Please talk me out of destroying my wet bath

Vinsil wrote:

MORSNOW wrote:
If you are just looking for more storage, have you looked at making the hole from the outside and using a door similar to the battery box? I know you would loose the easy dirty clothes hamper access that the inside would provide, but any storage space is good space. I'm surprised how much space is back there...it took me a minute to figure out how you got that picture too.

I like this idea best. We use the small passthrough into our bed for our dirty clothes...does the 850 not have this? If not...I'd cut the outside like said above and just move your dirty clothing bag into it when needed.

Yes, the 850 has access doors on both sides. The one on the drivers side is larger and easier to access.

I don't have the outside shower option, is this empty area that anutami discovered where the plumbing pipes and shower box is factory installed? That may explain why this area was not used?

I ripped out the entire fiberglass enclousure. Found lots of wasted space just as I expected. I used 1x2's and cedar t&g paneling. Redid the battery compartment since I needed to get two in instead of one. I also took out the black tank and replaced it with a good quality 5 gallon porta potty. We camp is pretty isolated spots with no access to dump facilities. Now I can just pour it into the outhouse. Better than a 40-50 mile drive to dump the black tank, right? Now every inch of space is usable, we get lots more in there now and my knees are not against the wall when I sit on the pot. It comes out in the isle when we sweep and mop too. We use the outside shower now. I rig an enclousure for that with plenty of privacy and as much room as anyone needs. This won't be for anyone who camps at private RV parks, but they always have showers anyway. After trying it for a few trips I'm very glad I did it.

I know it is possible to seal the hatch, but remember that is one more opening that could allow water to enter the underbelly and cause damage. Just a thought.

portscanner wrote:

mkasner wrote:

Cannot be any worse than drilling 15 holes in the roof of your perfectly good truck... Just do it, nothing structural about it and I am going to be doing the same in my Lance 861. Same scenario, bunch of space above the propane enclosure.

Why in the wide, wide world of sports are you installing clearance lamps on your truck for?????

And for the op.....

Go for the big hatch, but make sure you seal it up real good.

And - make sure you measure twice and cut once (as opposed to measure once and cut yourself - which is something I do)

Because a 1 ton truck with out them, well just looks like all the other 1500s. Plus I like the light they put out at night with the camper on. Makes looking through the front windshield difficult for those lookers at the gas station

MORSNOW wrote:
If you are just looking for more storage, have you looked at making the hole from the outside and using a door similar to the battery box? I know you would loose the easy dirty clothes hamper access that the inside would provide, but any storage space is good space. I'm surprised how much space is back there...it took me a minute to figure out how you got that picture too.

I like this idea best. We use the small passthrough into our bed for our dirty clothes...does the 850 not have this? If not...I'd cut the outside like said above and just move your dirty clothing bag into it when needed.

If you are just looking for more storage, have you looked at making the hole from the outside and using a door similar to the battery box? I know you would loose the easy dirty clothes hamper access that the inside would provide, but any storage space is good space. I'm surprised how much space is back there...it took me a minute to figure out how you got that picture too.

AnEv942 wrote:


Curious how you took those photos? Is there anything under the sink? Ours different make but has a door under the sink-where our TP was.

He removed the oven and talked one of his kids into squirreling back in there to snap the pics. Or he just long-armed it.

Either way I have to wonder if the payoff is big enough to go thrashing your nice, one piece stall. Don't know about you, but I splash. I'm usually in hurry and want to get in and out quick, so I sling water everywhere. My luck, it would just end up leaking. Which,,,,by the way, is the same reason I've hesitated installing my side awning. Just cant bring myself to drill that many holes in the side of and through the frame. Good luck , dude.

Ha, I was just getting ready to write a report-cut into ours-again.

Uhhuh. When I installed the separate shower valve while back it was with great hesitation and questioning my competence before I could start drilling into the fiberglass.

This project came up and I spent more time seeing 'worst case' scenarios.


Curious how you took those photos? Is there anything under the sink? Ours different make but has a door under the sink-where our TP was.

I'd also recommend not putting the lid on top surface. On the side but as far away from top edge as practical-like another inch from where you show. The port hatch seems small for accessing anything.

mkasner wrote:

Cannot be any worse than drilling 15 holes in the roof of your perfectly good truck... Just do it, nothing structural about it and I am going to be doing the same in my Lance 861. Same scenario, bunch of space above the propane enclosure.

Why in the wide, wide world of sports are you installing clearance lamps on your truck for?????

And for the op.....

Go for the big hatch, but make sure you seal it up real good.

And - make sure you measure twice and cut once (as opposed to measure once and cut yourself - which is something I do)

Cannot be any worse than drilling 15 holes in the roof of your perfectly good truck... Just do it, nothing structural about it and I am going to be doing the same in my Lance 861. Same scenario, bunch of space above the propane enclosure.