I'd buy a campervan that didn't have a shower, as even if not on a campsite I'm happy to just have an all over wash. That said I'd sooner have the option, & would rather buy a van with just one wardrove & a shower than one with no shower & 2 wardrobes !
But wouldn't buy one that didn't have a separate toilet compartment. Even on site we generally just prefer to use out own loo, & especially appreciate an on-board loo in the middle of the night/early morning.
In my small Romahome I'm happy to cope without either a loo or a shower, in a SWB conversion I'd also manage without - but if it was a MWB or LWB then I would expect there to be a bathroom.
Not much point in putting up with a less manoeverable vehicle if it doesn't have the extra mod cons.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
I have a converted Citroen Relay and could do without the shower but saying that would it save any space as you could't make the toilet/shower cublicle any smaller as you stand or sit with your feet in the shower tray. Maybe you could fit some extra storage instead.
Personally the reason we bought our motorhome was to have freedom to wild camp and stop at places we wouldn't with the caravan, many of these places being without facilities, however I do like to have a shower especially after doing some long walking or getting the kids sandy feet washed off after a trip to the beach,
if we had bought a smaller van like a bongo then I would not expect a shower due to space but something as big as the iveco I would definitely want one.
I love using the shower in the van, at least I don't have to wear crocs in it and I know it's clean.
But each to their own
------------- Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Everyone has their own preferences for layout, base vehicle, etc. Personally I feel that a fixed bed in a pvc is a total waste of space - much better to go for a layout that gives more living space during the day with a requirement to make up beds at night - which literally only takes a couple of minutes. Again, in my opinion a pvc is only suitable as a 2 berth - so forget trying to plan for any more than this. 2 berth = older couple = essential to have a loo! Base vehicle - I would never use a Sevel van given the recent problems with Fiat - I went for the Renault Master. You'll never get your money back - people will be sceptical about the quality of the conversion - are you going to give 12 months warranty??
Only my opinions - and that is why I did my own self build - to get what I wanted, not what someone else thought I would want.
We bought our current [and first] van for many reaons, but the spacious, trnaverse loo and shower room at the back of it, that had its own door to close it oof, was certainly a selling point. That said, we've only used the shower on a handful of occasions - my wife likes the space and facilities offered by campsite showers. We both find that the chore of keeping the shower room clean when we use it can be off-putting too. That said, I wouldn't buy a van that had no shower! May be contrary, but I like the feeling of being self-contained, even if I rarely make use of it. That feeling is what motorhoming is about, for me, and despite it being irrational, I suspect I'm not alone. A loo is an absolute essential, by the way .
Thank you all, wise words indeed, very enlightening. Yes ericaonabike, I reckon your view will also be many folks views on a shower, whether they use it or not.
However, I'm getting a feeling that I should really only go ahead with this project for me, i.e. that I'm going to use it, and I'm not sure I really will. My reasons for doing this were not to get rich out of it! but likewise there are maybe other things I can do as a project where I have a bit more certainty that I won't lose money (kit cars, restoration). As I said in my OP, this is something to do next year so lots of time to think it through.
I'm now drawn to bigger vans, with shower and toilet, awning, permanent bed, 2 seats. And now I've got other models to consider in addition to the the Iveco Daily, thank you. And if I do decide to do this, I'm thinking older couples, doing longer trips (longer away from home, not miles), rather than families as a possible market if we don't use it ourselves.
You may be building my perfect van! After almost a year of 'homing, Mrs E and I want a van that is solely designed for two people, so that the space can be optimised for two, rather than compromised for more! At a max of 6.5 metres, we want a fixed bed + shower. The French do these, but then insist on having two belted seats, around a fixed table dinette. My theory is that there's enough room to have some 'lounging' space if you just design it for two people!
Quote: Originally posted by few cloudy on 04/11/2012
other things I can do as a project where I have a bit more certainty that I won't lose money (kit cars, restoration).
Having done both kit car building (twice) and classic car restoration, I'm fairly sure that it is ~very~ difficult to do either and make money.
With the latter, you have to be lucky enough to find someone who underestimates the value of what they are selling, and that doesn't seem to happen much these days.
Hi mojo, was lucky enough to have the chance to restore a very old Porsche, a 356c, some years ago and that led onto other work. Kit cars were based on vdub engines which I didn't pay for due to my mate having a car recovery business. But I hear what you're saying!
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Topic: Shower or no shower?
