Keeping clean is an important part of camping, and depending on your camping situation, water may be scarce and the need to ratio it is crucial. The biggest use of fresh water is the shower – whether it be a simple outdoor solar camping shower or an inbuilt shower in your campervan or RV. Regardless of what your method of shower is, it’s always best to limit your water usage.
So what is a good amount of water to use in a camping shower?
Well, most outdoor portable shower units hold approx. 20 litres of water (5 gallons). How quickly this water is dispensed will be determined by the shower head and also the strength of your 12v water pump. A shower head with very small holes and fewer holes than a normal shower head will reduce the amount of water released.
An RV shower will hold a lot more water but also dispense it at a faster rate. On average an RV will use about 100 – 150 litres of water a day. This is including showers, drinking water, and washing up and based on 2 adults and a small child.
Types of camping shower
Simple Solar Shower
There are many types of camping showers available on the market today. The cheapest and easiest to use would be the solar outdoor camping shower as mentioned earlier. These showers contain a large black plastic bag that is filled with water and left out in the sun to heat up. The black plastic material absorbs the heat from the sun acting like a solar panel. Attached to the water bag is a hose with a showerhead. The best way to use the shower is to hang from a high point such as a tree so the act of gravity will provide enough pressure for the water to spray from the showerhead.
Portable Gas On Demand Hot Water
Portable Gas Hot Water systems use gas in order to heat water and also contain an electric water pump to provide pressure. Whilst they are very effective, they also are much more expensive than a simple solar shower, and larger in size. If you are a regular camper and enjoy your hot showers, then this type is perfect for you.
