If you have ever been camping you know how sweaty and smelly you can get. After a long weekend in the woods, nothing is better than a nice hot shower. You may have to make the journey up the road looking for a shower house that is usually not the cleanest place on earth. But, for the lucky ones who have an RV with a shower, it is a much more pleasant experience. So, how long can you shower in an RV?
Do RVs have showers?
Yes, most modern RVs have showers in them, either a normal shower stall like you might see at home or for smaller units it might be a wet bath (basically you are showing with the toilet).
For smaller teardrops campers or pop-up campers, you may have an outside shower set up. Not really the same thing, but at least you can get rinsed off if needed.
How Big are RV showers?
When it comes to an RV shower, it is most likely going to be much tighter than you are used to using. RV space is limited, to begin with, so an RV shower does not take priority when they are designed.
Yes, there are knobs to turn on the hot/cold water and you have a normal showerhead, but that is about it when comparing it to a home shower.
The average entrance will be around 33 inches and unless you have a skylight, being over 6 feet can be restricting.
The exiting of the shower can also be a task in itself. Usually, on a couple of feet either way to maneuver, and with some models, you could be stepping right out into the middle of the RV for all to see. That would be me! Even the toilet has no door to get a little privacy.
So, How long can you shower in an RV?
Really, with the right setup, you can shower in an RV for as long as your little heart desires. However, in other setups, shower time needs to be limited, for instance, if not connected to city water boondocking (2-3 minutes) or hooked up but no tankless water tank (5-10 minutes).
That is the simple answer to “How long can I shower in an RV? but let’s take it a step further and answer some common questions about RV showers.
How much water is used to shower in an RV?
On average, an RV shower will use about 2-4 gallons of water per shower depending on how conservative you are. Shutting off the water while lathering up will greatly reduce the amount that is used.
This is also a good best practice when using a smaller hot water heater or one that does not heat as it should. It is definitely not pleasant if you run out mid-shower.
How long can you shower with a 6-gallon hot water heater?
With a 6-gallon water heater that is operating properly, you should be able to shower as long as you want. A good unit will cycle hot water quickly enough to keep the water at a comfortable temperature.
How long does it take for water to heat up in an RV?
RV water heaters typically take 20 minutes to heat up the water. A larger 10-gallon hot water tank will take longer to heat up.
I tend to turn on my hot water heater about 30 minutes before I want to use it and know it will be ready to go.
This can also depend on the type of unit you use to heat your water. On-demand hot water heaters don’t need any warning before you turn on the water and prepare for a relaxing shower.
Do RV hot water heaters run on Electricity?
There are three types of RV water heaters with tanks: electric water heaters, propane water heaters, and combination heaters.
As you might guess, an electric water heater heats water using electricity. It is also possible to use both electricity and propane at the same time in order to heat the water more quickly.
Typical RV water heater types
- Propane (LP) Only RV Water Heater – Propane RV water heaters are the best RV water heater option for those who enjoy dry camping and wish to conserve electricity. … It is also possible to use both electricity and propane at the same time in order to heat the water more quickly.
- Gas + Electric RV Water Heater – Standard tank can be switched to run off of gas or electric.
- Tankless RV Water Heater – Tankless water heaters are a practical way to get on-demand hot water to your faucets with an unlimited supply. They’ll allow you to get unlimited hot water with no recovery time. This could save you money heating a tank that may never get used.
- MotorAid RV Water Heater – Basically just a ‘U’ shaped aluminum tube welded to the backside of the water heater tank. It runs engine coolant thru it to heat the water coolant at 220*F will give you 130* water temp.
Where does the water go when you shower in an RV?
A connection outside the RV (city water) brings water into the RV. The sink and the shower drain into a holding tank called a gray water holding tank, that is located underneath the RV.
Is it OK to leave hot water heater on in a camper?
So long as you remember to turn your propane off while traveling, leaving your RV hot water heater on consistently should pose no greater safety risk or degradation to your system. Cost and the impact on the environment is the biggest downside to constantly running it.
How does the RV hot water tank fill?
Filling your hot water tank can be done using the water from your fresh tank and the RV water pump. It can also be done using the water pressure supplied from city water connected to your water hook up. With all your plumbing connections tightened to prevent leaks, open the hot water taps on all your faucets.
Is it bad to leave the water pump on in RV?
As long as your RV is not connected to city water you can leave the freshwater pump on. As long as the pump is operating properly it will not use any power when there is no demand for water.
Here are a couple of real-life reviews of RV showers
Final Thoughts
So, depending on your setup taking a nice hot shower can be a great experience. If you have ever spent a weekend playing, hiking, or just sitting at your site, any shower at all is a great experience. I know for us we enjoy the shower but it is a cramped space for me at 6 foot+. I really like just having that option if I get hot, sweaty, and dirty from getting out and having some fun. A good 5-minute shower can go a long way to help you get a good night’s sleep. Get out and see what this beautiful world has to offer!
For all our coffee lovers out there please read below and don’t forget to visit us at The GRIND Coffee Shop
Close your eyes for a moment and just think about this. It’s sunrise, you roll out of your RV, morning air feeling brisk, fire from the night before taking its last breath as it’s trying to reignite. You find your favorite chair on the site, turn it to look out over the lake, and nestle in to relax. Birds chirping and fish jumping as the new day begins. This is what it’s all about!………. Now imagine a hot cup of coffee in your hand. Life just got so much better!
Here is a great article about the best Class C RVs on the market
