onboard hot shower options

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NYFJ62

10 Year 15 Year
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Jul 20, 2009
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42
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206
Hi All,
I have been trying to find info on different onboard hot shower options for my 62 and have been minimally successful. Though a cold stream has done me just fine in the past, my better half has made it a mandatory addition to the rig before our next trip. The only option for sale that I have found has been the R&M product. Has anyone found anything else that might be a bit less expensive?
 
I've been looking at the Helton heat exchangers myself that ntsqd mentions... they are cheap, easy to install and deliver consistent results from everything that I've read...
 
go to eccotemp.com their tankless L-5 unit i think is around 120 bucks i havent got one yet but thats the one i will probably get. Will have to have a pump to push water to it or if you already have a water hookup then your good.
 
I'm liking the coleman unit that people were talking about on the threat mentioned above. Just seems like a simple, easy solution that doesn't require a lengthy install, doesn't waste gasoline to heat up water, doesn't tie you down to showering or using the water directly by the truck in case you wanted to bring it down to a stream that you can't park the truck close enough to, and could be easily built into a kitchen setup off the tailgate rather than requiring proximity to the engine bay.

Advantages over the ecotemp unit is the simplicity of the 16oz coleman propane tanks and the included water pump that runs on a rechargeable battery rather than the regular 9volts.

It does cost a bit more than the ecotemp, but I think the well thought out design is worth the extra cash.
 
NYFJ62 said:
Hi All,
I have been trying to find info on different onboard hot shower options for my 62 and have been minimally successful. Though a cold stream has done me just fine in the past, my better half has made it a mandatory addition to the rig before our next trip. The only option for sale that I have found has been the R&M product. Has anyone found anything else that might be a bit less expensive?
Click to expand...
Heat water on your camp stove, that should satisfy her.
 
I was unaware that hot water from a camp stove was enough to satisfy a woman. I'll give that a shot tonight and report back on how it goes. Wish me luck...
 
Hot Shower?

Try one of these - just plan ahead. 1/2 day in direct sunlight - hot shower.

Cabela's -- Stearns Outdoors Sun Showe
standard-item.jsp
 
Was kind of mad at myself for not buying the FJ62 radiator for my 60, use the automatic tranny cooler for the heat exchanger, so I'm wrapping my exhaust with copper tubing and using a Surflo water pump and different connectors for the inlet/diffuser to shower head set up. Have a kid that loves to camp and want to keep both of us clean on long excursions.
 
mdennis said:
go to eccotemp.com their tankless L-5 unit i think is around 120 bucks i havent got one yet but thats the one i will probably get. Will have to have a pump to push water to it or if you already have a water hookup then your good.
Click to expand...

just got one of the Eccotemp L-5's from Hot Camp Showers - so far, I love it. Hooked up a 12v pump to a battery, stuck a hose in a 5-gallon pail, hooked up the connections, and instant hot water...

''bout the only disadvantage is the need for a propane tank to heat it...not sure it'll run on a camp-size, haven't checked...I run my lantern, stove, etc off a 20#...easy enuf to swap this over.
 
I have the R&M mounted on my Cruiser; the only reason I chose that brand was because I bought it ~10 years ago and that was pretty much the only kit option back then. Bought it for ~$250 without the quick disconnect kit and just made my own; didn't realize the price jumped to over $400. Can't say I regret buying it though as I haven't had any problems with it in any of my rigs. It was initially installed on my '87 turbo 4runner, then installed it on my '94 4runner.
On my first 2 rigs, I had room for the pump to be mounted in the engine bay. Right now the pump is not installed in the engine bay as I don't have any room with the dual batteries and SC. I have an idea of where to mount it but am going to wait until I get a winch mounted in the ARB so I know exactly how much room I have to deal with. I've still got it setup with quick disconnects so it's a quick setup.

Salue
 
ntsqd said:
I'm intrigued by those tankless heaters, but some other options for consideration:

Cruiser Outfitters: Helton Heat Exchangers
Click to expand...


I would love to answer any questions regarding the Helton Hot Water systems any of you might have. My involvement with them was actually inspired here on Mud 4-5 years ago now. I brought one over from Australia and installed it on my FJ40. I was sold with the first use. The cast iron 2F lends itself really well to a coolant based heater system... in just a few minutes I can heat 5 gallons in a Scepter can or take a nice long shower when parked next to a water source. Fast forward a few years, we've not sold hundreds of these to people all over North America, they've been on 6 month Expeditions to South America and to the cold temps of the Arctic up north, not to mention the thousands in use all over Aussie. I've not got one mounted in my Tacoma too, its plumbed so that the heater control know on the dash controls the heat output of the shower, works very slick and makes getting just the right temp a breeze.

There are pro's and con's to the different type of systems. For a 'base camp' use the propane powered options are clean, for those that are looking for a lightweight and compact vehicle based solution, the coolant style heat exchangers really do the trick.

We've got great stock on all the kits right now, give me a ring or post up if you have any questions!
 
I have the Coleman unit, used it a few times finally camping this past summer, and it works quite well.

Cons:
A longer shower hose attachment would be nicer.
The plastic foldable jug it comes with is kinda flimsy, but I cannot find another container with the same thread as the pump fitting. Would need an adapter I guess.
It's a little large.

Pros:
Hot setting is actually pretty damn hot.
Battery charge lasts a long time
It seemed fairly frugal on the propane usage.
Packs up nice and neat in the provided storage bag.
Wife loves it.
 
The R&M Beast is selling is a heckuva deal! Here are a couple of pics of that same heat exchanger in my Cruiser:

Installed on the frame rail, you can slightly see it between the battery tray and SC..

IMG_3622.jpg


One of the quick disco's visible:

IMG_3630.jpg


further away.
IMG_3629.jpg
 
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