Question: Showers on Long Off-Road Trips; T4R5G

[Farzad_K]

Hi.

I have a Prinsu rack, a pump for tires to be aired up (after having been aired down), and I am thinking of what I can do for a quick summer-style shower without spending a lot of money; something that I can mount on the rack and load as needed for a quick shower.

What is your approach?

Thanks in advance.

Farzad

 

[johnnygraphic]

Simple shower in a bag at Big5 or custom made pvc pipe water holdee we Ed with hose and spray.


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[fourwd1]

There're tons of threads on that subject. Just use the SEARCH function and search for the word shower in Post Titles.

There're posts on DIY showers, roof rack mount showers, etc.

 

[johnnygraphic]

Another option is to use those body towels in a bag type things. Just wipe down at the end of the day.


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[Farzad_K]

Another option is to use those body towels in a bag type things. Just wipe down at the end of the day.


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I like building my own things whenever that I can, but in this case it looks like I either have to do spot cleaning as you say or just shell out and get the real thing.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Farzad

 

[johnnygraphic]

I like building my own things whenever that I can, but in this case it looks like I either have to do spot cleaning as you say or just shell out and get the real thing.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Farzad

Here's a YT video on a DIY roof top shower. Looks fairly simple enough with some tools. Just to give you an idea of what is out there. Search YT and there are a ton of videos. This *may* be something we decide to do. Maybe, maybe not.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvITGsKqyxE

 

[Farzad_K]

Here's a YT video on a DIY roof top shower. Looks fairly simple enough with some tools. Just to give you an idea of what is out there. Search YT and there are a ton of videos. This *may* be something we decide to do. Maybe, maybe not.
DIY Solar Shower System Pressurized for Roof Rack Camping off the grid under $100 - YouTube

Looks good, thanks. Let me know if you decide to build one of those.

Farzad

 

[RichinRidgewood]

Hi.

I have a Prinsu rack, a pump for tires to be aired up (after having been aired down), and I am thinking of what I can do for a quick summer-style shower without spending a lot of money; something that I can mount on the rack and load as needed for a quick shower.

What is your approach?

Thanks in advance.

Farzad

A bucket and a creek, pond or lake,
A large truck stop shower when you buy gas

Why the hell would you want to carry around a bunch of other crap to take a shower?

 

[Farzad_K]

A bucket and a creek, pond or lake,
A large truck stop shower when you buy gas

Why the hell would you want to carry around a bunch of other crap to take a shower?

...or either just don't shower or use one of those rinse-free body wash products.

I know, there are a lot of options out there, and with the exception of the bucket idea, I have done them when feasible. Truck stops are great, but I don't necessarily camp ore refuel where they are conveniently located - same with creeks and rivers.

 

[johnnygraphic]

Looks good, thanks. Let me know if you decide to build one of those.

Farzad

I thought about it, but looks like a bit too much trouble for the amount of camping we do. We’ll either shower in a bucket or use those body towel things I mentioned earlier. There’s a few out there. I don’t remember the brand we use. Or, we just plan a hotel stay somewhere along the route.

Hope you find a good solution that works for you!


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[Farzad_K]

I thought about it, but looks like a bit too much trouble for the amount of camping we do. We’ll either shower in a bucket or use those body towel things I mentioned earlier. There’s a few out there. I don’t remember the brand we use. Or, we just plan a hotel stay somewhere along the route.

Hope you find a good solution that works for you!


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I am working on a ten Day Utah excursion and I expect to be off grid for at least 7 of those days. Or king to be as prepared as possible, and I also have thought about doing a hotel at the end when I can sleep better, rest and take a good bath.

I might build the pipe water tank though, if not for anything else it is something to design and build.

 

[RAD4Runner]

Keep it Simple

Keep it simple and use the money you save to buy more gasoline.

Shower bag, No-rinse body wash all good.

Shower from Bucket At developed campgrounds sometimes there's too much drama with coin-operated stuff, things break or you run out of coins, etc. I just boil water, mix with tap water in cooler for right temp and use a small scoop.

