New Outdoor Shower Replacement

[trailerpup]

I wish Airstream would not cheap out on everything. One, in particular, is the "outdoor shower." A true outdoor shower is a god-send. Airstream's version, like a lot of things they do, is implemented as cheaply as possible to increase the corporate bottom line.

I was very excited to use the outdoor shower for the first time. It didn't take long for my disappointment to realize itself. The hose and handle were just stuffed in the box which is really not large enough to accept. There appears to be a restrictor that reduces the water flow to practically a trickle.

Like many things done the "Airstream Way" it looks great on paper, but when it comes to pulling it off, Airstream blows it again.

I wish Airstream would realize that they are selling a so-called premium product to folks that are willing to pay for quality.... I'd be willing to shell out another thousand dollars or more, on top of the tens of thousands I spent on my trailer to have somebody from Airstream actually try to use their trailers so they could see that some of there stuff is just poopy in the real world.

The pictures attached are pretty self explanatory.

1. On my 5 month-old trailer I was able to simply remove the screws, the foam seal was still fresh and the box came loose. Pulling on the box revealed that I would have to access the water lines from inside the coach.

2. I have a 19 FC, so the water line fittings were located behind the 2 drawers under the stove.

3. It was a simple remove and replace.

4. The new faucet and hose are leaps and bounds better than the "stock" set up.

5. Found the normal Airstream factory FOD. Unfortunately no fun-sized candy bar wrappers, but I did find some kind of red silicone cap. Not sure what that's from.

[mythbuster88]

How about a picture of the final product?

[trailerpup]

Sorry.

[Prettygood]

I wasn’t aware there were pressure limiters in the line. If removed, do you think the stock fixture would have been acceptable?

[trailerpup]

Unscrew the stock hose from the faucet. On mine it looked like there was a reducing washer. Didn't investigate that much because as soon as I turned on the new unit I immediately couldn't disposed of the stock unit fast enough (ended up giving to a full timer on the other side of the park).

The stock hose is too short to really accomplish anything. Maybe, rinsing you feet off for some reason (I used the new unit for the first time to wash my mountain bike, very pleasant experience). The new hose is more than long enough to actually take an "outdoor shower." I guess if you squatted a shower could be accomplished with the stock unit.

The stock sprayer and water flow was just sad. Little pressure, single spray pattern. The new unit flow was easily twice the stock unit and it allows use of several different spray patterns.I was most surprised by the water pressure between the stock and new set up. Like night and day.

The stock unit was coiled and stowed in the the compartment, there is no quick disconnect. The only way to really stow the hose/sprayer places the sprayer against the faucet controls. When I arrived at my new location and got set up I did a walk around and saw water dripping out of the box. The stock sprayer had jiggled around and opened the hot water knob during the trip.

And, I just love, love, love the quick disconnect. I store the hose/sprayer in the rear storage compartment along with my other hoses and what-not.

For 50 dollars it is the best cost/benefit ratio mod I've made to my new trailer. Took, maybe, 15 minutes, tops, to swap out.

Cheers.

[Wayne&Sam]

Make sure you connect the hose and drain the lines when winterizing. It might be overlooked.

[mythbuster88]

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Dura+Fauc...ref=nb_sb_noss

This is it. Right?
I'm going for it. We use the outside shower a lot.

[Night owls]

Looks like a great upgrade and will keep it in mind if I ever actually do upgrade my shower faucet. Problem is, I never use it.

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by trailerpup

Sorry.

Nice upgrade!

[trailerpup]

Originally Posted by mythbuster88

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Dura+Fauc...ref=nb_sb_noss

This is it. Right?
I'm going for it. We use the outside shower a lot.

Yes. Let us know how it works out.

[mythbuster88]

Originally Posted by trailerpup

Yes. Let us know how it works out.

OK so its on order.
Takes 10 days with the new world order.
I'll let you know.

But you are right. The stock set up really sucks.

[Shiny16]

Was it really necessary to remove the housing? Couldn’t it just be disconnected from inside and the new one put in its place?

[trailerpup]

Originally Posted by Shiny16

Was it really necessary to remove the housing? Couldn’t it just be disconnected from inside and the new one put in its place?

I believe the box can be left in place, at least on the 19. The example I followed showed the box fasteners removed and box being pulled out far enough to loosen the water line connections from outside the trailer. This was not possible on my trailer. Since I had already removed the fasteners, and the box gasket was not stuck to the exterior skin, I disconnected and pulled the box. Depending on Airstream model, I think it would be best to access the rear of the box from inside and decide if there is enough room to leave the box in place. If my trailer was older I would likely prefer to leave the box in place due to the foam gasket aging.

Cheers.

[Shiny16]

When I saw your post I took a look under my sink. (2020 Caravel 16) it looks like easy access. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something.

[Mollysdad]

The elegant solution is the stainless package. But at $245 it's hard to justify.

Or how about the Living Vehicle's outdoor shower?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXlNUjsVibA&t=69s

[Prettygood]

Originally Posted by trailerpup

Unscrew the stock hose from the faucet. On mine it looked like there was a reducing washer. Didn't investigate that much because as soon as I turned on the new unit I immediately couldn't disposed of the stock unit fast enough (ended up giving to a full timer on the other side of the park).



The stock hose is too short to really accomplish anything. Maybe, rinsing you feet off for some reason (I used the new unit for the first time to wash my mountain bike, very pleasant experience). The new hose is more than long enough to actually take an "outdoor shower." I guess if you squatted a shower could be accomplished with the stock unit.



The stock sprayer and water flow was just sad. Little pressure, single spray pattern. The new unit flow was easily twice the stock unit and it allows use of several different spray patterns.I was most surprised by the water pressure between the stock and new set up. Like night and day.



The stock unit was coiled and stowed in the the compartment, there is no quick disconnect. The only way to really stow the hose/sprayer places the sprayer against the faucet controls. When I arrived at my new location and got set up I did a walk around and saw water dripping out of the box. The stock sprayer had jiggled around and opened the hot water knob during the trip.



And, I just love, love, love the quick disconnect. I store the hose/sprayer in the rear storage compartment along with my other hoses and what-not.



For 50 dollars it is the best cost/benefit ratio mod I've made to my new trailer. Took, maybe, 15 minutes, tops, to swap out.



Cheers.

Thanks for the details!

[Shiny16]

The black unit is 10 bucks less on amazon.

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

The elegant solution is the stainless package. But at $245 it's hard to justify.

Or how about the Living Vehicle's outdoor shower?

Is that to bring the indoors out or outdoors in? I thought maybe to keep the outdoor stuff on your feet out would make mores sense. Either way it’s very pretty.

[Foiled Again]

Ever get skunked? Then you WILL want a good outside shower....
And a companion camper to fetch you a coverup so you can leave clothing outside.

Solo, Paula

[yellowcake]

Can you still adjust hot versus cold with the new hose?