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Old 06-22-2022, 07:25 PM   #1
DutchmenSport
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New Outside Shower Install

Part 1

We’ve had our Montana for about 4 years now. One thing we always wanted was an outside shower on the passenger side of the camper. Although the camper has a shower on a blue coiled hose in the wet bay / convenience center, we really missed having a way to wash dishes (outside) from the front side of the camper. Our previous camper was an Outback travel trailer and had a flip down 2 burner stove and a small basin with hot and cold water. We used it all the time. Ever since we’ve purchased this Montana, we’ve missed that sink (mostly the water on that side).

I had tried to run a garden hose under the camper, attached to the blue coiled hose, but that just never worked very well. It took way to long for hot water, and then we couldn’t control the temperature without running to the other side of the camper all the time.

It took almost 4 years and studying this problem out and coming up with a solution. I think I’m very good at my carpentry skills, but sometimes it does take me a while before I have the “Ah-Ha!” moment and then the nerve to do it. I suppose all the stars were aligned this time. Since we are home for a couple weeks again before hitting another traveling gauntlet, the wife kind of pushed me into installing a shower.

So, a trip to my local RV dealership parts store, and with the help of the fellows there, I walked out with a little over $100 in parts. And a few hours later, the job was done!

Here’s the steps I went thorugh.

I started with the outside shower box and cut a cardboard template for the hole that would be cut in the side of the trailer.





I did a lot of measuring to determine exactly where the new shower would go. Thanks to one of those old photos I had of the camper when it was sweating and leaving ghost images of the aluminum frame, I knew there was no supporting frame under the kitchen window; on both sides of the window…. Yes, a stud runs from bottom to top, but not in the middle. Also, this spot is under the kitchen sink, if measured exactly centered with the window above it, it was a great location with easy water pipe access.



The next thing I did was cut a back for inside the camper. Even though the back of the shower box would be inside, under the sink, I didn’t want gaps where air would pass through. So, I used some thin plywood with my scroll saw and cut the backer. I then sanded it down, and painted it with a near color match. Inside the kitchen cabinet, it would look like it’s factory (hopefully).








The next step would be to cut the hole in the side of the camper. I will admit, this is the part that had the me most worried. There’s something very intimidating about make a gaping hole in a $70K (plus) trailer. But, it had to be done. And it actually went easier than I though. I bore a hole in the middle with a 1 and ½ inch drill and then used my Sawzall to trim it out:






 
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Old 06-22-2022, 07:26 PM   #2
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Part 2

Now it was time to assemble the Erector Set.



I installed the inside backer board and sealed it with white calking.



Last, was the plumbing.

Before any modifications:


I decided to use the horizontal hot and cold and connect with a T fitting. Everything lined up pretty well:

Before:



After. Notice I also installed cut off valves:



The end result was “success!” No leaks.





Total cost for parts from the dealership parts store, a little over $100. The backer board, paint, screws and Butyl putty were items I had on hand already.

Oh, I can hear them dirty dishes just singing happy praises now!
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Old 06-22-2022, 07:52 PM   #3
Mikendebbie
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Very nice mod!
I do not have permission (from the chief inspector - DW) to cut or drill on the exterior skin...probably the right opinion given my skill level.
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Old 06-22-2022, 10:10 PM   #4
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Outstanding Dutchman! NOW we know where you got the pics for the wall thickness measurements!
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Old 06-23-2022, 08:57 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikendebbie View Post
Very nice mod!
I do not have permission (from the chief inspector - DW) to cut or drill on the exterior skin...probably the right opinion given my skill level.
I would be fired!
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Old 06-23-2022, 09:22 AM   #6
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I prefer to wash our dirty/greasy pans on the backside using what is already there and keep the mess behind, but to each their own and makes the other half happy.
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Old 06-23-2022, 02:45 PM   #7
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You certainly have some great skills and the project turned out very nice and in many ways is better then factory. Your "quality control" was a success.
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Old 06-29-2022, 09:23 PM   #8
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Very clean, well thought out install!
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Old 07-05-2022, 12:08 PM   #9
Jim in Halifax
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Dish pan on picnic table works for us
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Old 07-05-2022, 02:33 PM   #10
team bradfield
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I use our factory shower to clean up the dogs when they find mud along the trails, your Install looks great, good job for sure
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