An external shower is one of the most versatile accessories you can add to your adventure van. Its uses go far beyond personal washing — the only real function of an indoor shower. This versatility is why most full-time caravanners mount one on the side or rear of their camper.
However, the overall showering experience — and all the other practical tasks you can accomplish — depends heavily on the model you choose. The spray pattern, for instance, is a critical factor in both the performance and efficiency of your external shower: an intense, narrow spray offers quick rinsing, so you'll run the shower for less time.
In this article, we'll take you through over a dozen key factors to consider when selecting an external shower for your caravan, RV or campervan. These include the type of external shower (two main versions exist), the design of the outlet valve, spray jet configuration, and more.
Why Fit an External Shower to Your Caravan or Campervan?
A shower is an essential facility when travelling or camping off-grid — whether for a weekend, several months, or full-time living. An indoor shower is usually the most convenient option, as it's readily available any time of day and in any season, from summer through winter.
However, an external shower is just as important — and often far more versatile — because you're not limited to full-body bathing. You can also use it for:
- A quick rinse to cool off on scorching summer days
- Washing feet after a walk, keeping dirt and dust outside the van
- Cleaning pets while leaving their mess outdoors
- Rinsing solar panels to maintain efficiency in dusty environments
- Washing dishes outside the van — especially bulky items
- Giving the van's exterior a quick wash, including windows, mirrors and panels
- Cleaning camping gear and equipment such as wetsuits, hiking boots, bikes, kayaks, BBQ grills, awnings, carpets, floor mats and more
In addition to its versatility, an external shower is mounted outside the vehicle, which helps save valuable interior space for other critical gear or equipment.
What Are the Two Types of External Showers for Caravans and RVs?
First of all, an external shower is a shower system designed to be mounted outside your caravan, campervan, RV or motorhome. It comes in two main versions — an external shower box or a quick plug-and-shower kit.
External Shower Box
An external shower box is a type of shower housed in a lockable, weatherproof compartment — often made of durable plastic. The compartment is recessed into the van's side or rear wall, with the shower's inlet(s) plumbed directly into the vehicle's main water system.
A great example we can give here is our Watermarked Chrome External Shower Box.
Plug-and-Shower (Quick-Connect) External Shower
A quick plug-and-shower kit (also called a quick-connect shower kit) uses quick-connect fittings for fast attachment and detachment of the shower hose and head.
The outlet valve features a push-fit adapter that connects to a quick-release plug on the shower hose assembly (which includes a hose, water flow control handle and showerhead). No tools are required to attach the hose for use or remove it for storage.
A popular example here is the EZY Thermostatic Exterior Shower Kit — an excellent plug-and-shower solution for caravans, campervans, RVs and motorhomes.
What Should You Look for in a Caravan External Shower? 14 Crucial Factors
Like any other accessory for your adventure van, the external shower you choose should be convenient, functional and durable. The fourteen key factors that help achieve these qualities include:
Your Shower Needs
The first aspect to consider when buying an external shower for your campervan, caravan or RV is why you need one. Is it because of the limited interior space in your van, or do you want it as an extra convenience alongside an existing interior shower?
Clearly defining your needs will help you determine the right type of shower in terms of spray pattern, water temperature control, flow rate, and so on.
Method of Mounting
Once you've clarified your needs, consider the ideal mounting option for your van. Both an external shower box and a plug-and-shower kit require a cut-out for installation. Therefore, you must confirm there is enough space on the side or rear of the van — and sufficient room inside — to accommodate the fittings at the back of the shower system.
Tip: An external shower box generally requires a larger mounting area than a plug-and-shower external shower, as shown in the examples below:
- EZY Thermostatic Exterior Shower Kit — requires a 4-inch round hole
- Black Watermarked Chrome External Shower Box — requires a 275 × 150 mm cut-out
- White Watermarked Chrome External Shower Box — requires a 275 × 150 mm cut-out
Design of the Outlet Valve
The third factor to consider in an external shower is the type of outlet valve your system should have. It can be a cold-only valve with a single inlet or a hot-water-capable valve with dual inlets (one for cold water and one for hot).
Most external shower systems on the market feature a thermostatic hot-water valve to ensure comfortable showering in any weather. However, the exact valve design varies between models.
Style of Valve Fittings
As we've just mentioned, valve designs differ across shower systems. This variation also applies to the fittings that connect the valve to your van's water supply hose.
For example, some systems use barb fittings, while others feature push-fit connectors. Whichever style you prefer, the fittings must match the internal diameter of your plumbing hose correctly.
Water Flow Controller
Another important factor you must consider in an exterior shower is the water-flow control handle. It should be easy to operate and (for thermostatic valves) allow precise adjustment of water temperature.
Many shower systems in the caravanning and RVing market feature classic tap handles. For instance, our Watermarked Chrome External Shower Box uses two traditional tap handles to control water flow from its thermostatic valve. In this case, you can manually adjust the hot and cold taps until you reach the desired temperature.
However, some models, such as the EZY kit, feature a single thermostatic control lever that adjusts the warm water temperature by automatically varying the mix of hot and cold water.
Shower Hose Length
How high do you intend to mount your external shower outlet valve? If the only possible location is high up, the shower hose should be long enough to reach where you want, including farther away from the van.
