4 Ways to Upgrade Your Small RV / Trailers Bathroom

I’ve got a little bit of a fascination with RV bathrooms. Especially small RV/trailers bathrooms, because I’m intrigued with how to fit in all the things without taking up half the RV.

In this post, I’m going to explore some of the options I’ve seen for a small RV bathroom.

My ideal RV is small simply because I believe that small means we will be less restricted in where we can go. We can find secluded spots, we’re not going to get hung up on overhanging branches, and we can take the last spot in a busy campground because we can take the smallest site in the park.

In this article, I’ll be sharing some unique ideas to maximize space in your small RV bathroom or add onto your bathroom. If you want to fully renovate your RV bathroom, we share 14 gorgeous bathroom renovations over here.

Having a small RV means you need to be clever with how it’s designed. Let’s have a look at some of those ideas:

1. Porta potty in a cupboard

I’m just gonna say right up here, that I hate this idea. Like, really hate it. BUT it is one of the best ways to bring along a toilet if your small trailer does not have one.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by LIGHT TRAVELERS (@lightravelers)

I get it though, a porta-potty (chemical toilet) might be the only thing you have room for, and I’m sure it will be fantastic in emergencies.

But I can’t see myself ever pulling out the porta-potty in the middle of the RV, telling my husband to vacate the RV for a few minutes, and then having to put the potty back in the cupboard or under the bed or wherever it hidey hole is. The thought of it just makes me feel ick.

Sorry, I’m clearly too high maintenance for this idea. Van life may be out for me!

2. Outside shower

Outdoor showers are commonly built into trailers, particularly those without a bathroom at all or with a wet bath.

You could use the campground shower, or try one of these unique ideas.

Solar shower and tent

I see this as being really good for camping, if you’re going to be in a remote spot for a couple of days.

EverShower

This great Aussie invention (I’m trying not to be bias here) is fantastic IMO. The Evershower is a portable shower that you can set up anywhere (inside or outside). It has small footprint (but plenty of shoulder room) and you can even recycle the water back if you have a limited water supply.

The water is pumped via a 12volt water pump and you can also connect a water heater if you wish.

Check out all the details over on their website: Evershower.com

Van Showers

These are really clever ideas for hooking up a shower to the rear door of your van. Click on the picture to see how each of these people has built their showers.

Fill Up Your Tanks: How to find RV dumping stations & fresh water to fill up

3. Wet Baths

In a small RV, the wet bath seems to make the most sense.

I don’t love a wet bath, but I do see the functionality in it. There are a few things to keep in mind when looking at RVs with wet baths.

1. Is it large enough to turn around?

My husband is over six feet tall and I’m 5’8″, so we’re not exactly small people. It’s important for us to get into the shower space and see if we can actually move in there.

I’ve seen wet baths where it looks like you have to be either sitting on the loo or straddling it in order to get under the water. No thanks!

2. How high is the showerhead?

Also, check if the shower head is tall enough. If I have to bend over or contort myself to get my hair under the shower head, that’s going to get old real quick.

3. How large is the sink basin?

My. Pet. Peeve.

Why do they make a basin that’s so small you can’t get your hands in there to wash them anyway? Seriously, why?

All you can do is get your toothbrush under there to wet it, but it’s in such a tight corner with a medicine cabinet right above it so that you can’t get your head close enough to spit. Really, if there isn’t enough room for a basin they should just leave it out and I’ll use the kitchen sink instead.

But there are some clever features that make it not as bad as I thought…

1. Toilet paper cover

If the wet bath doesn’t have this, then I’m just left shaking my head at the nonsense.

2. The fold-down sink over the toilet

This is a good way of saving space.

3. Expanding doors

I’ve seen this used in some of the newer Class Bs, where the wet bath door has an extra extension in it so that you can create a bit of elbow space.

4. Wrap around shower curtain

This will keep the water contained so that you’re not spraying water and soap and shampoo all over the toilet and walls. I like this idea, it’s simple yet effective.

Even better, check out this wet bath, which defies all American RV standards and blows me away. My friend Alyssa rented this RV in New Zealand a few years ago!

5. Removable Floor Grate

Love it for the beauty alone!

Some wet baths have a wood or bamboo slat floor so that the water can run through and not pool at your feet.

I might take the slat floor out to shower and then return it afterward so I always have a dry floor to stand on!

You could make your own or you just use a wooden floor mat like these:

4. Slide Out/Fold Down Shower Tray

The most novel approach I’ve seen so far in small travel trailers bathrooms, it these slide our or fold down shower trays.

When you think about it, the shower is somewhere you spend such a small amount of time in, that it seems crazy to dedicate too much space to something that gets used so little. (Am I revealing too much about myself by saying I don’t spend ages in the shower?)

That’s why I think these fold-down, lift-up (the floor) or slide-out (the shower tray) type of showers are so great.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Van Life | Brittany & Drew (@mrandmrsadventure)

Personally, I would much rather have a full shower, even if I do have to keep it short.

BUT… if having a full shower set up means that I have to work for another five years in order to afford the type of rig that I desire… Give me this crazy tent contraption, and let’s hit the road!

Small RV Trailers Bathroom Adaptions and Ideas

Obviously, all these ideas are going to be dependent on your space, budget, and what you and your travel companions are going to be comfortable with.

What idea most appeals to you? Do you have any other novel small RV trailers bathroom ideas?