7 Best Outdoor Shower Setups For RVs That Nomads Swear By
These are the showers real nomads actually use.
There’s a moment every RVer knows: you’re caked in dust from a desert trail or sticky with salt after a day at the beach, and the last thing you want to do is track that mess inside. An outdoor shower isn’t just a luxury; it’s a fundamental tool for keeping your small living space clean and your water tanks managed. It extends your living area to the outdoors and solves one of the biggest challenges of life on the road.
Choosing the right setup, however, is about more than just rinsing off. It’s a decision that impacts your water consumption, your power usage, and even where you can comfortably camp. The market is flooded with options, from simple gravity-fed bags to complex propane-powered heaters, and the best choice for a weekend camper is often the worst choice for a full-time boondocker.
This guide cuts through the noise. We’ll break down the most reliable and practical outdoor shower systems that seasoned nomads actually use. We’ll look at the real-world tradeoffs of each, focusing on how they fit into a mobile lifestyle where every drop of water and every amp of power counts. This is about finding the right tool for your specific adventure.
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Choosing Your Ideal RV Outdoor Shower System
An outdoor shower is your first line of defense against dirt and a key strategy for water conservation. By washing off outside, you keep grime out of your rig’s plumbing and, more importantly, you can use biodegradable soap without filling your grey tank. This simple act can extend your boondocking trips by days.
The decision boils down to a few core factors: your power source, your water source, and your tolerance for complexity. Do you have a robust 12V system and large water tanks, or are you working with a couple of portable jugs and a small solar generator? Are you willing to connect propane and water lines for endless hot water, or do you need a self-contained unit you can grab and go?
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Ultimately, you’re making a trade-off between convenience and resource consumption. A pressurized, heated shower feels amazing but uses significant water, power, and/or propane. A simple solar bag uses nothing but sunlight and gravity but delivers a lukewarm, low-pressure rinse. Your ideal system is the one that aligns with your travel style and your rig’s capabilities.
Camplux 5L: Your Best Bet for Endless Hot Water
For those who refuse to compromise on a hot shower, a tankless propane water heater is the gold standard. The Camplux 5L is a common sight in elaborate van builds and full-time RV setups for one reason: it delivers consistent, on-demand hot water just like at home. It’s a game-changer after a cold day of hiking or surfing.
This system is not a simple, portable accessory; it’s a semi-permanent installation. It requires a connection to a standard propane tank and a water source, typically fed by a 12V water pump. You hang the unit, connect the hoses, and get instant hot water that will last as long as your water and propane hold out.
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The commitment here is to infrastructure. You need the space to store and operate the unit, a dedicated propane tank, and a reliable water pump. But for full-timers or anyone spending extended time off-grid, the payoff is immense. It transforms a rustic campsite into a space with one of the most coveted modern comforts.
Save Water and Power with Your Geyser System
The Geyser System takes a completely different approach, one born from the realities of limited resources. It’s designed for maximum efficiency, using as little as one gallon of water for a full, satisfying shower. It achieves this by mixing hot and cold water to your desired temperature and delivering it through a special sponge attachment, not a high-flow shower head.
This isn’t about a drenching, high-pressure rinse; it’s about a smart, effective clean. The system has a built-in heater that runs off your 12V system, warming the water in about 15-30 minutes. You’re scrubbing clean with perfectly warm, soapy water, not just standing under a stream of it. This method is incredibly effective at conserving both water and power.
The Geyser is for the pragmatic nomad who understands that resource management is freedom. It’s perfect for vanlifers and overlanders with small water tanks and modest power systems. It’s a solution that prioritizes extending your time off-grid over replicating a residential shower experience. It’s a tool, not a luxury.
RinseKit PRO: Your Pressurized, Pump-Free Option
Experience powerful, 50 PSI showers anywhere with the RinseKit PRO. Its 3.5-gallon capacity provides up to 5 minutes of consistent spray, and the long-lasting battery offers 6 months of use. Simply fill, press, and spray for effortless, on-the-go cleaning.
Pressurized water without a 12V pump is the holy grail for many campers. The RinseKit PRO solves this by using battery power to pressurize its 3.5-gallon tank, giving you a strong, consistent spray anywhere. You can fill it from a spigot or even a stream, and the battery-powered pump does the rest.
This self-contained design is its greatest strength. There are no hoses to connect to your RV’s system and no external power cords needed during operation. You just charge the battery pack, fill the tank, and you have a portable, pressurized sprayer for showering, cleaning gear, or washing dishes.
