Hello All, I am new here and also new to caravanning. 3 weeks ago I got a sweet deal on a 1996 Windsor Trustar Pop top and would like to do some "additions" to make life a little more comfortable. I have already had two trips away, one for a night close to home to get a feel for the van, the other to Agnes Waters for 3 days.... beautiful spot. 

Anyway after the first night the two single beds came out and the center bed side table also got demolished and replaced with a Queen Bed Frame and a very comfortable matress :). I managed to do all this without compromising on the existing storage area and created some additional storage under the bed frame in the center.

I should provide some context around how my wife and I plan to see Oz in our new Van. Initially we will be doing the caravan park thing, paying $40 bucks a night for power and water and using the facilities at the park. However, while at Agnes, my wife asked if would be possible to set up our own hot water system and have an outside shower on the slab in the annex area to take a shower in private. We have a pop up full annex we will use. I don't believe it would be difficult to get hold of a cheap gas hot water system, something like this one I found on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GECKO-Gas-Portable-Shower-Camping-Hot-Water-Heater-LPG-Outdoor-Instant-Caravan/141826007220?_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982&_trkparms=aid%3D777003%26algo%3DDISCL.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140117125611%26meid%3D33cfdcf8662f45d788c4ff194aa9642d%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D10%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D332098707358

I was thinking I would have a plumber extend the gas pipe from the stove (install an isolator etc) and have a small outlet that is mounted at the back area of the annex that I could plug a gas bayonet fitting into if. I would have to fabricate a bracket of some sort that I can mount the unit to and would have to lug the unit in and out of the van each time we stop to set it all up. I have a 240v outlet under the annex but would rather not go an electric system as the outlet is likely to be used by other apparatus and gas is available when power is not. Keep reading as I have suggested an alternative to this outdoor gas set up below and would appreciate feedback.

I am not sure if van parks allow grey water to drain off the slab areas to the nearby dirt pad or grassed areas. It wont be a lot of water given we don't plan to stay for any longer than 3-5 days in each park.

I could ramble forever about everything I plan to do to the van but this thread is about the hot water system. Essentially I am chasing recommendations for specific equipment and what other people have done. I need to consider ventilation requirements for these outdoor units, and have thought about mounting an indoor gas unit in the cupboard adjacent to the stove and 3 way fridge if I can find a unit small enough, I could go as small as 2 Litres a minute if we had too. I am also not sure if the slotted vent in the cupboard would suffice for ventilation, it would be ideal though as it would provide pressurised hot water on demand to the mixer unit in the sink as well as an outdoor shower. Money is not really an object for the right arrangement (said with disclaimers). The unit itself does not have to be top of the line though if you know what I mean. I plan to do all the plumbing and mounting etc. myself (except the gas side of it, I will use a licenced plumber/gas fitter).

So any ideas on:

- Portable Gas Hot Water System

- Pump to suit (I was looking at the Jabsco Par-Mate as it is self priming, 12V, quiet, low current draw and small)

cheers

CaptKirk