Do we really need a toilet and shower

spida · Guru

Do we really need a toilet and shower

Ug-Vic · Veteran Member

Hi We are wanting to buy a van. We would like to start off slowly and do 2 and 3 week trips, then slowly build up to the big one. We have been looking at vans but they are all very expensive. There are some on Internet with no shower and toilet which look ok. Do we really need a shower and toilet to travel or are they just added luxuries that don't really get used. I know that there are some areas of Australia where you can't take the van and have to tent it. Thanks Vic

Gerty Dancer · Guru

G'day Ug-Vic, our caravan doesnt have a shower/toilet, and after travelling through places where public loos arent provided or arent usable we wish we had chosen a van with these amenities. You can always shower in a little pop-up tent, use a porta-potti, but that can be pretty difficult in some places, or if its raining. If you are planning on long-term travels it would be worth considering IMHO.
We've taken our tent with us on several caravan trips and saw places otherwise inaccessable to the caravan. Some caravans can go over rough roads but they are heavier and more expensive, so the tent is a good option for us. It also gives variety to a long trip.

milo · Guru

We had a shower toilet in our motorhome, some came with , some with out,
it was great for dad at his age to use the built in loo, and nothing like not having to walk
half a mile in heat or rain just to use the the loo, plus , some, not all cp's showers blocks arnt all good

but its horses for courses as they say.
good luck in your hunting.

Big Gorilla · Guru

If you are going to free camp, I believe it's a must... Familiarise yourself with how long the water will last and how often you will require a dump point. With 2 of us travelling, 4 days is max...

Ug-Vic · Veteran Member

Thanks guys.
We have the opportunity to buy a 2009 scenic vega which has never been used for around $20k.
I am not sure if we should go for it or not.
We want to travel and make the most of things and we would like to start ASAP.
If we have to wait until we can buy a more expensive van it may take a while and who knows what the future holds.

the rocket · Guru

hi, it really is a personal choice. we bought an older jayco and its great.it has a shower n toilet but only use the toilet. it is combined shower, toilet, hand basin n we find the door is not wide enough for us n the area too small to enjoy a shower but it is really beut for toilet use at night. a cheaper van the insurance is less. a van with ensuite would be the direction we would go if we decide to travel full time. how bout hiring a van to see for yourself before you commit. cheers

Ug-Vic · Veteran Member

Big Gorilla wrote:
If you are going to free camp, I believe it's a must... Familiarise yourself with how long the water will last and how often you will require a dump point. With 2 of us travelling, 4 days is max...

Big gorilla Does this mean that even if you are free camping you can only do it for 4 days???? I have a lot to learn but we so badly want to do this Vic

Ug-Vic · Veteran Member

the rocket wrote:
hi, it really is a personal choice. we bought an older jayco and its great.it has a shower n toilet but only use the toilet. it is combined shower, toilet, hand basin n we find the door is not wide enough for us n the area too small to enjoy a shower but it is really beut for toilet use at night. a cheaper van the insurance is less. a van with ensuite would be the direction we would go if we decide to travel full time. how bout hiring a van to see for yourself before you commit. cheers

That's a very good suggestion but the van we are looking at maybe sold by the time hubby can get a break from work and we can go away... Grrrrrrr. Decisions it's all too hard for this nana.

Roving-Dutchy · Guru

If you buy a second hand van at the right price, it is more than likely that in a few years you will be able to trade up to another van and not lose money, get on the road now with what you can afford as you do not know what the future may hold, we have been caravaning for more than 20 years and still don't have an onboard shower, but do have porta potti.
Not having all mod cons hasn't prevented us from travelling to anywhere we might choose to travel and from staying away as long as we like.
Cheers
David

Santa · Guru

Big Gorilla is right, we find after about 5 days were looking for a dump point and our 170 litre fresh water tank is looking for a top up.

We have a shower and use it daily when free camping.

neilnruth · Guru

Ug-Vic as others have said it really is a personal choice. We have been caravanning for over 30 years and we have never had an ensuite. We do have a portapottie now though and unlike my husband I use it when freecamping. We have done a bit of freecamping now and I must admit, after a few days of 'duck baths' I insist we use a CP. But we have also used our shower tent and hot water bag. As another poster has said, the bigger the van, the more you pay for insurance, etc etc. It all comes down to what your budget is and what your needs are. In the meantime, if you buy the van you are looking at I think you would survive for short stints if tou bought a portapottie. Hard decisions but make a good one and you'll love the life. All the best.

gwb · Senior Member

Would not be without ensuite, it may have cost a little more, it may be a bit bigger and heavier and cost a bit more in fuel but when your wife has a bad case of the must go now episodes or it is a wet cold night at 2am believe me you will soon warm to the idea and best of all if you ask most dealers the resale value of an ensuited van is better.
Cheers
Geoff and Bev

aussietraveller · Guru

We also have a full en-suite van and would not be without it we have had vans without but now retired and travelling more as well as the state of some park and free-camp amenities my lovely lady would refuse to travel without en-suite and I also make good use of it too but we only use toilet for liquids.

