We are close to choosing our new van, in order to save space we are looking at a shower/toilet combo, adding on a ensuite it just makes the van longer and heavier it seems. Has anyone had any problems with this ?
We seem to be going round in circles with choosing a van....
Regards Ed
ken thomas said
04:42 PM Oct 30, 2011
What sort of van are you looking for and what are you towing with ? Ken
Ma said
04:43 PM Oct 30, 2011
It really does come down to personal choice Mr ed.
We had the combo in our last van but found the space restrictive when showering.
Our new van has a full ensuite across the back and we couldn't be happier.
For the extra foot that it made in the overall length of the new van was a small price to pay for a bit extra room and comfort.
But like I said personal choice.
the rocket said
04:46 PM Oct 30, 2011
hi, We have a van with combined shower, toilet, hand basin and have never used the shower as we go to caravan parks for a shower. the toilet only gets used at night which is really handy and the hand basin used during the day. We have had the van a few years now and we are preparing ourselves to travel f/time. it is ok for holidays but when we do head off full time I think it would be better to trade it in and buy something with an ensuite. Also,before you buy lie down in the bed to make sure it is long enough.
-- Edited by the rocket on Sunday 30th of October 2011 04:48:07 PM
mr ed said
04:48 PM Oct 30, 2011
We are looking at a 19ft island star and a BMW X5
villatranquilla said
06:51 PM Oct 30, 2011
I guess it depends on how much travel you will be doing. Yes the ensuite arrangement is great especially if you are away for long periods but if its just annual holidays and occassional weekends then the combination unit should not be too much of an inconvenience. Our shower is currently being used to store washing machine, doona, extra pillow, shoes and other odds and sods as we are using the park ammenities but this will need to change in a fortnight when we head off and do lots of free camping
Knightrider said
08:16 PM Oct 30, 2011
We have had a combo shower/toilet now for the past 6 years. Have travelled approx 55,000klms with the van and have used the shower all the time with the exception of Coober Pedy (no water to the van) & Mt Surprise (covered in very fine red dust from the Lava Tubes). Obviously an ensuite would be better, but then a Ferrari is better than a Hyundai. Comes to money & convenience. Not sure why people buy a van with shower & toilet & then use it for storage - have never worked that one out as yet!
Cruising Granny said
10:05 PM Oct 30, 2011
The shower and toilet is for justin - Just in case you need them. Before I had medical intervention I used the toilet at night, several times. The shower was also there if I needed it. When you travel you never know where you'll end up and what facilities will be available. A bucket wash is good for a couple of days, but there comes a time when a shower is the preferred option. It's about choices and options. My cubicle is currently used for storage, but there'll come a time when it will be a bathroom again. Choices are a great option. I'm not sure I'd recommend either option for van and tug. Please do your homework thoroughly with an open mind. Don't make your mind up until you have all the facts about both. The Island Star dealer Noels Caravans has a reputation for poor after sales service after you've paid the money. I'm not sure the BMW is up to the task of towing a large van. Please make sure of the quality of your investment.
pauline said
10:18 PM Oct 30, 2011
We have a combo shower/toilet, takes up 1 corner of van and though we don't always use it ( when in van parks) it is there for when we free/bush camp and is great to have, don't think we would want a full ensuite as how much time do you really spend in it per day and would prefer to have the space.....
mr ed said
10:48 PM Oct 30, 2011
The Island Star van tares at just under 1800 kg and the BMW has a 2700 kg towing capacity. I do not think the van will be too heavy
goinsoon said
10:53 PM Oct 30, 2011
We have a 19ft van with a combo unit and it is fine, we dont feel any inconvenience because we don't have an ensuite, we recon the extra romm in the van more than compensates, plus less to clean
ChiChi1 said
10:54 PM Oct 30, 2011
I like my shower and toilet combo. I am only relatively small. But if you are a large man I could imagine it might be quite difficult to use. The other thing I don't like, is everything gets wet and it has to be dried before the toilet can be used. I supposed it gets cleaned often though.
Onedodger said
03:38 PM Oct 31, 2011
pauline wrote:
We have a combo shower/toilet, takes up 1 corner of van and though we don't always use it ( when in van parks) it is there for when we free/bush camp and is great to have, don't think we would want a full ensuite as how much time do you really spend in it per day and would prefer to have the space.....
We are the same as Pauline and find the combo more than adequate and we bush camp as much as possible.
aussietraveller said
10:50 PM Oct 31, 2011
The ensuite across the back of the van like ours is very versatile and we use ours all the time no matter where we are camped, I found the combo uniys very confined and the issue of showering everything in there every time you have a shower is a bit of a pain. If you do a bit of research on second hand vans you will find en-suite vans get a proportionally better price and the couple of dealers that I discussed it with said they retain value better and are easier to sell, but it is a matter of indervidual choice and personal needs so good luck with your shopping for a new van
Cupie said
07:38 AM Nov 1, 2011
Can't make a comparative statement as we have always had an ensuite set up .. across the back past the east west bed.
We use it all the time & couldn't be happier.
One advantage is that it gives a private space for towelling & dressing after a shower.
