Roadshower

[Ape Runner]

Just picked up a roadshower 4 gallon. I’ve had a water port and it leaks bad because it’s all plastic. I didn’t want the look of ABS pipe strapped to my roof.

Roadshower was bought by Yakima and so now it’s sold at REI. They’ve been back ordered for a long time and just got back in stock. Ordered online, shipped to my local REI for free and it arrived the next day. $358.88 including tax.

The build quality looks very good. All metal, nice welded, good powdercoat (time will tell) and real plumbing fixtures.

With a little prybar encouragement, I managed to fit it in my bajarack standard basket. This is a big advantage to me because I don’t like the look of big side mounted accessories, and it allows the weight to be more centered and better supported.

I filled it up to the brim and pressurized it to 50 psi (pressure relief valve at 65 psi) and drove around. Not noticeable. Hooked up the hose, no leaks, and it sprayed about 50 feet.

Do the math and it’s really not much more than DIY solutions that can perform the same.

I’ll post some pics in the daylight tomorrow and after
I get a hose mount setup.

 

[TRUSTYAXE]

Nice find I know they were out of them for a while. I did a DIY version that holds 2 gallons. I wanted to keep the weight down as I have it mounted to my bike rack and only use it to rinse off after a sweaty ride. Fun project taking some input from YouTube videos. They make a lot of errors in those videos though, the main one is using the screw in cleanout cap that never seals or even better a test plug that goes straight to the moon at 17PSI. I added a 75PSI PR valve and pump it up to 40 PSI to evacuate all 2 gallons. My latest addition is one of the $40 Amazon mini air pumps that has an auto shut off, very convenient.


Amazon.com: Portable Air Compressor - Vastar Mini Air Pump Tyre Inflator 100PSI / 2000mAh Rechargeable Lithium Battery with Digital LCD LED Light, Air Pressure Detection and Automatic for Car Bicycle Ball Tires: Automotive




Best YouTube video I saw though I would not follow it to a T

How to Make a DIY Solar Shower - YouTube

:rockon:

 

[AZ Craig]

What do the mounting solutions look like for these? Wondering how well it could be side mounted on a Front Runner...

 

[ElJefe]

Just picked up a roadshower 4 gallon. I’ve had a water port and it leaks bad because it’s all plastic. I didn’t want the look of ABS pipe strapped to my roof.

Roadshower was bought by Yakima and so now it’s sold at REI. They’ve been back ordered for a long time and just got back in stock. Ordered online, shipped to my local REI for free and it arrived the next day. $358.88 including tax.

The build quality looks very good. All metal, nice welded, good powdercoat (time will tell) and real plumbing fixtures.

With a little prybar encouragement, I managed to fit it in my bajarack standard basket. This is a big advantage to me because I don’t like the look of big side mounted accessories, and it allows the weight to be more centered and better supported.

I filled it up to the brim and pressurized it to 50 psi (pressure relief valve at 65 psi) and drove around. Not noticeable. Hooked up the hose, no leaks, and it sprayed about 50 feet.

Do the math and it’s really not much more than DIY solutions that can perform the same.

I’ll post some pics in the daylight tomorrow and after
I get a hose mount setup.

Cool! I currently have a rinsekit but sits in back. I was looking at waterport or DIY. Good to know basically same price to just buy this one.

 

[sn_85]

REI is having their 20% off coupon as well with code GEARUP2020 until 11/23. Brings it down to $263 before tax.

 

[the_economist]

I’ve had one of these for about a year, and it is great. I have mine mounted to fit in the tow hitch on the rear. If you have decent water pressure, you can pressurize it straight from a garden hose without having to use an air compressor to hit 50 psi. On a hot summer day it gets legitimately hot, and I have used it for pretty good camping showers, washing off my dog, etc.

 

[Ape Runner]

Confirmed the GEARUP2020 codes applies so getting a price adjustment!

As for mounting it was a channel in the bottom and on the side for carriage bolts. The brackets are designed for bars but I’m certain it can be made to fit any rack.

