When you’re hitting the road in a motorhome, having your own bathroom on board is a game changer. It’s not just about convenience. Having an onboard shower and toilet will make your trip much more comfortable, self-sufficient, and enjoyable. While you’re out adventuring, you can enjoy both hot and cold water anytime you need it, and you won’t have to rely on the shower facilities at caravan parks or public toilets.
From compact wet rooms to luxurious dry bathrooms, motorhomes come with a variety of shower and toilet setups to suit your lifestyle and preferences. Let’s explore the most common options so you can find the best fit for your next motorhome!
Wet Bathrooms: Efficient and Space-Saving
Wet bathrooms combine the shower, toilet, and sometimes a sink into one compact space. Think of it as an all-in-one unit where the shower head usually extends from the wall, and the entire room is designed to get wet. It’s a practical and space-efficient setup that is usually found in smaller motorhomes and campervans.
The big advantage of a wet bathroom is how much space it saves. By keeping everything within the same area, manufacturers can maximise the rest of the motorhome’s layout for living, dining, and sleeping. This setup is ideal if you’re travelling solo or as a couple and prefer to keep things simple and streamlined.
However, there’s a bit of a trade-off. After showering, the toilet area and floor will be wet, meaning you may need to dry off the space before using it again. For many travellers, though, the benefits of saving space outweigh this minor inconvenience. The Avida Trek, our newest campervan with shower and toilet, is a perfect option for anyone who doesn’t mind a bit of compromise to enjoy regular hot showers.
Dry Bathrooms: Comfort and Convenience
If you like the idea of a bathroom that feels more like the one you have at home, a dry bathroom might be the way to go. This design features a shower cubicle separate from the toilet and sink, so the rest of the bathroom stays dry even when you’re freshening up.
Dry bathrooms are generally found in larger motorhomes where there’s enough room to accommodate the extra space. Having separate rooms means they offer a lot more comfort and privacy, making them a popular choice for motorhome showers if you’re planning longer trips or travelling with others. If you prefer a touch of luxury and convenience with an actual shower door, a dry bathroom is well worth considering.
Split Bathrooms: Smart Use of Space
Split bathrooms are a clever compromise between wet and dry setups. Instead of everything being squeezed into one area, the shower and toilet are located on opposite sides of the motorhome. This layout is popular in larger models and is great for couples or families who want the flexibility of having separate shower and toilet rooms that can be used at the same time.
The split design offers more drying space and better airflow, which helps keep things fresh and comfortable. Proper ventilation is always a good thing when you’re living in close quarters.
Swinging Wall Bathrooms: Innovative and Compact
A more recent development in motorhome bathroom design is the swinging wall bathroom. As the name suggests, the wall itself can be rotated to either expose a shower area or provide access to a toilet. It’s a brilliant way to maximise limited space, especially in smaller motorhomes where every inch counts.
This style of bathroom gives you the convenience of a dry bathroom without requiring a large footprint. It’s an excellent option if you want to enjoy a proper shower setup without sacrificing too much of your living area.
Types of Motorhome Toilets
Motorhome toilets come in a number of different designs, each with its own pros and cons. Here’s a quick overview of the most common types:
Cassette Toilets
The most popular type of motorhome and campervan toilet, they feature a removable waste tank (or toilet cassette) that you can empty at designated dump stations. Cassette toilets are reliable, straightforward, and easy to maintain. However, they do have a limited capacity, and the toilet cassette generally only hold a few days worth of waste, which is something to consider if you’re going to getting off-grid for long stretches.
Gravity Flush Toilets
Similar to standard household toilets, these use a foot pedal or electric button to release waste directly from the toilet bowl into the black water tank. They’re simple and effective but require the toilet to be located above the waste tank.
Macerator Toilets
Macerator toilets use a pump to grind waste before transferring it to the black water tank. The big advantage here is flexibility, as the toilet doesn’t have to be positioned directly above the waste tank, giving you more freedom with your layout.
Portable Toilets
Perfect for smaller motorhomes or those without built-in bathroom facilities. These are usually basic but effective, with a removable tank that you can empty easily at designated dump sites.
How Motorhome Bathrooms Drain
Water from your motorhome bathroom drains into two separate tanks:
Grey Water Tank: The grey water tank collects wastewater from sinks and showers. You must empty your grey water tank regularly at approved dump points to avoid unpleasant smells and overflows.
Black Water Tank: The black water tank holds waste from the toilet. Just like the grey water tank, it needs to be emptied at designated dump points. Keep a sturdy pair of rubber gloves on hand for emptying your black water tank, to help avoid any nasty accidents.
It’s important to keep an eye on the level of both your black and grey water tanks, especially if you plan to spend extended periods off-grid. You don’t want to be that person that lets their tanks get too full and overflow, so make sure to dump them whenever you get the opportunity.
Guarantee Your Comfort on the Road with Avida
Although personal preference does play a role, selecting the right bathroom setup for your motorhome will mostly come down to your budget and choice of manufacturer and model. If you’re considering a campervan or small motorhome, you’ll likely have to make yourself content with a wet bathroom. But if you prefer something a little more luxurious and can afford a larger motorhome, a dry bathroom will offer the comfort and convenience you’re after.
At Avida, our luxury motorhomes come in a range of bathroom layouts to suit your budget and lifestyle. From compact campervan bathrooms to spacious motorhome bathrooms with a separate shower and toilet, your comfort is our priority. Explore our motorhomes for sale and campervans for sale and find the perfect bathroom layout for you!
