How to Make Homemade Camping Showers
Although many people enjoy the thrill of camping in the great outdoors, some have a difficult time leaving the comforts of home far behind. Among these comforts, a camping shower is typically the most popular feature at any campground, especially when families are present. Many modern camping trailers offer showers as a standard feature, although this is not always the case. The following information offers simple steps to help you make a basic, homemade camping shower.
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Things You'll Need
- 3/4" PVC pipe, 24" in length 3/4" PVC pipe, 12" in length 3/4" PVC elbow 3/4" PVC, female-threaded connector 3/4" PVC, male-threaded connector Outdoor shower head PVC ahesive Four 3/4" PVC pipes, 24" in length (optional, for curtain frame) Four 3/4" PVC elbows (optional, for curtain frame) Plastic shower curtain with hooks Rope to suspend shower curtain frame
Instructions
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The Steps
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1
Determine which type of camping shower will best fit your needs. This will largely depend on the type of camping you prefer, who will be using the shower and how it will be transported. For example, if you typically camp in a pop-up trailer, then you can consider the type of shower which can be affixed to your trailer and possibly utilize an external water spigot. An enclosure of some type can also be considered as storage should not be an issue. If, on the other hand, you typically camp while hiking, the design of a shower will need to take space and weight into consideration. The decision of including a method to generate hot water should also be addressed.
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Establish a budget for your shower. The design and features of your shower will be dictated by how much money can be spent. When determining a budget, consider how often the shower will be used and how long you want it to last. Showers designed for one or two uses will differ greatly from a shower you want to last several years.
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Assemble your shower. Given that hiking showers are typically purchased or created using a simple "bag on a hook" method, the following steps are devoted to a more complicated camping shower.
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Using PVC adhesive, connect the 24" PVC pipe to one end of the 90-degree PVC elbow and the 12" PVC pipe to the other end, making an "L" shaped fixture.
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Connect the male-threaded PVC section to the end of the 12" PVC pipe, opposite the elbow, using PVC adhesive.
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Connect the female-threaded PVC section to the end of the 24" PVC pipe, opposite the elbow, using PVC adhesive.
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Connect the outdoor shower head to the male-threaded end, using PVC adhesive.
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Allow to dry completely.
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When ready to use, connect the female-threaded PVC section to your water hose and then connect the hose to a fresh water source at your campground.
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Affix the shower assembly to your trailer or fixed structure with a length of rope.
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To provide some level of privacy, connect four sections of 24" PVC pipe and four PVC elbows to make a square frame, to which you can attach a shower. This frame can be hung from a tree branch or attached to the trailer for support. Don't glue this frame so that it can be disassembled for storage.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure to let the adhesive dry completely before applying any water pressure. To avoid mildew, allow your shower to dry fully before storing it in your trailer.
Never hang your shower from power lines or other structures which might present a safety hazard. Don't connect to a fresh water source without the permission of the property owner.
