For You Boondockers: Saving Water During Showers

[metalsideup]

Boondocking ("dispersed camping" is the politically correct term, I suppose;-) camping style is how we tend to roll. When you are adamant to camp way out there away from other traffic and amenities, certain camper functions get prioritized. My topic here is water, showers specifically. I did some extensive research and replaced the FR factory hand held shower with a little known brand offered on Amazon. The shower spray, pattern, and hand-holding comfort wasn't any different than the FR-issued unit. I was skeptical of the manufacturer's claim until today's test. We sprayed shower spray into a bucket for 60 seconds. The water was exactly 1.5 gallons. That is a pretty efficient shower! If interested, Amazon offers the Niagra Conservation model N2945BN 1.5 gpm shower head with supple hose for under 20 bucks.

Based on the same research effort, we coupled that shower with another device that is a 100% shutoff valve which lessens the drastic hot-water-first during temporary shower shutdown...(wet down...shutdown...soap up, rinse off with scalding water first!) that is so common with the FR showerhead's cutoff button. This one is called the Yoo.Mee shutoff valve, $8.99.
Just passing on our boondocking successes.

[NMWildcat]

Sounds like you have found some good products for water usage reduction. Thanks for sharing.
The one product that has saved us the most water per week is the Shower Miser. Also makes the shower that much more enjoyable.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Sounds like you have found some good products for water usage reduction. Thanks for sharing.
The one product that has saved us the most water per week is the Shower Miser. Also makes the shower that much more enjoyable.

The Shower Miser has an additional benefit for those using their fresh water tank in freezing weather conditions. If you are concerned that your fresh water tank might freeze, whether or not you have heating pads, you can introduce hot water into your fresh water tank to help take the edge off of the very cold water in your tank.

Bruce

[metalsideup]

Yep, we are aware of the Miser system, and in a similar manner we always direct our pre-spray (until the hot comes thru) into a container which gets re-purposed for either us or the dog. All I'm sayin' is that my math shows we're ahead now using a 1.5 gpm shower system vs the factory (never did measured output) vs the Oxigenics at 2.5 gpm.
My purpose for posting is to introduce a shower head option that is under the RV consumer radar for those who might be like-minded in extended stays/water conservation.
Being from Amazon=send it back if not impressed ;-)

[Riverbend]

Also available at Home Depot, and several other fine brick and mortar businesses. Water conservation is always a good practice.

[FFred]

To do lowest water "Navy Shower" we simply installed a sink sprayer hose instead of the std shower head.

Fast and easy to swap back when reaching civilization!

[ppine]

I mostly use a solar shower. In cold weather a sponge bath or a shower at an RV park.
I am going to use my shower as a closet on the next long trip.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by ppine

I mostly use a solar shower. In cold weather a sponge bath or a shower at an RV park.
I am going to use my shower as a closet on the next long trip.

That will definitely save water! What alternate use are you going to find for your sinks and toilet? Think of the storage space you could recover if you converted your gray/black/fresh/water heater tanks to cubbies. The possibilities are endless!

[TitanMike]

On my recent boondocking trip I used no-shower bath wipes for two days, showered, then two more days on the bath wipes til next shower. Felt nice and clean, flies didn't circle my head, and water lasted 11 days. (43 Gal tank).

[ppine]

Living in the West we have low humidity. Trips to the mountains are cool even in summer. There is much less of a need to bathe than in warmer, more humid climates.

[RangeMaggotBob]

Originally Posted by ppine

Living in the West we have low humidity. Trips to the mountains are cool even in summer. There is much less of a need to bathe than in warmer, more humid climates.

[gp1950]

I have the GeoPro 15tb, which comes with the Shower Miser. I don't really think it works as stated, the elbow doesn't change color when I shower. Luckily this TT is small, and doesn't take long for the hot h2o to get to the shower. It's also a wet bath, so I have to turn h20 on/off, soap, on/off.

I like the idea of 1.5 gpm, and will look at that Niagra shower head. It seems like your on/off attachment will replace the button on my shower head that does the same thing.

I also use the scent wipes that you buy in sporting goods section to save h2o use. They're great for quick clean ups on humid days.