DIY Minivan Camper with Off-Grid Shower: Ultimate Van Life Upgrade

Today I’m excited to share two key features of my custom-built off-grid minivan: the shower setup and my low-profile separating toilet. Both of these are essential for staying comfortable on the road, especially for those of us living the van life or spending long stretches off the beaten path.

I’ll start with the shower. This setup was a bit of a challenge, but I’m really happy with how it turned out. I’ve got a water tank, a quick-connect hose and a privacy tent to make the whole thing work seamlessly. Plus, as you’ll see, the water pressure is actually pretty solid. Then, we’ll dive into the low-profile toilet, which I custom-built to fit my minivan’s tight interior space.

Links to products, devices and gear featured in this video

Designing the Shower: It’s All About Space

If you’re thinking of adding a shower to your rig, the first thing to consider is where it’s going to go. Many minivans, including mine, have deep storage areas if you remove the third row of seats. This gave me an opportunity to put that space to good use.

Building the Custom Shower

I started by installing a Seaflo water pump that delivers 5.5 gallons per minute at 60 PSI—yes, it’s an expensive pump, but that’s why the water pressure is so strong! After testing different water containers, I settled on a short 7-gallon tank that fit inside the cabinet and left enough room to store the shower curtain and hose.

One thing I knew I wanted was a quick-connect system for the hose to the tank. When I’m in “camp mode,” my 12-volt freezer sits on top of the cabinet, so constantly getting in and out to connect the hose would be a pain. The quick-connect kit I used included a hose, sprayer and dock. I built a small wooden box to hold the dock and I ran a hose from it to the water tank.

Before permanently mounting everything, I tested the pump and connections outside the van to check for leaks. Once I knew everything was good, I installed it in the van. I mounted a waterproof power switch to control the pump, wiring it up to my 12-volt fuse panel.

Setting up the shower is straightforward: I hang two shower curtains from a 16-foot tent pole that I bend in half and thread through tiny eyebolts mounted to my roof rack. One of my awning support poles holds up the farthest edge, which sits inside a weighted base to keep it stable. The end result? A private shower area that’s easy to set up and take down.

Here’s the cost breakdown for this custom shower:

• Seaflo 55 Series Water Pump: $120
• Exterior Quick Connect Kit: $50
• Tent Pole: $20
• Vinyl Weight Plates: $17
• Shower Liners: $16
• Water Tank: $15
• Spring Clamps: $10
• Eyebolts, Washers, and Lock Nuts: $25
• Total: $273

It’s not the cheapest setup, but the convenience of having a shower when you’re miles away from any amenities is priceless. For me, it’s absolutely worth the investment.

Custom Low-Profile Toilet

Now let’s talk about the toilet. Most van builds use a 5-gallon bucket system, but since I’m over six feet tall, I needed something lower-profile. A 5-gallon bucket is about 14 inches tall, which doesn’t leave much headroom in my minivan’s shorter interior. So, I opted for a 3-gallon bucket that stands only 11 inches tall and I built a custom box around it.

To make this a true off-grid toilet, I separate the liquid and the solid. I designed a 3D-printed urine diverter that fits perfectly into a small 1.5-gallon water jug. I line the the 3-gallon solids bucket with a plastic bag and cedar wood shavings.

The base box, measuring 20 x 14 x 11.5 inches, was built to snugly hold both the urine jug and the solids bucket. The toilet seat is mounted on a wooden top, which I can fold back thanks to a piano hinge.

Here’s the cost breakdown for the toilet:

• Quiet-Close Elongated Toilet Seat: $60
• 3D Printed Urine Diverter: $50
• Fiverr Artist for 3D Design: $37
• Foam Weather Strip: $8
• Water Weld: $7
• 12-Volt Fan: $27
• Wood: $25
• Continuous Hinge: $20
• 3-Gallon Bucket: $17
• Carbon Filter Pouches: $8
• Total: $267

Although the price is high for a DIY toilet, I love how functional it is. In hindsight, I might have gone for a cheaper option, but having a low-profile, custom-made toilet that fits perfectly in my van was worth it.

So, that’s the rundown of my off-grid shower and toilet setup. I hope this inspires you to create your own solutions for van life or off-grid camping.

Until next time!