Showering in a campervan – is it even possible? Which shower solution fits my vehicle, how do I get warm water, and what do I need to consider regarding wastewater?
In this guide, we answer the most important questions about showering in a camper – from the right equipment and water supply to environmental protection and proper maintenance.
Fundamentals and vehicle-specific features
1. Can I shower in my campervan?
Yes, this is easily possible with the camper indoor showers from 50°Nord. The showers are designed to be set up in the living area of a camper in just a few steps and removed again afterward, without the interior fittings being affected by the showering. This allows showering in almost any camper, even without a permanently installed wet room.
Yes, our Camper Indoor Shower M is specifically tailored to the interior of the VW California and Mercedes Marco Polo, but is also suitable for many other campervans with pop-up roofs.
The compact shower tray fits into the footwell in front of the rear bench seat. From there, the shower cabin expands upwards in a funnel shape to the bed frame. With an upper opening of approx. 1.20 × 1.20 m, it covers a large area of the vehicle interior and reliably catches spray water.
The low overall height of just under 1.30 m is not a disadvantage: even if taller people's upper bodies extend beyond the top edge, the wide, funnel-shaped opening ensures that spray water ends up in the shower tray.
The sink in the California or Marco Polo remains accessible via a zippered opening at the back.
Special feature of the Shower PLUS: It can additionally be used under the opened tailgate. The required fastening strips are included in the scope of delivery and allow for quick installation.
3. Are there special shower solutions for larger campervans?
Yes, our Camper Indoor Shower L was specifically developed for larger campervans and panel vans in the Pössl, Fiat Ducato, or Mercedes Sprinter format.
Although these vehicles offer more interior space overall, the available width is often restricted by cabinets and other fittings. Therefore, the Shower L is designed to be particularly slim and tall. Its special shape takes these spatial conditions into account and enables showering even with limited floor space.
4. Can you shower in a camper just like at home?
You shower a bit differently in a camper than at home. Since available water quantities are usually limited, the focus is less on long showers and more on thorough body hygiene using as little water as possible.
The so-called stop-and-go showering method has proven effective: first, wet your body, then turn the water off while lathering up, and finally rinse off thoroughly.
A shower head with a water-stop function is crucial, allowing you to interrupt the water flow directly at the shower head, just like with our Shower Set Deluxe. This way, water is only used when it is actually needed.
5. How is the shower attached in the vehicle?
For vehicles with a pop-up roof (Shower M and PLUS), the shower cabin is attached to the roof frame or the support frame of the raised roof bed using the included Velcro strips.
Some roof variants already have suitable Velcro surfaces. For other vehicles, special Velcro dots are included, which are attached once to the roof or bed frame. When the roof bed is closed, these attachment points are not visible. No further attachments are required.
For larger campervans and panel vans, such as those based on the Fiat Ducato or Mercedes Sprinter as well as vehicles in the Pössl format, such attachment points are usually not available. Various mounting options are possible here.
We recommend fixed attachment points, for example in the form of installed hooks or loops. Depending on the vehicle, our Extreme Magnets can also be used. If no magnetic surfaces are available, suitable metal plates can be provided as adhesive surfaces.
Our Super Grip Suction Hooks are also suitable for vertical, smooth, and flat surfaces.
6. What is better for outdoor showering: 50°Nord camper shower or tailgate tent?
If you want to use the area under the tailgate exclusively for showering, the Shower PLUS is the right choice.
It is attached to the opened tailgate with the included Octopus strips or the Extreme Magnets and is ready for use quickly. The shower water is completely caught in the shower tray, so that no puddles form behind the vehicle and the water can then be disposed of properly.
Dismantling also takes only a short time. With a little practice, both setup and dismantling are possible in less than a minute each.
If you are staying in one place for longer and would like to use the area under the tailgate additionally for cooking, changing clothes, or other activities, a tailgate tent is the more versatile solution.
Both products can complement each other: The tailgate tent creates a protected space, while the Shower PLUS is optimal for a quick shower and properly collects the shower water in the process.
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Water Supply & Environmental Protection
7. Where do I get warm water?
There are various ways to get warm shower water in a camper. Which solution makes sense depends primarily on the available space, the existing vehicle technology, and personal showering habits.
a. Gas stove and folding bucket
A simple and proven method is mixing hot and cold water.
For this, fill a folding bucket with fresh water. Then, heat a portion of the water on the gas stove and mix it with the cold water in the bucket. This allows you to prepare about 8 to 10 liters of shower water at a temperature of 30 to 32 °C. In our experience, 7 to 8 liters are enough for one adult if you turn off the water while lathering up.
The water can then be extracted with a battery-operated submersible pump, for example with our Shower Set Deluxe.
c. Permanently installed water boilers:
Those who have enough space in the camper can use a permanently installed hot water supply. Gas-powered water boilers are frequently used in larger motorhomes. For panel vans, there are also systems that use the heat of the existing parking heater to warm water.
Providers include, for example, Pundmann and tigerexped. The Warmduscher Kit from tigerexped combines an air parking heater with a hot water boiler. Depending on the version, the water can be heated via the parking heater, electrically with 12 or 230 volts, or even via the vehicle's coolant circuit.