If you prefer a shower... We say we want to go off-the-grid, so why rely on electricity and/or have it plugged into the vehicle?
We want things portable, so why attach it to the vehicle?
We paddle, surf, climb, run, carry heavy packs, etc, so why couldn't we pump by hand? Land Rover charges $400 extra for this:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ilnm78WATKc" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>


I used Home Depot 2-gallon sprayer. The sink/dishwashing nozzle turned out too fragile, I eventually replaced with off-the-shelf garden hose nozzle.

 

[johnnygraphic]

We had a 4 day camp trip up to Bear Valley, CA and it POURED!!! Everything got soaked. Fortunately, our cheap little Coleman tent came thru with flying colors. Aside from condensation, no water intrusion into the tent at all. But, it was crazy humid up there. I was using two of those shower pouch things a day. I just couldn’t get comfortable enough to sleep. I was miserable. Finally had to wash my hair using bottled water just to get a little relief. It helped, but nothing like getting a good shower once we got home. Lesson learned. Need to have alternatives to the shower pouch to stay happy and get sleep!


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[NoTreadLeft]

Here's a YT video on a DIY roof top shower. Looks fairly simple enough with some tools. Just to give you an idea of what is out there. Search YT and there are a ton of videos. This *may* be something we decide to do. Maybe, maybe not.
DIY Solar Shower System Pressurized for Roof Rack Camping off the grid under $100 - YouTube

That's an awesome setup but I think you will need a way to keep adding pressure to it as the water gets used so there is still a piece of the puzzle missing here. I guess a folding foot pump might make the most sense if you don't want to install a compressor?

 

[johnnygraphic]

That's an awesome setup but I think you will need a way to keep adding pressure to it as the water gets used so there is still a piece of the puzzle missing here. I guess a folding foot pump might make the most sense if you don't want to install a compressor?

Yup, good catch. I already have a compressor to air up, so that isn’t a concern. There are variations of that with a hookup for a compressor.


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[lewdog998]

.......... Need to have alternatives to the shower pouch to stay happy and get sleep!


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Copious amounts of Johnny walker black does the trick for me.

 

[johnnygraphic]

Copious amounts of Johnny walker black does the trick for me.

Not a big hard liquor drinker, but a buddy turned me on to Hibiki. Incredible!


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[johnnygraphic]

That's an awesome setup but I think you will need a way to keep adding pressure to it as the water gets used so there is still a piece of the puzzle missing here. I guess a folding foot pump might make the most sense if you don't want to install a compressor?

Just to bump this topic again. Those homemade shower ideas are nice. However, need to keep in mind temps. Our trip to Death Valley was during a crazy cold snap for the area. It was down to 23 degrees in a few spots we stayed. Not sure how well those pipes will resist being full of water and then freezing overnight.


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[pluton]

After trying a electric pump shower (Big Kahuna). hand pump shower (the late Zodi Extreme), I settled on this collapsable Nemo unit:Helio™ Pressure Shower
Due to it's black color, the water will get warm enough on a 75ºF day if it's left out in the sun. And it can always be filled with warm water from the stove, etc. You can fill it with cold water and strap it to the roof rack, or carry it collapsed and small.

 

[johnnygraphic]

After trying a electric pump shower (Big Kahuna). hand pump shower (the late Zodi Extreme), I settled on this collapsable Nemo unit:Helio™ Pressure Shower
Due to it's black color, the water will get warm enough on a 75ºF day if it's left out in the sun. And it can always be filled with warm water from the stove, etc. You can fill it with cold water and strap it to the roof rack, or carry it collapsed and small.

That Nemo Helio unit looks to be the best price/function and versatile product. Easy to collapse and clean after a trip and easy to use for different functions whether its for showers or to clean dishes etc. Also don't have to keep climbing up on the roof rack to fill, pressurize, clean etc a rack mounted item. (I ain't getting any younger!).