By Cheri Sicard
In the video at the end of this post, Jared Gillis of All About RVs walks through a set of simple RV bathroom mods (modifications) and accessories that make a big difference.
Jared’s focus is on using less water, fitting more into a small space inside the RV, and making daily routines feel closer to home. Here’s a clear look at the changes, why they help, and how they work together.
#1 and #2 Swapping the sink faucet for better water control
The stock faucet was plastic. It felt flimsy and wasted water. A residential faucet solved both problems and added an aerator at the spout (here’s the one he bought). That small part helps control flow, improves the feel of the stream, and can be swapped for different flow rates. The faucet came with a 1.2-gallon-per-minute aerator. Swapping to a 0.5 GPM insert cuts water use while washing hands. That means less fresh water is used and less gray water is created. Small change, big savings.
- Original: Higher flow, more water used
- Upgraded: Much less water with the same job done
#3 Upgrading to a residential-style toilet
The original all-plastic toilet got replaced with this Dometic model that has a porcelain bowl and a soft-close enamel wood seat and lid. It still uses a foot pedal, but it feels more like a home toilet.
RV toilets are also easier to swap since there is no built-in P-trap holding water. Most RVs lack angle stops at fixtures. A shut-off at the toilet makes service simple. The toilet can be removed or worked on without turning off water to the whole RV. That helps a lot for full-time use.
#4 Enhancing the shower with a better head
An Oxygenics shower head with a spray selector replaced the stock unit. It offers better pressure feel and is a clear upgrade in quality over the original shower head.
#5 The thermostatic shower valve that changes daily use
The new valve (this one) uses two knobs: temperature on the right and flow on the left. Turn the water off to soap up, then turn it back on without hunting for the sweet spot again. It also lets the user dial the flow down to save more water.
The valve has thermostatic control inside. It adjusts the hot and cold mix as the lines cool while paused, so the water stays consistent when turned back on. No shock of cold water after a pause.
The installation was simple: open the access panel, remove the compression fittings, mount the new valve, and reconnect the hot and cold. It is all metal, a clear quality step up from plastic. The temperature stop can be reset for a hotter limit, and there is a button to go past the stop when needed. It now sets quicker, which saves water when boondocking.
#6 Showermi$er
A Showermi$er diverts warming water back to the fresh tank when off-grid. It helps if the hot water run is long. It is not installed here due to extra plumbing and because the water heater sits right below the shower.
#7 Better ventilation with a new fan
The tiny stock fan got replaced. The new fan moves more air, pulls out steam, and was an easy swap that did not require messing with the roof seal. MaxxAir fans are a preferred choice for larger upgrades.
#8 Trash can with built-in brush holder
A compact trash can that stores the toilet brush inside saves space and keeps things tidy.
#9 Bins for the medicine cabinet
Small bins in the cabinet keep toiletries and meds from falling out on travel days. Simple fix, big win.
#10 Wire shelves on Command hooks
Wire shelves hung on Command hooks add storage without making a permanent change. They are sturdy and easy to move or remove.
#11 Wall-mounted toothbrush holders
Toothbrush holders mounted to the wall stay put while traveling and free up counter space.
#12 Switching to a shower curtain
Heavy glass panels came out, and a curtain went in. The curtain is lighter, easier to clean, and avoids the risk of shattered glass. It also helped offset the roof weight from solar. When it gets dirty, swapping it is fast. Here is the curtain rod he installed.
These upgrades make the bathroom feel better, waste less water, and use space well. Pick one or two to start, then build from there. Small changes add up fast in a small space.
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RVDT2774
If your RV has a shower curtain, but doesn’t have enough storage space for toiletries (especially secure storage while traveling), I found this mesh pocket hanging storage that works very well. While it comes with hooks, the spacing is perfect for use with existing shower curtain hooks to hang inside the shower. It is also inexpensive.
The Delta Faucet RP63039 .5 GPM Aerator,Chrome is expensive. Sounds like Delta is price gouging it’s customers. I replaced my hand held shower head with one that looks like the Oxygenics 87446 PowerFlow Brushed Nickel Handheld Shower Head you installed. I’m not happy with it. The hose is a cheap looking plastic that’s not as flexible as the metal ones.
Delta quality has really gone south in recent years. You can get better products for less money with other brands.
Our shower originally had a roll-up door, but there wasn’t enough room and the crossbar for the door was at a bad height. I removed it and replaced it with a Stromberg Carlson EXT-3542 Extend-A-Shower and a curtain. It increases the amount of room substantially, but when it’s retracted, it actually takes up less space than the door did.