When people begin dreaming about their next custom van, their minds usually drift to how they want the bathrooms arranged. It makes total sense. No one wants their dream travels to be tied down by how far away the closest gas station or campground restrooms are, limiting their experience exploring. Having your own personal and personalized facilities will change the way you traverse the Great Outdoors! Bathrooms in your van will allow you to explore deeper into the wild without any limitations.

Before we get started on your dream van (and bathroom), The Good Van first starts with a question: How do you actually want to spend your time? Adding a bathroom also adds comfort, but with it comes more weight and complexity to your van. Here is how the good people of The Good Van help our clients traverse the world of van showers and thrones without overcomplicating the build.

The Toilet: Deciding on the Right System for You!

When it comes to toilets, the options are plentiful. They range from classic cassette systems to high-tech macerators. But, when it comes to a premium custom build, we always tend to lean towards recommending a high-quality composting or “separating” toilet.

Why it works: A separator toilet, as the name suggests, separates the solids from the liquids (psssh. That's the secret to keeping it all odor-free without the need for harsh chemicals.) The great thing about these units is that they are compact, super easy to maintain, and the modern design of them resembles high-end furniture instead of a standard plastic bucket.

The Practicality: You will save a great amount of space, due to the fact that these systems do not require complex plumbing or a massive black tank hanging underneath your beautiful van (because who would want a septic tank ruining the aesthetics of your beautiful van? I sure wouldn’t!).

The Shower: Fixed Wet baths vs Outdoor Kits?

Picking out a shower for your build is usually the trickiest part in deciding the layout of your Sprinter.

The Indoor Wet Bath: This option is usually for those who plan to live full-time or those who decide to travel to locations with colder climates. If any of those situations sound like they fit your plans, then the option for a fixed indoor shower is game-changing. We build these “baths” where the entire small room is waterproofed, containing both a shower and a toilet. Truly, a throne fit for royalty.

The Outdoor Shower Kit: This option is best suited for those who are weekend warriors or those who love spending their Summers at the beach. This option has us install a high-pressure sprayer at the rear doors, perfect for rinsing off sand, cleaning gear, or taking a quick shower under the stars. This option allows your van to stay open, airy, and much easier to navigate, since you’ll be skipping out on the indoor walls that the previous option included.

Balancing the Water Needed and the Added Weight

Every gallon of water your van carries adds about eight pounds to your van, which can add up. The full indoor shower would find you looking at a larger freshwater tank and a dedicated greywater setup. 

In a 144” wheelbase, we typically recommend the outdoor shower or a hidden, pull-out system to keep the backend of your van spacious, which would allow for more storage or activities. On the other hand, in a 170”, it allows for the indulgence of dedicated square footage for a full bathroom suite.

The Good Van’s “Good Take”

A bathroom should support your lifestyle, not rule your every action. If the thought of emptying a traditional tank stresses (or grosses you out. You don’t have to be shy if it does), go with a Trelino and a simple outdoor sprayer. But, if you are looking for the luxury of a hot morning shower, no matter the weather, to aid your relaxing (or thrilling) vacation, let’s go all in and build that beautiful titled wet bath that makes you feel like you are in a spa.

There isn’t a “right” way to go about it. The only correct way is to build your dream van, the one that makes you feel at home, whether you are already there or taking a trip away. 

Author: Matthew Garcia