Shower/No shower

[fritz_monroe]

Those without showers seem to justify not having one for various reasons, but unless they have had a PUP with a shower will they ever really know?

Works both ways.  So you have never owned a pup without a shower?  How can you ever know that an outside shower with shower tent isn't the greatest thing ever?

The only person that can answer the question is the person buying it.  Unless they examine the way they camp or intend to camp, they can only go by the opinions here.

[CajunCamper]

Hey if you want to have a hot tub in your pop up, go for it, if you want to camp in a  TT that has a microwave and satalite television, that's your choice, but don't assume that because I choose to be more of a minimalist and opt not to have a toilet and shower in my pop up that I don't know what I'm missing. Trust me I know what I'm missing therefore I choose not to have them. Go do your thing and let me do mine.

CajunCamper

[PattieAM]

I've got an 06 Niagara with shower/potty (hardwalled) and I love it.

The shower can be very refreshing, and I've used it to rinse the pots/pans too big for the sink, as well as giving the fur-kids a quickie bath.  Having the hard-walls also gives a nice 'changing area' with a little privacy.

While I will utilize campground showers (if clean), I do enjoy not having to leave the camper and carry all the crap.  

And, as someone else mentioned - the resale value is a wee-bit higher with this amenity than without.

[Eric Sass]

Our sons (9 & 6) use ours. I've used it twice & DW has never used it.

[TXpopper]

Works both ways.  So you have never owned a pup without a shower?  How can you ever know that an outside shower with shower tent isn't the greatest thing ever?
QUOTE]

Having an indoor shower does not remove the option of using an exterior shower tent, or opting not to use my indoor shower.  So I can easily try and experience either if I choose.  Please take a video and post here if you try the indoor shower experience....  I like what I have, and you can choose to like what you have, and we can both remain happy.

[HersheyGirl]

I have an indoor shower and an outdoor shower.  There have been times that I have set up my shower tent outside and use the shower there, and then there are times that I use my indoor shower.   So I guess that I get the best of both worlds.  I do love my showers tho, both of them.

[tlhdoc]

I have an indoor shower and an outdoor shower. There have been times that I have set up my shower tent outside and use the shower there, and then there are times that I use my indoor shower. So I guess that I get the best of both worlds. I do love my showers tho, both of them.

You forgot to post that you have a portable shower too.  You have used that one in a cold water only shower house.

[sacrawf]

When planning our Thanksgiving camping trip, I found the same thing; that the campground that we were planning to go to has shut down the bathhouses right after Halloween.  However, when camping in Southern Indiana for Easter this year, it got so cold that the water froze on our grey water drain line and the intake line from the fresh water tank to the camper.  I have already had 20 degree temps at night, and have already winterized the fresh water tank and pump.  I will just use gallon bottles for a fresh water supply, and drive a few more miles South into Kentucky for Thanksgiving where they leave the showers on year-round.

I contacted the campground that we are going to for Thanksgiving.  I found out that they turn the water off at the campsites and that the bath houses are also closed.  I am not surprised that the water is turned off, but I expected to be able to use the campground showers.  Glad we have our own shower/toilet.  Other wise we could get a little stinky.

[HersheyGirl]

You forgot to post that you have a portable shower too. You have used that one in a cold water only shower house.

LOL!  That is true too. You are right.  I guess that I have several options to take a shower.  That CHWD was great, a little leaky, but great.

[fritz_monroe]

I like what I have, and you can choose to like what you have, and we can both remain happy

My point exactly.  My response was to your post that implied that because I have never owned a pup with a shower, so I couldn't possibly know what I'm missing.

I've said it before that the greatest thing about camping is you do it however you want.  Want to backpack in with nothing but water and some dehydrated food, do it.  Want to pull up in a 40' Class A with all the comforts of home, do it.

[CC777]

I had a porto potty in my Palomino.  When we were looking to upgrade a shower/toilet combo was not negotiable in my eyes.

We bought the Hemlock with a hardside shower and cassette tiolet.  We went from using the camper facilities for emergencies to using them whenever we liked since the cassette toilet was so easy to empty and clean out.  I don't mind doing it at all.

Took a few trips before we used the shower but that is a wonderful amenity too.  Even on days where I just want to wash my hair it is great to not have to drag everything down to the bathouse to do so.

