My wife and I are getting close to pulling the trigger on a new TC for our recently-purchased truck (2006 Chevy 3500 SRW CC/LB, 6.0L gas). We've narrowed it down to an Adventurer 80RB (new 2014 model) or an 80W (new 2013 model). Either will give us lots of room to take "stuff" within our payload (both TC's around 1900 dry weight; truck with full tank of gas and the two of us weighs 6600; 9900 max payload). The main difference between the two models that we can see is that the 80RB has a wetbath/shower and the 80W only has a toilet (it does have an outside shower). We're leaning towards the 80W for a few reasons (dual propane tanks, better storage, bigger fridge, bigger freshwater tank), but appreciate any feedback others have with either model.Does anyone with an 80RB actually use the shower? It seems pretty cramped.Thanks!

I don't think the question has a lot to do with the model/brand. In any case, we usually use the campground showers when they are available. We can both shower at once and find it easier. When the weather is nice, and we are boondocking, it is easy to wash off outside. Just try to think of the circumstances when you will use your camper.

I'm not a fan of the small tanks on those. You have a capable truck why not the 86fb or 89rb?

I don't have one but looking at the specs it is really hard to imagine using the shower unless you have full hook-ups. With my pop-up trailer we used to make 5 gallons of water work (fresh and gray) pretty well but forget showering.

My 1st camper - a 8'6" Fleetwood Elkhorn hardside had a wet bath which drained into the already very small black water tank. Thus rendering the inside shower feature fairly useless unless you were at a full hookup campsite.Around these parts, full hookup sites have campground showers which sort of canceled out using the inside shower of the camper.While my 9.6NL shower actually drains into the grey water tank, we've yet to use the inside "shower" but found attaching stick on plastic hooks in the wet bath useful for hanging wet clothing. On our last trip we created a fairly large puddle with our soaked clothing which drained harmlessly into the grey tank.So - a place to hang wet clothes/items - yes, to actually take a shower - no.

I don't know the tank sizes on those units but we had an 810WS and used the shower all the time.Why have a camper if you don't/can't use the shower?We like our nice/clean bath + shower...Bill

Adventurer 80RB vs 80W: does anyone use the 80RB shower?

billyray50
Explorer
Jan 28, 2015

Will fit a short or long bed truck.
billyray50
Explorer
Jan 28, 2015
IMHO if you are going to purchase a Adventurer the 86 FB is the way to go for your truck and shower space. Has one of the bigger wet baths in a short or long bed camper. We owned a 2012 new off the lot and wish we kept it. Dual propane tanks, dual batteries, 40 freshwater,31 gray, and 31 black tank capacities.
billtex
Explorer II
Jan 27, 2015
BTW; Our Adventurer was a great camper-10 yrs trouble free.

Good luck, Bill
Jeff243
Explorer
Jan 27, 2015
Thanks, everyone. We understand much of the decision is based on personal preference and how we intend to use the TC. We appreciate the feedback and shared experiences, it is very helpful and has given us more information to consider as we weigh our options!
mkirsch
Nomad II
Jan 26, 2015
I use my shower every morning that I'm camping. It's the primary reason for owning the camper IMHO.

Propane use is a non-issue. It takes less than one 20lb tank for an entire season worth of camping. I run the fridge on propane, and only light the water heater when I'm going to take a shower. 10 minutes, and the water is the perfect temperature for a nice hot shower.

Gray tank use is also a non-issue. With the right technique, you can have a satisfying long hot shower using less than 2 gallons of water. I can't make 5 gallons of gray water on a 4-day trip from the shower.

I don't have either of these campers, I am just saying that it is possible to use your own facilities and be happy with the results.
work2fish
Explorer
Jan 26, 2015
I don't have the model you are asking about, but own a Northstar 850SC popup with a wet bath. I definitely am glad I have a wet bath and used it ~3 times over the summer on camping trips > 2 nights. I should note that 2014 was my first season with a TC.

I have fairly small holding tanks and so I have used the campground facilities if they are available. At one site, the campground we were camping at had showers but they were quite a ways away. When I walked over there the first time I found that the token machine was broken and so it was nice to have an alternative.

I am a big guy (280) and so, yes, it is cramped. Even though I struggled when I dropped the soap :), there is nothing like a shower after a couple days of camping. It was definitely worth any trouble. In each case, I went to bed feeling like I wanted to stay another couple nights and isn't wanting to lengthen your stay the great thing about camping in a TC?

Good luck,
Mike
scoTTyO_
Explorer
Jan 26, 2015
I also looked at the 80rb but didn't like the size of the holding tanks then thought the 86fb would be a better unit - a much bigger bath
I ended up with a used Okanagan 89ws I found at the local dealer
Buzzcut1
Nomad II
Jan 26, 2015
Well this is appropriate. I just got back from a kayak fishing trip to a lake that has exactly on campground. After a day of paddling I reeked of sweat and fish. That's when I noticed that they were rebuilding the facility's. Where there had been a bathroom with showers there were now two green portable outhouses in front of the hole in the ground where the bathroom once was. So glad my TC had a hot shower available.

Remember even if your TC only carries one propane tank in the compartment its easy to carry a second one someplace else and it only takes a few minutes to swap one out.
billtex
Explorer II
Jan 25, 2015
I don't know the tank sizes on those units but we had an 810WS and used the shower all the time.
Why have a camper if you don't/can't use the shower?

We like our nice/clean bath + shower...

Bill
mbloof
Explorer
Jan 25, 2015
My 1st camper - a 8'6" Fleetwood Elkhorn hardside had a wet bath which drained into the already very small black water tank. Thus rendering the inside shower feature fairly useless unless you were at a full hookup campsite.

Around these parts, full hookup sites have campground showers which sort of canceled out using the inside shower of the camper.

While my 9.6NL shower actually drains into the grey water tank, we've yet to use the inside "shower" but found attaching stick on plastic hooks in the wet bath useful for hanging wet clothing. On our last trip we created a fairly large puddle with our soaked clothing which drained harmlessly into the grey tank.

So - a place to hang wet clothes/items - yes, to actually take a shower - no.