The tradeoff is capacity and the need to manage another battery. At 3.5 gallons, it’s enough for a solid, efficient shower, but not a long, luxurious one. It’s an excellent choice for weekend trips or for those who want a dedicated, isolated system that doesn’t tax their main RV batteries or water supply. It provides convenience and pressure without the complexity of a built-in system.
Nemo Helio: A Major Upgrade to Your Solar Shower
The classic solar shower bag is simple, but its reliance on gravity often leads to a disappointing trickle. The Nemo Helio Pressure Shower reinvents this concept by adding a foot pump. This simple addition allows you to pressurize the 2.9-gallon tank, delivering a surprisingly decent spray for up to 7 minutes.
Like a traditional solar shower, you fill the black tank and leave it in the sun to heat up. The magic happens when you give it a few pumps with your foot, creating pressure that gravity-fed systems can’t match. It’s still dependent on the sun for heat, but the user experience is worlds better than a basic shower bag.
This is the perfect middle ground. It’s more capable and convenient than a simple gravity bag but requires no electricity or propane. The Nemo Helio is for the adventurer who values simplicity and portability but isn’t willing to settle for a weak, dribbling shower. It packs down small, is easy to use, and offers a significant upgrade for minimal extra effort.
Ivation Shower: Your Best Budget-Friendly Choice
Sometimes the simplest solution is the most elegant. The Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower is essentially a small, submersible 12V pump attached to a hose and a shower head. You drop the pump into any water container—a bucket, a jug, a stream—and it provides a steady, usable stream of water.
The beauty of this system is its modularity and low cost. You aren’t tied to a specific tank. You can heat water on your stove and pour it into a bucket for a hot shower, giving you temperature control without a complex heater. It draws very little power and takes up almost no space when stored.
This is the quintessential minimalist electric option. It’s not fancy, and the pressure won’t blow you away, but it is incredibly versatile and reliable. For anyone on a tight budget or with minimal space, the Ivation shower provides the core function—moving water from a container to over your head—at an unbeatable price point.
Dura Faucet Kit: Your Best Built-In RV Solution
Replace your Dura Faucet's worn cartridge with this convenient kit. It includes hot and cold quarter-turn washerless valves, seat and spring assemblies, and bonnet nuts for a complete repair.
Most RVs come with a basic, and often flimsy, external shower faucet. The Dura Faucet Kit is a direct, high-quality replacement that makes a world of difference. Upgrading this single component can transform a frustrating trickle into a functional and enjoyable outdoor shower experience.
This isn’t a standalone system; it’s an enhancement to your RV’s existing plumbing. These kits typically feature better-quality hoses that don’t kink and shower heads with multiple spray patterns and a pause switch to conserve water. The installation is straightforward for anyone comfortable with basic RV plumbing.
Choosing to upgrade your built-in faucet is a decision to invest in your rig’s core functionality. It leverages the water heater and pump you already have, making it a highly efficient solution. This is the best option for RVers who primarily use their outdoor shower at their rig and want a reliable, integrated system without adding portable tanks or external power sources.
Sea to Summit Pocket Shower: Your Minimalist Pick
Enjoy a refreshing shower anywhere with the Sea to Summit Pocket Shower. This lightweight, 10-liter shower uses solar heating and a simple twist mechanism for easy on/off and flow control.
When every ounce and every cubic inch of space matters, the Sea to Summit Pocket Shower is the undisputed champion. It’s a 10-liter dry bag made of heat-resistant fabric with a compact shower rose built into the base. It packs down to the size of a fist and weighs next to nothing.
Operation couldn’t be simpler: you fill the bag, leave it in the sun to warm up, and hang it from a tree branch. The twist-spout allows you to control the flow, conserving water for a surprisingly effective rinse that can last around 8 minutes. There are no moving parts, no batteries, and no fuel required.
This is not the shower you take for a luxurious clean. This is the shower for the ultralight backpacker, the minimalist vanlifer, or the RVer who needs a backup option for emergencies. Its value lies in its extreme portability and simplicity. It’s the pure, functional essence of an outdoor shower, stripped of all complexity.
The perfect outdoor shower is not the one with the most features; it’s the one that seamlessly integrates into your travel rhythm. Your choice is a direct reflection of your priorities on the road. It’s a balance between the desire for comfort and the necessity of conserving your most precious resources: water and power.
Whether you opt for an on-demand propane heater or a simple gravity-fed bag, you’re making a conscious decision about how you want to live in your mobile space. The goal is to find a system that reduces friction, not one that adds another layer of complexity to your setup and teardown routine.
Ultimately, the best system empowers you to stay out longer, explore further, and live more comfortably in the wild places you call home. It’s a small piece of gear that has an outsized impact on your quality of life on the road. Choose wisely, and it will become one of the most valuable tools in your nomadic toolkit.
