Without a doubt, the most common question we get on our social media is: “But where’s the toilet and shower?”
It’s a fair question. Toilets and showers are an everyday essential at home, so it’s easy to assume they’re just as necessary in a campervan. But here’s the truth: unless you’re planning to live in your van full-time or spend long stretches completely off-grid, a built-in toilet or shower probably isn’t the best use of space.
The Reality of How Most People Use Their Campervan
The majority of our customers use their vans for holidays, weekends away, and short breaks – not permanent vanlife. That usually means staying on campsites, and almost every campsite comes with hot showers and clean toilets included in your pitch.
When we head off in our own vans, we’re more than happy to use those facilities – and most of our customers say the same.
Why Fixed Toilets Can Be a Compromise in Small Vans
Smaller vans like the VW T6 or Ford Transit Custom simply don’t have the headroom or floor space for a fixed shower/toilet without sacrificing almost everything else. A fixed toilet also demands a permanent spot in the layout, which often means losing storage, seating, or kitchen space.
For those who really want a fixed toilet in a small van, our Wayfarer (WA) layout is one option: it allows a toilet area at the rear alongside the kitchen. But most people prefer the flexibility of a portable toilet that can be stored neatly underneath most rock and roll beds and or used inside a pop-up tent when pitched. This keeps smells out of the van, saves space, and still covers those urgent late-night dashes.
Showers: Do You Really Need One Onboard?
A fixed indoor shower takes up a lot of valuable living space. For most campers, it’s unnecessary. Campsite facilities are usually excellent, and for those off-grid weekends, there are plenty of clever alternatives – from outdoor solar showers to simple rear shower points with hot water. We offer underslung cold water systems along with hot water systems for external shower use. Perfect for a quick off-grid rinsed off.
When a Built-In Bathroom Makes Sense
Of course, if you’re planning to live full-time in your van or spend months at a time wild-camping, then a proper bathroom is worth considering. That generally means moving up to a larger base van – MWB or LWB Crafter, MAN TGE, Sprinter – where there’s enough headroom and floor space for a separate shower and toilet cubicle. These incorporate full shower and toilet systems into many of our builds.
But keep in mind: larger vans come with higher costs, both in terms of purchase and conversion, and many people don’t want the hassle of driving something that big as an everyday vehicle.
What Most People Decide
At recent shows, when we put this exact question to the public, almost everyone said they’d prefer a portable toilet in a tent and to use campsite showers. It’s simpler, fresher, and gives you far more living space inside the van.
Even in our bigger builds, many customers opt not to include a bathroom – preferring the comfort of a thoughtful, spacious layout instead.
✅ Bottom line: Toilets and showers are not essentials in most campervans. Unless you’re planning to live off-grid full-time, you’ll likely find a portable toilet, a rear shower point, and campsite facilities cover everything you need – without compromising your van’s comfort and design.
And if you didn’t spot a toilet or shower in one of our reels, it’s probably because it wasn’t required – over 80% of our conversions are built to our clients’ specifications, and for most, a fixed bathroom simply isn’t a priority.