2009 825 Lance Camper outdoor shower install

[a_c]

Hi Gang,

Like I said in the subject 09 Lance camper, and I want to put a shower in the side. It is a smooth sided camper. I am kind of scared to cut the hole. Need some reassurance. I just ordered the shower I think that will fit. It is going to come in next week. I am scared to death to cut a hole in the of my camper. Plan is to measure it out drill holes in each corner then tape it off and cut with a fine blade metal blade. It looks like it is already plumbed for one, it just never got one. So basically I just need to cut the hole mount it and seal it. The biggest issue is there is so little room that I think I need to mount it up and down, and it has to go in perfect. I think I only have one shot at this.

I have been really lucky so far as the camper seems to be in good shape. I have had it for a year, and haven't had to fix anything except the bathroom fan. It was completely shot and I replaced it, but didn't have to cut the hole.

I just ordered a new sleeping mattress, going to try out a memory foam mattress and the new outdoor shower. I will gladly accept any words of wisdom anybody wants to throw my way.

Cheers,

[a_c]

Ok Update!! Thank you all for your suggestions and information. I did decide to cut in, and you were right the sides were mostly Styrofoam, so I had to build a little frame, but I did cut the hole perfectly and installed it with no issues.

I couldn't have done it without your help, so thanks again.

[Kayteg1]

I did not get much of support from Lance for my 2002 model, but it doesn't cost much to call them and ask if they have blueprints showing the frame.

[NRALIFR]

a_c wrote:
That said the side of my "garden shed" haha is just like 1/2 inch plywood with the plastic or fiber glass siding whatever that actually is.

You sure about that?

I know Lance doesn’t build the TC framing out of wood any longer, like mine is. But, it was my understanding that there was still a framework of aluminum in the walls, with the filon siding on the outside, and a very thin paneling on the inside. Some kind of insulation will fill the void between the two surfaces. According to the Lance website, “Lance uses more expensive Azdel™ in place of Luan wood“, which is what the filon would be adhered to. Luan wood by definition is a very thin type of tropical hardwood plywood, typically 1/4” or less in thickness.

I would also not expect Lance to build two types of 825 wall assemblies, one with outside shower framing, and one without. I would expect them to make them all capable of having an outside shower installed, and only cut the hole based on orders.

Here’s an image from the Lance website to illustrate what I’m taking about, but I confess I’ve never torn into a unit that new. I’m still trying to wear out my almost 20 year old Lance. :W



:):)

[mkirsch]

My luck I'd drill the exploratory hole right smack in the middle of a stud.

[a_c]

My year of Lance did come with an option for a shower, but there it was never installed. Luckily it is under the kitchen sink, and next to the kitchen drawers. I can access it from behind. It isn't easy, but I can see all of the obstructions. I did not get the factory shower, but I did find an aftermarket one that is slightly smaller so I think it will fix.

As far as it already being framed, I wish that was so. It is already plumbed. I have blocked off hot and colds that are ready to screw on, but no framed hole. That said the side of my "garden shed" haha is just like 1/2 inch plywood with the plastic or fiber glass siding whatever that actually is. So I don't believe I will need to frame anything. I think I will just need to cut the hole.

Thank you for reminding me to check with interfering things on the back side while cutting. Although in my head I would know something was there, I am not sure I thought about how far the blade might go in. I do have the hot and cold pex lines sort of in the way. I may need to reroute them depending on how deep the shower actually is.

I feel like I should take it to the professionals, but I don't really know anybody that works on campers, and at the end of the day they will be cutting a whole in my camper if they can do it, I can do it right?

Thanks again for everybody's input. You have already saved me time and heartache, and I haven't even started yet. Shower should be here on Thursday. Hopefully this weekend I will install it trouble free.

[NRALIFR]

If your camper had the option of an outside shower, the frame is likely already prepared for the install, and the “skin” of the camper (filon?) is just covering the hole.

Are you installing the same type of shower used by Lance? If so, you need to locate the spot where they would have installed it, and use a hole saw to open an inspection hole in the center of the intended location. Then use a mirror and flashlight, or buy an inexpensive Bluetooth endoscope to see what the inside looks like.

You will likely fine that the camper framing is already sized for the outside shower, and the four corners will even have some plastic devices in place to make the opening have radius corners rather than square. You can then use a router or a Rotozip saw with a flush-trim bit to cut the opening to the exact size.

:):)

[jimh406]

joerg68 wrote:
Be bold - a camper is just a glorified garden shed 😉

Uh, no.

[joerg68]

My biggest concern would be the camper structure - you need to put the hole in a place where there is no framing in the way. Where is the factory outdoor shower located? That would be a safe location, I suppose.
How good is the access from the inside? With an oscillating saw, you can cut just the inside luan first and see what is behind. These saws can cut directly into the surface, without cutting or drilling through the wall first. That way you could ensure that there is no structure or wiring behind.
In our wood framed, water damaged 2001 Lance, I had cut inspection openings in some typical rot-prone locations in that way. I covered them with slightly larger pieces of luan held in place by small screws so I could annually remove the "inspection panels" and peek into the walls...
Be bold - a camper is just a glorified garden shed 😉

[a_c]

Thanks for your responses. The suction cup shower curtain is a stellar idea thanks for that.

Thanks Jimh425, I have also thought of that, but I am not sure I have any good places behind panels either. I mean it would definitely be safer to cut behind a door, but I don't have amymore room behind a storage door than I do cutting on the outside. I will see if I can muster up the courage. I will double check behind the door again also. Thanks for your suggestion.

Cheers,
Mike

[Lwiddis]

You are a new member and RVing since “N/A.” So, are you sure you need an outside shower? I’ve used mine five times. A pre-filled bucket works great.

[Slymer]

Here you go. No worries.

https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/camper-mods/contests/portable-outdoor-shower-kit/

[jimh406]

If you have any outside compartments, there really isn’t any reason to make a new one. You could plumb in almost anywhere and just have a hose that pulls out.. I’d think outside the box. I’d look into alternate type connections. It doesn’t need to look like a typical outside shower.

To get more room, you might be able to access from below assuming a panel comes off.