Welcome to the gang Colin, enjoy here and out in the playground.

I have what is in the pic below and find it OK. That said though, it takes about 2-3 litres of water to heat up and then it is not actually hot, hot. I find it is warm and suits me fine but very rarely actually use the hot water as I have been travelling up and down the eastern states following the warmer climates so a cold shower is all I need. 

Even when I head to the "wild west" I thing the warm water will be fine. Just enough to take the chil off the water is ok with me. 

 

 

 

 

Edit.....Sorry you have to stand on your head but some days I kust can't seem to get it right. Today is one of those days. Maybe my good frind Rocky could help me out here. Don't even know what all the ? are for. Uncle Al must have got up first today.  

-- Edited by Dougwe on Saturday 21st of May 2016 10:54:38 AM

Dougwe wrote  

 

Edit.....Sorry you have to stand on your head but some days I kust can't seem to get it right. Today is one of those days. Maybe my good frind Rocky could help me out here. Don't even know what all the ? are for. Uncle Al must have got up first today.  

-- Edited by Dougwe on Saturday 21st of May 2016 10:54:38 AM

 

Here ya go.

 

Hi Col

There was a bit of discussion about this on this forum a few years earlier:

http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t45936821/caravan-hot-water-systems/

We have a Suburban SW6DEA gas & electric HWS in our van, gas when we free camp and electric when on mains in a CP. They are well made and popular, and we haven't had any problems with ours, good performer and works like a charm. Drawback is that they are a bit pricey to buy.

Cheers.

 

Are you installing an ensuite in the van and want an installed heater? If not there are portable models available:

RED TRACK Gas Hot Water Heater

Portable Gas Water Heater with 4.3L Pump Package - this one comes wit a pump kit.

HOTTAP Portable Water Heater

Rather than build a heater into the van you could mount one of these on the rear wall of the van.

-- Edited by PeterD on Monday 23rd of May 2016 06:52:40 PM

There is a new park at National Park, Tasmania called "Left of Field CP." They are not permitted to put showers in their amenities block as the water supply mob reckon they don't have sufficient water for them to do so. They have to advertise the park for self contained vehicles only. (I can't see much difference between campers showering in their vans connected to his water supply and showering in an amenities bloc.)

At any rate back to the subject. There were a couple of 2 compartment shower tents there with heaters similar to the HOTTAP I linked to above. They were mounted on portable poles with a gas bottle under each (the tents and heaters had to be portable.) The shower head delivery hose passed into the tent and there was a sling to hang the shower rose up so you did not have to hold it. To use the shower you first turned the water tap and the gas bottle on. When you wanted the shower you slid the button the shower head to turn the water on. The water flow lit the flame in the heater and after waiting for the cold water to pass through you had an excellent shower. The only thing was that you needed someone to set the temperature to your liking the first use. After that you could reset your preferred temperature before entering the tent with the rotary control and the LED display on the heater.

You could use it in a portable fashion like above or mount it on the rear RH of your van. If mounted on the rear of the van you could have it plumbed in permanently and erect the tent at the rear or the RHS of the van.

This is the showers at Left of Field. You can see one in the background uncovered and in use.

-- Edited by PeterD on Tuesday 24th of May 2016 04:51:35 PM

That is a big good looking en-suite tent. I just have the standard single model that seems quite big enough.

Hi.
Previous full size vans had bathroom complete.

This little one Basic Coromal 18ft tandem has zilch.
I added Porta pottie t'ween beds (new. you don't know who used other one)

also a "Hottap" water supply unit.
I mounted it on side of van outside , forward of door. (removable) has inlet and hot outlet.
I added a dual outlet water supply with one line going to rear offside of van where toilet/shower tent fits.
T'other outlet I piped up to kitchen sink mixer tap.

It comes with a 4.5ltr pump which is fine for shower and keeps missus water consumption down.

2 Full size pumps sit in box in garage. Maybe??? one day if I feel nice, hey.

$347 on special, delivered. fully mobile,
works well and can tap into van gas line, or like self.
a little 4.5kg bottle on chassis rail.

Ex G/F with horses put me onto them. They (a lot of them) use it on trail rides for washing horses down when in Southern climes (cooooold) and have carry handle on back to carry or mount on fence posts, tree branches, float, etc.

Don't know what others are like but these are the ducks nuts. then some.
Keep water supply volume down and they get as hot as you want.

Thanks for asking the question, Col. Now I don't have to :)
Thanks PeterD and Macka for the responses.

Sarge.

Those 4.5ltr pumps cost about $12/15 on net and give low flow of water.
Ideal forgiving time to heat and slow down tank drainage.

Full size pumps start around $180 and go up. drain a 90ltr tank real quick too.

I've got two in garage. $100 and you can have one.

These HOTTAp units do a real good job with 4.5 pump. NOT high pressure. but cover you well
and don't use much gas either.
A few I know run T Piece from gas line from main gas tanks.
I set up a 4.5ltr bottle just for heater. Less chance of leaks hey.

Hi Wilbur,

I don't have one myself, but it's a hot topic of conversation (excuse the pun) on a camper trailer group I follow, so here's some photos of what some of them have done. As you can see, the camper trailer fraternity tend to rely on simply opening the box the water system is in during use to provide ventilation, and that way it doesn't let dust in through any permanent vents when closed up for travelling. Camper trailers tend to get subjected to some pretty rough conditions, and the water systems seem to survive OK so doubt that'd be a problem on the back of your campervan. Hope this provides some inspiration for your project.

-- Edited by Mamil on Wednesday 17th of March 2021 09:15:05 PM

Thanks Mamil, that is really helpful. Really appreciate the effort you have gone to to gather those photos. Don't know why I hadn't thought of mounting the unit on the door - solves the problem of flu. Might hardmount door to rear and use 'box' as the door, if I turn box so hinge is at the bottom then when opened (downwards) if will form a handy shelf to put things (shampoo, soap etc that typically ends up on the ground getting dirty).
You have provided just the inspiration I needed.
cheers