Forum

You must be logged in to post Login

Search Forums:


 






Shower Enclosure Info

No Status Selected
UserPost

10:36 pm
May 15, 2010


Sportsman Matt

Central MA

Moderator

posts 95

OK, here is the low down on installing a shower enclosure in the KZ Sportsmen Classic. At the time of this posting, I'm in to it for less than $100.00


First you will need:

5 Piece Shower Enclosure 30″x50″x57″ comes with 3 plain wall panels and 2 corner panels with shelves

4 tubes of Liquid Nails Tub and Shower Surround

A wide putty knife 4″-6″

A good pair of scissors

A Strait Edge atleast 60″ Long

A square

Tracing paper

Pencils

Tape measure


First unpack the enclosures, decide which one of the 2 corner pieces to keep, I kept the one with the short side on the left, shelves on the right. This will be piece #1 Do a test fit in the shower to see where it will fit. DO NOT TRIM YET If it doesn't fit. If it doesn't fit just right, don't worry. Set it in a safe place.

Remove all the shower tub trim, the curtain rod, the shower hose and mounting hardware from the wall and faucet, and the faucet knobs (pop the centers out and unscrew the phillips head screws holding the knobs in place) put in a safe place. Also remove all the putty tape from under the aluminum trim and the tub.

Using the tracing paper, cut out templates of the corners that aren't square. Mine were the top right corner where the wall curved into the ceiling, the corners around the faucet (no need to remove it, just cut out and place the panel around it)

Measure the ceiling height of the top lip edge of the tub to the ceiling. Don't be afraid to go over the trim at the top or sides, it will get covered with caulking later.

Measure the width of the 2 end panels, and the height of the one panel that will fit on the left wall where the faucet goes. Trim these panels to size. The one panel on the right will not need to be trimmed to height because it will follow the curvature of the rear wall. Posibly you may have to cut out a small hole about 1″ in diameter in this rear panel for the shower curtain rod to fit back in place.

Trim all the rest of the pieces for height, and test fit the height so that where the tub ends, the enclosure sits flush on top of the extruded upward lip and sits flush with the ceiling. On the wall with the curve, copy the tracing to the plastic panel, trim and test. A gap of 1/8″ or less is preferred, but any gap of less than 1/4″ can be sealed properly and impurfections in trimming can be hidden.

Locate where the faucet will be on the front panel, trim out the opening and test fit several times. If possible oversize the opening 1/8″ to fit around the faucet. When installing, flex the panel to fit over the shower pull knob, then flex it down to go around the shower hose outlet on the faucet.

Important is to test fit everything several times before installing.


Once you feel good about the fit, load a caulking gun with a tube of Liquid Nails Tub and Surround. Spread a good ammount on the wall, spread smooth with the putty knife. It will clean up with a paper towel while moist, don't worry about it leaking out around the edges. Get 100% coverage of the wall space where the panel will go. Install the panels….


Note there is a pattern to install the panels, first is the panel that was trimmed to fit the radius of the roof, snug up to the rear corner of the shower enclosure, then the right panel which follows the curves of the trailer, then the left side panel over the faucet, and finally the corner piece with the shelves.

Liquid Nails Tub and Shower needs to be spread evenly to prevent signs of "burn thru" where you can see the adhesive points in the wall. It doesn't actually burn thru, but any air spaces behind can be a spot that may be visible if the panel isn't tight to the wall, picture a tent with the poles inside the tent, you can see where they are but they aren't exposed. Also the adhesive works quick to hold it up, about 30 seconds and it is on pretty much permanent. You also have a 10 minute window from adhesive to install, so work one panel at a time, put up enough adhesive to cover one panel at a time, pencil marks to show the edge of the panels work great to keep the adhesive "in the lines"

After installing the walls, caulk the seams, reinstall the aluminum trim with either more putty tape and caulking or just caulking, and install the shower curtain and everything else.

Don't be afraid to caulk the screws by putting a bead of caulk on the threads and in the hole of the extrusion. Water likes anywhere that it can find a path, and a good coating of caulking will prevent the water from entering.

Extra trim may be needed, depends on what you prefer.


Hopefully this will help out with those wondering how to do it, or answer questions while installing it.


I didn't remove the faucet, mainly because I foolow the philosophy "if it's not broke, don't mess with it"  I've seen more leaks created by removing plumbing stuff and reinstalling the same parts, just the second time you just can't get the fitting tight enough, seated right, or the seal just won't work right the second time around. I'll save headaches by working around it rather than remove it, only to create a bigger problem later. Remember:

WATER IS THE ENEMY OF ALL RVs, KEEP IT OUT AND KEEP IT DRY

I did this on my last truck camper, a 1989 Sunline that I sold and is still in use today, 21 years later and still bone dry inside.


