RV Showers and Tubs: Maximizing Space and Comfort

RV bathrooms are notorious for having small showers and tubs that make washing up challenging. The solution to this problem is to either trade in your camper for an RV with a large shower or bathtub or upgrade your current RV bathroom with a new shower or tub replacement.

To help you decide which option is best, we put together this comprehensive guide that details the best RV showers and tubs.

Down below, we highlight the motorhomes, travel trailers, and fifth wheels with the biggest showers or tubs, as well as highlight the best replacement options, answer FAQs, and provide tips to add luxury touches.

Making your recreational vehicle tub or shower more comfortable will transform your camping experience, so stick around to find out how to do it right!

Why You Need an RV Shower or Tub Upgrade

Showering in RV bathrooms requires clever maneuvering to avoid banging elbows, knees, and heads while racing against time to have enough hot water to wash up thoroughly.

Many people also consider replacing RV shower surround that is damaged or outdated.

If you’re dealing with RVs with bathtubs, you’ll quickly learn that they are only suitable for washing little kids or pets, as most adults can’t sit down and stretch out comfortably for a bath.

RV tubs with a built-in bench provide even less area for sitting to bathe or standing while showering.

For anyone who camps, dealing with a cramped RV bathroom situation leaves most running to the campground shower houses when it’s time to clean up. Not only is this annoying and time-consuming but the cleanliness and safety of many RV park facilities can be questionable.

When you create a truly functional bathroom by replacing an RV shower or tub with a better version or buying a camper with a big bathroom, you can enjoy washing up in privacy and security.

An RV bathroom renovation or RV upgrade also gives you the opportunity to find solutions to other common problems such as:

• No place to hold shampoo, conditioner, soap, or shavers
• Awkward floorplans
• Not enough storage
• Not enough hot water
• Insufficient ventilation or lighting
• Poor quality fixtures that leak or look cheap

A great bathroom is rare to find in most campers. However, excellent RV models and products are available to help you overcome this dilemma.

Best RVs with Big Showers and Tubs

If you want to purchase an RV that already comes with a spacious shower or tub, you’ll need to check out these impressive models:

2017-2020 Keystone Montana 3920FB Fifth Wheel

If thoughts of a full-size soaker tub in an RV seem impossible to achieve, you’ll need to look no further than the Montana 3920FB trailer from model years 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.

This fifth wheel features a deep bathtub under a large window and sits across the camper width.

Do you want to shower in an RV as well? No problem! There is a 30-inch deep by 48-inch wide shower separate from the soaking tub.

2019 Jayco Pinnacle Fifth Wheel and Jayco Seismic Toy Hauler

The Jayco Pinnacle and Jayco Seismic camping trailer models have shower pans that measure 57 inches wide and 30 inches deep, which is some of the largest available and was the first residential-style walk-in shower found in a towable RV.

Newmar King Aire Motorhome

The Newmar King Aire Motorcoach 4531 and 4533 floorplans feature a 50-inch wide by 34-inch deep shower pan that gives you extra room to wash up comfortably.

Best RV Showers and Tub Replacements

If you’re ready to take on a DIY RV tub or shower replacement, look at these best options and sizes that could work for your project.

Suppose washing up in the privacy and safety of your RV is a priority for you. In that case, installing the largest bathtub or shower pan you can accommodate will pay off, even if it means losing a few extra inches of bathroom floor space.

Where Can You Find an RV Shower or Tub Replacement?

Luckily, you can find quality RV shower pans, surrounds, and tub replacement fixtures at places such as eTrailer, which sells a variety of sizes to make your RV bathroom renovation much easier. Another top company that sells replacement tubs and showers for RV use is CAMPERiD. You can also shop at places like eBay or Amazon, which have a good selection of styles and sizes.

On the downside, most RV-specific tubs and shower replacements come in sizes up to 27 inches deep and 54 inches wide, with most in the 24-inch wide by 36 to 48-inch wide range.

If you want anything larger, you’ll have to purchase a residential shower pan or DIY a shower base component kit available at any home improvement store.

Can You Install Residential Shower Pans and Bathtubs in an RV?

Yes, you can replace an RV tub or shower with a residential version, but be aware they are heavier than an RV-specific unit, and you don’t want to exceed the camper’s GVWR.

RV tubs, showers, and surrounds consist of lighter, thinner materials, which is part of the reason they tend to flex more, get stress cracks, or discolor over time, leading you to want to upgrade their function and appearance.

The Best RV Bathtub Replacements

The following list highlights the best replacement bathtubs for RV installation:

Lippert Better Bath RV Bathtub

The Lippert Better Bath RV Bath Tub line offers these sizes:

• 24″ x 36″
• 24″ x 40″
• 24″ x 46″

You can select right or left-hand drain placement for easier installation. The high-quality ABS acrylic construction is durable and lightweight. The entire basin is open, so you can sit to soak or stand for a shower.

ICON Sit-in Step RV Tub

The ICON Sit-in Step Tub offers left and right-hand side drains, two color options, and this size:

• 36″ x 24″ x 13″

The ICON tub material is commercial-grade ABS plastic with extra reinforcement on the bottom. The seating area can hold an adult without flexing and is perfect for keeping shampoos and soaps within reach.

ICON RV Bath Tub

The ICON RV Bath Tub removes the bench for full use of the bathtub floor if you want to lay back and relax or move more freely when showering.

