The shower is something I could live with but NOT the toilet with no privacy. Even traveling single, I would prefer not to have my toilet out along with my prepping and eating area. It's like you are eating in an outside toilet. That is to much 'openess' for me.
I've been thinking a lot about my ideal van layout. I like the shorter vans for ease of travel and parking, but I really want a shower and bathroom. It seems like the halo shower concept works really well.
And you can hang a small mesh pouch to hold your towel and soap inside affixed on the folding frame 👌🛴🚚 happy van lifing brother wish I could do it sooner.🛴🚚
But whose shower video will get more views - yours or Paul’s? 😄 The shower seems great, a “pro” for sure. It’s brighter in there than I though (the van generally), maybe y’all are often filming at night or on cloudy days? Thanks for sharing the shower review. 💦
I think it’s a great way to save space in a small van. To have a big space closed in for two three minutes of use a day is a waste of space. I hope you buy one , and not sleep in a car like a homeless person lol.
If I were a solo traveler, that shower/toilet combo would be great. My son will be traveling with me some, so it wouldn't work for the two of us. The only thing I would change would be instead of the two screw-type things holding in the drop-down, I'd like spring action ones. Those screw ones seem a little hard to do. Great video!!!
Yeah, I think it definitely works for a solo traveler but would be more difficult with two people if you need privacy for sure. I made the screw look harder than it was...i turned it the wrong way at the start.
Like the concept of the shower. Being able to store the entire package in a small cabinet is pretty great. Unfortunately, I can't get on board with that toilet. Seems like it is better suited for a last option or emergency use only, which is fine, but kinda defeats the purpose of having a bathroom in your rig to start with. Great vid Kevin; thx for the early release.
From my perspective, the moment you choose the short wheelbase sprinter, your options become quite narrow and one cannot think of the bathroom as a full-time resource. If I were boondocking on BLM land, I would use the toilet outside in one of those outdoor tents (WolfWise 6.6FT Portable Pop Up Shower Privacy Tent Spacious Dressing Changing Room for Toilet Camping Biking Beach). You get privacy, air, and space away from the van.
Not me, I rather have a walk in shower, besides if a bear chases Kevin into the van and he can’t get to the bear spray, he can always spray the bear with that very hot 185° water, but if he’s too busy putting up the shower curtain that may be a problem. 🤣 Seriously, I’m still laughing about that scene.🤣🤣🤣
Yess I liked it too my build will be at the back of my Promaster , the curtain rod will be either a toy hoop divided into four then reconnect it together with a small metal ring in the ends of each and in that way I can fold it too and roll it up ... thanks for that idea brother💝
Oh you're taking up for people shower I like to figure in this pretty I'm from El Paso Texas and I would love to do what you're doing traveling guess I'm an ex Army wife and I like going different places it'd be fun to do to travel places this is green cuz I'm to the point I don't want to be in the desert no more so be safe be careful and enjoy life😊😊😊😊😊😊😇😇
That shower design makes sense now! When you did the show & tell at the Tampa RV show, I was wondering how on earth that thing worked. But wow - that's super compact & efficient. Next sticker idea -your head with the washcloth on top 😄
No, it didn’t the set ups really good and I didn’t have any issue with that. It’s like a parachute type material it won’t stick to you even when it gets wet.
I am glad this shower concept works for you. For me, I like the rear bath and Coachmen has been improving that design some. I prefer not having a bathroom next to or across from the kitchen, old fashioned I guess. Thanks for bring the content, it is fun to watch.
This might just win the prize for the best van shower design ever! I lived in a school bus for a year with my husband in 1971-72 (we had our first baby in said bus) and I would have loved to have such a shower. I learned to take a pretty thorough bath and head wash with a couple of gallons of water I heated up on the stove, though!
I wish i could find a custom build for 1 person ...4x4 or all wheel drive .....halo shower in back as opposed to middle like mud room .......then single bed not across van but lengthwise as couch bed ..and a sink and counter...dont need built in gas stove as I'll use a portable ...prefer the counter space .......at least 6 feet high ceiling but no more as one of my campgrounds has a low bridge.... to get under.... Anything youve seen like that??
most rv shower heads do that so you dont get blasted with cold water when you turn the water back on as you usually turn it off like you said to save water even mine has 40 gallons it goes fast
Those temporary shut offs on the shower heads always keep a small trickle going so it won’t scald or burn when you turn the water back on. Love the new van!! Very nice set up sir.