However, such systems require additional installation space and are therefore primarily suitable for larger campervans and panel vans.
A possible alternative for smaller campers: Our Italian partner Technicamper has developed a compact solution for operation with a parking heater that requires almost no installation space in the vehicle. We will be testing the system soon and will report on our experiences afterward.
b. The "Thermos" XXL:
Those who don't want to go to the effort of boiling water in the evening can actually boil hot water in the morning and store it in a thermal container. A good thermal container holds the temperature for 24 hours or longer. Simply add the hot water to the shower water in the evening and you're ready to go.
50° Nord is currently developing a thermal container for this purpose with an extremely long heat retention duration and a large capacity. This is expected to be available from the end of 2026.
d. Portable gas instantaneous water heaters
Portable gas instantaneous water heaters can generate larger quantities of hot water. However, many of these devices require a certain minimum flow rate to work reliably.
When water-saving showering in a camper, the water flow is frequently interrupted, for example while lathering. In our experience so far, this stop-and-go shower behavior can lead to significant temperature fluctuations in some instantaneous water heaters. This can also result in dangerously high water temperatures (risk of scalding).
One option is to first collect the water in a separate container to ensure the desired temperature and only then use it for showering. However, this eliminates a key advantage of the instantaneous water heater: the direct provision of hot water.
In addition, there are the space requirements and acquisition costs. For showering with small amounts of water, as required for vanlife camping, portable gas instantaneous water heaters are therefore, in our view, only very limitedly suitable.
8. Am I allowed to simply drain the shower wastewater outside?
Absolutely not!
Shower wastewater is so-called greywater and must not be simply discharged into nature.
When showering, soap, shower gel, and other residues get into the water. This also applies when using biodegradable products. (See question No. 10)
Road drains are also not suitable disposal points. Some are connected to the rainwater sewer system, through which the water can reach streams or rivers untreated.
Shower wastewater should therefore generally be collected and directed into the camper's greywater tank. If no such tank is available, it can be collected in a suitable container. Emptying should take place exclusively at designated and approved disposal points, for example at campsites or motorhome parking sites.
9. Are organic soap and biodegradable shower gel harmless to nature?
No, even biodegradable soaps and shower gels are not automatically harmless to the environment. Although they may be more environmentally friendly than conventional products, they should still not be discharged directly into bodies of water or onto the ground.
It is important to distinguish between biodegradability and ecological safety. A substance can be completely degradable and yet still have harmful effects during the degradation process.
"Biodegradable" only means that microorganisms can decompose the contained substances under suitable conditions. Standardized tests for so-called ready biodegradability are often based on a period of 28 days. Depending on the test procedure, for example, at least 60% of the organic carbon must be mineralized into CO₂. However, this does not mean that every product advertised as biodegradable decomposes completely within 28 days. Especially in nature, in cold streams or lakes, this process can take much longer.
Particularly problematic are surfactants, which are also contained in natural soaps. They dissolve grease and dirt, but depending on the concentration and composition, they can also damage cell membranes and sensitive aquatic organisms. Furthermore, fragrances, preservatives, and other ingredients can pollute the environment.
Conclusion: Organic soap and biodegradable shower gel are usually the better choice, but they are not a "get out of jail free card" for disposal in nature. Even when in a motorhome, the resulting shower water belongs in the greywater tank and subsequently in a suitable disposal station.
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Storage & Maintenance
10. Which 50°Nord shower solution fits my vehicle?
In short:
Vehicle in the VW Bus format, with pop-up roof: Shower "M" or Shower "PLUS"
Larger campers in the panel van format: Shower "L"
12. Where can the camper shower be stored in the vehicle?
The shower can be rolled up very small and, depending on the model, has a pack size of 400 mm x ø 140 to 180 mm. This means you can find a corner to store the shower in every vehicle.
13. Can I wash the 50°Nord shower cabin in the washing machine?
In principle, this is possible, but we recommend cleaning by hand.
The material of the shower cabin is waterproof. No water can be forced through the fibers. A machine wash therefore offers no significant cleaning advantage. On the contrary, the mechanical stress in the washing drum can unnecessarily strain the material.
For cleaning, it is sufficient to wipe down the shower cabin with warm water, a little mild soap, and a soft sponge or cloth. Afterward, wipe clean with clear water and let it dry completely in the air.
14. Can I pack the shower cabin away while wet?
Yes – that is no problem. The material is antifungal and can actually be packed away while wet for a short time. Especially in the evening, you want to have your peace and relax after a shower. The shower can simply be packed into the roll while damp.
We recommend wiping the inside of the cabin with a dry cloth before rolling it up. At the latest after 2 days, the shower should be unpacked and dried in the air.
15. Can the shower be stored in the roll (shower tray) for a longer period of time?
Yes – that is no problem. The shower tray is generally intended for storing the shower cabin. Before long-term storage (wintering), the shower should, however, be cleaned once and completely dried out.
To do this, wipe the shower cabin with warm water, a little mild soap, and a soft sponge or cloth. Afterward, wipe clean with clear water and let it dry completely in the air.
After that, the shower can spend any amount of time in the roll waiting for its next use.
