Details (and photos) of the Shower and/or Combo Bath??

[dave_in_delaware]

OK, while playing w/ the DYO "game" on SMB's website, I originally thought these "bathroom" units were full-height standup units, placed inside the van (either in front of or behind the wheel wells). But after seeing interior photos of the PH top w/ the bed option, I don't see how these showers are full-height enclosed walls. I'm 6'-0" tall, and I just don't see how one of these units can be full-height enclosed shower "rooms" w/ head room....

So, does anyone have a picture of one of these? Do you have one in your rig? How does it work exactly? Is it only partial height "walls" or is it just a shower pan and a curtain?

Also, is it worth having? Or is it a waste of precious space that could have been used for something else?

Any help w/ understanding exactly how they work would be appreciated.

Thanks!

(FYI: I was planning on just getting the Porta-Potty and storing it in the shower, instead of messing w/ a black water tank).

[mmocken]

I have the shower with the walls to the bottom of the PH.
A short curtain is snapped to the walls to enclose the area.

As a shower, my 6 year old can use it, but I have a tough time fitting in it. The previous owner didn't really use it either.
-A siting shower is possible for an adult sitting on a stool or porta pottty

I find the high walls to a problem. I have a hard time loading stuff in the back as well as bump into the walls when inside

The PH roof rib re-enforcement makes the area very narrow.

This spring, I will be cutting the walls down to the same height as the dinette. I'l make a bench to expand the dinette couch into the shower. The bench will be handy when camping too. I'll might make a new larger shower curtain, but I can also put a tent shower behind the SMB and use the onboard water via showerhead on hose.

[charlie56]

You might try a seach using "inside shower pics"
Bugi did a write up on his in that thread.

[dave_in_delaware]

Thanks, mmocken and charlie56!

From those pictures, it looks like you'd be better off chopping the sides down to counter-height and rigging some sort of shower curtain all around the inside of the pan, hung from the penthouse somehow. That would at least give you elbow room inside, and more room to maneuver in the aisle, and reduce the claustrophobic feeling in the back of your van....

Too bad the shower can't be an inside porta-shower and as easy and convenient as the porta-potty sounds.

Hmmm... maybe I don't want a shower after all....

I'll look into the Bugi thread.

[John and Dana]

Before we visited the SMB West to order our new van we were pretty sure we were going to get the shower. However with once we talked with Liz we changed our minds. When they cut the top of the van for the penthouse top they have to leave about 6 inches of the roof along each edge for structural strength. This cuts into the shower space so much it doesn't really work any more. Mostly they offer the showers for the Sprinter vans. We got the external shower which we will probably use most of the time since we camp mostly in the middle of nowhere but there is also a portable indoor shower that is an option.

[mmocken]

Walmart sells a shower/utility room for $30. I may use it in place of the inside shower. Also, very handy for porta potti outside.

Either way, I do like having the plumbing and shower pan in the van...very handy for tailgate parties! Dirty grills, ice chests, wet raincoats etc.

I'll post the results of my modifications later. A new shower curtain inside might be better than the tent shower outside.

[mmocken]

one more interior pic...