Shower

[dunebuggy]

Sorry if this is in the wrong spot but I wasn't exactly sure where to put it. Mods please relocate if need be. 

Some of the more up market CT's have some kind of shower set up and although I would be happy to just go with boiling some water and having a bit of a sponge bath at the end of the day, I am sure my wife would enjoy a shower. Easy enough when you're in a caravan park with a shower block of course but what if you are on Fraser Island,or out in the scrub? What's the easiest way to set up some kind of shower suitable for keeping the women folk happy? I recently became aware of portable gas hot water systems for heating the water and I know you can buy toilet tents etc.. but, Could I please have the benefit of your experience here on MySwag? What suggestions do you have?

Many thanks in advance and 
Stuart W.

[barnray]

Stuart we have been using a Coleman hot water system for 3yrs now and the Cook won't go without it. with the adapters you can have a shower use water from a pump/ tap or a 20ltre bucket. Barnray

[Nomad]

Hey Dunebuggy

Have a read through this thread. I think it covers just about all of them.

http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=9396.0

[ralphedward]

Stuart,

I took the 'el cheapo' option and purchased 2 X 12v hand held pumps from Anaconda for a grand total of $25.00 (I purchased 2 so if 1 fails I'm still in the good books with the majority of my family) & a couple of shower tents ($30.00 each on special).  It works a treat, either heat water on the camp fire or boil the kettle on the stove and add to a bucket of cold water (heat to individuals needs) and Bob's your uncle.  A full bucket gives  a bloody good shower - wet down, turn off tap, soap up/wash hair, turn on tap and rinse.  I haven't had one of my long haired campers complain yet.

Mark

[dunebuggy]

Thanks. I'll read that other thread too. 

[Ruffstuff]

I've always used the billy of hot water in a bucket set up but have just invested in a Helton Hot water system after reading a lot of good things about them.

[Sicilianmama]

We have a coleman hot water on demand system with the shower attachment that we use all the time when camping. It's awesome! We used to do the boiling the billy & adding cold water in the shower bucket, but then we splashed out & bought the HWOD & never looked back. No stuffing around to get the temp right, it's instant & so so nice after a day out in the sand!

[Kit_e_kat9]

We have an aquacube and it works well.  I'm one of those long haired fems and I have been bought up with the heat water in the kettle, bucket & cup version of a shower and found that the HWS's used a fair amount of water rather quickly.  The bucket and cup is still our preferred arrangement due to the ease of use and lack of major packing and unpacking, attaching and unattaching issues.  And the little black 0 rings are so easy to lose.  Should get our Cube out and ensure it still works.

Also, those shower tents that fold up on themselves are a technique one must conquer quickly to save embarrasment.  I now have it down pat and in our camp I am the preferred packeruperer of this unique privacy facility.  They are great if you are camping in company, but there is nothing like leaving it packed away where possible.

Kit_e

[Tim - Stratford]

but there is nothing like leaving it packed away where possible.

Bit hard to wash when it's packed away.......

Sorry - it's late....or is that early??? 

[dunebuggy]

The other thread I was linked to mentioned a bilge pump. This was actually the 1st thing I thought of since I usually have one or two floating about for other purposes and heating water on the stove & pumping from a bucket etc..  but I jumped on here to see if someone had come up with something ingenious. I was surprised to see so many different brands of hot water systems available too. Do these systems have enough grunt to pump up to a shower head or do they need help?

[Renno]

Just added a bracket/mount and had a cover made for my one. Pretty happy with how it turned out. For hot water we boil a kettle on this stove.
This is purely for a shower. The water comes from the on board pump, I also carry another pump so I can pump from a creek or from jerry cans. I have tried a couple of the other types of systems ans this is the best my far, IMHO anyway.
Renno

[Gunna Do]

Renno, the gas hot water system looks like it's still going strong.  Have you had any problems with it since we saw it down at Yengo.

[Renno]

Not a single one. I reckon it's tops. We use it all the time. We just bought one of those massive Oztrail Mega Ensuit for under $100. Probably a bit big and will only use it for extended stays. I can fir the thunder box in there and close that small section off so it doesn't get wet. I found the smaller throw up ones a bit of a pain and when the wind picked up on the coast they were useless. This one is a solid as a rock.
Renno

[Redback]

We are thinking of changing to one of these Red Rock units, how is the unit for constant temp control and are there any issues with them.

Baz.

[Renno]

I haven't found any issues. There was a lot of hype about them not being AG approved however I am aware of that and keep an eye on it. More interestingly one of the popular branded CT companies just started selling them as an optional extra.

The temp control is no worries. I think we just leave it in the middle. In Summer we turn it right down or I pump straight out of jerry cans I have laid in the sun.
Renno  

[earle]

The other thread I was linked to mentioned a bilge pump. This was actually the 1st thing I thought of since I usually have one or two floating about for other purposes and heating water on the stove & pumping from a bucket etc..  but I jumped on here to see if someone had come up with something ingenious. I was surprised to see so many different brands of hot water systems available too. Do these systems have enough grunt to pump up to a shower head or do they need help?

We use a bilge pump set up. Last time we were camping I filled two solar showers and put them out to heat. At the end of the day tipped one of them into a flexible plastic tub and used the bilge pump. One solar shower bag was enough for two sparing showers. Felt very clean afterwards and was a huge improvement on the old sponge bath. The other solar shower bag was used for the kids baths.

We also have one of those metal drums that fat comes in for fish'n'chips shops. Filled with water and set next to the fire it quickly warms the water for a nice shower.

[lov2getaway]

We are thinking of changing to one of these Red Rock units, how is the unit for constant temp control and are there any issues with them.

Baz.

Hi Renno
Just wondering where did you get the ensuite from for under $100, Im interested in getting one for that price.
Cheers
L2GA

[Gunna Do]

Not a single one.
Renno

That's good to hear.  After seeing yours in action I have recommended them to a few of my friends, who were keen on gas water heaters.  I was hoping this advice was well founded, and it looks like it was.

[Redback]

I haven't found any issues. There was a lot of hype about them not being AG approved however I am aware of that and keep an eye on it. More interestingly one of the popular branded CT companies just started selling them as an optional extra.

The temp control is no worries. I think we just leave it in the middle. In Summer we turn it right down or I pump straight out of jerry cans I have laid in the sun.
Renno  

Great, just what I wanted to know, thanks for that.

Baz.

[Renno]

Hi Renno
Just wondering where did you get the ensuite from for under $100, Im interested in getting one for that price.
Cheers
L2GA

My internet is so slow today....
I got it from Down Under Camping. It seems to be well made and strong. Its basically like one of their Gazebo frames with a roof, floor and shower insert that clips into the frame. Haven't used it in the field yet but it seemed pretty easy to set up and looks the goods in the yard..
Renno
Most places will price match as it's a bricks and mortar store. I got ours about 4-6 weeks ago.