Campervan Shower Guide: Simple, Cheap Setups That Actually Work
A dedicated shower room sounds essential when you are planning a van build, but it is one of the most commonly regretted decisions in van conversion. A full wet room takes up valuable square footage, adds plumbing complexity, and in most builds ends up being used as storage space within the first year. Water is also one of the scarcest resources on the road — most van dwellers find that a full shower system uses far more litres per wash than the tank capacity realistically allows for extended off-grid living.
This guide covers the full range of campervan shower options, from the simplest £20 portable pressure shower setup through to built-in wet rooms, with honest guidance on water usage, cost, and which option actually gets used long-term rather than becoming a dry storage cupboard.
Campervan Shower Options Compared
| Shower Type | Cost | Water Use Per Wash | Space Required | Setup Time |
| Portable pressure shower | £20–£40 | 2–5 litres | None — packs away | |
| Solar camp shower bag | £10–£20 | 5–10 litres | Minimal — hangs outside | |
| Indoor pop-up shower (curtain + tray) | £60–£120 | 5–8 litres | Small floor footprint when in use | |
| Built-in wet room | £800–£3,000+ | 8–15 litres | 1–1.5m² permanent floor space | |
| Outdoor shower (external mixer/pump) | £40–£150 | 5–10 litres | External — uses no internal space |
1. Portable Pressure Shower — The Simplest Option
A portable pressure shower is the cheapest, smallest, and most flexible shower solution for a campervan, and it is genuinely the option most experienced van dwellers settle on after trying more elaborate systems first. These units — typically a 5–7 litre plastic bottle with a hand pump built into the lid — pressurise water inside the tank so it sprays from a shower head attached by a hose.
How a portable pressure shower works
- Fill the bottle to roughly 70% capacity (5 litres in a 7-litre bottle), leaving headspace for air pressure to build
- Pump the built-in hand pump 15–20 times to pressurise the air space above the water
- Open the nozzle on the shower head to release a steady spray
- Re-pump every few minutes as pressure drops during use
Getting hot water from a portable shower
The simplest method: heat roughly 2 litres of the water in a kettle on your van’s stove or electric kettle, then pour it back into the pressure shower bottle and mix with the remaining cold water. This produces a comfortably warm shower from the full 5-litre fill without needing any dedicated water heating system. In hot weather, many van dwellers skip the heating step entirely and shower outside with the water at ambient temperature.
A portable pressure shower can be stored permanently filled in a cab footwell or storage cubby, meaning there is zero daily setup time beyond the pump — you are not drawing from your main water tanks each time, which makes water budgeting for a longer off-grid stretch far easier to track.
2. Building a Simple Indoor Pop-Up Shower System
For those who want to shower indoors — useful in poor weather, in busy car parks, or simply for privacy — a minimal indoor shower system can be built for well under £100 using five basic components. The entire setup packs away to almost nothing when not in use, unlike a built-in wet room which permanently occupies floor space.
What you need for a DIY indoor pop-up shower
| Component | Purpose | Approx. Cost |
| Portable pressure shower | The actual water delivery unit — see section above | £20–£40 |
| Shower base / tray | Catches water and protects the van floor from pooling | £15–£30 |
| Waterproof shower curtain | Creates the enclosed shower space; contains spray | £10–£20 |
| Eye screw hooks (×4–6) | Fixed into the ceiling to hang the curtain rail or hooks from | £3–£5 |
| S-hooks | Connect the curtain to the eye screws — allows quick removal | |
| Metal hinge clips | Secure the bottom of the curtain to the shower tray to stop splash-out |
Choosing a shower base
The shower base is the most important safety component of the system — it is what prevents water pooling on the van floor and potentially causing damage to flooring, insulation, or electrical components beneath it. A genuinely effective and low-cost option that many van dwellers use is a collapsible dog paddling pool: they are designed to hold standing water, fold completely flat for storage, and pop open in seconds when needed. A dedicated folding shower tray sold for camping is the more conventional alternative and typically has a more rigid, stable base.
Choosing a shower curtain
Use a genuinely waterproof curtain — polyester shower curtains designed for bathroom use are durable, wipe clean easily, and dry quickly, which matters in the confined, humid environment of a van. Avoid lightweight or semi-waterproof curtains marketed for outdoor privacy screens, as these often let water spray through in a fine mist that defeats the purpose of containing the spray. Measure your available ceiling height and width before buying — a curtain cut to the correct size for your specific layout makes a meaningful difference to how well the system contains water.
