Is a bathroom in a van worth it? | BATHROOM VS NO BATHROOM VAN LIFE PROS & CONS

Is a bathroom in a van worth it? | BATHROOM VS NO BATHROOM VAN LIFE PROS & CONS

Thinking about van life? If you are, you’ve probably started wondering about your overall floor plan and if you should incorporate a bathroom into your van.

Let’s face it – if you are going to do extended travel or full time travel in your van, you’re likely going to want the convenience of a private bathroom inside your van.

Van life can be stressful and if you are constantly wondering when and where you’ll find toilet and a shower while you’re on the road, you might find yourself even more stressed out or overwhelmed.

Be sure to join our Van Layout Guide for the floor plan of this van and to connect with us and others who are building their own DIY camper van.
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Separett Urine Diverting Toilet: https://amzn.to/2Is0rC1​

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https://saraandalexjames.com/vanlife

➳ WHO ARE WE?
We are Sara & Alex James. After converting 2 vans for us to travel the US & Canada, we settled down in Boise Idaho, opened our own custom van conversion shop, and started our family. We now have converted over a dozen vans for clients, and love to share helpful tips for those interested in Van Life!

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31 Comments

  1. Robert Hunter on March 23, 2023 at 9:22 am

    People have different priorities, but for full-time van life, the bathroom should have priority over kitchens. It can be quite annoying to see a lot of mass-produced vans with HUGE kitchens and little else. With a little skill and planning, good meals can be prepared from very small kitchen spaces. Many brick and stick homes have huge kitchens that look as if they are supposed to cater for an army, and I suppose the lust for these arrangements carries over to the RV world.
    The harsh reality is that if you travel a lot, you are going to have stomach problems sooner or later, so at least some sort of emergency toilet at least, is a must-have.

  2. Alicia Meyer on March 23, 2023 at 9:25 am

    So great! Always good content. This is an ongoing debate for us 😂

  3. Jeff Steinmetz on March 23, 2023 at 9:25 am

    It is a shame you framed the choice as conventional bathroom shower and none at all. I have both indoor and outdoor heated showers. My indoor shower takes up no additional floor space as it is sunk into the floor of the side entryway. Yes, my toilet has less privacy but that could also be remedied with a simple curtain system. And no, my shower curtain does not stick to my bum because it has magnets sewn into the sides and corners that adhere to steel slats that fit between the teak inlay and the stainless steel shower pan.

  4. Tess Lavinor on March 23, 2023 at 9:25 am

    Finally. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

  5. a b on March 23, 2023 at 9:26 am

    Building my own van right now, having missed my camper for a few years after having lived in it for 5 years.

    Never ever would I consider building one without a toilet or a shower. To me, a van is only worth the name van if it is a fully equipped independent unit.

    As for room limitation, I rather have less space to bring junk than give up toilet or shower. Mine will be a slide out shower room, so the space when not in use is minimal. And no composting toilet, a regular cassette toilet with a SOG, no chemicals.

  6. Naomi on March 23, 2023 at 9:28 am

    I like this second layout with no shower. I like the space that’s in the van. I would still want a shower.

  7. Stacy Hackney on March 23, 2023 at 9:31 am

    Nice

  8. Cloutier Pierre on March 23, 2023 at 9:32 am

    If you move the water fixture to the side of the sink, then you can make reduce the depth of the kitchen cabinet and increase the space between the double seats bench and the kitchen cabinet. Secondly you should always add a windows when you have a double seats bench on the driver side. You vans are beautiful 🤩

  9. Charlevoix418 on March 23, 2023 at 9:35 am

    Maybe not building a van around its kitchen sink may help you free some inches to ease circulation in it.

  10. Leonor Hernandez on March 23, 2023 at 9:36 am

    What is the cost of one of these because the way rent is going I would rather live in one with a bathroom and just travel.

  11. Grumpy In A Van on March 23, 2023 at 9:37 am

    I have a therford toilette and love it! We have an outdoor shower. But we don’t live in it.

  12. Sitansu Sekhar Panda on March 23, 2023 at 9:37 am

    actually depends on ur requirement. both layouts r very well designed n look amazing 👍

  13. Leonor Hernandez on March 23, 2023 at 9:38 am

    I would just put my sink(smaller one than that) and bathroom in the back and the benches in the middle.

