BougeRV Portable Propane Hot Water Shower Review: Is It Worth Bringing to Camp?
There are two kinds of overlanders in the world:
Those who go to bed clean and refreshed—and those who crawl into their sleeping bag dirty, sweaty, and smelling like a gym bag that lost a fight with a litter box.
For a long time, I was firmly in the “camp showers are unnecessary” category. And honestly? Most of the time, I still don’t shower at camp. But after enough muddy days, humid southern heat, and longer trips with my wife joining me, I’ve come to appreciate how a good camp shower can extend trips—and improve morale.
Enter the BougeRV Portable Propane Hot Water Shower System. This isn’t my first camp shower, but it is a meaningful upgrade from my previous setup. It’s well thought out, easy to use, and genuinely practical—though not perfect.
Let’s walk through what works, what doesn’t, and whether it’s actually worth carrying.
What This Shower System Is (And Why It’s Different)
The BougeRV shower is a self-contained propane-powered hot water system designed to sit on the ground, a table, or in the back of your vehicle. Unlike hanging shower heaters that rely on dangling hoses and awkward mounting, this one is meant to be stable and compact.
That design choice alone makes a huge difference—especially for Jeep and SUV-based overlanding where mounting options are limited.
Key highlights:
Portable, table-style design
Built-in rechargeable battery
Runs on standard green propane bottles
Simple quick-connect hoses
Digital display for temperature and battery level
Power & Propane: Simple and Flexible
This unit includes a built-in battery, meaning you can run it without plugging it into anything. When needed, you can recharge it using:
The included power brick
A long 12V vehicle power cable
A portable power station
That flexibility is great for camp and for emergency use.
On the propane side, it uses standard green 1 lb propane bottles—easy to find and widely available. While I personally prefer refillable larger tanks (for cost and waste reasons), this system can be adapted with a simple hose to run off a larger propane tank if you want.
The good news: propane usage is very efficient. One green bottle lasts through multiple showers.
Setup: Very Straightforward
Everything is clearly labeled and color-coded:
Blue = cold water intake
Red = hot water output
Quick-connect fittings make setup fast
The pump and filter are integrated into a single unit
Setup looks like this:
Attach the propane bottle
Connect intake and output hoses
Drop the pump/filter into your water source
Power on the unit
Turn on the shower head
Within moments, you have on-demand hot water at camp.
Shower Head & Controls (Better Than Expected)
The shower head itself is well designed:
Multiple spray patterns
Adjustable flow control
Easy to shut off while soaping up
This matters more than you’d think—because water disappears fast if you’re not paying attention.
The front display shows:
Battery level
Water temperature
No unnecessary clutter. Just what you need.
Performance: Does It Actually Work?
Short answer: Yes—very well.
Water heats quickly and stays consistent. I’ve used this system at events like Overland Expo East, and it performed so well that my brother bought the same unit the same day after seeing it in action.
It’s one of those rare pieces of gear that works exactly the way you expect it to.
The Downsides (You Should Know These)
This system isn’t perfect. None are. Here are the honest drawbacks.
1. The Shower Head Holder Isn’t Great
The holder feels like an afterthought:
Doesn’t grip tightly
Moves around easily
Slips more when wet
If you’re base-camping and setting it down, it’s fine. If you want a rock-solid hanging solution, you may want to DIY something better.
2. Temperature Adjustment Is Touchy
The unit has built-in safety shutoffs to prevent scalding—which is good—but the usable temperature range is compressed.
If you turn it up too high, the system will shut down and require a reset. You’ll quickly learn to keep it in the lower-to-mid range.
Not a deal breaker—just something to learn.
3. Water Consumption Is Higher Than You Think
This pump moves water quickly. If you’re not intentional with flow control:
A shower can use 1.5–3 gallons
Longer showers (especially washing hair) use more
This is not something you want to run off your drinking water supply. Plan a dedicated water container for showers.
4. Water Source Opening Size Matters
The pump/filter combo is larger than some systems. It won’t fit into narrow-mouth containers.
You’ll need a jug or tank with a large opening—something to plan for ahead of time.
Storage Tip (Learned the Hard Way)
The unit doesn’t include a storage bag for wet hoses—and they will retain water.
My solution:
Shower head in one Ziploc bag
Pump/filter in another Ziploc bag
Simple, cheap, and it keeps water away from electronics and cables.
Bonus Use Case: Emergency Preparedness
This shower system turned out to be incredibly useful at home.
After a recent hurricane, we lost power—and with it, hot water. Since our water heater is electric, this system allowed us to take real hot showers outside while the power was out.
Important note: Never use this indoors.
We ran it outside on the porch.
That experience alone made this system worth owning.
Final Verdict: Is the BougeRV Hot Water Shower Worth It?
Yes—especially if comfort helps you (or your spouse) stay out longer.
Pros
Easy setup and operation
True hot water on demand
Efficient propane use
Built-in battery
Excellent for camp and emergencies
Cons
Shower head holder could be better
Water use requires planning
Green propane bottles aren’t ideal (but adaptable)
If staying clean helps you enjoy camp more—or keeps your partner happy—this is one of those upgrades that quietly changes how long you’re willing to stay out.
If you’re interested, check the current pricing and availability from BougeRV. Affiliate links help support the channel at no extra cost to you.
As always—God bless, and I’ll see you on the trails.
