My good wife (Joy) is slowly getting around to the idea of free-camping, so I'm taking advantage of this to make sure that it is as stress free as possible. We have the opportunity to escape for a month in the Avan Cruiser and want to free camp now and then. I'm used to rough camping with my kids and grandkids so bush camping is something I personally can cope with, but for Joy I am not sure....and I do not want to blow this opportunity to sell her on the idea.
First item required is the popup shower - any types to steer clear of - how do you keep fresh clothing dry when showering?
Same with water supply for same - I figure pump in bucket with shower hose attached is OK? (we carry 100L) - heat kettle pour in bucket.
Should we use those foam plastic squares thingoes that go on the floor?
Is a double popup shower a good thing?
Porta potti brands NOT to buy...and 10L or 20L? - are there alternatives.
I understand that most answers will be personal choices, but I'd like to read the background to those choices.
Thanks and regards to all.
justcruisin01 said
07:31 AM Feb 5, 2013
hako wrote:
My good wife (Joy) is slowly getting around to the idea of free-camping, so I'm taking advantage of this to make sure that it is as stress free as possible. We have the opportunity to escape for a month in the Avan Cruiser and want to free camp now and then. I'm used to rough camping with my kids and grandkids so bush camping is something I personally can cope with, but for Joy I am not sure....and I do not want to blow this opportunity to sell her on the idea.
First item required is the popup shower - any types to steer clear of - how do you keep fresh clothing dry when showering?
The spring up type can be tricky to pack up, unless you fold them correct the spring can bend & thats the end of them.
The ones with an external fibre glass poles are sturdy & have pockets for various items, a plastic curtain to keep a towel dry , air vents etc. We have used one of these.
Same with water supply for same - I figure pump in bucket with shower hose attached is OK? (we carry 100L) - heat kettle pour in bucket.
That works, or if you have a camp fire then the billy on the fire
Should we use those foam plastic squares thingoes that go on the floor?
Dont use the ones with the holes in them, they work like a pump & bring up water & mud, we use the solid type available from clark rubber as not to many camping stores have these.
Is a double popup shower a good thing?
Some use one for shower & one for toilet, not hard to move the toot in & out of a single at shower time( thats if you wish to use a portable toot)
Porta potti brands NOT to buy...and 10L or 20L? - are there alternatives.
I understand that most answers will be personal choices, true, but I'd like to read the background to those choices.
Thanks and regards to all.
beachball57 said
08:47 AM Feb 5, 2013
hi i went to rays outdoors but most camping stores will have them and bought a small shower/toilet tent, it folds up into almost nothing,, combine that with a battery powerd shower pump and then a went and got a small kids blow up wading pool to put inside the shower tent, we just stand inside the wading pool and reuse the shower water each time we shower, that way you're not wasting water,, then dry off step out onto a mat that we have and away you go,, the shwoer tent has a zip so it can be closed when you're init if you want,,, works a treat for us... then when it's time to move on just let the air out of the wading pool fold the tent up and away you go
-- Edited by beachball57 on Tuesday 5th of February 2013 08:50:02 AM
Oxley said
02:37 PM Feb 5, 2013
Tent wise I just hang a tarp from one of the lift up doors of my ute canopy, but for a shower I use a standard garden pump up spray unit, with a normal shower head, one of the ones with the flexible hose.
It took a bit of MacGyvering with some clamps etc, but it works.
hako said
05:57 PM Feb 5, 2013
Thanks for those replies so far - much to consider - when we decide on what we need exactly we'll do a dry run in the backyard.
BruDi said
05:58 PM Feb 5, 2013
We have two pop tents which, provided you practice at home aren't that hard to put down, up is easy. We heat water, put it in a bucket and use a cheap 12V shower. We've changed the hookups from a cigarette pin to battery clips. We always carry a small battery which we can take into the shower area, or nearby. We use ours when off roading and so bush camping.
The plastic mats are slippery once water and soap gets on them so experiment with something to go on top of them that stops that sliding feeling. We've used the cheap non-slip ribbed matting that is available in cheap shops. As mentioned you also have to be careful of the mud you will create.
We've always set our popups so that we can get out of one into the other to dress; avoids the mud. The other can be used for your porta potti if you get one. Smaller is better than bigger as it takes up less space when packing.
There are youtube videos to show how to fold up the tents.
The value of the popups is that they are light and take up little room.
Also be aware that for 2 people to shower you will use about 9L of water, even being economical.
We use to have the 12vlt shower type you purchase from camp stores but that only seem to last one trip, so I made my own with 10ltre bucket a more reliable pump.
