous form of shower is to simply go for a dip in the closest body of fresh water.
Many beaches have public showers that you can use at any time of the day or night after your dip and many also have public toilets. But be warned, they are rarely heated showers. A cold shower in the freezing wind after a sea swim in Irish winter is bone chilling and not for the faint hearted.
Petrol Station Showers
The showers available at petrol stations, service stations, and truck stops are one of the best ways of keeping clean whilst on the road.
Gym Showers
If you are staying in one place with your van for a while, it might be worth considering joining a gym to get access to their showers (and gym facilities). Some gyms have multiple locations (eg. Anytime Fitness), so you can use them wherever you travel. There are also apps like Hussle which give you access to many different gyms around the globe.
Campsites
A campsite is one of the better options to go with if you are travelling around with your van. Not only do you get to meet people and have a cosy lot for the night, but you get to shower too. Park4Night is a fantastic free app for finding campsites in your vicinity.
Campervan Shower Ideas
12V Portable Shower
The 12V portable shower is a shower head attached to a submersible pump. It is predominantly an outdoor shower, suited mostly to warmer climates. Here’s how to use one:
Hang up the shower head somewhere on the van (I installed a hook on the back door and some shower curtains).
Boil up a kettle of water & pour it into a bucket (with some cold water).
Stick the pump in the bucket.
Enjoy your 2 minute shower (you'll need about 5 litres for 2 minutes).
Immersion Rod Heating
Instead of having to boil water in a kettle to get hot water for the shower, I recommend adding an immersion rod to your campervan shower kit. Simply stick the immersion rod in the bucket of water and in just a few minutes you'll have warm water. Some immersion rods take a high wattage, so ensure your inverter can handle the one you choose.
I worked out (based on an 1.5kW aquarium heater) that: if we wanted to heat 10L of water to shower temp (34 degrees), it would take 9 minutes. If you want to work it out yourself, this is the formula I used:
(4.2 × L × T ) ÷ 3600 = Pt
Pt = Power used to heat the water in kilowatt hours
L = litres of water you are heating - in my case 10L
T = The temperature difference you are heating eg. from 14°C to 34°C = 20°C
Shower Bag
This is a pretty unique type of shower system, though not the best for colder climates. The concept is that you hang the bag of water out during the day and it heats up in the sun. If it isn't very warm, you could always fill it with a bit of hot water like the shower pump system. Just stand underneath, open the nozzle and enjoy.
Water Heating Time for Different Heater Types
Seeing as I had already figured out the formula for heating time with an immersion rod, I decided to figure out the heating time (from 14°C to 34°C) of a bunch of popular water heating methods. Below are the results:
Heater Type | Power (Wattage) | Water Volume (Liters) | Time to Heat from 14°C to 34°C (Minutes) |
Electric Tankless Heater | 6 kW | 10 L | 2.8 minutes |
20 L | 5.6 minutes | ||
Electric Tank Heater | 1.5 kW | 10 L | 11.1 minutes |
20 L | 22.2 minutes | ||
Gas-Powered Tankless Heater | 10 kW | 10 L | 1.7 minutes |
20 L | 3.4 minutes | ||
Diesel Water Heater | 5 kW | 10 L | 5.6 minutes |
20 L | 11.1 minutes | ||
Portable 12V Immersion Rod | 1 kW | 10 L | 16.7 minutes |
20 L | 33.3 minutes | ||
Solar Water Heater | Varies (Sunlight) | 10-20 L | 60-120 minutes (depending on sun exposure) |
Summary of Findings:
Gas-Powered Tankless Heaters offer the fastest heating times due to their high power output, making them ideal for quick showers.
Electric Tank Heaters are slower, especially at lower wattages, but they can still be practical with moderate power usage.
Diesel Heaters are more efficient than electric but slower than gas.
12V Immersion Rods are the slowest, taking around 16 minutes for a modest 10L volume, making them impractical for immediate use. Note that this is using a 1kW immersion rod.
Solar Heaters depend heavily on sunlight, with heating times varying significantly based on weather conditions.
Campervan Shower Venting: Impact of Humidity on Mold Formation
Mold thrives in high humidity environments, typically when relative humidity exceeds 60%. The growth of mold is especially pronounced in enclosed spaces like campervans, where limited ventilation can lead to moisture buildup.
Key conditions for mold formation include:
Humidity above 60%.
Temperatures between 20°C to 30°C.
Poor air circulation.
Prolonged moisture exposure (e.g., condensation, leaks).
According to studies, mold growth can begin within 24-48 hours in conditions where humidity is not properly managed, particularly on porous surfaces such as wood, fabrics, or even behind insulation. For example:
At 80% humidity, mold grows much faster due to moisture absorption by materials.