Installing the eye screws and hooks
Position the eye screws in the van ceiling in a rough circle or rectangle around where your shower curtain will hang — many van dwellers position this around an existing roof vent, since the vent provides ventilation and the surrounding ceiling area is already structurally reinforced. Screw the eye hooks directly into the ceiling batten or reinforced point (not into thin panel material alone, which will not hold weight or stress over time). Hang S-hooks from the eye screws, then hang the curtain rings or curtain hook loops from the S-hooks — this two-stage hook system means the entire curtain can be lifted off in seconds when not needed, rather than permanently obstructing the ceiling space.
Securing the curtain to the base
Metal hinge clips (or simple bulldog clips) attached around the inside bottom edge of the curtain, clipped onto the rim of the shower tray, stop the curtain from billowing outward during use and prevent water escaping at the base — the most common failure point in DIY shower setups that lack this step.
3. Solar Camp Shower Bags
A solar shower bag — a black PVC bag with a hose and shower head attachment — is the cheapest shower solution and works entirely without pumping or electricity. Fill the bag with water and leave it in direct sunlight; the black material absorbs heat and can warm the water to a genuinely comfortable temperature within 2–4 hours on a sunny day.
The trade-off: solar shower bags rely on gravity for water pressure (hang the bag above head height) and provide a noticeably weaker, more inconsistent flow than a pumped pressure shower. They are best suited to outdoor showering in good weather rather than as a year-round indoor solution, and they cannot heat water on cloudy days or in winter.
4. Built-In Wet Rooms — When They Make Sense
A dedicated built-in wet room with proper plumbing, drainage, and often a fixed shower head connected to an internal water tank and pump system is the most comprehensive shower solution, but it comes with significant trade-offs that catch many first-time van builders out.
Why built-in wet rooms are often regretted
- Permanent floor space — typically 1 to 1.5 square metres of permanently dedicated floor area in a vehicle where every square metre matters significantly
- Water consumption — a built-in shower with a proper shower head typically uses 8–15 litres per wash, which drains a standard 40–100 litre fresh water tank far faster than most new van dwellers anticipate
- Plumbing complexity and failure points — drainage, grey water tank capacity, pump reliability, and winterisation (preventing pipes freezing) all add ongoing maintenance burden
- Real-world usage drops over time — many van dwellers who install a full wet room report using it as a dry storage space within the first year, having switched to portable showers, gym showers, leisure centre access, or wild swimming for the actual washing
When a built-in wet room genuinely makes sense
- Permanent or near-permanent off-grid living where daily indoor showering is a non-negotiable comfort priority
- Larger van conversions (long wheelbase, high roof) where the floor space trade-off is proportionally smaller
- Builds with a large fresh water capacity (100+ litres) and reliable, frequent water refill access
- Cold climate full-time living where outdoor or portable showering is impractical for much of the year
5. Outdoor Shower Setups
For van dwellers who are comfortable showering outdoors when weather and location allow, an external shower setup avoids the internal space and plumbing complexity of an indoor system entirely. This can be as simple as a portable pressure shower used outside the van door, or a slightly more involved external mixer tap and pump connected to the van’s water tank with a hose running out through a side panel fitting.
An external shower works particularly well combined with a portable indoor system as a backup — use the outdoor option when privacy and weather allow, and fall back to the indoor pop-up curtain system on cold, wet, or overlooked pitches.
Water Usage: How to Budget for Showering on the Road
| Shower Type | Litres Per Wash | Showers from a 40L Tank |
| Portable pressure shower (efficient use) | 2–5 litres | 8–20 showers |
| Solar bag shower | 5–10 litres | 4–8 showers |
| Built-in wet room shower head | 8–15 litres | 2–5 showers |
For context, a standard household shower uses 35–80 litres for an average 8-minute wash — far beyond what any van system can sustainably provide. The discipline required for van showering (wetting down, turning off water, soaping up, then a brief rinse) is the single biggest factor in water efficiency, more significant than which specific shower system you use.
Alternative Washing Strategies for Van Life
Many experienced van dwellers use a combination approach rather than relying solely on an in-van shower system, particularly during longer wild camping stretches:
- Leisure centre and gym day passes — many UK leisure centres offer pay-as-you-go access (typically £4–£8) that includes shower facilities, often cheaper than the water and gas cost of multiple in-van showers over a week
- Wild swimming — lochs, rivers, and the sea provide free washing opportunities in suitable weather, particularly popular among van dwellers travelling through Scotland and Wales
- Campsite facilities — staying at a campsite periodically (even once every few days) provides access to proper showers and is often the most practical way to maintain hygiene during longer off-grid stretches without overusing van water reserves
- Wet wipes and dry shampoo for short-term freshening between full washes — a practical daily habit for extending the interval between full showers
For more van conversion guidance and essential build components, see our guide to DIY van build essentials.
