The Yakima RoadShower may not be the coolest-looking piece of gear you can mount on your rig, but it might be the most useful. A bit of a splurge? Sure, but don’t doubt its value until you take a closer look.
The RoadShower is simple enough in concept and form – a small water tank that can be mounted on roof racks, bed racks, or the like. It can be filled with a garden hose and pressurized in several ways. From there, all you have to do is turn on the flow valve and enjoy a high-pressure stream of water anywhere your rig will take you. From dishes to maintenance, this thing is super useful both on and off the trail.
Beyond its usefulness, the tank is super simple to use and maintain. Installation is also easy, as the tank is fairly light (28 lbs. for the 7-gallon model).
Table Of Contents
Features
As the name suggests, I purchased one to wash the mud (and stink) off of my kids.
However, I’ve been shocked at how many other uses I’ve found. Here’s a list of situations that may sound familiar to you.
- Muddy pets: We do lots of hiking, and the dogs are mostly off-leash. A post-hike spray down of their paws and legs goes a long way in keeping the rig clean.
- Meal clean-up: A tiny bit of soap and a sponge are all you need to clean dishes without lugging big buckets of water.
- Cleaning gear: Whether it’s tools, shoes, bikes, boats, or even synthetic shackles, this is an easy way to clean the mud off of everything.
- Cleaning the rig: Sure, mud looks cool, but it destroys almost anything it touches. On swampy days, I use it to get the mud out of my wheel wells and undercarriage.
Tip: I purchased a twenty-foot flex hose to replace the shorter one Yakima offers. The extended reach is a game changer.
It isn’t perfect, though and there are some limitations.
- Even the largest size, 10 gallons, can run out pretty quickly on a multi-day trip.
- I have to pressurize the tank 2-3 times per fill, which isn’t a huge deal but can get annoying.
- The sound of the water sloshing back and forth can get annoying if my sunroof is open.
- It’s designed for non-potable water only; it is not intended for drinking water.
Installation
Tools Required
- Crescent Wrench
First, you’ll need to install the on/off valve with a crescent wrench. Yakima offers two mounting ports, so you can mount the valve in a way that best fits your rig.
Mounting is equally straightforward:
- Slide (4) carriage bolts into the mounting channel.
- Lift and position onto its mounting location.
- Align each pair of bolts to your crossbars.
- Thread the bolts through the lower bracket.
- Tighten everything with the nuts on either side.
Locks are also included if you want to secure it from theft.
Yakima includes a second channel on the side of the RoadShower that allows for plentiful mounting options, especially if you have a custom rack or are considering installing one in your truck bed. Just make sure the mounting location can handle the weight. It’s pretty much a mount-at-your-own-risk scenario.
Next, a garden hose is required to fill the tank. Pressurizing can be done using the hose, bike pump, or 12V tire compressor. I spent $20 on a compressor that allows me to set the PSI and walk away, which I highly recommend.
Once it’s mounted and filled, it is ready to go on your next adventure.
Final Thoughts
At $559 (for the 7-gallon model), it isn’t cheap. For my use, though, it was money well spent. I appreciate its simple mounting and endless applications. It’s especially useful if you have a family that tags along on adventures.
If you consider it an investment in the longevity of your gear, the value is clear. Pick one of these up and enjoy some good, clean fun on your next adventure!
