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Do Camper Vans Have Bathrooms?

Do Camper Vans Have Bathrooms?

Do you need a camper van with a bathroom or not? This question plagues the minds of many potential camper van owners. Having a bathroom has many benefits but some pretty big disadvantages, too. 

In this article, we take a closer look at which camper vans have bathrooms, what kind you’ll find, and some considerations when shopping for (or building) your own van.

Do Camper Vans Have Bathrooms?

Some camper vans have bathrooms, and some don’t. Most professionally manufactured camper vans have some sort of facility, even if it’s just a cassette toilet. But many DIYers leave the bathroom out entirely. Whether or not a van has a bathroom depends on its size, its intended use, and the conversion budget. 

VAN LIFE | Toilet, Shower & Laundry

Do You Need a Bathroom in a Camper Van?

Having a bathroom in a camper van is a personal preference, but many DIY builders opt-out of including one. These van travelers find new ways to use the restroom and shower, including going outside, only staying in campgrounds with facilities, utilizing public or solar showers, or relying on public toilets. Other van travelers view a bathroom, or at the least a toilet, as a necessity. 

What Types of Bathrooms Do You Find in Camper Vans?

Camper vans are among the smallest types of recreational vehicles on the road today. They come in different lengths, but they typically never exceed 17 ft. Because of their short size, space for a bathroom is minimal but possible.

camper van with bathroom
This fancy dry bath is in a Class B+ Airstream Atlas. Class B+ RVs are the largest camper vans on the market.

Dry Bath

Larger camper vans and Class B RVs have room for a dry bathroom. A dry bath has a separate toilet and shower area. Some might have a toilet in one room and a shower in the other. Other dry baths have the toilet and shower in the same room but separated from each other. 

Wet Bath

A wet bath is a room where all components are designed to get wet. They’re small and include a toilet, shower, and sometimes a sink. While a wet bath might sound weird, it has some significant advantages. Smaller camper vans can have wet bathrooms that fit a toilet and a shower into a small space. 

Read our in-depth guide on wet baths to learn more about their pros and cons: What Is An RV Shower Toilet Combo?

Toilet Only

Some small Class B RVs and DIY camper vans, like these amazing minivan conversions, just have a toilet.

portable camping toilet
Portable camping toilets come in many sizes, so you’re sure to find one that fits in your space and meets your needs.

Professionally built Class B RVs likely have a cassette toilet. A cassette toilet is an all-in-one toilet that features a small wastewater holding tank built-in. In many Class B RVs, you can access the holding tank from outside to remove and dump it. 

In other camper vans, especially DIY ones, you can find composting or portable camping toilets. Portable camping toilets are all-in-one, with a removable waste tank on the bottom and a tank for fresh water on the top. Portable camping toilets don’t require installation, and you can remove them to use anywhere.

Whats so great about RV composting Toilets? | What You Should Consider Before You Buy

The DIY crowd likes composting toilets. These toilets separate liquids and solids and require no plumbing or major installation. 

Pro Tip: Don’t believe every negative thing you hear about composting toilets. They’re actually pretty great! Here’s why: 5 Composting Toilet Myths You Need to Ignore.

What are the Benefits of a Camper Van With a Bathroom?

There are major benefits to having a bathroom in your camper van, or at the very least a toilet. Having a bathroom makes it easier to live on the road or take extended road trips. 

If your camper van has a shower, your RV is considered fully self-contained. You can relieve and clean yourself without relying on a campground or other public facilities. 

camper van going down a dirt road
Camper vans that are fully self-contained are great for boondocking in remote locations.

Are There Any Disadvantages?

Some disadvantages to having a bathroom in a camper van include taking away valuable living space in a vehicle that’s already very small. 

Some that only have a toilet have an intelligent design where the toilet slides easily into a cabinet or under the bed. Other vans with an entire bathroom have to dedicate quite a bit of space. 

Another disadvantage to having a bathroom in a van is the holding tanks. They can’t hold large fresh or wastewater tanks. So, even though it has a shower, you can’t take a very long one before running out of water and filling up the gray tank. 

camper van on a highway
If your camper van has small holding tanks, you’ll be seeking out fill and dump stations much more often.

Additionally, you may have trouble finding dump stations. Having wastewater onboard and a toilet that needs dumping is another chore and can limit how long you can stay parked at a campsite.

Is It Worth It to Have a Camper Van with a Bathroom?

Is it worth it to have a bathroom in your camper van, or at the very least a toilet? Having a bathroom has many benefits, but this ultimately comes down to personal preference. 

If you need the convenience of a toilet in your camper, then finding a van with a bathroom or building one yourself is essential. But if you think you can do without it, you can save time, money, and space.

Class B+ RV
If a full dry bath is a necessity for you, consider a Class B+ camper van.

Does your camper van have a dry bath, wet bath, or toilet only? Let us know in the comments.

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About Mortons on the Move

Tom & Caitlin Morton of Mortons on the Move gave up the stationary life for one where they are constantly on the move. They are full-time travelers, television hosts, and digital media producers.
They left their jobs, sold their house and possessions, and hit the road in September 2015 in their full-time “home on wheels”. Since then they have traveled the US, Canada, and even internationally by RV.
Now, they are Discovery Channel & PBS TV Co-stars of “Go North” on Amazon Prime Video, co-founders and instructors of RV Masterclass, and contributing authors for Hwy.co and an Arizona travel guide.

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