The Unfortunate Truth of RV Wet Baths

Bathrooms are a wonderful convenience, and we expect them to be in every house.

But should they also be expected in every RV?  We think so, especially when there are so many options available.

One of those options is an RV wet bath. While this is not your traditional RV bathroom, it functions as one. And as with anything in an RV that isn’t quite traditional, there are pros and cons.

These are those, along with the unfortunate truth of RV wet baths.

What is an RV Wet Bath? 

An RV wet bath is a compact size all-in-one bathroom. Meaning, everything you need in a bathroom – toilet, shower and sink – are all using the same floor. 

Eeew! No you do not use the floor as your toilet, nor do you wash your hands on the floor.  You have a toilet and a sink, and those are technically located in the shower, which is your entire bathroom.

How Does an RV Wet Bath Work? 

Your shower isn’t a separate appliance or area, and it’s not located in a bathtub.

It’s basically a shower head attached to the bathroom wall that utilizes the entire bathroom as your actual shower. So, yes, everything in your bathroom is going to get wet when you take a shower.

So, you’ll have to take the time to wipe everything down when done, allowing you to use the toilet and sink like you would any normal bathroom.

Wet Bath vs Dry Bath

A dry bath, as most of us know, is a bathroom with a toilet, a sink and a shower. But the shower, while in the same room, has a separate space. This allows only the shower area to get wet (if you have a great shower door or curtain).

Unlike a dry bath, a wet bath, its toilet, sink and all of its storage compartments are made to handle the water and moisture (at least the majority of it).

Pros and Cons of RV Wet Baths

Pros: 

From space saving to extra seating to cleanliness, an RV wet bath definitely has some pros.

Space Saving

For some RV wet baths, you may actually have a larger shower space since the shower uses the entire bathroom. If you are one that loves to sit while showering, you’ve got a ready made place to  sit. Just close the toilet lid prior to doing so. Because of all this compactness, this style of bathroom takes up less space than a traditional RV bathroom. You may find yourself with more space throughout the rest of your rig. 

Wet baths are typically found in smaller RVs like teardrops, pop-ups, truck campers, and class B RVs. They help save space in a small floorplan while still being able to have the comforts of home.

This Scamp 13′ Deluxe features a full wet bath in a tiny fiberglass camper trailer.

Easier to Keep Clean

If you use your shower on a regular basis, you’re also cleaning it on a regular basis. This means less dusting and cleaning than it would be for a traditional RV bathroom.  Because everything gets wet, you might as well clean it when done showering and then wipe it dry.  Sparkling clean bathroom every day!

Cons: 

You could look at easy cleaning as a pro, but it is also definitely a con. Everything gets wet and needs to be dried. The compact space may save you time and give you added storage elsewhere, but it’s still a small space. Plus, where do you store all your bathroom necessities? 

Wet toilet paper generally doesn’t work very well.

Everything Gets Wet

Yep, when you take a shower, everything gets wet: the toilet, the mirror, the sink, the floor…everything. Which also means that everything you would normally keep out in your bathroom needs to be put away before showering.  Don’t forget the toilet paper.

That would be a real mess.

Needs to Be Dried Off After Use

And because everything gets wet when you shower, everything also has to be dried off. Are you ready for some extra laundry? What dries better than towels?

You could let it dry on its own, but mildew could build up. Plus when entering your bathroom to brush your teeth, do you really want to step in a puddle of water?  Your socks can also be added to that extra laundry. 

Small Space

While having a smaller space for a bathroom compared to other RV bathroom options, there’s one thing to realize, here. Most RV bathrooms are already small. So, yes, it is small and can pose a problem for someone who is 6’5”, but wouldn’t you rather have your precious space somewhere else besides a bathroom?

Very Little Storage

The compact size of an RV wet bath is a great idea, but this also poses a problem when it comes to storage.  Less size, less storage. Although many wet baths are made with storage solutions to keep the water out when showering, they are not made with a lot of that space.

In all reality, though, you could easily store a lot of bathroom necessities in another closet.  You’ll just have to get creative.

Is a Wet Bath Worth It? 

I suppose if you really want to use the toilet while taking a shower, the RV wet bath could be an extremely useful tool. 

But let’s get real. Nobody does that. Or if they did, they probably wouldn’t admit it.  But really, is an RV wet bath worth it? 

There are pros and cons to everything. You’ll have to decide if the space saved is worth the extra time keeping it dry. Or if playing hide and seek with the toilet paper is more hassle or entertainment. On the other hand, if it comes down to having a bathroom or not, it might very well be worth it.

It all depends on your travel styles, desires and needs.  

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