Big Gorilla · Guru

Ug-Vic wrote:
Big Gorilla wrote:
If you are going to free camp, I believe it's a must... Familiarise yourself with how long the water will last and how often you will require a dump point. With 2 of us travelling, 4 days is max...

Big gorilla Does this mean that even if you are free camping you can only do it for 4 days???? I have a lot to learn but we so badly want to do this Vic

Using water sparingly for dish washing and shower, about 4 days. By sparingly, in the shower turn on the water and wet yourself, turn water off. Use soap and shampoo then on the water to rinse off. Don't leave water running like you do at home !! Regarding the toilet, if there is a public toilet nearby, we use that during the day, only using the on board toilet at night. If you are camped in an area with a public toilet, water maybe available to fill your tanks, so you can prolong your stay. I never drink the water I load into the tank, always carrying at least 10 litres of clean water.

valnrob · Guru

Our first 4 yrs camping we didn't have a toilet or shower built in.had a shower tent with porta-potti. Now have another van with reasonable toilet/shower inside. Fantastic. Wouldn't be without it. I was sick of going outside for a wee in the night. Toilet doesn't have a flush we use spray bottle to save water

Onedodger · Guru

We have poptop van that has a shower toilet combo. Although the amount of space when showering is small we have learn't how to use it to the max.

As for the toilet it lasts the two of us 3 to 4 days max and we use it for both 1's and 2's . When we bush camp for more than 2 days I dig a hole and give the contents the last rites.

Now water is a most precious commodity so I have a system where the vans pump will pick up from a bucket and run it through the system. This is invaluable when camped near water, Just get a couple of buckets and shower to our hearts content. Turn back to the onboard water flush the system about 1 ltr then you are back on your potable water.

There are many ways that one can enhance their bush camping, just ask others at the happy hour and you can find out some amazing hints.

Cheers Dodg.

Nicholstones · Guru

We stay in caravan parks and have almost never used our onboard shower (except for storage) but there is no way we would be still on the road after 4 years if we didn't have an onboard loo. We only use it for number ones, but if I had to schlep across the caravan park at 2am for a visit then we wouldn't have lasted 4 weeks! It is also a godsend when raining. We usually get about a week's use out of the loo before it needs emptying.

Hylda&Jon · Guru

A toilet was essential in our van, so handy for the middle of the night. As for a shower, we saved water by using this device http://www.showersaver.com.au/ so we could soap ourself then turn the water off and when we turned it on again it was the same temperature. Great in winter. I saw this thing on the ABC show The Inventors many years ago.

Cheers

Jon

jetj · Guru

I love my porta potti and shower bag.

the rocket · Guru

Roving-Dutchy wrote:
If you buy a second hand van at the right price, it is more than likely that in a few years you will be able to trade up to another van and not lose money, get on the road now with what you can afford as you do not know what the future may hold, we have been caravaning for more than 20 years and still don't have an onboard shower, but do have porta potti.
Not having all mod cons hasn't prevented us from travelling to anywhere we might choose to travel and from staying away as long as we like.
Cheers
David

good advice

Ug-Vic · Veteran Member

Thanks guys... You are legends.
Now do you have any tips on buying a van and what to look for. As I said earlier there is one we are looking at which in unused.
2009 scenic vega.
We also have on our list a millard and a creative grant tourer. It's hard when we don't have any prior experience.

Thank. Vic

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Try the search button at the top of the forum page Ug-Vic, or perhaps start a new topic and call it Scenic Vega", asking if anybody has experience with it.

jetj · Guru

Hi Vic,

I think it's hard even with experience, there are so many brands of caravans on the market. Good luck. Google Scenic Vega and it should show any comments about them including forums.

the ginger nomad · Senior Member

We have a 17ft pop top with combo shower/toilet.It proved to be invaluable when the boss broke her leg 2nd day of our flinders ranges trip.

Ug-Vic · Veteran Member

Excited much!!!!! So we have decided on a van. Just have to wait to hear from bank that they will top up the mortgage. Then we have to get Anderson plug and elec brakes on the pathy.
I think it's a good buy...... But who really knows hey.

Another question that hubby has asked me to ask is about level riders. I have heard they are not really needed and a pain as you need to take them off and on all the time.

Can you wise and wonderful people please enlighten us further

Please cross all your bits that the bank says yes!!!

Thanks

Vic

Ug-Vic · Veteran Member

So the bank called yesterday. They will lend us the money but have to get mortgage insurance. We have decided to put our dream on hold once again and save more $$$. Can't travel while tied to a hefty mortgage. I am not very happy about it.... But .... We still have the tent... ; :( Have fun in your travels and I envy you all so much. You are living my dream. Vic