Road shower DIY or Purchase real thing?

I have all the material to build a DIY road shower (all very cheap, no more than $50 for everything) but after looking at lots of reviews and thinking about longevity, I'm considering purchasing a 7 gallon road shower instead.

Any thoughts/experience with either or both?

 

I've had a 7 gal Roadshower for 2 years now. It has been excellent. I over inflated it once, with a full tank of water, and the safety valve worked favorably. Spewed like a geyser until the pressure dropped.

The parts that might age (inflator and water valves) are all threaded in and replaceable, although mine are fine.

I don't really have anything but positive things to say about it, other than being expensive.

 

Awesome that's great to hear. I'm leaning towards buying one.
By threaded you mean they are replaceable if they go bad?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG2HK9JsAjw
Good Video ^ what I plan to do in the future.

 

I was just watching this ... his voice... but this is why I previously bought all the parts, but more recently I've been wanting to just buy a good one and be done with it. I've been building too many things for the truck it's getting tiring. Lol

 

He sounds like the Lockpicking Lawyer.

How does ABS compare to Aluminum? I imagine that the aluminum one would get much hotter. Also weight distribution, water is heavy. Do you roll around with it empty and just fill up where you camp?

 

We loved our Road Shower!

 

We use something like this except I changed the head to be one like with a trigger like a kitchen sink. Rechargeable and you can just drop it into a pot of warm water, bucket, or a scepter water can. And this way you can get the water far from the truck on not be stepping in puddles or attracting bees to your site.

 

Yeah exactly. 1 Schrader valve for pressurizing, 2 1/2" water valves and the pressure safety valve on the filler cap. All replaceable.

 

sounds like it was transformed from text to voice via computer then edited into the video.

 

https://www.rei.com/product/618168/reliance-aqua-tainer-7-gal Just get one of these baby stick your head under it and BOOM!.

I've made a DIY Solar shower before and only used it once. Its pretty heavy. I prefer the 7 Gallon water container.

 

Yeah I would be leaving in empty daily or storing it in my shed

 

Another question.

Is the 4 gallon enough for two adults and a toddler, or should I opt for the 7 gallon? I also have 4 gallons stored in rotopax as well that's why.

 

I made my own. I like that it cost ~$50. Works good! I usually leave a little water in there when I am driving around town just in case but it’s only full when I’m about to leave for camp.

The other day I took the dogs for a hike and was covered in dust after. It was nice to rinse my legs and feet off before getting in the truck.


Edit- My DIY carries pretty close to 5 gallons and is enough for me and the wife and two kids. Plus we use it to wash dishes. I regularly fill it though if we are out for more than 3 days.
-M

 

I can't decide so I'm leaving it to fate. I called to confirm that a local distributor for the road shower is open tomorrow.

I didn't ask if they have them in stock but after a morning surf sesh on my way home I'm going to swing by and if they have any in stock I will buy it right then, if not, I'll build one with the parts I already have. Haha

 

Took the plunge

 

4ft?

 

It's about 5' I think

 

It seems like every write up and video I have seen everyone uses 4inch PVC pipe. Anyone use a 6 inch? Compacity is much greater for a shorter length of pipe but Im wondering how much taller and bulkier is it? I think Id rather go with a 6 inch pipe at 3 ft long which would be 4.4 gal vs a 4 inch at 6 ft would be 3.9 gal

 

I know this is old but the reason it's hard to find people using 6in pipe is that it's not carried at big box home improvement stores so you'll likely have to go through a legit plumbing supply company and you'll have to buy the full 20' pipe. I've called around my area and they are expensive (especially once you figure in the fittings etc) to the point that you may as well buy a yakima road shower or a BAM mfg version which you can find on ebay or walmart.com. I've been looking into it myself and am still probably going to go with the 6" pvc as I have a conduit carrier set that fits a 6" pipe too.