Is this a stupid idea? (Don't all rush at once...) Forums

andyjenk

It appears that opinion is divided on using toilets and showers inside 'vans.
My idea is for a toilet / shower outside the 'van!

Many small 'vans seem to have double doors at the back which do not seem to be usable as they are blocked by sink units, etc. (I may be wrong!). My idea is to use the right hand rear door to form a triangular shower / toilet compartment when opened. The shower head would be mounted in the top middle of the door. A shower curtain would be fitted inside the door to isolate it from the rest of the van when open. Shower curtain material (or that tough stuff used to protect outdoor items) would be used to join the top and edges of the door to the van. Long light weight hinges on the outside of these would fold inwards to keep the material from getting trapped in the door when closing. A further sheet of shower curtain material could be attached to the door. This would protect the door and could have an opaque window corresponding to the rear door window to protect the rear door and let in light. A light weight triangular base with folding legs similar to those on a work bench could be held inside the door. The base would slope slightly to a central hole, under which could be placed a waste container for the shower water. I'm sure an ingenious manufacturer could arrange for the base to position automatically. A portable toilet would complete the arrangement (either on the base or on the ground) or perhaps the manufacturers could figure out a way for a cassette toilet to extend automatically!
As I see it, the advantages would be:-
1. Less smell inside the 'van!
2. Minimal time in setting up in foul weather.
3. Takes up very little valuable space / weight. Not taking up much space if you usually use on-site facilities, but is there when needed.
4. Possibly accessible from inside the 'van.

If both doors could be used, you've got a luxury bathroom!

Does anyone like this idea? Has it already been done? Has anyone any other ideas they think ought to be incorporated in 'van design?

RobMD

Thoght of that a while back when we had a Hi-Top. In retrospect, decided that it was too much cost and trouble, so did consider fitting an outside shower connection, and using a Toilet Tent erected adjacent to the rear door.
Chickened out in the long run, and swapped for a small coachbuilt with shower already fitted!!

Anonymous

Good idea but knowing my luck the missus would drive off with me still sitting on the Porta Pottie. That would finish me on a busy site.

dodger148

Its not a stupid idea, it means you are motorhomer who uses a vehicle and thinks about what we require and not someone back in an office somewhere with autocad designing motorhomes that they have never been in or ever will - hence some of the design disasters on our roads

BarryandSue

That's an excellent idea, andyjenk.

I had ideas like this when I had a VW Caravelle that I converted myself (I used that superb elevating roof, the Spacemaker that slept four - wonder who owns the patent?). If I had more skill/finance/time I'm sure that some of the ideas that I had would have made super 'vans.

The one that I did use was a box unit containing sink and burners. This could be put in the back for days-out. Alternatively, a folding frame containing water, waste and gas could be erected inside the van and the box secured on top instead. A camping fridge permanently sat in the back. A tent awning completed the ensemble and the whole kit-and-caboodle carted this family of four round Europe for several years.

So keep those ideas coming - they're the lifeblood of motorhoming. And if you want to make your rear door hinge watertight for your shower, have a look at Screwfix Product 74115 on http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?ts=20944&id=74115 . It's to keep fingers out of door jambs, but it'll keep water out too. toothy2

Barry