Recycling Showers Explained: Are They Worth It?
Are They Worth It for Vanlife Water Anxiety
If you spend any time reading vanlife forums, Reddit threads, or Facebook groups, one concern comes up over and over again.
Most van builds today have more electrical capacity than they know what to do with. Large lithium batteries, solar, alternators, and shore power have made electricity far less stressful than it was just a few years ago.
Water has not followed that same curve.
A recycling shower exists to solve one very specific problem in a camper van: water anxiety.
This article explains what a recycling shower is, how it works, when it makes sense, when it does not, and why many builders treat it like an extra battery for their water system rather than a luxury plumbing upgrade.
What Is a Recycling Shower in a Camper Van
A recycling shower is a closed loop water system that allows you to shower continuously using a very small amount of fresh water.
Instead of water flowing from a fresh tank directly into a gray tank, a recycling shower captures the water, filters it, sanitizes it, reheats it, and sends it back to the shower head while you are actively showering.
Most recycling shower systems recirculate roughly 1-2 liters of water during use.
Once the shower is complete, the system purges that water into the gray tank and flushes itself with a small amount of fresh water to clean the lines.
In practice, this means you can take a long comfortable shower without draining your fresh water tank.
Why Water Anxiety Is Worse Than Power Anxiety in Vanlife
Most people assume power is the limiting factor in a camper van.
In reality, water is far more restrictive.
You can always find a way to recharge batteries. Solar, alternator charging, shore power, campgrounds, and even friends' driveways make electricity fairly easy to manage.
Finding potable water is harder.
Fresh water tanks take up space. Larger tanks add weight. Undermount tanks introduce freezing risk. Gray tanks fill faster than people expect. And most people do not enjoy dumping tanks every few days. Check out our blog that helps narrow down the water tank decision.
This leads many van owners to constantly ration showers, dishes, and hygiene.
A recycling shower removes that mental load.
How a Recycling Shower Actually Works
A typical recycling shower system has four core components:
- A collection basin or drain pan that captures shower water
- A multi-stage filtration system
- A UV sanitation chamber
- A circulation pump and heat management system
While you are showering, water flows from the drain into the filtration loop instead of directly to the gray tank. The system removes particulates like hair and soap residue, sanitizes the water, and sends it back to the shower head.
The water stays hot, which reduces demand on your water heater and electrical system.
Once you shut the shower off, the system purges the loop and sends the water to the gray tank.
How Much Water Do Recycling Showers Save
A standard van shower can use anywhere from 1 to 2.5 gallons per minute. Without a conservative RV shower sprayer, that means a ten minute shower can easily use 20 gallons of water. With a recycling shower, that same ten minute shower uses roughly 1 to 2 gallons total.
In real world use, this means:
- A 20 gallon fresh water tank can support dozens of showers
- A smaller gray water tank fills much more slowly
- You refill water far less often
This is why many people choose smaller fresh water tanks when running a recycling shower system.
Are Recycling Showers Only for Luxury Builds
Recycling showers are often labeled as luxury upgrades, but that framing misses the point. They are not about excess. They are about efficiency.
If you compare the cost of a recycling shower system to adding:
- A larger fresh water tank
- A larger gray water tank
- Additional mounting hardware
- Additional plumbing
- More frequent refills and dumps
The cost difference narrows quickly.
Many people describe a recycling shower as the water equivalent of adding another lithium battery to a power system.
It increases usable capacity without increasing physical storage.
How Recycling Showers Affect Tank Size Decisions
One of the biggest benefits of a recycling shower is flexibility in tank sizing.
Without recycling, many people feel pressured to install the largest water tanks possible.
With recycling, you can:
- Run a 20 gallon wheel well tank instead of 36
- Run a smaller undermount gray tank
- Reduce overall system weight
- Preserve interior storage space
This is especially valuable in vans with tight layouts or weight constraints.
Do Recycling Showers Work With Any Shower System
Most modern recycling shower systems are designed to work with standard camper van showers.
They can be used with:
- Folding showers like the Tetravan
- Fixed interior showers
- Exterior shower setups
- Rear sprayers with drain pans
The key requirement is a drain system that allows water to be captured and routed into the recycling loop.
This is why many builders integrate recycling showers during the initial plumbing design rather than as an afterthought.
How Recycling Showers Handle Soap and Hygiene
This is one of the most common questions.
Modern recycling shower systems are designed to handle normal shower soap, shampoo, and body wash.
The filtration system removes particulates while UV sanitation neutralizes bacteria.
That said, users are typically encouraged to:
- Avoid heavy oils
- Avoid exfoliating scrubs
- Use biodegradable soaps
This keeps filters cleaner and extends maintenance intervals.
What Maintenance Does a Recycling Shower Require?
Recycling showers are not zero maintenance systems, but they are predictable.
Typical maintenance includes:
- Rinsing filters periodically
- Replacing filters at recommended intervals
- Occasional system flushes
Most systems include indicators or reminders so maintenance is not guesswork.
Compared to managing larger tanks, dumping more frequently, and winterizing complex plumbing, many users find this tradeoff worthwhile.
How Recycling Showers Perform in Cold Weather
Cold weather is where recycling showers can shine.
Because water is constantly moving and staying warm during use, freezing risk during active operation is low.
However, like any water system, proper winterization matters.
Many four season van builds pair recycling showers with:
- Interior wheel well fresh tanks
- Insulated drain pans
- Tank heating pads where needed
This keeps the system functional even in cold climates.
Is a Recycling Shower Right for Every Van Build
No.
Recycling showers make the most sense for:
- Full time vanlifers
- People who shower frequently
- Cold weather travelers
- Builders prioritizing comfort and autonomy
They may be unnecessary for:
- Weekend campers
- Minimalist builds
- People using gym showers exclusively
The key is understanding your usage patterns rather than copying someone else’s setup.
Recycling Showers vs Larger Water Tanks
This decision comes up often.
Bigger tanks give you more water storage. Recycling showers give you more water usage.
If your anxiety is about running out of water between refills, recycling solves that.
If your anxiety is about system complexity, larger tanks may feel simpler.
Many high end builders choose recycling because it reduces long term water stress rather than increasing capacity.
The Flow Loop Recycling Shower System
The Flow Loop system is a closed loop recycling shower solution designed to integrate with common camper van shower setups.
It works with folding showers, standing showers, and drain pans.
Key benefits include:
- Compatibility with standard van plumbing
- Minimal water usage
- Reduced load on water heaters
- Improved comfort and shower time
At roughly $2,500, it is positioned as a premium upgrade that replaces the need for oversized tanks rather than stacking on top of them.
Recycling Showers as a Water Battery
One of the best ways to think about a recycling shower is as a water battery.
Just like adding a lithium battery increases usable power without changing your solar array, a recycling shower increases usable water without changing tank size.
It does not create water. It allows you to use what you have more efficiently.
Final Thoughts on Recycling Showers for Vanlife
Water anxiety is real.
Most van owners are far more likely to run out of water than power.
A recycling shower does not make sense for everyone, but for the right build, it fundamentally changes how you experience daily life in a van.
Long showers. Less rationing. Fewer refills. More comfort.
When evaluated as part of a complete water system rather than a luxury add on, recycling showers become a practical solution to one of vanlife’s biggest pain points.