For example, the EZY kit includes a 2-metre hose, which offers more freedom for tasks like washing pets, cleaning gear or rinsing solar panels.
Showerhead Diameter
The showerhead on your external shower should strike a perfect balance between size and performance. It should be compact for easier storage yet provide wide coverage for a comfortable showering experience.
A wide shower spray delivers more effective cleaning and rinsing, which in turn helps conserve water in your fresh-water tank.
Showerhead Spray Patterns
If your adventure van lacks an interior shower, opt for an external shower with variable spray patterns. This lets you choose between a wide-coverage (rainfall) mode for gentle, faster bathing or an intense, concentrated narrow spray for quickly rinsing off heavy dirt and soap.
Basically, a showerhead with multiple spray patterns makes your external shower far more versatile. The EZY kit, for instance, offers three different spray patterns.
Showerhead Lock-On Trigger
Another useful feature to consider when buying an external shower for your van is the lock-on trigger. While it's not essential, it lets you control the water spray directly from the showerhead.
The function of the lock-on trigger varies by system. In some showers, it temporarily stops or pauses the spray, while in others, it locks the spray in continuous mode. Each of these modes has unique benefits:
- Stop/pause mode — helps conserve fresh water while off-grid
- Continuous mode — allows water to flow steadily without holding the trigger or button
Shower Flow Rate
Unfortunately, many caravan and RV showers on the market rarely specify their flow rate. However, this feature is useful for water conservation, as the rated LPM (litres per minute) or GPM (gallons per minute) helps you estimate water usage per session.
Basically, the external shower you choose should strike a critical balance between a satisfying shower experience and conserving water.
Included Items
When shopping for an external shower for your van, check which accessories and components are included in the box. This helps you identify any missing essentials you'll need to buy separately and determine whether the purchase offers good value.
For instance, our external shower box kits come with a lockable compartment, a mixer valve with fittings, a hose, a showerhead and a shower holder. Meanwhile, the EZY plug-and-shower kit includes the mixer valve with fittings, hose with integrated control lever, showerhead, outlet mounting plate, shower holder, and a netted storage bag.
In either case, you'll only need to buy a water hose (and perhaps hose clamps) to connect the fixture inlets to your van's main water system.
Construction Quality
The accessories and components included with your chosen external shower should be well-made from high-quality materials to ensure superior performance and long-term durability. Since these parts will be constantly exposed to water and vibration, they must be constructed from robust, highly rust- and corrosion-resistant materials.
For example, the EZY Exterior Shower Kit features a thermoplastic, UV-stabilised hose, brass thermostatic mixer and fittings, and high-impact ABS construction for the showerhead, outlet mounting plate and shower holder.
Warranty Support
A solid warranty is a clear sign that the external shower you get will perform as promised. It also demonstrates the manufacturer's full confidence in the product, covering repair or replacement costs in the event of premature defects.
As the user, this gives you peace of mind and the confidence to shop knowing the product is reliable.
For example, our Watermarked Chrome External Shower Box and the EZY Thermostatic Exterior Shower Kit both come with one-year warranty support.
Pricing
By this stage, the finalists on your shortlist should be the external showers that meet most — if not all — of the criteria outlined above. Once you've narrowed down the qualified options, compare their prices and select the one that best fits your budget. This approach ensures you end up with a product that is not only functional and durable but also excellent value for your money.
A Smooth Water Flow Complements a Great Shower
That's essentially how you can confidently choose the best external shower for your caravan, campervan, RV or motorhome. It's a key step in preparing for your road trip or off-grid camping adventure, ensuring the shower meets your needs without becoming another nuisance.
That said, your overall shower experience isn't determined solely by the unit's performance. The water supply itself must deliver smooth, consistent pressure at all settings. For this reason, you also need a properly designed plumbing system with an appropriate pump setup that delivers steady, pulsation-free pressurised water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can you use a caravan external shower for besides bathing?
Plenty: a quick rinse on hot days, washing feet after a walk, cleaning pets, rinsing solar panels, washing dishes and bulky items outside, giving the van's exterior a quick wash, and cleaning camping gear such as wetsuits, hiking boots, bikes, kayaks, BBQ grills, awnings, carpets and floor mats.
What is the difference between an external shower box and a plug-and-shower kit?
An external shower box is housed in a lockable, weatherproof compartment recessed into the van's wall and plumbed directly into the main water system. A plug-and-shower (quick-connect) kit uses a push-fit outlet valve and a quick-release plug on the hose assembly, so no tools are needed to attach or remove the shower.
How big a cut-out does an external shower need?
It depends on the type. A plug-and-shower kit like the EZY requires a 4-inch round hole, while both the black and white Watermarked Chrome External Shower Boxes require a 275 × 150 mm cut-out.
Do external showers come with a warranty?
Quality units do. Both our Watermarked Chrome External Shower Box and the EZY kit come with one-year warranty support, giving you peace of mind that repair or replacement costs are covered in the event of premature defects.
Ready to upgrade your rig's wash-up game? Explore our full range of external showers for caravans, campervans and RVs and find the perfect fit for your next off-grid adventure.