I also purchased a few plastic over door hangers and use the space to hang clothes I don't want to wrinkle or towels from.  They are out of sight and stay nice.  This August when we went to my cousins wedding in NC it was nice to be able to hang DH's freshly dry cleaned suit in a place where it wouldn't have gotten laid on.


CC

[spicetrader]

I probably need to do some research, but the few pop ups I have seen with a shower/potty, seem to have the smallest black and grey water tanks I have ever seen, like 2 gallon/5 gallon respectively.(just guessing)

Am I just missing the boat on this and all I have seen is the older models capacity? They didn't seem to empty with a hose either, it was more of a pull out the cassette and empty it.

As you can tell, we don't have either in our little Taos, but I have been eyeing the ads on Craigslist for those with a bathroom.

I think the positives of a shower and potty are a given...but what I am most interested in is capacity and cleaning.  Any info/advice on that?
Are all of the holding tanks small capacity and empty via pull out cassette?

[TXpopper]

I probably need to do some research, but the few pop ups I have seen with a shower/potty, seem to have the smallest black and grey water tanks I have ever seen, like 2 gallon/5 gallon respectively.(just guessing)

Am I just missing the boat on this and all I have seen is the older models capacity? They didn't seem to empty with a hose either, it was more of a pull out the cassette and empty it.

As you can tell, we don't have either in our little Taos, but I have been eyeing the ads on Craigslist for those with a bathroom.

I think the positives of a shower and potty are a given...but what I am most interested in is capacity and cleaning.  Any info/advice on that?
Are all of the holding tanks small capacity and empty via pull out cassette?

Here is a link to the Niagara on the Fleetwood site which has a 20 gallon grey water tank and 9 gallon black water tank.

Fleetwood Niagara

I'm sure the other manufactures are similar in size, and I only link to this one, because it is what I have and know.

We dump at the dump station using a 3" hose and have an extra grey water tank in case we want to off load any grey water before going to the dump station during longer trips.  This is similiar to what a class C type RV would do, but our tanks are smaller.  We have not had any problems with tank size, but it sounds like many on this board feel that the on board tanks are a hassle.  I personally don't see it as a problem, and actually like the setup very much, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

[beacher]

...What are the advantages or disadvantages of having a shower besides the obvious? ...

Advantages:

- No walking to the public shower.
- No waiting in line at the public shower.
- No worry about the cleanliness of the public shower.
- No shower shoes.
- Your PopUp will likely have an outside shower too!
- You won't be catching mysterious strains of foot fungus.
- No worry about the right change to carry to the shower.
- You can shower at any time.
- You don't have to worry if the campsite even has public showers.
- Greater resale value.

Disadvantages:

- All that foot fungus spray you purchased at wholesale is now worthless!
- Nobody to chat with in line at the shower line first thing in the morning.
- If you enjoyed wearing wet clothes after they fell on the public shower floor, that will go away.
- Some folks without showers will rave about how much more storage space they have and how your camping methodology is vastly inferior.
- You need to wipe down and occasionally clean your shower.
- No more interesting fungal experiments between your toes to discuss with your doctor, or around the campfire!
- If you boondock, you need to carefully think about and plan for getting sufficient quantities of fresh water to and grey water from your campsite.
- When boondocking, having to provide fresh water to some people without inside showers, who didn't think about bringing vast quantities of fresh water in the first place.

[tlhdoc]

Advantages:
 
- No walking to the public shower.
- No waiting in line at the public shower.
- No worry about the cleanliness of the public shower.
- No shower shoes.
- Your PopUp will likely have an outside shower too!
- You won't be catching mysterious strains of foot fungus.
- No worry about the right change to carry to the shower.
- You can shower at any time.
- You don't have to worry if the campsite even has public showers.
- Greater resale value.
 
Disadvantages:
 
- All that foot fungus spray you purchased at wholesale is now worthless!
- Nobody to chat with in line at the shower line first thing in the morning.
- If you enjoyed wearing wet clothes after they fell on the public shower floor, that will go away.
- Some folks without showers will rave about how much more storage space they have and how your camping methodology is vastly inferior.
- You need to wipe down and occasionally clean your shower.
- No more interesting fungal experiments between your toes to discuss with your doctor, or around the campfire!
- If you boondock, you need to carefully think about and plan for getting sufficient quantities of fresh water to and grey water from your campsite.
- When boondocking, having to provide fresh water to some people without inside showers, who didn't think about bringing vast quantities of fresh water in the first place.

I like your list.  Another advantage is you will have grey water to put your campfires out with.