Lower humidity (<50%) can drastically reduce the ability of mold spores to take hold and spread.
Reducing Humidity with Extractor Fans and Vents
Extractor Fans
Extractor fans work by actively removing moisture-laden air from enclosed spaces. This prevents condensation and reduces humidity, making it harder for mold to form. Specifically:
Air exchange rates provided by extractor fans help maintain optimal indoor humidity levels of 30-50%.
A fan with a flow rate of 100 cubic feet per minute (CFM) can effectively reduce humidity after a shower or while cooking in a campervan, as these activities release significant amounts of moisture.
Vents
Vents facilitate passive airflow, allowing fresh air to enter while pushing humid air out. This constant circulation:
Prevents moisture buildup, keeping humidity levels low.
Reduces stagnant air pockets where mold could thrive.
The Maxxair Maxxfan Deluxe is our campervan roof vent of choice. Read more about roof vents in our full guide.
Data on Humidity Reduction
When using an extractor fan rated at 100 CFM in a 30-cubic-foot campervan shower cubicle, humidity levels can drop from 90% to 50% within 5 minutes, especially after a shower. In contrast, spaces without ventilation can take hours to naturally reduce humidity, significantly increasing the risk of mold.
Table: Humidity vs. Mold Risk
Humidity Level | Mold Growth Risk | Time for Mold Growth |
<50% | Low | Not likely |
50-60% | Moderate | 24-48 hours |
60-80% | High | 12-24 hours |
>80% | Very High | <12 hours |
By installing both extractor fans and vents in your campervan, you can effectively maintain a low-humidity environment, drastically minimizing the risk of mold while improving overall air quality and comfort.
How to Install a Campervan Shower Cubicle
Step 1: Choose an appropriate location to install the campervan shower unit
Ideally, before you have even started your van conversion, you will have designed it in high fidelity on paper or with CAD software. You should already know where your shower will be installed.
Note: Before finalising the precise location of the campervan shower cubicle, you need to check what is underneath the van and on the roof. Why? Because you need to cut a hole in the floor for the drain pipe and a hole in the roof for a small extractor fan. Triple check your measurements - don't drill into anything important.
There are three popular locations for installing an indoor shower in a campervan. A picture paints a thousand words, so here are some photos to illustrate those locations.
Step 2: Install the campervan water system
Before you install the campervan shower unit, you should already have most of the water system set up. Here is a complete guide to camper water system installation.
Notably, you need:
You will need hot and cold water PEX pipes running to the location of your campervan shower unit.
Step 3: Install the campervan shower tray and drain
Once you are sure the location you have chosen is suitable, you can go ahead and install the shower tray. Most people will buy a pre-built shower tray rather than make one - it is PVC shaped quite specifically.
There are two types of campervan shower trays:
If you are going to be installing a toilet anyway, then the campervan shower and toilet tray is probably a good idea.
Campervan shower tray preparation: First drill a hole through the shower tray. This hole allows us to run our drain pipe to the underslung grey water tank.
Note: Some campervan shower trays may require wood support struts to even out the height (see following photo). You can attach the wood to the PVC shower tray with SikaFlex sanitary sealant.
Drain installation: Next install the drain assembly into the shower tray. Run some Sikaflex sanitary sealant on the top and bottom of the shower tray drainage hole, then tighten the drain assembly into the hole. You may also want to use plumber’s putty for a super watertight connection.
A drain assembly usually has a rubber o-ring grommet on each side of the drain to help get a seal. Hand-tight will do.
HepVo valve: You should install a HepVo valve between the shower drain and the grey water tank. This prevents bad odours and water from coming back up the drain.
If you choose to install the HepVo valve inside the van, you must raise the campervan shower tray off the ground by a few inches - like the image shown below.
The other option is to run the shower drain assembly straight through the floor of the van and install the HepVo valve on the underside of the vehicle.
Drill the drainage hole: Next we need to drill a hole through the bottom of the van. This allows us to run the drain pipe to the underslung grey water tank.
When you are sure of the location, drill a small pilot hole first to ensure you won't affect the structural integrity of the van. Then use a bi-metal holesaw to cut the full-sized hole. Don't forget to apply metal paint afterwards to prevent rusting.
Mount the shower tray: Put some large beads of sanitary sealant/adhesive on the floor and stick the campervan shower tray to the floor.
Step 4: Install the extractor fan
An extractor fan is absolutely essential if you are installing a campervan shower. Moisture control is vanlife priority number one. The 12V extractor fan is installed inside the campervan shower unit. It is normally installed on the roof or on the side of the van depending which type of extractor fan you buy.