It’s also so that you don’t accidentally leave the shower pressurized by accident. The trickle forces you to shut the entire system down rather put it away with just a silly handle valve.
I think my ideal layout would be the K-series with the wardrobe section having doors above the bed that you access from outside the bathroom and some lower storage you access from outside. Then there wouldn’t be a need for a shower curtain. I don’t like not having an enclosed bathroom area because I would use my van to travel in cities. In that STO you would have to close all the curtains in the whole van to go pee.
Stressing out about this decision! lol. I love the cassette toilet of the XO model with the dedicated bathroom. But I love how with the halo set up the bench seats turn into another bed! Decisions Decisions. Question....if I were to try and never use the toilet with the halo set up and i'm going to be mostly in cities with the occasional wilderness trip...you think thats doable? Just have it as an emergency or late night tinkles? lol.
I'm surprised you rented this van without asking how to use it and they didn't tell you. The shower curtain is also a privacy curtain for when you use the toilet. So many clueless van and RV designers put cassette toilets in their bougie overpriced creations without ever trying to use those themselves so they have no idea about the horrifying and smelly reality of mixing #1 and #2 in a tank and having to wash that out regularly in public restrooms taking it from sink to toilet and having to wipe up the spills and hope you don't get that stuff on you and all over the bathroom. Any $100K+ vehicle to live in should have a urine separating toilet and a #2 compartment with a plastic bag. Even a simple retractable toilet for #2 (or a luggable loo bucket) and handheld male and female portable urinals for #1 is infinitely superior to those cassette toilet nightmares that were probably designed by Satan himself.
Well, first of all, thank you for sharing your experience with a compact shower for RV, it is fabulous, I am going to use it as a model for my camper van, but here in South America you cannot get that kit, so I am going to manufacture it. Then I'll tell you how it went😂😂👌🤙
Like the shower. Great concept and execution. However, do not like the toilet. Like the privacy of a permanent bathroom and a black water tank for dumping. Could you use the shower curtain for privacy while using the toilet? Love our Travato GL bathroom. Downside is it obviously takes up a lot of space.
Yeah, you could probably leave the shower curtain out but I think that kind of defeats the purpose - I'd just go with a built in bathroom if I wanted to do that (if that makes sense). It's definitely not for everyone for sure. But solo, where privacy isn't really a concern - it hasnt been a big deal for me. I do love the bathroom in the GL though for sure.
I didn't like the toilet / but after seeing how the shower unfolds / it makes sense to just have a regular ... Porta Potty.../ So you can lift it out of the way being a stationary toilet couldn't move / .... That set- up would be a great request... When you Order your New Individually made... Alaskan Truck Camper... LOL...
Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦, Jeddah …. I like the HALO shower idea. I am thinking of doing the same one for my short Sprinter Van by using the available local market shower materials.
Hi Kevin! I just stumbled across your video! Good Job! I subscribed! I'm watching from Wisconsin. Studying up on these type videos so I can be more prepared for my next chapter in life. My thread bare Gypsy Soul is looking forward to it. I've always taken care of others and its almost time for Me to do as I want and enjoy. Maybe I will run into you some day. I was Navy. 4 yrs back in early 90's. Last all female boot camp squadron. Last A-6 training squadron. Got to go out on the Roosevelt for a couple wks while our pilots trained. It was kinda like being on a cruise, not being ships company. Slack time unless we were with our bird for a couple hours. However, the start of integrating females onto ships was a bit overwhelming. Walked around w my eyes down as to not make eye contact w the plethora of young testosterone filled men/ boys. Anyhow, that came to mind so I shared. Take Care Shipmate! God Bless!
