Building a 1 Room Retirement Home

[RogerDat]

Totally a matter of what matters to YOU. In our 13 ft. a porta potti for emergency or comfort when rustic camping is all the space I'm willing to give up for that convenience.

If we decided to purchase a 15-17 ft. model a toilet closet or even shower might well be on our requirements list.

Have camped with and without, don't tend to do the five or ten days in the national forest like we did in the past, having full facilities really made that a nicer experience. Now it's more like three days at a time and as long as my knees don't have to deal with a squat while leaning against a tree I'm good. Can wash up and wash hair well enough to go three days without having a full bathroom and that infrastructure to haul around and maintain.

Full timing, longer rustic, or having more space would push me one way. Weekend and week long with less space and more often with campground facilities I tend the other direction. But hey that is just how we weigh out the choices.

The porta potti type solution and cabana tent or privacy tarp is also useful for tent or canoe camping. Which we don't do as much of as we have in the past but is still a possibility. I swear if I go on any more winter tent camping trips I'm at least going to take a folding seat and a tarp for a wind brake.

[arlon]

I suspect the lack of potty will be much easier on you than Bonnie.. I have an old van I use a lot for solo camping, my night potty is an empty bottle.. My wife would simply rather stay home than be forced to walk escorted to a public potty at 3am (or borrow my jar). The ONLY camping requirement she has is a sit down potty that is a few steps from where she is sleeping. We have one of those nice little cassette potties that I toss in the van if she goes though she prefers the one in the Casita. We have never used the Casita shower but the potty is a different story.

[Rod P]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

Simple answer YES.. It's been done.
My experience, we're not full timers but spend 3 to 4 months every year in our 13' Scamp sans onboard toilet/shower. Not even a portapotty. Our travels usually take us to National Parks, BLM campgrounds, or Forest Service campgrounds, no reservations, NO HOOKUPS. When we enter to campground we look for the toilets and try to camp close but not on top of unless they're flush toilets. (It gets a little stinky too close to vault toilet).
Showers are another thing, we can usually find a shower someplace. Many National Parks will have pay showers run by a concessionaire. In between showers I use "Fresh Bath" towelettes.

In the winter months we go south to places like Death Valley, Bull Head City, AZ, Organ Pipe Cactus NP. In the summer it's Oregon and Washington mountains, or maybe Northern California mountains.
You go where the weather is mild.

We have a 1995 13 foot Scamp which is like new and love it. Unfortunately, we do miss the toilet and shower found in the 16 footer, which we intend to buy. Here is a great solution to our problem with the lack of shower and toilet.

I installed a Shure water pump to pressure the water system. I then added an outside faucet to the top of rear bumper. I was able to use a trailer hitch electrical plug bracket as the bracket to mount the faucet.

I bought a second propane carrier from Scamp.

I bought this propane fired water heater and temporarily hang it on the trailer and connect it to the propane tank. We have used this heater for months at a time and love it. It hardly uses fuel and puts out limitless hot water, until your water tank is empty. We use about 5 gallons total for two showers each day. I plan to change the shower head to a lower flow rate - someday. I added an external water supply connection so that the water system can be pressurized from an external source, when available, so as to not drain the tank.

Eccotemp L5 Portable Tankless Water Heater and Outdoor Shower - Portable Hot Water Heater - Amazon.com

We bought this expensive popup shower tent which takes all of 10 sec to pop up, plus time to pound in the four stakes. We had a more expensive model but it had several bars and took too much time to set up, especially when we were traveling every day.

Trekker Fold-A-Privy : Cabela's

It probably takes me 5 minutes to set up the shower system it is so easy.

We bought a Coleman port-a-pot at Wal-Mart. It sits in the pop-up tent during the day and we bring it inside and set it on the floor at night, especially if it is cold outside.

Our last trip was 6600 miles and 6 weeks and we used this setup many times.

We use campground showers when available but we like the smaller less crowded places to stay. I have a small 2 wheeler and carry a 5 gallon water container. Once a day, I would make a trip to the campground central water source and fill up the container to refill the water tank.

Anyway, this works for us. You do have to be careful if the park has restrictions on shower water going onto the ground. I guess you could stand in a large container to capture the water but now it is getting too complicated. LOL. Ah - but nothing like a hot shower.

Regards.

[Timber Wolf]

Originally Posted by Rod P

I bought this propane fired water heater and temporarily hang it on the trailer and connect it to the propane tank. We have used this heater for months at a time and love it. It hardly uses fuel and puts out limitless hot water, until your water tank is empty. We use about 5 gallons total for two showers each day. I plan to change the shower head to a lower flow rate - someday. I added an external water supply connection so that the water system can be pressurized from an external source, when available, so as to not drain the tank.

Eccotemp L5 Portable Tankless Water Heater and Outdoor Shower - Portable Hot Water Heater - Amazon.com

The local Humane Society has one of those they hang on the fence to give dogs baths at the monthly "dog washes". I take my dog just so she can get a hot bath. I wondered if they put out enough for a human bath. I had an idea to feed one from a solar water heater (or at least a coiled length of black hose) preheating the water. I don't want propane in my trailer and this would get it outside, if not as conveinant as the built in water heater. I am thinking a "T" tied into the hot water hose of my Scamp so I could have hot water inside and a tent like yours for outside baths when that is desired/possible.

[Rod P]

Originally Posted by Timber Wolf

The local Humane Society has one of those they hang on the fence to give dogs baths at the monthly "dog washes". I take my dog just so she can get a hot bath. I wondered if they put out enough for a human bath. I had an idea to feed one from a solar water heater (or at least a coiled length of black hose) preheating the water. I don't want propane in my trailer and this would get it outside, if not as conveinant as the built in water heater. I am thinking a "T" tied into the hot water hose of my Scamp so I could have hot water inside and a tent like yours for outside baths when that is desired/possible.