• 42″ x 24″ x 13″
• 46″ x 24″ x 13″
• 24″ x 46″

The tub’s walls are ABS acrylic with an extra layer of ABS plastic reinforcement around the bottom for extra durability and comfort.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Both ICON RV tub replacement products above have an indentation for the drain hole in the most common location, but they are not pre-drilled. A hole-saw drill bit will be necessary to cut through the plastic base.

This may intimidate you, but the benefit of not having a set drain hole is that you can adjust the hole location to suit your needs exactly. This feature is beneficial when you’re changing the layout of your bathroom fixtures and don’t want to reconfigure your waste tank drain holes.

Best RV Shower Replacements

Check out these RV showers if you want to upgrade your camper. For a completely new look and faster installation, we suggest you go with a kit that includes the shower surround and RV shower wall fasteners made to complement the pan.

Lippert Better Bath RV Shower Pan

The Lippert Better Bath RV Shower Pan line offers these sizes:

• 24″ x 32″ rectangle
• 24″ x 36″ rectangle
• 24″ x 40″ rectangle
• 24″ x 46″ rectangle
• 27″ x 27″ cut-edge corner unit
• 32″ x 32″ cut-edge corner unit

All the Better Bath shower pans are scratch-resistant ABS acrylic, which is more eco-friendly than fiberglass.

RecPro Shower Pan

The RecPro Shower Pan line offers these rectangular sizes with a pre-cut center, left, or right-hand side drain hole:

• 32″ x 24″ x 5.25″
• 36″ x 24″ x 5.25″
• 40″ x 24″ x 5.25″

The low profile of these shower pans makes it easy to step in and out. In addition, rows of circular supports under the pan reduce the floor flexing while in use.

Specialty Recreation RV Shower Pan

The Specialty Recreation RV Shower Pan line offers these rectangular sizes with a pre-cut center, left, or right-hand side drain hole:

• 24” x 24” x 2.5”
• 24” x 32” x 4”
• 24” x 36” x 4 5/8”
• 24” x 38” x 5 3/4”
• 24” x 40” x 5”

The pan has a low rise and flanged sides ready for a leak-proof shower surround installation. The thickness of the ABS plastic will hold up for years, and the gently sloping floor quickly drains water.

FAQs on Replacing an RV Shower or Tub

Can You Add a Bathtub to Any RV?

If your RV bathroom has room, you can usually find a bathtub to fit in the space of the existing shower pan or add one if no bathing option exists.

However, adding an RV tub without a running hot water supply or drainage option will complicate matters and be expensive.

Is It Hard to Replace an RV Tub or Shower?

We won’t sugarcoat the answer to this question. Any RV bathroom renovation that includes removing large plumbing items will not be simple, but they are doable for handy people.

How To Replace RV Bathtub (Video)

Demolition needs care when dealing with thin RV walls and delicate plumbing lines, especially if you must peel away a shower or tub surround.

Good measurements are another factor that can make or break the job. Ensure your new unit will fit the space because manufacturers often state the sizing of the central basin area, not the flange surrounding it. You’ll also need to know the exact distance to the drain hole center in relation to the existing or newly placed drain pipes.

RV bathrooms are already tight, so working inside them with bulky shower or tub units is going to be a challenge, so don’t get frustrated.

NOTE: Most RVs use PEX piping for plumbing lines. You’ll need to invest in a PEX tool for cutting and clamping fittings. However, we think it’s worth paying more for Sharkbite-style fittings that are much easier to install in tight areas, rarely leak, and are also removable if you want to reuse them somewhere else in the future.

What if My RV Doesn’t Have Room For a Shower or Tub?

No room inside your recreational vehicle for a shower? You can still enjoy a hot shower at your campsite by purchasing an outdoor shower kit that includes a portable shower pan, a portable shower awning, and a portable shower head and pump you can use with a five-gallon bucket.

Best RV Bathroom Upgrades to Consider

If you’re going to be changing out your RV bathtub or shower unit, you should think about ways to improve the final results, such as including these elements:

Switch to an On-Demand Water Heater

One of the best investments you can put into an RV is to switch from a standard six or ten-gallon water heater with a tank to an on-demand tankless water heater system. Having continuous hot water with no wait time between guests who need to shower is priceless.

Upgrade Faucet Fixtures

Change out low-quality fixtures with high-end versions and see the amazing transformation!

Install a Fantastic Fan Vent

If your RV bathroom didn’t come with a Fantastic Fan Vent, you need to install one.

Standard RV ventilation fans do a poor job of pulling humid air or odors from the interior and are pretty noisy. A Fantastic Fan has a quiet yet powerful fan that can push out stale air or draw in fresh air. This unit also has sensors to close the cover if it detects rain automatically.

Increase Storage Capacity

Any additional storage cabinets or units you can add to the bathroom will be incredibly useful for daily use on camping trips. Even the slim storage shelves of a spice rack can do wonders to keep clutter off surfaces but within easy reach.

Add Luxury Spa Touches

Want to make your RV bathroom luxurious? Add in a wall-mount magnifying mirror for shaving or makeup application that stows neatly out of the way.

A heated towel rack you can plug into an outlet will feel great when showering after a strenuous day out adventuring.

Lay down some extra-plush microfiber bathroom floor rugs that keep feet cozy, absorb excess water, and dry quickly.

The Best RV Showers and Tubs Wrap-Up

When you want your RV to feel more like home, the first step is to increase the comfort of your shower or tub by updating old, leaking, or damaged components and switching to a new, larger, or better-quality product.

We hope you consider all the information in this guide while planning your RV bathroom renovation so it turns out beautifully and lasts for years. Trust us; when camping, a great RV bathroom is life-changing!