1985 VW Westfalia

Keith Tanner wrote: I'm working on a portable toilet solution. I'll document that when it's done, but one of the goals is bathroom/kitchen separation We haven't attempted any sort of on-board shower, we usually go swimming instead. But I have some ideas there as well.

My solution for a toilet would be a 5 gallon bucket and a really nice toilet seat. For extra points, put the bucket upside down (with the bottom of the bucket cut out) so that you can have an inside toilet with lid on if necessary or an outside toilet that needs no cleaning with lid off if you have the luxury.

For a shower, I love outdoor showers, so I'd look into a simple way to plumb a temporary (maybe air hose quick release fittings) showerhead to the side of the van. Don't need a ton of pressure/heat for camping, so you can probably run it off a similar water source to the kitchen sink. For big bonus points, get a 'c' shaped tube that slips on to the ends of your two rack bars to hold a shower curtain up.

In reply to rcutclif:

rcutclif wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: I'm working on a portable toilet solution. I'll document that when it's done, but one of the goals is bathroom/kitchen separation We haven't attempted any sort of on-board shower, we usually go swimming instead. But I have some ideas there as well.

My solution for a toilet would be a 5 gallon bucket and a really nice toilet seat. For extra points, put the bucket upside down (with the bottom of the bucket cut out) so that you can have an inside toilet with lid on if necessary or an outside toilet that needs no cleaning with lid off if you have the luxury. For a shower, I love outdoor showers, so I'd look into a simple way to plumb a temporary (maybe air hose quick release fittings) showerhead to the side of the van. Don't need a ton of pressure/heat for camping, so you can probably run it off a similar water source to the kitchen sink. For big bonus points, get a 'c' shaped tube that slips on to the ends of your two rack bars to hold a shower curtain up.

I find the bucket to be a PITA to store and for occasional use much prefer the folding stool toilet.

http://www.zoro.com/texsport-toilet-portable-16-12-in-h-x-13-in-dia-15130/i/G3979403/

For a shower I now use a largish bug sprayer, like you'd use for autocross, with a dish washing head on it.

http://www.amazon.com/LASCO-Simpatico-30353AL-Kitchen-Almond-Finish/dp/B0083GCP88

If you want occasional hot water, either pour hot water in your bug sprayer (mine is stainless steel) or use a propane heater like the Coleman "Hot Water On Demand" that mimics a home tankless heater.

www.starmarinedepot.com/coleman-hot-water-on-demand-system.html

For limited use, you can use an adapted 2-liter soda bottle and one of these crafty adapters.

http://www.amazon.com/Rainburst-Simple-Shower/dp/B00DVXXIQQ

There are actually limitations on what you're required to carry for some remote campsites. http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/visit_and_play/things_to_do/rivers/Minimal_Impact_River_Camping/fire_pan_and_portable.html

But not all.
http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/files/brochures/portabletoilets.pdf

As for showers, one common thing to do is to use a cover over the rear hatch. Easy to set up by simply throwing it over the hatch - but you are still giving a show to whoever's in the van Then throw a solar shower on the roof and you're good to go.

This will not provide sufficient toilet/kitchen separation for my significant other, however.

VW's, especially the Westfalia's have always had the best designed camper-vans, IMO. Only downfall is lack of power. Camper-wise downfall is as stated, lack of toilet & shower. To me the issue with setting up a shower next to the van is waste water. Where does it go? Under the van, not good for a variety of reasons. Solar shower or other mentioned set away from the camper someplace. Heard of Australian shower? There is a portable shower system w/curtains. Toilet? There are small self-contained ones that will fit in a cabinet and pull out. Had one when I used to rent pop-up/Scamps. Does have limitations but work, especially for that middle of the night calling. Used to use trashbags in a trashcan/bucket too. Could set up in the portable shower system and just set it outside when using the shower.

That is probably the way I would attempt it, but perhaps install a bracket to support a similar awning with side curtians on the drivers side (opposite from door) that can be the combination shower/toilet. I would do the bucket toilet and actually install a hitch receiver in the back to put a platform on the back to store the bucket while in travel so that it never has to enter the vehicle.

Do you have an onboard hot water supply? with using a water-cooled motor, you might be able to plumb in something that uses engine heat to heat a resivour through a water-water heat exchanger (with valves to shut it off if not wanted), but you would still need a pump. Best solution is to mount a black tank on the forward part of the roof for a solar shower.

I love crafting ideas for this type of stuff. Ever look at the drive nacho drive blog? http://www.drivenachodrive.com/

Here's the plan so far:

I've got a chemical toilet on order, one of the small boat-style ones. No smell, enough storage for probably a week's use for two people, compact and without the need to handle bags of poop.

For kitchen/bathroom separation, I've also ordered a pop-up shelter that's small and light and supposedly can be set up in moments. Both of these will get stored in a box that mounts on the hitch receiver so that we can quickly and easily set up and tear down. This also keeps the toilet out of the van and makes it easy to pack - if we don't need it, the box stays at home. It'll get in the way of the bike rack if installed, so I'll have to see what I can do about that.

Note that I'm not the one asking about showers here Swimming in lakes beats showers any day of the week. But I might pick up a solar shower that could be used with the bathroom popup. Cheap, compact, easy and effective enough to get the job done.

I'm very familiar with Nacho. Tearing the van down to the studs and building an over-the-top water system along with a custom interior isn't likely to happen I have asked Brad about any changes he would have made after nearly three years of constant use. The heat exchanger under the van would be a fun project and easy to package, but with the amount of solar gain available here it's just not necessary.

Showers are overrated. Shave everything and carry baby wipes.