Here is our van shower plumbing diagram! This will be particularly useful for figuring out different materials you may need or how you may want to design plumbing in your own van. I’ve listed the comprehensive list of materials below, although the number of elbows connectors and the length of Pex will change based on the amount of space you have and your set up.
Materials
- General Plumbing:
- 1/2” Read and Blue PEX: Get at hardware store its cheaper.
- 30GAL Water Tank: https://amzn.to/3GB7EMO
- Pump Silencing Kit: https://amzn.to/3jJ9AKb
- SEAFLO Accumulator: https://amzn.to/3jKd7b8
- SEAFLO 12v Pump: https://amzn.to/3Ck3E0B
- Straight Adapter Swivel Nut: https://amzn.to/3ibC8vt
- 1/2 Hose fitting for Tank: https://amzn.to/3vyBz24
- 1/2 Sharkbite Elbow Push to Connect to PTC: https://amzn.to/3IrWZoS
- 1/2 Sharkbite T all push to connect: https://amzn.to/3CjTQDY
- 1/2 Sharkbite Coupling PTC to PTC: https://amzn.to/3Cgkiy4
- 1/2” to 1/2” shark bite male elbow adaptors with push to connect: https://amzn.to/3jPPbDv
- 1/2” to 1/2” shark bite female elbow adaptors with push to connect: https://amzn.to/3GkzJa2
- SharkBite 1/2 x 3/4 Inch: https://amzn.to/3VAnbAV
- 1/2” to 1/2” Sharkbite Push to Connect Ball Valve: https://amzn.to/3ihLVA2
- 1/2” Sharkbite Male Sharkbite Adaptor with Push to Connect: https://amzn.to/3ib0PrT
- Pex Cutters: https://amzn.to/3WZCUKR
- Pex Depth Gauge: https://amzn.to/3VDTI9e
- Pipe Perforated Tape: https://amzn.to/3Gxxd1m
- Blue Monster Tape: https://amzn.to/3Qb8jrl
- Switch for Pump: https://amzn.to/3idKm6j
- RV Filter: https://amzn.to/3WWvhom
- Hose: https://amzn.to/3VISRUs
- Wrench Set: https://amzn.to/3WJVBlX
- Large Adjustable Wrench: https://amzn.to/3CfO4mP
- PVC primer and cement: https://amzn.to/3jJB6r0
- Fittings for 30 Gal Tank: Ace hardware (ended up going to a 1/2” fitting on the end)
- Orange Pex Tool: https://amzn.to/3WZLzNp
- Pex cutters: https://amzn.to/3Cn4gCS
- VHB tape: https://amzn.to/3Z2miEd
- Spray hose: https://amzn.to/3GB3ep5
- Milwaukee marker: https://amzn.to/3GxR2Vd
- Scissors: https://amzn.to/3IfSD4m
- Water Heater and Outlet:
- Hot Water Heater: https://amzn.to/3ibKUtt
- Outlet (GCFI): https://amzn.to/3QfYYyO
- Wire strippers: https://amzn.to/3jPxq7e
- Junction box: https://amzn.to/3Qe98Qh
- Screw driver: https://amzn.to/3i4u5Rj
- Wire cutters (small): https://amzn.to/3G7BHdA
- Electrical tape: https://amzn.to/3VHtG4M
- Multitool: https://amzn.to/3vAV7CF
- Milwaukee Marker: https://amzn.to/3GxR2Vd
- Timer Switch for Hot Water Heater: https://amzn.to/3vwNQE6
- Adjustable Wrench: https://amzn.to/3CfO4mP
- Wrench Set: https://amzn.to/3WJVBlX
- 1/2” to 1/2” female elbow adaptors with push to connect: https://amzn.to/3GkzJa2
- Shower:
- 1/2” Plywood: Local Hardware Store
- Panel Board: Local Hardware Store
- 12 ft. 2x2s: Local Hardware Store
- 3/4” paddle bit: https://amzn.to/3Qbi4pw
- Safety Goggles: https://amzn.to/3GeIZMx