From Luke AFB FamCamp in Phoenix. Great review. I have a Mode on order. Could you measure the shower pan dimensions. I'm considering a 12v fridge/freezer to augment the tiny fridge.
okay I notice a few inconsistencies. you considered a honda element, but felt the sprinter too small for long term living. you found the snap on curtain in the Travato too much hassle to deal with, but you find this roll-up shower "super easy" I think the Travato just got boring. Showering is not something you do a lot due to water limits, so this "unexpected shower" is fun, for now.
hmm...not sure i said sprinter is too small....maybe for two....if anything I thought it was too big for me. After using both showers...the Storyteller shower was waaaaaaay easier to use and stow. It's not even close. I liked them both (Travato and Storyteller)...but would prefer something much smaller personally but that's just me. Others might now like that.
From Jarrod Tocci's video titled Solo Vanlifer Lives in Storyteller Van BUT Shows Likes/Dislikes - Kayden put velcro strips on both the outside of the shower tent and the bench to expand the shower space. 👍
Great video, what I enjoyed the most is that you take the first impressions with us. Thank you for that! Kevin, will that setup work for a lady? Even you mentioned it is better than Travato's shower, Storyteller needs to put more engineering usability there. Too long and too many steps to unwrap/wrap back again.
I think the set up of work for a solo female just as well as it works for a solo male. It could be a challenge for a couple but there are couples that live in the Storyteller that make it work.
With RVs it’s always a give-and-take. You give up an enclosed bathroom and you gain more open window viewing space. You give up the open window viewing space and you get the privacy of an enclose bathroom. I don’t really like the idea of the open bathroom. It’s just kind of gross and ugly, so I would go with the revel or the Boldt.
Privacy is an issue, specially when using the bathroom. I have traveled with Winnebago Revel, shower/bathroom is really tight, but u get maximum privacy nonetheless. If u r the only, Story Teller is the way to go over Revel, two people and more...hmmmm
Ya know / I wish that Amber from Story Chasing bought your Travato / she really wishes she had some room to stretch / & she is planning a do a Revamp of her RV.../ Yours would have been a Good Value for her ..Darn
Does the water empty out of the pan automatically? Or do you have to empty the pan manually? Can the toilet also be completely hidden in the container? Thanks for the demonstration. Looks like a solid truck. Probably over my price range though.
When talking about the Halo shower top portion - *"I dont know if this will be easy or hard - I've never done it before"* (@4:38) - You make videos of yourself doing things, so... *We've seen you use one at the RV expo. Why lie to make a point?*
There is a huge difference between pulling it out for 2 seconds at an expo and actually setting it up to use. That was the first time I set it up to actually use.
Funny they say color white makes things look big and black the opposite. But your old travato looks bigger than that storyteller!!!! Maybe its the boxyness and roof rack of the storyteller that makes it look smaller. However, that shower, depending on its size, looks not bad. Could you put your soap and container in that shower pocket thingy???
I would be concerned about mold build up on the shower curtain since it gets put away rolled up tight and damp, if not wet. You really are a believer in "Hollywood Showers?" Me too. Sucks to have to conserve water but I guess we're all going there eventually.
I don't think there is. But if you check my last tour vid (of Jonnie's Journey's rig) she has a cool shower set up and Im sure wouldnt mind telling you how she did it.
The shower seems to be well designed and engineered. I would definitely use a shower like this. However (here comes the nag!) your scalp is getting way too much sun. I can tell you from experience you don't know the meaning of pain until you've had a Moh's procedure on your scalp. I can understand not wearing a hat when filming but other than that you need to f*cking wear a hat.
The toilet would be perfect if there were handles on each side to secure a strong grip. An 'accident / spillage' would ruin my day. Overall, for such a small space, this is a worthwhile compromise in space utilization.
its a great concept. However I don't think you are using the free space at its optimum. Apart from the visual appeal of no side walls what is the real benefit?. The space is occupied by two towels in your set up. I suspect it can be utilized better.
Honestly, the toilets are about the same. I like the current one I have because there’s no black tank. I can just attach the cassette and go empty it somewhere.
How long is your van? Reason being is I own the leisure travel freedom II. It is 23 1/2 feet with a full-size shower in it. So I’m trying to see if it’s worth the trade-off for the length of the van.
