aking a shower in an RV is not exactly exotic. Most showerheads push out a boring stream of water, designed to get the job done with little fanfare. Multiple showerheads or a rainforest fixture can up the entertainment factor appreciably, but adding such hardware may not be possible without major modifications to your rig. And even if the accoutrements in your shower invite lingering, water consumption plays a pivotal role — and don’t forget the limitations on hot water capacity (unless, of course, you have an instantaneous model like Truma’s AquaGo or Airxcel’s Aqua-Hot).
Ecocamel (ecocamel.com), based in London, England, with a stateside presence in Saint Petersburg, Florida, offers showerhead products that bring a tingle back into an otherwise lackluster experience.
Proprietary AirCore Technology forces air through the handle, spinning the water at high speed. Turbulence build-up results in the strong stream of water. Flow is regulated to a maximum of 2.1 gallons per minute.
Several years ago, I had an opportunity to test one of EcoCamel’s first showerhead models brought into the U.S., and shortly after I installed an Orbit Soft Water model that not only provides a satisfying ring of water that stimulates the skin, but it softens the water to boot. After years of full-time daily usage by my wife, Lynne, and I, the Orbit showerhead still works without complaint, and the nozzles in the ring have never been cleaned — a testament to the soft water feature.
Hard water is an RV owner’s nemesis. If you happen to live in the desert, like we do for six months every year, the hardwater is even more damaging to the RV’s water system. The build-up of calcium and other minerals over shorter-than-expected periods of time clogs faucets, leaves unsightly — and almost impossible to remove — streaks on glass, and makes lathering up in the shower more difficult. Ecocamel, recognizing that dry, itchy skin and frizzy hair is no fun, has built a water softener feature into the handle of its Orbit Soft Water showerhead that is designed to increase the solubility of hard water by altering the crystal structure of calcium carbonate, which prevents hard scale deposits.
It works by placing metals in the handle that cause an electro-chemical catalytic reaction, which neutralizes the calcium so it cannot form limescale. The configuration of the unique alloy also increases water velocity and turbulence, preventing the minerals from building up. The hard minerals are removed from the water, becoming insoluble crystals which then wash down the drain.
My first reaction was, as you might imagine, skepticism, since softening water usually requires an inline device that relies on salt and is a much more sizeable operation. However, initial showering experiences proved the Orbit to be a valuable addition to our shower, and Lynne swears that the “soft” water makes it easier to wash her long hair.
From the outside, it’s hard to distinguish the soft-water feature. The Soft Water model is a little heavier than most showerheads, but that has very little impact during actual use.
While the design of the Orbit strays from convention, it also increases the pressure through the jets in the ring at the end of the handle. This is the feature that has made the Ecocamel showerheads so successful. Air is forced through the handle, spinning the water at high speed and building turbulence to create a strong stream of water. Flow is regulated to a maximum of 2.1 gallons per minute.
Meanwhile, rubber nozzles in the ring portion are spaced to provide a nice water pattern that covers the body effectively.
The combination of softer water and the powerful spray makes the Orbit Soft Water an indispensable item in our shower — but it gets even better. Ecocamel offers the Orb Spa Vibra sonic massager, a handheld, waterproof attachment that operates on three AAA batteries. The Spa Vibra snaps into the Orbit or Orbit Soft Water shower head and offers three speeds for managing the desired massaging effect on your skin. It transforms the Orbit showerhead into a multi-function tool that delivers the ultimate showering experience.
Medical grade, non-porous rubber “fingers” are positioned strategically on both ends of the device, which exfoliate the skin while showering. The skin can be massaged with or without water, and the device can even be used without the Orbit showerhead. When placed against the skin, the vibrations offered by the internal motor are designed to deep clean the skin, removing dead cells and promoting tissue regeneration. The massaging fingers are easily cleaned with running water and a towel.
For owners who prefer a simple, water-saving showerhead, the Jetstorm is the company’s most popular model. It has a $56 price tag and a svelte profile. It uses the same technology, whereby air is mixed with water to provide a nice stream of water with a comfortable pattern. The water stream is not as powerful as the Orbit, but still gives the user a pleasant showering experience. The spray plate can be cleaned by rubbing the nozzles with your thumb. We’ve adapted it for outside use after modifying the stock shower hose with a coiled counterpart. It’s perfect for washing the dog or sand/mud off your feet.
An optional Shut Off Valve ($15) can be ordered for additional water conservation. It works well, but the button gets difficult to push after a while. Keep in mind that this valve is before the soft water feature, so it’s susceptible to calcium build up. I’ve had the best luck with the KES Shut Off Brass Shower Head Valve (K1140B-2; $12.50 from Amazon).
Using the Ecocamel Orbit and ORB SPA will positively change the way people perceive taking showers in an RV. The cost of upgrading to the Orbit SoftWater showerhead is $108 while the massaging option is an additional $40, or you can purchase them both together for $140 — but you’ll be singing in the shower again.
Now, how does that song go?