The extractor fan is installed in much the same way as the primary campervan fan (eg. Maxxair Maxxfan Deluxe) is installed. To recap that process:
Cut hole in the roof (bi-metal holesaw)
Drill pilot holes where the fan screws will go
Add mastic/butyl tape or Sikaflex to the top of the van
Screw the fan to the roof
Read a bead of sealant on the inside of the van - all around the fan
Attach the backing flange
Wire up the fan to 12V power
Step 5: Build the shower walls
Once you have installed the campervan shower tray, you need to erect the wooden frame for the walls of the campervan shower cubicle. You can do this with 1X1 treated timber.
Next, screw a ply lining into the frame from the inside. Paint the ply lining with PVA paint and allow it to dry. The PVA paint seals pores in the wood and will allow the PVC sheeting to stick easier.
Cutting the plywood so that it matches up with the curve of the wall can be a bit tricky - in fact, done by eye it is nearly impossible to do perfectly. Luckily, there is a clever technique called 'scribing' that you can employ.
A scribe allows us to get the ply completely flush against the van wall. I suggest buying one as it will come in enormously useful during all the woodwork in your van. Next you need to line the interior of the shower with PVC sheeting. The PVC sheeting is the waterproof material that lines the campervan shower unit.
First you will need to cut the PVC sheet to shape. You can use the same scribing technique above to cut the PVC to shape.
Note: Do not use power tools to cut the PVC sheet as it is normally only ~2.5mm thick and quite brittle. Instead, use metal shears to cut the plastic by hand.
Here is a video on how to use a scribe (though they are pretty self explanatory)
Cover the ply with beads of some sealant adhesive (Sikaflex High Tack will do the job).
Then stick the PVC sheeting to the walls and roof.
Run a good thick bead of mold-resistant waterproof sealant around every joint.
A quick note on tiling:
There are many methods of making waterproof shower walls. The PVC method described above is the most 'waterproof' method (and easiest). Another popular method is to tile the inside walls of the shower. Many of the 'prettiest' campervans use this method. However I will not be describing this method in this guide. However, LostOnTheRoute has a great blog describing how to do this.
Step 6: Install LED lights
Without any lights, the campervan shower unit would be a bit dark! So go ahead and install some waterproof LED Strip lights wherever you think looks best (the ceiling is usually best).
Step 7: Install the shower door
There are many ways to create a campervan shower door. Here are some of your options.
A shower curtain on a rail: An easy way to get the job done. TheWholeWorldOrNothing chose to use a shower curtain on a rail
A tambour campervan shower door (My personal favourite): Tambour campervan shower doors are by far the most pretty! You can get them made to fit online or from physical retailers.
A DIY campervan shower door: You could also build your own campervan shower door.
To do this, cut the door from a large piece of high quality ply, pop it on some hinges (specifically flush crank hinges), and attach it to the campervan shower unit.
To keep the door from getting soggy, you will need to stick PVC sheeting to the inside of it. This is done in the same manner as the shower walls.
Add some ball catches or magnetic catches so that the door stays shut when closed. And add a door handle so it can open and close.
Greg Virgoe shows you how to build a DIY shower door beautifully in this video.
Ventilation: If your campervan shower door makes a really good seal, you are going to need to install a vent.
Why? Well having an extractor fan is all well and good, but the air it extracts needs to come from somewhere.
To allow for proper ventilation of the campervan shower, install a vent somewhere low in the shower (the door would be the perfect place).
Step 8: Install the shower head and mixer
The last step is to install the shower head and mixer. A mixer mixes the hot and cold water to the desired temperature - it also controls the flow of water. I particularly like this campervan shower kit, it's cheap, cheerful, and does the job.
The shower mixer is typically installed on a shower mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is installed on the non-PVC side of the shower wall.
The hot and cold water PEX pipes run from the campervan water heater to the mounting bracket. They are connected with 1/2" Pipe-barb fittings (brass).
To cut the hole for the hot and cold water pipes you can use a hole saw. Cut from the PVC side and mask where you are cutting with tape to prevent scratching.
Step 9. Finish the shower drainage
The last step is to polish off the campervan shower drain. Campervan drainage is primarily done with PVC piping. We need our shower drain to run to our underslung grey water tank. I discuss how to install a grey water tank here.
An underslung tank is important as the drainage system operates by gravity.
One important piece of kit you will need when doing your drainage is a Hepvo trap - it is the modern equivalent of a P-trap / U-bend. It stops bad odors from coming up the drain.
The PVC pipe will be navigated to the grey water tank using a series of PVC fittings which you can get from your local hardware store. Slip PVC fittings are attached using PVC glue.
I recommend checking out the video below by Vanlife outfitters - it gives an excellent demonstration of how to plumb the grey water.
