Hot water and shower solutions for vanlife, overlanding and outdoor.

A hot shower for Vanlife or Overlanding is more than just a nice gadget. We have been traveling for 9 years with a heat exchanger that is integrated into the engine cooling circuit. This solution requires a major intervention in the technology of the base vehicle and was not a bargain in terms of purchase price at the time. What has happened in the meantime - how do we get a hot shower in 2021 if we are not heading to a campsite?

The following solutions are all suitable, but have their own advantages / disadvantages in terms of transport and use. Sometimes the equipment is a little heavy, a little bulky or your hunger for energy is enormous. 

Vanlife Outdoor "Hot-Shower" Setup

There are different kinds of hot water tansk and boilers out there, heated by sun, gas, diesel, electricity (12v, 110v/220v) heat exchanger (engine, park heating). 

Here I will show you a selection of approved well made camp shower options! Here you find more or less mobile solutions for using it at campsite or outdoor. 

Dr. Prepare/Ironman foldable Camping Shower, 4 Gallons
Size: 18.1 x 7.9 inch
Net weight: 1.89 lb
Pressure, manual foot pump included
If you like to keep it simple, you will love that piece of gear. You can use the sun to heat the water, or you can fill in hot water. It is lightweigt, has a small package size, perfect for vanlife. hiking or hunting!

Available here: https://amzn.to/2RIZb3C

Hike Crew /Kampa Portable Propane Water Heater & Shower Pump

DC input voltage: 12V/5A (cigarette lighter plug)

Gas type: propane

Water flow: 2.2L/minute (2.3qt/minute) on average

Dimensions: 9.65” L x 12.2” W x 11.8” H (245 x 310 x 300mm)

Weight: 13.2lb (6.0kg) without propane tank

Available here: https://amzn.to/3iRrSGC

 

Camplux /Ecotemp 5L Outdoor Portable Propane Water Heater,1.32 GPM
Item Weight: 10 pounds, Dimensions 11.42 x 4.33 x 14.8 inches
Batteries: 2 D batteries required.
Flow Rate 1.32 Gallons Per Minute
I love these tankless endless hot water makers. But this still needs water with pressure or additional a waterpump and fittings, so package size and weight isnt final here.

Available here: https://amzn.to/2Tinqpw

Helton Hot Water (heat exchanger to car engine)
Do you want the luxury of instant and continuous hot water when camping or fishing? Make it a certainty with a Helton heat exchanger fitted to your vehicle. Enjoy hot water for showers, washing dishes and parts or just washing dirty hands after a long day on the trail.
Available here: http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/helton.html

Glind Hot Water (heat exchanger to car engine)

It is also an australian Product who is working similar to the hilton device above. A pretty good gadget if you are doing vanlife or overlanding and plan to offer a hot shower to your wife or kids. I have tested the Hilton Device over many years and too in winter condition, cant tell you something about the glind.

Available here: https://glind.com.au/store/

If you want a non portable hot water solution for you RV, for your camper DIY Project you have a lot more options from the european market. Brands like Truma deliver those boiler solutions "made in germany" world wide. You can find those listened here: https://www.4x4tripping.com/2021/06/heisse-dusche-fuer-Overlanding-Vanlife.html 

Do you know Products who have to be listened here too? Please note them by the comment function, I will probably add them after an deeper review and research!

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