- Orbital Sander/ Multitool Sander + Sandpaper: https://amzn.to/3X3T4mi or https://amzn.to/3vAV7CF
- Exterior Shower Hose: https://amzn.to/3ibQ0WI
- Wall Mount & Mixer: https://amzn.to/3Q6n1jD
- Shower Head: https://amzn.to/3GaGwTt
- Shower Arm: https://amzn.to/3Z3caLb
- Shower Rod: https://amzn.to/3vGAdC5
- Shower Rod Holders: https://amzn.to/3Q9xc71
- Shower Curtain (Protective): https://amzn.to/3GDxlfU
- Shower Curtain (Decorative): https://amzn.to/3vFbjTm
- FRP: Local Hardware Store
- FRP Adhesive Spreader: https://amzn.to/3VAIwKh
- FRP Adhesive: https://amzn.to/3Gd6d5U
- 24×27 Shower Pan: https://amzn.to/3VAIMJf
- Tub Drain: https://amzn.to/3CdKERx
- Shower Curtain: https://amzn.to/3Ci7XJV
- Timer Switch for HWH^: https://amzn.to/3IhZOJ8
- Toilet: https://amzn.to/3jFU6Xn
- Magnets for Pan: https://amzn.to/3Igb2Ov
- Pucklight: https://amzn.to/3ZjrMum
- VHB Tape: https://amzn.to/3Z2miEd
- Corner Clamps: https://amzn.to/3WJA7We
- Kreg Jig + Kreg Jig Screws: https://amzn.to/3Cm5OwV
- Piano Hinge: https://amzn.to/3VD3qIJ
- Wood Putty: https://amzn.to/3WTme7M
- Multitool: https://amzn.to/3vAV7CF
- Jigsaw + Blades: https://amzn.to/3WJCRD0
- Painter’s tape: https://amzn.to/3CjMOz3
- Metal file: https://amzn.to/3Gz7FRt
- Rustoleum enamel (spray): https://amzn.to/3VHDaNq
- Flex Seal Caulk: https://amzn.to/3X17N1p
- Caulk Gun: https://amzn.to/3WJEUaq
- Milwaukee: https://amzn.to/3VH5qzY
- Drill bits: https://amzn.to/3ibkmbQ
- Drive Bits: https://amzn.to/3VN7KoW
- Steel stick: https://amzn.to/3VECSH7
- Hole saw 2 1/8”: https://amzn.to/3Q9Xq9s
- Tail pipe or sink pipe cut in half https://amzn.to/3GkSHxg
- Adjustable Wrench: https://amzn.to/3CfO4mP
- Wrench Set: https://amzn.to/3WJVBlX
- Sink:
- 15×17 Stainless Steel Sink: https://amzn.to/3Q8DmnE
- Kitchen Faucet: https://amzn.to/3jKbpqe
- Sink Soap Dispenser: https://amzn.to/3Z7p5Mk
- Copper Zinc Filter: https://amzn.to/3WZYRth
- Vinyl Tubing 1/2”—> Check once you have your sink set up
- Blue Tank: https://amzn.to/3Gcakir
THOUGHTS AFTER 10 MONTHS
- One of the biggest things we would have changed is getting a bigger water tank than 30 gallons. If we are conservative, 30 gallons will last us about 5-7 days, not using our van shower. However, we made our shower, so why not use it?! 40 or 50 gallons would have been super nice.
- We made a huge mistake in not putting a grey water tank under our shower. Currently, we use biodegradable soaps and let the water run onto the ground, but it makes it tough for us to shower because we hate spilling water like that onto the ground.. (it draws a lot of attention!)
- We wish we had a better system for holding our sink grey water. Currently, it goes into a 7 gallon blue tank under our sink, but the tank is open at the top where the line drains in, so we have had quite a few overflows.
- Other than that though, we really enjoy our plumbing system, and have had no problems with it thus far. Shark Bite has made things SUPER easy!