Porta potti vs Shower/toilet

[ekakadams]

We have a 94 Rockwood with the shower/toilet, we have used the shower once since buying the PU new. We are thinking of replacing the PU in the next couple years but  I am thinking that maybe one with out the Shower would be better use of the space.
I was thinking that you could set up a porta-potti outside in an enclosure and if DW and DD insisted I could move it inside at night.With only 5 gallons of hot water seems like a sponge bath would be more realistic than a shower and they are pretty tight corridors.
Any thoughts experiences pros and cons?

Ed

[threebeachboys]

We have a 94 Rockwood with the shower/toilet, we have used the shower once since buying the PU new. We are thinking of replacing the PU in the next couple years but  I am thinking that maybe one with out the Shower would be better use of the space.
I was thinking that you could set up a porta-potti outside in an enclosure and if DW and DD insisted I could move it inside at night.With only 5 gallons of hot water seems like a sponge bath would be more realistic than a shower and they are pretty tight corridors.
Any thoughts experiences pros and cons?
Ed

We are on our 3rd pop-up - a HW Niagara.  The bathroom was the biggest reason we bought this camper.  We never use the campground bathrooms.

OTOH, if you are never going to use the shower, I would definately go with the outside shower stall & high-end Thetford potty.  I would not get one w/a built in potty only; takes up almost as much space as the combo & you don't have the option of moving it outside.

YMMV

Pam

[tlhdoc]

We have a 94 Rockwood with the shower/toilet, we have used the shower once since buying the PU new. We are thinking of replacing the PU in the next couple years but I am thinking that maybe one with out the Shower would be better use of the space.
I was thinking that you could set up a porta-potti outside in an enclosure and if DW and DD insisted I could move it inside at night.With only 5 gallons of hot water seems like a sponge bath would be more realistic than a shower and they are pretty tight corridors.
Any thoughts experiences pros and cons?

Only you and your family can decide what is right for you.  I use our inside shower when we need to, opting to use the outside shower more often.  Talk to your wife and see what she thinks.  If you don't get the shower and you decide you want one after all, it will be harder to add one after the fact.  Good luck with picking out your next camper.

[ekakadams]

So do you find that the hot water heater is adequate for showers, My DW can drain a 40 gal at home so I'm sure 5 or gallons would go quickly.
Thanks
Ed

[tlhdoc]

Yes we do find the 6 gallon water heater to be more than adequate.  When showering we take marine showers.  Water on, soap up, rinse.  One shower uses about one to two gallons of water.  We use the shower when we are camping in campgrounds without showers or any hookups, so water conservation is important.  We also use it when the campground facilities are not sanitary.

[ForestCreature]

Just like Tracy and her gang, we make the 6 gallon water heater work. If we want to be real water misers 2 of us can shower before refilling the water tank, but we really arent misers so we refill between showers.

[PattieAM]

I love my potty/shower in my Fleetwood Niagara.  I might use 2 gallons at most when showering as I too do the wet down, turn off shower at handle, lather up, rinse and turn off shower at handle.  Very refreshing!  I have done well with hair washing, as well as leg shaving when bathing.  

I do not 'stand' under the shower, but rather use the shower as a hand held, keeping the water on me.....and, to date have not had need to set up the shower curtain.

As I do not have a grey water holding tank, and do utilize a Barker blue tote (25 gal) (unless on a sewer site), I will alternate between the campground showers and my own.  I personally prefer the cleanliness of my own shower vs. campground showers.

[jtbeck]

We don't have a shower or potty in our PUP, but I was curious about something. How long does it typically take for a 6 Gal. water heater to refill/reheat? Seems like that small amount should heat up pretty quickly.

So, I guess I'm asking is running out of hot water that big a deal when you can have more hot water in a pretty reasonable amount of time? That's assuming that you can refill quickly, but that assumption could be 100% wrong.

[MotherNature]

We usually stay at campgrounds with decent bathhouse facilities with one exception (we don't have a shower or potty in the sea pine).  When we go to the exception (Assateague National Seashore, porta potties (just barely tolerable for me, DH finds them pristine compared to those he has to use on jobsites) and unheated showers (DO MIND!!)), I usually (stop reading now if you find TooMuchInformation repulsive) heat water in the stove coffee pot to wash my hair (can't stand ice cold water on my head, neither can DS he chose to get an unflattering crew cut just before our trip this summer supposedly for that reason).   We also use this method for dish washing; we discharge into a 5-gallon pulling soap (or drywall, or paint, choose your trade) bucket and drive that to the dump station.  However, I am seriously thinking about buying a solar shower for next year - I don't mind washing my body in the unheated water but cannot stand washing the hair in ice cold.  I am worried about whether the 'officers in charge' will find this in violation of their vague 'rules' and make me take it down!

Again, quit reading if TMI makes you queasy - using the porta potty is NOT pleasant by any means, but neither is the process of human elimination (sorry if I'm too blunt here).  I have neither a shower or potty but would rather use a dirty potty than a dirty shower as you can always wash off sufficiently if the shower is usable.

Another thing to consider is whether your favorite camping spots allow an outdoor potty and/or shower enclosure and how you feel about the maintenance involved in having either/or.

[tlhdoc]

I am seriously thinking about buying a solar shower for next year - I don't mind washing my body in the unheated water but cannot stand washing the hair in ice cold. I am worried about whether the 'officers in charge' will find this in violation of their vague 'rules' and make me take it down!

Where would you hang the solar shower at Assateague?

[MotherNature]

What I've seen people do is set the shower on their table (or whatever) to heat up, then take it into the shower stall and use it there.

[tlhdoc]

What I've seen people do is set the shower on their table (or whatever) to heat up, then take it into the shower stall and use it there.

That is what I have done at Assateague.  I don't think the rangers would say anything about doing that.

[archer]

We elected to buy PUP with cassette potty and we are so glad we did. Those late night treks to the bathhouse are just not fun. As far as the shower we do not mind using bathhouse, We only shower once a day and we always wear our flip flops while showering to prevent any fungus and this has proven effective. Good Luck and Happy Camping

[bud121156]

We love the potty/shower in our Fleetwood Westlake.

[MJohn]

We love the potty/shower in our Fleetwood Westlake.

Hi we also have a 2007 Fleetwood Westlake.
We did use the potty at night or if there wa a storm going on
but not the shower. Did you use your indoor shower? If so how can you arrange the curtain and still have ample room! That is our delema. I can see setting up a pup tent and using the outside but the inside just seems too small.
Overall we do LUV the pop up. Just purchased it in May and used it 24 days in July CO and NM!
                                  MJ

24days
2008 Ford F150 extended cab
2007 Fleetwood Westlake