-- Edited by Sheba on Tuesday 5th of February 2013 10:59:47 PM
Kantiki said
11:12 PM Feb 5, 2013
We have a portal pot tie,not sure what size but it is in the bigger range. A smaller capacity may be easier to pack but they will need more frequent emptying.The larger size is also easier to use as age stiffens the joints and knees don't bend as much as they used to. You could place it on a platform but then that is more to pack. Have fun with whatever you choose.
jetj said
11:40 PM Feb 5, 2013
Kantiki wrote:
We have a portal pot tie,not sure what size but it is in the bigger range. A smaller capacity may be easier to pack but they will need more frequent emptying.The larger size is also easier to use as age stiffens the joints and knees don't bend as much as they used to. You could place it on a platform but then that is more to pack. Have fun with whatever you choose.
Porta Potti, I have a 10 litre but have opted for sons 20 litre on last trip, being higher its a lot easier on the knees and also doesn't need to be emptied too often. Mind you only use it the once a night, always use public toilets during the day. Shower, I have the shower tent and 12 volt shower of which I have used neither yet. Always use wipes, bird bath, and pop into a public shower when I find one. Also have one of those cheap rubber shower things, just in case I can pop it on a tap along the way, even if just to wash my hair. To explain, its one of those that has a shower head at one end and just tap push ons at the other end of the hose. Used to have one for washing the dog.
MrH said
05:31 AM Feb 6, 2013
Ozitrail Duo tent, comes with plastic for floor, very easy to fold back up. Just google to watch video & it is that easy. Has central wall that can unzip plus lots of things to hang toiletry things on & mirrors etc. Can be used as shower change room/toilet set up. I use a Coleman on demand hot water system but hot water in a bucket with a cheap pump & shower is fine. Having an area to change in is a bonus I think. Have a look at link below. Good luck H
Some have success with the cheaper camp ones Approx $30.00 but the one I made has a "Rule" slimline marine submersible pump Model No iL200. About $90.00.
I just got feed up with the camp ones failing, they would only fail at the camp spot and I would end up tipping the bucket of water over my head to rinse of.
But having said all of that maybe a 12vlt camp shower would be the thing to get until your wife has tried the free camping, if all is well and you both enjoy the experience then maybe go to a more elaborate set-up.
-- Edited by patrolst on Wednesday 6th of February 2013 12:18:17 PM
ChrisandPeter said
02:58 PM Feb 6, 2013
We had a cheap Deals Direct toilet at first but have upgraded to a Thetford - much much better!
Make sure you get one with a pump flush not the concertina push flush - the concertina thingy cracks.
The bigger the holding tank the better but of course it will also be heavier.
We also have a 12V shower with battery clamps and extra long cables.
We use our step ladder outside the pop up tent as a clothes rack.
Have fun, the freedom of bush camping is worth some of the little inconveniences, there are so many fantastic places out there!
hako said
05:12 PM Feb 6, 2013
Question: for a shower pump - use the cheap units or go for a better one (possibly cobble one up?) Thanks for all those great explanations - much better than asking a salesperson.
GaryKelly said
11:04 PM Feb 6, 2013
Has anyone tried a solar bag with gravity feed? I guess there's nowhere on a popup tent to hang one but if you position the popup near a tree branch it would work, and it would save messing around with pumps and buckets.
Recoup said
11:04 PM Feb 6, 2013
Just a quick question, does the water run straight on to the grass or what ever ,or do you put a wading pool like beachball57 suggested on the floor ? My wife is petrified when it comes to critters with no legs or six legs. Hans
GaryKelly said
11:28 PM Feb 6, 2013
I don't think popups have a floor, so the water would run straight onto the ground unless you add a floor or wading pool. I'm thinking a small wading pool would be a good idea, especially if there's little or no grass. Otherwise you'd get muddy toots.
jetj said
11:30 PM Feb 6, 2013
Mine has a removable floor as I think lots do.
neilnruth said
02:49 AM Feb 7, 2013
The black bag with gravity feed is a problem for height. We're only short but we ended up sitting on the portapottie to have a shower (in a tent of course!)
Gerty Dancer said
03:24 AM Feb 7, 2013
We use the black bag to heat the water, then tip it in the bucket and use the pump. 2 of us can shower in a single bucket-full of water, and we use the rubber squares with holes in them on the ground.. You can get a lot of mud if using the shower in the same spot repeatedly, we've only ever used it 3 dayss before either moving on or shifting the shower tent. If you find a spot on a bit of slope that you can put your tent on, that gives better drainage. We place a chair right outside the zip-door so you can reach out and grab towels etc.