Note: My one point of contention with this video is his addition of an dedicated vent line for the shower. Instead of installing the bulky system in the video, I recommend installing a simple air vent on the grey water tank itself.
Campervan Water heaters
You have two options for supplying hot water to your campervan shower:
Tankless water heater
Water heater with a tank
Tankless Campervan Water Heater
Tankless campervan water heaters deliver (nearly) instant hot water whenever you turn on the shower. There is no holding tank for water and thus they take up less space than their 'with-tank' counterparts (discussed next). Tankless campervan water heaters predominantly run on propane gas.
The most popular tankless water heater by far is the Camplux 1.32GPM portable tankless water heater. It's a fantastic tankless water heater delivering 46°C at up to 110PSI (I recommend not running the shower on full blast to conserve water).
One of the many nifty things about the camplux heater is that it doesn't need to be plugged into your campervan electrical system; it is self sufficient and powered by two D cell batteries.
Let's zoom in and have a look at the Camplux tankless water heater up close.
There are three 1/2" ports on the bottom of the heater:
Gas
Water IN
Water OUT
The gas inlet can runs out to your propane gas cylinder via a compression pipe.
The water IN port brings in pressurized fresh water piped from the diaphragm pump. I recommend running 1/2" pex from your pump to the heater and attaching it with a metal 1/2" barb-pipe fitting.
The water OUT port pipes pressurized hot water to our shower. The camplux water heater comes with a shower head attached by default - since we are installing our own custom shower head, we can do away with the head they supplied. We attach 1/2" PEX pipe in the same manner we did for the water IN port.
You can learn all about campervan gas installations here.
Vented vs. Unvented Tankless Campervan Water Heaters
Propane-powered tankless water heaters operate by combusting propane. Carbon monoxide is produced in this process, which is very dangerous. Therefore, many propane water heaters come with vents to remove carbon monoxide from the campervan safely (through a roof flue). Camplux produce both vented and unvented heaters, so check that you're buying the right one for your installation.
An alternative to a vented, portable, all-in-one style tankless heater are fixed vented tankless heaters like thos eproduced by Suburban and Furrion. These are permanent installations that are easy to hook up and come in a very compact package.
The Suburban tankless water heater is one of the most popular vented water heaters. They provide instant hot water at a pressure that's perfect for a campervan installation.
Furrion's tankless water heater is very similar. Both heaters feature automatic safety protocols and antifreeze protection, making them ideal for a winterized camper.
Diesel Combi Heaters: Space Heater & Water Heater
If you've got the cash, you could buy a diesel heater that works both as a space heater and as a water heater. We love Webasto's diesel combi heaters. Webasto are already a well-trusted manufacturer of diesel space heaters, and their combi heaters feature the same excellent build qulity, safety features, and reliability.
Water Consumption and Efficiency in Campervan Showers
Water consumption is one of the key considerations when designing a campervan shower system. Depending on the type of shower system used, the water usage can vary significantly. Here are some detailed data points on water consumption for different campervan shower types:
Shower System | Water Consumption per Use/Minute (Liters) | Notes |
Tankless Water Heater | 6-9 liters/min | Delivers instant hot water but can consume more if left running. Use a low-flow showerhead to reduce consumption. |
Portable 12V Shower | 3-6 liters/min | Efficient for short outdoor showers, ideal for off-grid use. |
Solar Shower Bag | 6-8 liters per use (10-20 liter bag) | Water usage depends on the bag's capacity and the rate at which it's used. |
RinseKit Pressurized Shower | 6-7 liters per use | Stores water and pressure for later use, compact and efficient for quick rinses. |
Indoor Shower with Cubicle | 5-10 liters/min | Water consumption can be higher, but using features like aerators can help reduce flow. |
An average person uses 60-80 liters of water for a regular shower at home, but in a campervan, optimizing water efficiency is crucial, especially with limited tank capacity. A typical 2-minute campervan shower with a low-flow showerhead can use just a few liters, helping conserve precious water on the road.
Conclusion
This article should have equipped you to make an informed choice of shower for your campervan. When you're ready to take the plunge, check out Webasto's combi heaters or Camplux' all-in-one instant showers. If you're still confused, consider our water systems masterclass for a detailed, step-by-step course on the whole subject.
Don't forget to subscribe to The Van Conversion Newsletter for everything you need to get started with your own van conversion. We'll send you a free wiring diagram when you join.
If you're looking for some guidance with your van conversion, you might be interested in our book, Roaming Home, or in our online course, The Van Conversion Mastery Course. You'll learn directly from our founder Shane how to convert a van into your dream home - no prior experience needed.
Until next time.