Camp Showers; An AAV Members Comparative Review

100acre

100acre

Adventurist
After searching through the threads, I noticed there wasn't any one comparing camping showers. I saw one or two mentioned like the AquaCube and the Eccotemp. So I thought this would be a good thread to start, especially since I'm sure there will be many for sale here at the expo.
I have an Eccotemp L5 on demand hot water shower. It's is very nice but in poor weather, unless you have adequate shelter it may not be the best. Plus one needs at least 20-25 psi and propane. It ignites from two D-cell batteries. As soon as you press the button on the shower head, you have piping hot water and you can set the temperature and water flow on the unit itself. There are a few versions, like Eccotemp and Camp Chef Triton among others and range in price from $125-$200.
I've seen many other shower units available like the Solar bags, Zodi, Coleman, and Helio. So what is it you like to use when car/truck Glamping?

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...vptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=t&ref=pd_sl_6sk0s9oqd0_e
 
Simple - a Zodi Extreme S/C.

I boil some water on the stove, dump it into the cylinder, add ambient temperature water and pump - good to go!

I extended the spray hose with a hose and sprayer from a kitchen sink - the longer hose allows the cylinder to sit outside of the shower tent, and not melt a hole in the floor.

No batteries, no extra heating devices needed. Very simple, fairly lightweight.
 
One more vote for the zodi. A little bulky too but we love the simplicity and reliability. We've replaced the hose and head on ours too with one that has a shutoff right at the head.
 
We've had a Coleman Hot Water On Demand for a few years, works well enough for our needs. Drop the pump into the coldest of water, turn it on and you have hot water right now. They have sure gone up in price since I got mine. It's rather bulky and heavy, not sure I'd pay that price for it.

http://www.coleman.com/product/hot-.../2000007107?contextCategory=2200#.VVaV8PlViko

We also use the solar shower bags time to time, they work well enough.
 
I had a Zodi, but gave it to my Mom in law who base camps during trail ride competitions and has plenty of extra space in the horse trailer. Its a good unit, but single purpose and bulky... A bad combination for my tastes. I have returned to the solar shower, and just heat up water on the stove and pour in to mix the right temp.
 
Pot of hot water and a wash rag can make you feel better when the more exotic option aren't available (or even if they are available, but you're inherently lazy, and a little dirt is the least of your problems...or so you've been told...no one I know, just saying is all.)
:cool:
 
There is a Helton heat exchanger in the front of the Tacoma. When I go camping, I carry a shelter and the pump system with me. I like it and it works well. Im going to add a thermostatic mixer to it though to keep from burning myself.
 
Same here... just installed a Helton in my Tacoma. We'll be noodling out a pumping system over the summer but the inlet and outlets are stainless quick-connects mounted on the front bumper.
 
I just added a 13 gal tank in my tundra, heat it while driving to the camp site. It is heated by a helton.
W5BMF said:
There is a Helton heat exchanger in the front of the Tacoma. When I go camping, I carry a shelter and the pump system with me. I like it and it works well. Im going to add a thermostatic mixer to it though to keep from burning myself.
Click to expand...
 
TangoBlue said:
Same here... just installed a Helton in my Tacoma. We'll be noodling out a pumping system over the summer but the inlet and outlets are stainless quick-connects mounted on the front bumper.
Click to expand...

I talked to someone about an auto-off pump (~1psi shut off) and he hesitated when saying what he thought the exchanger could handle. I want to have the pump and outlets in the back of the truck instead of the front. Ease of use kind of thing.

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Borrego60 said:
I just added a 13 gal tank in my tundra, heat it while driving to the camp site. It is heated by a helton.
Click to expand...

What pump are you using?

Just found this:

http://www.helton.com.au/page/helton_hot_water_unit.html

Test pressures :Engine coolant container 25 psi

:Fresh water heater line 100 psi
 
W5BMF said:
I talked to someone about an auto-off pump (~1psi shut off) and he hesitated when saying what he thought the exchanger could handle. I want to have the pump and outlets in the back of the truck instead of the front. Ease of use kind of thing.
Click to expand...

Thanks for mentioning that -- I thought about connection placement, which I'll share for review and feedback. They way I deploy my truck and tent/living space is typically working from the tail gate facing my tent with the truck backed into the tent fly. With the non-potable hot water I see it more for hygiene which means I'd need the grey water run-off away from the "living area."

As an example:

unnamed (1).jpg


For distributing hot water I'm thinking of using those collapsing yard "pocket hoses" you may have seen advertised on TV to save space, yet have a durable hose rather than bulky plastic hose. Your thoughts on those?
 
I bought one of those hoses, used it a couple of times, it does what a hose is supposed to do, and collapses into nothing. Get the 3/4" diameter if you can find it, extra volume works better for me.
 
Most of my trips are three days or less and backpackers wipes work well for this. In the winter for Skifari I use them exclusively.

http://www.amazon.com/Tender-Fresh-...d=1432264756&sr=8-2&keywords=backpacker+wipes

For more than three days I use a Zodi shower.
http://www.amazon.com/Zodi-Outback-...F8&qid=1432264927&sr=1-5&keywords=zodi+shower

Its not integrated in the truck, has more uses beyond a shower and is plain simple. The other uses are camp dishes not just yours everyones, put out the camp fire when heading to bed, washing of mountain bikes or car parts when if the field and on really long trips wash your clothes. I have wash many of biking clothes with the Zodi.


A recent purchase has been a simple shower and they work great as well just with a smaller reservoir.

http://www.amazon.com/Rainburst-Sim...&qid=1432265417&sr=1-1&keywords=simple+shower

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Also was show as real cool trick on the last trip! You can use a rubber tipped air gun connected to your compressor to pressurize your Zodi.

http://www.amazon.com/Amflo-201D-St...2265602&sr=1-1&keywords=rubber+tip+air+nozzle
 
I have used a no rinse cleanser. Approved by NASA. Add a small amount to some warm water and use a cloth to wash. No need to rinse off. Works great for shorter trips. I have an old eye wash station (kony keg really) that I have converted to a shower tank. Holds 2 gallons of water and the you pressurize it with either an air compressor, air tank or CO2 bottle. The kitchen sink sprayer that is attached will spray water about 10 feet at full strength.
 
Eccotemp L5 user...so far so good. After 5 years I think my Flojet is losing some of it's umph, but it still does what it needs to.

I have been trying to get a similar handle with a head that will put out a bit less flow, I'd like to neck it down to about 1.5 to 2 gals. a shower.
 
bob91yj said:
Pot of hot water and a wash rag can make you feel better when the more exotic option aren't available (or even if they are available, but you're inherently lazy, and a little dirt is the least of your problems...or so you've been told...no one I know, just saying is all.)
:cool:
Click to expand...

This! I'll stick with old school I learned camping the United States as a kid in the 60's and 70's! We didn't have these new fangled shower thingies!

I used to have the Coleman. Lacking a shut off at the shower head was a real drawback. Read plans over on Portal I think about somebody that put a diverter valve near the shower head. Never got around to that mod before I sold it. Got tired of reaching thru the shower enclosure to shut it off after getting wet. Aquacube has that shut off at the shower head, but man they are pricey!
 
We use a Helton HE in the engine bay, a 6 gallon h2o tank with shurflo pump and deck fill in the back shell. Ran the lines up to the bumper antenna mount with quick connect using a hose and garden sprayer. Pull the potty out of the clean waste shelter, toss the teak wood grate in, hose hangs from the top. Bring soap, towel sandals and sleep comfy clean in rtt.

3 minute shower is more than enough time for 2. Stop and fill tanks enroute to next destination :)

M&M Overland Adventures
 
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