The ecotemp's hot water temperature is adjusted by two knobs on the unit. One knob adjusts the flow rate and the other the amount of propane to the burner. If you turn down the flow rate, for example, the water sits in the coils longer and get hotter. The burner is only on when water flows. We set the temp and just leave it alone all summer. The incoming water temp is pretty much the same. We might have to adjust it if we connect to city cold water, for example.

You do not need to preheat the water in my opinion. It can be adjusted to get really REALLY hot. I think our settings are midway on the dials.

As a matter of fact when you turn off the shower head the water sits in the heating coils though the burner automatically turns off when water flow stops. Then you might turn it back on to rinse after soaping up. We take navy showers. The water can then be really too hot sometimes. We learned quickly to turn on the shower head for just a few seconds to get the too hot of water out of the system. Once the water is flowing it has a consistent temperature.

I believe using a T connector might be inconvenient if your setting the water heater up and down frequently. If we need hot water inside we just fill up a coffee pot and bring it inside. Also, as described above the water temp depends on flow rate and burner setting. If you set for a shower then use to fill up sink inside from the T connector side, the water temp might be too cool or hot for your needs. You would then have to readjust the settings which are a pain, IMO.

Also be sure to keep the heater exhaust shield installed and diverted away from your trailer, if you hang it on the trailer like we do. I actually hang it where no heat can get to the fiberglass.

The only disadvantage I can see if someone notices it hanging on the outside and decides to steal it. We cover it up with a towel when not in use or just pack it up after showering for the day.

Good luck.

Rod.

[Rod P]

Timber wolf:

Here is a picture of the outside faucet. I used a water tank faucet because of its smaller size.

Regards.

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/m...cture6854.html

[RogerDat]

Originally Posted by Rod P

Timber wolf:

Here is a picture of the outside faucet. I used a water tank faucet because of its smaller size.

Regards.

Fiberglass RV - Rod P's Album: Outside faucet - Picture

Very nice mod, and nicely done. Even without a shower there are times when one wants water outside and this would save having to haul it out from the sink. We tend to wash our few dishes outside by heating water over the Coleman stove. Might be worth doing just to make that easier.

Appreciate the cabana link, have been looking at those type things and reading reviews, the reviews tend to be very mixed. Getting some straight info is nice.

[Randi in NJ]

Just started full-timing, so don't go by me, but between restroom facilities at the state and national parks, and stops while travelling, my porta potty is feeling pretty lonely. I have not done any boon-docking for more than 1 or 2 nights. That being said, there's a great deal of comfort knowing that it's right there in the middle of the night, for me to use if necessary.

[reeves99]

Randi
Be sure and keep us posted on your adventures. Happy travels!!!
Phil

[kbingel]

This has been a fun topic to read....and as always, to each his own. When we went from our little vintage Scotty to the Oliver with a bathroom, I was thrilled. First off, I tend to get up once or twice to use the facilities during the night. Now, I can get there in two steps, no lights on, and back to sleep in seconds. BEFORE, I had to find my crocks, get a flashlight, walk to the restroom, hope it wasn't raining or the like, get back, TRY to fall back to sleep. So, the bathroom is golden to me, esp. as we consider three months camping, usually in national forest type places. I haven't ever used the shower, but I might when we are in Big Bend for 8 days with no facilities. Or NOt, ha ha ha...time will tell, but my vote is YES!!!!!

[Donna D.]

Just because you have it doesn't mean you have to use it. But, having it sure opens the possibility of being flexible as Carol mentioned.

As far as a shower, if everyone smells like a goat, it's all okay. But, if in a group setting YOU are the one that smells like a goat... stay on the otherside of the campfire, please

[kbingel]

As far as a shower, if everyone smells like a goat, it's all okay. But, if in a group setting YOU are the one that smells like a goat... stay on the other side of the campfire, please [/QUOTE]

I hear ya!...(or smell ya.)...!

[Jim Bennett]

When you are all camping, everyone just smells like the campfire, and a lovely smell that is. ;D

[Borden]

My wife wants to travel; house will be for touching base and recharging. One month in each community is the retirement plan, maybe a little work maybe not, in each place; get to really know Canada and in cold weather some of the US.

We do winter camp but it can be cold enough some nights to empty both propane tanks; maybe we will need spares. and an extra battery AGM type would be good (rolled gel pack type has no fumes)

We have camped with daytime highs of -48c think that is about -55F anyway you put it just plain cold. The colder times maybe go south? Can not imagine it without a washroom though.

I have been warned so time to fix everything.
They say happy wife happy life, breakdowns would be my fault so I BETTER BE READY.


"Can not image it without a washroom"

[Marinab]

When I had my Surfside, no toilet, I used those gel filled bags at night and it worked great. I wasn't about to go out in the dark, 3/4 blind without my contacts and try and find the bathroom.
When I bought the Biggar, with a bathroom, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Having to deal with black water doesn't thrill me but it's not that bad, especially when your friends show you how. I use my shower all the time as I really like having everything right there at my fingertips but once in a while, I will use the campground showers for a longer shower. In short, I love my bathroom!!!


Sent from my iPad using Fiberglass RV

[ohmydog2dee]

I am selling my 13ft no bath Boler and bought a 17ft Escape with shower. I intend to full time for at least the next few years. However when boon docking or stealth camping in the past I have gone to public pools to shower when passing though towns, sometimes swim and shower again. Sponge down in the Boler the next day or park on the side of the road and walked in to parks with my towel and a roll of "Loonies" and bought myself a shower. I may still do this on occasion but having my own place to hose off is very appealing.