I like my shower and toilet combo. I am only relatively small. But if you are a large man I could imagine it might be quite difficult to use. The other thing I don't like, is everything gets wet and it has to be dried before the toilet can be used. I supposed it gets cleaned often though.
Chi Chi, we have the same sort of set up as you, and me being small have no problems, but Peter finds the shower quite confining as he is a lot taller than me. As regards the toot getting wet each time you have a shower, what we did was purchase a stick on plastic shower rail, stuck it above the toot and hung half the shower curtain 'round the corner' to cover the toot. Works a treat, and I am not wiping it down each time I have a shower. We have said though, that our next van will have the ensuite across the back. May not happen over night, but eventually will happen!
ChiChi1 said
08:00 PM Nov 1, 2011
I might try that Pejay. Thaxks. Havixg trouble with " " ox keyboard xot workixg. Sorry. Will try to fix.
mr ed said
10:27 PM Nov 1, 2011
The island star van has a rail for a shower curtain which i thought was a good idea
Mr Ed
Galahs said
08:53 AM Nov 2, 2011
We have a La Vista 19'6" full van with combo shower/toilet. The thing we do in the mornings is we both use the toilet first thing, then have showers afterwards. While I start breakfast the dear old thing has her shower, and the bonus is, she gets a touch up when she comes out of the shower to dress. CONSIDER THAT MR ED!!
Hi Everyone,
We are close to choosing our new van, in order to save space we are looking at a shower/toilet combo, adding on a ensuite it just makes the van longer and heavier it seems. Has anyone had any problems with this ?
We seem to be going round in circles with choosing a van....
Regards Ed
Ken
It really does come down to personal choice Mr ed.
We had the combo in our last van but found the space restrictive when showering.
Our new van has a full ensuite across the back and we couldn't be happier.
For the extra foot that it made in the overall length of the new van was a small price to pay for a bit extra room and comfort.
But like I said personal choice.
hi, We have a van with combined shower, toilet, hand basin and have never used the shower as we go to caravan parks for a shower. the toilet only gets used at night which is really handy and the hand basin used during the day. We have had the van a few years now and we are preparing ourselves to travel f/time. it is ok for holidays but when we do head off full time I think it would be better to trade it in and buy something with an ensuite. Also,before you buy lie down in the bed to make sure it is long enough.
-- Edited by the rocket on Sunday 30th of October 2011 04:48:07 PM
We are looking at a 19ft island star and a BMW X5
I guess it depends on how much travel you will be doing. Yes the ensuite arrangement is great especially if you are away for long periods but if its just annual holidays and occassional weekends then the combination unit should not be too much of an inconvenience. Our shower is currently being used to store washing machine, doona, extra pillow, shoes and other odds and sods as we are using the park ammenities but this will need to change in a fortnight when we head off and do lots of free camping
We have had a combo shower/toilet now for the past 6 years. Have travelled approx 55,000klms with the van and have used the shower all the time with the exception of Coober Pedy (no water to the van) & Mt Surprise (covered in very fine red dust from the Lava Tubes). Obviously an ensuite would be better, but then a Ferrari is better than a Hyundai. Comes to money & convenience. Not sure why people buy a van with shower & toilet & then use it for storage - have never worked that one out as yet!
Before I had medical intervention I used the toilet at night, several times. The shower was also there if I needed it.
When you travel you never know where you'll end up and what facilities will be available. A bucket wash is good for a couple of days, but there comes a time when a shower is the preferred option.
It's about choices and options.
My cubicle is currently used for storage, but there'll come a time when it will be a bathroom again. Choices are a great option.
I'm not sure I'd recommend either option for van and tug. Please do your homework thoroughly with an open mind.
Don't make your mind up until you have all the facts about both.
The Island Star dealer Noels Caravans has a reputation for poor after sales service after you've paid the money.
I'm not sure the BMW is up to the task of towing a large van.
Please make sure of the quality of your investment.
The Island Star van tares at just under 1800 kg and the BMW has a 2700 kg towing capacity. I do not think the van will be too heavy
We have a 19ft van with a combo unit and it is fine, we dont feel any inconvenience because we don't have an ensuite, we recon the extra romm in the van more than compensates, plus less to clean
We are the same as Pauline and find the combo more than adequate and we bush camp as much as possible.
Can't make a comparative statement as we have always had an ensuite set up .. across the back past the east west bed.
We use it all the time & couldn't be happier.
One advantage is that it gives a private space for towelling & dressing after a shower.
http://www.goldstreamrv.com.au/poptops/details/10-16ft-series.html
Chi Chi, we have the same sort of set up as you, and me being small have no problems, but Peter finds the shower quite confining as he is a lot taller than me. As regards the toot getting wet each time you have a shower, what we did was purchase a stick on plastic shower rail, stuck it above the toot and hung half the shower curtain 'round the corner' to cover the toot. Works a treat, and I am not wiping it down each time I have a shower. We have said though, that our next van will have the ensuite across the back. May not happen over night, but eventually will happen!
The island star van has a rail for a shower curtain which i thought was a good idea
Mr Ed