  14. JMK on March 23, 2023 at 9:38 am

    Can’t imagine having a van without a bathroom because no way would I go for a wee in the middle of the night out in the dark with a torch.

    Also it kind of limits going off grid and having to always stay in campsites if you haven’t got your own conveniences.

    Each to their own I suppose but I would have to have one if I were having a van built.

  15. Saanstar Antolin on March 23, 2023 at 9:39 am

    I’d rather have a bathroom rather than peeing in gas stations

  16. Sara & Alex James – Custom Crafted Vans on March 23, 2023 at 9:41 am

    Would you put a bathroom in your van?
    Read more pros & cons here: https://saraandalexjames.com/vanlife-blog

  17. Jamie Kennison on March 23, 2023 at 9:42 am

    Bathroom all the way.

  18. D Lowe on March 23, 2023 at 9:50 am

    The bathroom discussion was incomplete because it didn’t include other bathroom designs that would change the pro/con discussion. There are choices in between "fully enclosed room" and "toilet in the open isle". For example, a half height bathroom with a countertop that lifts up to access the toilet and shower. Or making the sliding door entryway be the shower area.

  19. terisia mote on March 23, 2023 at 9:51 am

    What would it look like if you put you shower and toilet in the very back of the van . one on each side and put a u shaped sitting area with a table that can break down into a bed you can take the middle out if you needed to, then thee kitchen up from there. I would love to see that set up.

  20. ARhoda Powell on March 23, 2023 at 9:52 am

    Yes, bathroom but one that is not a wet bath

  21. Naomi on March 23, 2023 at 9:53 am

    Have you considered a no-fix bathroom and shower combo?

  22. machambers00 on March 23, 2023 at 10:05 am

    Wonder if you could do a staggered countertop kitchen where it’s thinner by the sink widening the pass through opening and then staggering out wider for the fridge. With the shorter kitchen, an option for a flip up at the end would be helpful. Beautiful work as always.

  23. Nitram Midnite on March 23, 2023 at 10:08 am

    Weight is also a consideration. You would need larger water tanks to take enough water to make it feasible. Wondering if you guys have ever researched recirculating showers? I’ve seen several videos for and against. There are a handful of professional European camper van builders that put the shower pan in the aisle or walkway and have the toilet against the van wall with doors that pull or fold out to enclose the shower pan, IE: VW California XXL. Would love to see a sliding or pull down bed above the cab as well. For some reason we can’t get this style of bed in the US. Good video!

  24. Claudia Karl on March 23, 2023 at 10:10 am

    I could well do without a shower, but not without a toilet. I have medical conditions that lead to me needing tongues it in the night. And due to really bad knees I can’t squat.

  25. Michael Bigdongovic on March 23, 2023 at 10:10 am

    Of course it’s essential for a van that size

  26. Beach Living on March 23, 2023 at 10:10 am

    Pop a Squat! I love it. As a single person, I would have a slide out option and lose the shower. Since I wouldn’t need the seats there would be room to put a pull out toilet. Take a sponge bath on a day to day basis and use the outside shower, campground, gym, truck stop, or nature for a more comprehensive wash.

  27. Keith Patterson on March 23, 2023 at 10:11 am

    NO SAWDUST !! A BLACK TANK LIKE A RV

  28. Sarah Cobb on March 23, 2023 at 10:14 am

    Hi! Nice videos. Wondering what kind of seat is in the van at around 5 minutes? I’m looking to add seating for 2 children in my 136 Promaster, so it’s kind of a tight space. I watched your install video of the fold up seat.

  29. machambers00 on March 23, 2023 at 10:16 am

    Bathroom is a must for me.

  30. Sophia Rose on March 23, 2023 at 10:21 am

    It depends on how clean you are. Some people shower at least once per day. Some people are okay with once per week.

  31. Tommybound on March 23, 2023 at 10:21 am

    Love you guys. Vans look beautiful. But you know me that style of build leaves no room for any storage. Just took a 170 Mercedes to CO . to wild camp . Filled up my garage area with all my shit. Fold up chairs, propane grill and fire pit, patio rug extra equipment for camping and etc, etc.etc. and fishing poles. Breakdown bed system to me personally are worthless. I prefer to sit outside not in my van. And I do put awnings on my vans so if it does rain I’ll still be dry.

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