 

[Mudhorn]

Just picked up a roadshower 4 gallon.

What is the weight when full (guess I could look it up)? How long will you have water available (assume full pressure which I could look up as well)? Guess I’m feeling lazy and want some real world feedback.

 

[Mudhorn]

I have mine mounted to fit in the tow hitch on the rear.

Pic? DIY hitch mount?

 

[the_economist]

Here are a couple pics. Bolts onto a T-shaped 2” steel hitch mount. Bolts are rounded-flathead style that slide right into the gutter on the Roadshower.

 

[snowpeak]

Thanks for posting this OP. I’ve been looking to buy for awhile and was waiting for a sale. Didn’t realize REI carried them.

I’ll cut to the chase. Got my gearup discount and picked up a new 4 gallon Roadshower yesterday. I’m looking for the best way to mount it to my Gobi stealth rack. To maximize space, and because the 4s is the smallest model, I’m mounting it to the side of my rack using the provided mounting hardware attached to the vertical 1” tubes on the Gobi. The mounting bracket just barely fits in there. I have no doubts in the strength of gobi’s welds, but has anyone tried this yet? I’d prefer a solution similar to the Gobi ARB awning mounts for easy on and off when I’m not using it.

Edit: GOBI says the vertical tubes are strong enough for this 53 lb item when full with water. I’ll be using a 3/8” thick neoprene foam adhesive strip above and below the side channel on the Roadshower to protect the Gobi rack finish, and an extra set of mounting brackets from Yakima. The initial attempt looks solid and hugs the rack nicely to keep the low profile look I’m after. Will post more after I’ve had a chance to use it for a couple trips. Removing it and storing it I’ve yet to see how difficult that will be. I might switch to tube clamps or the Gobi cross bars if that is too difficult

 

[snowpeak]

Update! Paul at GOBI confirms the vertical tubes can handle the 50 lbs and the install went smoothly. I used 4 of the brackets from Yakima, and two strips of 3/8” thick 1” wide sponge neoprene to protect the finish. I’ll grab some photos on my next camping trip.

 

[Glacius48]

Here are a couple pics. Bolts onto a T-shaped 2” steel hitch mount. Bolts are rounded-flathead style that slide right into the gutter on the Roadshower.

Did u custom make the t-shaped hitch? If you bought it, could u list make and model? I'd like to mount a roadshower to my hitch as well.

 

[the_economist]

Did u custom make the t-shaped hitch? If you bought it, could u list make and model? I'd like to mount a roadshower to my hitch as well.

It is a custom hitch mount, so I don’t think it can be purchased easily online unfortunately. I bought mine from happiercamper.com when I bought my trailer from them. I’m not sure if they sell them separately. But it might be worth calling Happier Camper in Los Angeles to find out.

 

[mizzougrad01]

Here's a link to my $20 version of the road shower.

Amazon.com : Roundup 190260 Lawn and Garden Sprayer, 2 Gallon : Manual Compression Sprayers : Garden & Outdoor

 

[mistervague]

For any TRD Pro 2019+ owners: Last year I called Yakima about the road shower because their website says it won't work with the factory TRD Pro rack. They confirmed it's because the weight exceeds the load limit which is 100# (or 110#, can't remember) total. It's printed on the roof rack footing in tiny letters.

Anyway, I went for a Nemo Helio LX shower, which is only about $150, and it's great. Fill it up in a lake, leave it in the sun for a few hours, pressurize it with the foot pump, and it's quite warm and good enough to take a legit shower. And it collapses small. Enough PSI to power wash your bike? No - wait 'til you get home for that.

 

[snowpeak]

Here it is mounted to the side of the Gobi stealth.

The adhesive-backed 2” sponge neoprene runs the length of the Roadshower and actually makes it easier to reinstall each time I bolt it back on, since the neoprene has a memory of the vertical tubes. I’ve reattached it 5-6 times now and put about 2,000 miles on the road. No issues whatsoever. I use a 7-gallon Reliance Aqua-tainer to refill it.