Its a very good idea to have a practise with the shower set-up at home so its easier to make alterations. Good luck Hako!
Beth54 said
04:52 AM Feb 7, 2013
All the advise below is what I use too, but my problem with the shower tent is that I have a problem with staying upright with nothing to lean against. A few years ago, while trying to get my underwear on, I tripped on them and nearly tipped the tent over, and lost the said underwear on the wet ground.
So now I follow my sisters suggestion and put the shower tent up near the caravan door, get undressed inside, then wrap a big towel around me and go in and out of the shower. Thus no clothes to drop on the wet ground. Works a treat...as long as your not too precious about showing your shoulders to whoever may be around.
justcruisin01 said
05:54 AM Feb 7, 2013
Gerty Dancer wrote:
We use the black bag to heat the water, then tip it in the bucket and use the pump. 2 of us can shower in a single bucket-full of water, and we use the rubber squares with holes in them on the ground.. You can get a lot of mud if using the shower in the same spot repeatedly, we've only ever used it 3 dayss before either moving on or shifting the shower tent. If you find a spot on a bit of slope that you can put your tent on, that gives better drainage. We place a chair right outside the zip-door so you can reach out and grab towels etc.
Its a very good idea to have a practise with the shower set-up at home so its easier to make alterations. Good luck Hako!
Try placing a section of poly tarp or plastic thats larger than your tent floor area under the shower tent & rubber mats, this will drain the water outside away from the shower tent, elimenates mud under your feet.
If the tent has ground pegs around the base then fold the section into a longer length & just wide enough to slide through between the pegs, bit like a slippery-slide , placed correct with the edges slightly turned up it becomes a drain to carry the water away from the tent area.
JC.
hako said
05:57 AM Feb 7, 2013
Another question: can you leave the porta-potti in the shower tent all the time....including when you are showering?....I'd guess the toilet paper would need to be outside....is the seat still dry when you lift the lid?
justcruisin01 said
06:15 AM Feb 7, 2013
hako wrote:
Another question: can you leave the porta-potti in the shower tent all the time....including when you are showering?....I'd guess the toilet paper would need to be outside....is the seat still dry when you lift the lid?
If there is room enough then I guess you could, try placing a large plastic garbage bag over the toot to keep it dry.
Beth54 said
06:22 AM Feb 7, 2013
justcruisin01 wrote:
Try placing a section of poly tarp or plastic thats larger than your tent floor area under the shower tent & rubber mats, this will drain the water outside away from the shower tent, elimenates mud under your feet.
If the tent has ground pegs around the base then fold the section into a longer length & just wide enough to slide through between the pegs, bit like a slippery-slide , placed correct with the edges slightly turned up it becomes a drain to carry the water away from the tent area.
JC.
Very clever Jim. You're not just a pretty face hey!
neilnruth said
12:26 AM Feb 8, 2013
If you read my post above we had to sit on the portapottie to have a shower. Just wiped the seat again before we used it for other purposes!
GaryKelly said
02:18 AM Feb 8, 2013
Gerty Dancer wrote:
We use the black bag to heat the water, then tip it in the bucket and use the pump.
What a sterling idea! I knew those solar bags were good for something.
hako said
04:44 AM Feb 8, 2013
A final thanks to everyone - you gave me the answers to all questions and complete with explanations and tips that helps join all the dots.
My good wife (Joy) is slowly getting around to the idea of free-camping, so I'm taking advantage of this to make sure that it is as stress free as possible. We have the opportunity to escape for a month in the Avan Cruiser and want to free camp now and then. I'm used to rough camping with my kids and grandkids so bush camping is something I personally can cope with, but for Joy I am not sure....and I do not want to blow this opportunity to sell her on the idea.
First item required is the popup shower - any types to steer clear of - how do you keep fresh clothing dry when showering?
Same with water supply for same - I figure pump in bucket with shower hose attached is OK? (we carry 100L) - heat kettle pour in bucket.
Should we use those foam plastic squares thingoes that go on the floor?
Is a double popup shower a good thing?
Porta potti brands NOT to buy...and 10L or 20L? - are there alternatives.
I understand that most answers will be personal choices, but I'd like to read the background to those choices.
Thanks and regards to all.
-- Edited by beachball57 on Tuesday 5th of February 2013 08:50:02 AM
Tent wise I just hang a tarp from one of the lift up doors of my ute canopy, but for a shower I use a standard garden pump up spray unit, with a normal shower head, one of the ones with the flexible hose.