Thank you for the suggestion on the beginning of the video if we wanted to skip no one really does that thank you so much I didn't skip I like your video I enjoyed your content thank you so much
I get the space saver function of the shower folding up into the cabinet, but the shower pan enclosure seems like a huge waste of space. Why go through the trouble of a fold up shower curtain when the base is still there and quite awkward and does not serve any other purpose. Not to mention splashing urine when you go to the bathroom. Even if you are super careful, it still happens. I would prefer a dedicated wet bathroom. Much easier to clean and you can hang up wet items in it to dry.
Fairpoint. However, it does serve another purpose. I’ll put out the van tour next week and you’ll see the other purpose it serves it’s part of the groove lounge feature of this van. But, it’s certainly not for everybody.
Honestly that shower seems like a PITA. You get the steam in the main cabin unlike the travato. Might as well do a shower tent with a Joolca or Roadshower, etc
I wouldn’t mind that type of shower but my wife would like walls for more privacy on the toilet, and do you know if they have a larger freshwater tank? Thanks 👍
Coming from Florida. I think there is a dedicated space and they could have put up walls. Moving the toilet is no big deal. I have the same toilet and it is great. No smell, easy to deal with. I would think the curtain would stick to you being there is so little room.
Set up looks good provide some more space. Might not be able to use permanently but space is space. Definitely let the manufacturer know if there are any issues with set up so they keep improving on the design. I know this has nothing to do with video since you seem to be out in the desert a lot I thought I would ask. Do you carry anti venom with you all the time? Seems like that would a must have for desert van life.
You should use liquid soap, then you could put the bottle in the shower next to the mirror, and then the bar soap won't get nasty sitting in its container...:-}
Nice the shower space doesn't take up room, but I'm not sure I would want the hassle to set it up & take it down every time I want to take a shower. So I say there's plusses & minuses. But then again I like more convenience than you need. ha. Thanks!
Hi Kevin, there was a Beast Mode at La Mesa RV, Phoenix...so I actually did the same test you did (clothed), and the set up was very easy. I did notice the flip down where the mirror is clips into the wall...I had a hard time getting it unclipped from the wall to put it back up, so I left it down (I didn't want to force it and end up breaking it) how to you un-attach it from the wall when storing it after the shower? Great demo btw!
@@30AndAWakeUp When I pulled that bottom part down I clipped it into where you hung the towel above the hanger...It appeared to clip in place...oops, maybe it wasn't intended to do that...lol
I'm sorry to say, I love the StoryTeller vans, but the shower/toilet system is why we passed on this van. I have a self built van with almost the same "halo" type of shower that I've used for 7 years at two days a week (for work), it is such an inconvenience, not to mention how my wife is not too fond of it when camping. I guess if its just once in a while it's OK, but I've probably took over 600 showers in mine.
Hello from Boulder, CO - I camped in the same spot you are now a couple of months ago - gorgeous area! I have the closed in shower in the Hymer - def pros and cons to each. I'm jealous of how open your space is but I also appreciate a closed off toilet and shower. More than anything I try and shower outside - I think the STO has that option, right?
In your old van there was a separate area for the toilet.… Which had more privacy. Is there any privacy in this van if you were just traveling with a friend?
The dripping is on purpose. It's supposed to keep the hot water hot, at least that is how it works in my travel trailer. I have not run out of hot water yet during a shower, and I haven't turned the shower head back on with a surprise of cold water.
It's a great shower design, but the fact that there is a cassette toilet that you have to move to use it seems too gross. I love the fact that I have a black tank in my van. It is SO MUCH easier and clean to dump than to deal with a cassette toilet .....
Actually, in most places right now diesel is less than regular gasoline. And the Mercedes gets better gas mileage than the pro master so I’m actually spending less
In my opinion, the shower and toilet are not for me as a full-timer. I do not want to have to do all of that when I am done with a shower and wait for it to dry. I rather shower outside and not worry about any of that. And the toilet is a big NO for me although I could get on board with this setup if I was the weekend warrior type.
Yeah, you can. Are used between two and 3 gallons and I wasn’t trying to conserve. If I try to conserve I can probably get that down to 1 to 2 gallons per shower. Thanks for watching and commenting.
One person with this shower and toilet is fine but definelty not for two or more it just doesn’t work taking number two in hurry need to get the curtain roll down.
