You’re looking at camper vans and the bathroom question keeps coming up. Can you really fit a functional shower and toilet in something that parks like a regular vehicle? The answer is yes, and you’ve got more options than you might think.
- Most camper vans use wet baths where the shower and toilet share one space, making them compact and efficient for smaller rigs.
- Dry baths with separate shower enclosures exist in larger vans and offer a more home-like feel with better storage.
- Popular models like the Winnebago Travato, Airstream Interstate, and Mercedes Sprinter conversions include full bathroom setups.
The Wet Bath Setup Most Vans Use
Walk into most camper vans with bathrooms and you’ll find what’s called a wet bath. Your whole bathroom becomes the shower, with a toilet and often a sink sharing that space. Everything has its own drain, so you’re not doing your business on the shower floor. Everything gets wet when you shower, which sounds strange at first but makes total sense once you see the space savings.
Winnebago’s Solis and Travato models pack a 28-by-51-inch wet bath into their floorplans. That’s plenty of room to shower without feeling like you’re folding yourself into a pretzel. Winnebago’s Revel takes it further with a gear closet that doubles as a wet bath, so when you’re not showering, you’ve got storage for muddy boots and climbing gear.
What’s the trade-off? You’ll need to keep your toilet paper covered or stored elsewhere while showering. Many van lifers use a waterproof toilet cover or just remove their TP before turning on the water. After each shower, grab a squeegee and wipe down the walls. Takes maybe three minutes and prevents mold from setting up camp in your rig.
When Space Allows for a Dry Bath
Larger vans sometimes offer dry baths with separate shower stalls. Airstream’s Interstate 24GL gives you a proper dry bath with a vanity and storage cabinets. Your toilet and sink stay dry while you shower, just like at home. You get more counter space and cabinets for toiletries.
Dry baths need more square footage, which is why you’ll mainly see them in longer Mercedes Sprinter conversions or Class B+ models. Field Van’s M1 layout includes a bathroom/shower cabinet with a window, keeping the space separate from the main living area. These setups work great for couples or families who need multiple people using the bathroom at different times.
What’s the downside? That extra bathroom space means less room for other things. You might sacrifice some kitchen counter area or storage to accommodate a larger bathroom footprint.
Creative Solutions for Tight Spaces
Some builders get inventive with bathroom designs. Outside Van created a hidden shower system in their 170-inch Approach model. A porta potty stores in a bench that converts to a shower pan when needed. Shower curtains hang from the ceiling, and when you’re done, everything folds back into bench seating.
Thor’s Sequence and Tellaro models on the Ram Promaster chassis offer wet baths that maximize every inch. Even compact 19-foot vans like Thor’s Sanctuary include functional bathrooms with AWD capability for off-grid adventures. Think about how often you’ll actually use the shower versus other van features before committing to a full bathroom build.
Real Talk About Van Life Bathrooms
Having a bathroom in your van changes how you travel. No more searching for gas station restrooms at 2 AM or planning your whole route around campground facilities. You can boondock on Bureau of Land Management property for days without worrying about facilities.
Water management becomes something you’ll think about daily. Most vans carry 20 to 30 gallons of fresh water, which sounds like plenty until you realize a typical shower uses about 2 gallons per minute. Navy showers become second nature. Get wet, turn off the water, soap up, rinse off. You’ll stretch that water supply much further.
Your grey water tank (from the shower and sink) and black water tank (from the toilet) need regular dumping at designated stations. Many campgrounds have dump stations, and apps like iOverlander help you find free dump sites on public land.
Picking the Right Setup for Your Travel Style
Solo travelers or couples who mostly camp in established campgrounds might not need an onboard bathroom. But if you’re full-timing or spending weeks in remote areas, that bathroom becomes non-negotiable. Families with kids definitely benefit from having facilities on board.
Test different layouts before buying. Sit on the toilet, stand in the shower space, and imagine your daily routine. Can you turn around comfortably? Where will you store towels? Does the bathroom vent fan actually move air?
Some van lifers skip the shower entirely and just install a toilet. They use solar shower bags or campground facilities for washing up. Others go the opposite direction and install elaborate wet baths with propane water heaters that provide unlimited hot water. Your travel style dictates what works best.
Modern camper vans with bathrooms let you keep your comfort without sacrificing mobility. Whether you choose a compact wet bath or a spacious dry bath, you’re getting real facilities in a package that still fits in normal parking spaces and drives like a regular vehicle. Pretty incredible what van builders can fit into these rigs these days.
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