It took a bit of MacGyvering with some clamps etc, but it works.
The plastic mats are slippery once water and soap gets on them so experiment with something to go on top of them that stops that sliding feeling. We've used the cheap non-slip ribbed matting that is available in cheap shops. As mentioned you also have to be careful of the mud you will create.
We've always set our popups so that we can get out of one into the other to dress; avoids the mud. The other can be used for your porta potti if you get one. Smaller is better than bigger as it takes up less space when packing.
There are youtube videos to show how to fold up the tents.
The value of the popups is that they are light and take up little room.
Also be aware that for 2 people to shower you will use about 9L of water, even being economical.
Di
We have one of these shower tents. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNl-UwjX_s4&feature=related
Toilet is the 335 Thetford Porta Potti, which has the 10ltr-holding tank and the 10ltr fresh water-flushing tank.
http://www.graysonline.com/retail/cm-8710315001143/sporting--leisure-good/thetford-porta-potti-335?source=googleps&gclid=CKmBhtfynbUCFUFKpgodbEgAaQ
We use to have the 12vlt shower type you purchase from camp stores but that only seem to last one trip, so I made my own with 10ltre bucket a more reliable pump.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=lFvQ5SQOM1Y&desktop_uri
-- Edited by Sheba on Tuesday 5th of February 2013 10:59:47 PM
I totally agree.
http://www.graysonline.com
Shower, I have the shower tent and 12 volt shower of which I have used neither yet. Always use wipes, bird bath, and pop into a public shower when I find one.
Also have one of those cheap rubber shower things, just in case I can pop it on a tap along the way, even if just to wash my hair. To explain, its one of those that has a shower head at one end and just tap push ons at the other end of the hose. Used to have one for washing the dog.
Has central wall that can unzip plus lots of things to hang toiletry things on & mirrors etc.
Can be used as shower change room/toilet set up.
I use a Coleman on demand hot water system but hot water in a bucket with a cheap pump & shower is fine.
Having an area to change in is a bonus I think.
Have a look at link below.
Good luck
H
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=lFvQ5SQOM1Y&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DlFvQ5SQOM1Y
Some have success with the cheaper camp ones Approx $30.00 but the one I made has a "Rule" slimline marine submersible pump Model No iL200. About $90.00.
I just got feed up with the camp ones failing, they would only fail at the camp spot and I would end up tipping the bucket of water over my head to rinse of.
But having said all of that maybe a 12vlt camp shower would be the thing to get until your wife has tried the free camping, if all is well and you both enjoy the experience then maybe go to a more elaborate set-up.
-- Edited by patrolst on Wednesday 6th of February 2013 12:18:17 PM
We had a cheap Deals Direct toilet at first but have upgraded to a Thetford - much much better!
Make sure you get one with a pump flush not the concertina push flush - the concertina thingy cracks.
The bigger the holding tank the better but of course it will also be heavier.
We also have a 12V shower with battery clamps and extra long cables.
We use our step ladder outside the pop up tent as a clothes rack.
Have fun, the freedom of bush camping is worth some of the little inconveniences, there are so many fantastic places out there!
Thanks for all those great explanations - much better than asking a salesperson.
My wife is petrified when it comes to critters with no legs or six legs.
Hans
Mine has a removable floor as I think lots do.
Its a very good idea to have a practise with the shower set-up at home so its easier to make alterations. Good luck Hako!
All the advise below is what I use too, but my problem with the shower tent is that I have a problem with staying upright with nothing to lean against. A few years ago, while trying to get my underwear on, I tripped on them and nearly tipped the tent over, and lost the said underwear on the wet ground.
So now I follow my sisters suggestion and put the shower tent up near the caravan door, get undressed inside, then wrap a big towel around me and go in and out of the shower. Thus no clothes to drop on the wet ground. Works a treat...as long as your not too precious about showing your shoulders to whoever may be around.
Try placing a section of poly tarp or plastic thats larger than your tent floor area under the shower tent & rubber mats, this will drain the water outside away from the shower tent, elimenates mud under your feet.
If the tent has ground pegs around the base then fold the section into a longer length & just wide enough to slide through between the pegs, bit like a slippery-slide , placed correct with the edges slightly turned up it becomes a drain to carry the water away from the tent area.
JC.
If there is room enough then I guess you could, try placing a large plastic garbage bag over the toot to keep it dry.
Very clever Jim. You're not just a pretty face hey!
What a sterling idea! I knew those solar bags were good for something.