For finding overnight parking, water refill points, and waste disposal facilities while travelling, the Park4Night app is widely used across the UK and Europe.
Additional Resources and Related Guides
Related: Best places to visit in Scotland guide.
Related: David Lloyd day pass prices UK.
Source: Practical Motorhome shower guide.
Bottom Line
| Cheapest option | Solar shower bag — £10–£20, no pump or electricity needed |
| Best overall value | Portable pressure shower — £20–£40, 2–5L per wash, packs away to nothing |
| Best DIY indoor system | Pressure shower + collapsible tray + curtain + hooks — under £100 total |
| Most space-efficient | Portable pressure shower — stores in a cab footwell, no dedicated floor space |
| Most water-efficient | Portable pressure shower with disciplined use — as little as 2 litres per wash |
| When a built-in wet room makes sense | Full-time off-grid living, large van, 100L+ water tank, cold-climate living |
| Common mistake | Installing a full wet room before testing whether you’ll actually use it |
| Hot water method | Heat 2L in a kettle, mix back into the pressure shower for a warm wash |
| Backup strategy | Combine with leisure centre passes or wild swimming for longer off-grid trips |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best shower system for a campervan?
For most van dwellers, a portable pressure shower (a 5–7 litre pressurised bottle with a pump and shower head) is the best overall option — it costs £20–£40, uses as little as 2–5 litres per wash, requires no installation, and stores away in a small space such as a cab footwell. It can be used outdoors directly or combined with a simple pop-up curtain and tray system for indoor use in poor weather. Built-in wet rooms are only worth the cost and space trade-off for full-time off-grid living with a large water tank capacity.
How do you shower in a campervan without a bathroom?
Showering in a campervan without a dedicated bathroom typically involves a portable pressure shower used either outdoors (in good weather, away from other people) or indoors using a temporary pop-up system: a collapsible shower tray to catch water, a waterproof curtain hung from ceiling-mounted eye screws and hooks, and clips securing the curtain base to the tray to prevent water escaping. The entire indoor setup packs away in minutes when not in use, unlike a permanent wet room.
How much water does a campervan shower use?
A portable pressure shower used efficiently (wet down, turn off, soap up, brief rinse) typically uses 2–5 litres per wash. A solar shower bag uses 5–10 litres. A built-in wet room with a proper shower head uses 8–15 litres per wash — roughly 3 to 5 times more than a portable pressure shower. For comparison, a standard household shower uses 35–80 litres for an 8-minute wash, which illustrates why discipline and the right system matter significantly for sustainable van life water budgeting.
Is it worth installing a full shower in a campervan conversion?
For most van builds, a full built-in wet room is not worth the floor space and water consumption trade-off unless you are living full-time off-grid in a larger van with a substantial water tank (100+ litres). Many van dwellers who install a dedicated shower room end up using it primarily as storage within the first year, having switched to portable showers, leisure centre access, or wild swimming for actual washing. A portable pressure shower combined with a simple fold-away indoor curtain system provides most of the practical benefit at a fraction of the cost and space.
How do you heat water for a campervan shower?
The simplest method for heating water in a portable pressure shower: heat approximately 2 litres of water in a kettle on your van’s stove or an electric kettle, then pour the hot water back into the pressure shower bottle and mix with the remaining cold water for a comfortably warm wash. This avoids the cost and complexity of installing a dedicated water heater. In warm weather, many van dwellers skip heating entirely and shower at ambient temperature, particularly when showering outdoors.
What do I need to build a DIY indoor campervan shower?
A basic DIY indoor campervan shower requires five components: a portable pressure shower for the water delivery; a collapsible shower base or tray (a folding dog paddling pool works well and packs flat) to catch water; a waterproof polyester shower curtain sized to your van’s ceiling height; eye screw hooks fixed into the ceiling (ideally into a reinforced point such as around a roof vent) to hang the curtain; S-hooks to connect the curtain to the eye screws for quick removal; and metal hinge clips to secure the curtain base to the shower tray and prevent water escaping. Total cost is typically under £100.