Good luck

Matt


9:26 pm
June 22, 2010


smilinjohn

Minnesota Prairie

Moderator

posts 380

Matt, my hat is off to you for the longest post, ever.  WOW and thanks for the great info.

SmileJohn

2010 Sportsmen Classic 14RK; 2005 Ford F-150, 5.4L V8; "…..it is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance." Charles Darwin

5:19 am
June 23, 2010


Marlynmik

Northern Ontario

Member

posts 86

Post edited 6:08 am – June 27, 2010 by smilinjohn


I would really love to do this but I am afraid: DH and I are not very handy!  So, please hurry with photos.

2010 Sportsmen Classic 16BH * TV: 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L V8

4:41 pm
June 25, 2010


Sportsman Matt

Central MA

Moderator

posts 95

It wasn't that hard, toughest part was not wearing the adhesive or the caulking. Taking my time and using a good pair of scissors worked to my advantage, along with checking and rechecking the measurements and test fitting each piece.


I'll have pictures of the 95% completed shower up next week, I'm headed out to Normandy Farms this weekend (whoo hoo! 3 day weekend) and will be leaving the phone, laptop, tv, etc… home.


I've got some before pics and during to post also but they are on my camera and not on my laptop just yet.


keeping you posted,


matt

10:00 am
June 28, 2010


Steve

San Antonio, TX

Moderator

posts 193

Oh yes Please post post pictures as soon as you can. I'm getting my 14RB this weekend and that will be the first mod I perform on it.


Thanks

Steve

http://haven106.blogspot.com

4:17 pm
July 13, 2010


carolandjack

Spring Hill, Tennessee

Member

posts 62

I went to our Local Lowes today and saw the shower enclosure just like Matt told us about.  I really like it.  This is a project that I am going to do.  Will let you know how it works out.  Thanks Matt

2010 Sportsmen 16BH * 2011 Ford F-150 XLT Super Crew *ECO BOOST Engine* Reese Weight Distribution Hitch * Anti Sway Bars

9:00 pm
July 13, 2010


Steve

San Antonio, TX

Moderator

posts 193

i'm not one of those types that does well with an abstract description. 


pictures please.

http://haven106.blogspot.com

9:07 pm
July 26, 2010


Sportsman Matt

Central MA

Moderator

posts 95


Here is a couple pics I took to show how it looks.

The Shower head and how it fits to the ceiling

The fit to the rear corner of the ceiling

Just need to add some trim to the edge, right now the caulking sealed the edges, and I sealed the original trim also.


9:22 pm
July 26, 2010


smilinjohn

Minnesota Prairie

Moderator

posts 380

Looks like a good job, well done.  Thanks, Matt.

SmileJohn

2010 Sportsmen Classic 14RK; 2005 Ford F-150, 5.4L V8; "…..it is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance." Charles Darwin

12:50 pm
July 27, 2010


Marlynmik

Northern Ontario

Member

posts 86

That looks great Matt!  Thanks so much for posting pics, it's very much appreciated – a picture is worth a thousand words!


Lynne

2010 Sportsmen Classic 16BH * TV: 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L V8

10:27 am
July 28, 2010


Sportsman Matt

Central MA

Moderator

posts 95

Only complaint I had on the whole project is the adhesive on the back wall where the roof curved didn't line up exact, the panel sagged and the curve is off a little bit, not enough to worry about but one of those things I should have put more pressure on that spot with some form of brace or block system to really follow the curvature of the rear wall.


But everything is sealed, and that is what we're all concerned about, keeping the water out.

10:36 am
July 28, 2010


motx72

Member

posts 5

Great job!  I love it.  This was going to be one of my first projects when we get our Sportsmen Classic.  Feel free to post as many pics as you have.  Either that, or email me with them.  I'd love to share with my FIL too.


Thanks for sharing the photos & info.

=Jared Cool


Sportsmen Classic 19SBT or Spree Escape E19SBT – perhaps in 2012

10:17 am
August 24, 2010


Sportsman Matt

Central MA

Moderator

posts 95

New Pics

The back corner near the top, transition almost went smooth, the adhesive didn't adhere 100% so the line wasn't perfect in the corner but fine for my use.


The front with the shower installed and the shelving built in


The tub, I kept the OEM trim also.

Just need to finish trimming out the edges of the enclosure over the winter.


11:16 am
April 25, 2011


FoCoNoCo

Member

posts 17

Sorry, I know this is a really old thread, but we are considering purchasing this line of travel trailer and had the same concern about water intrusion in the shower/tub area.  I have found various RV shower enclosures from around $160 and up plus installation materials.  Where did you purchase/order this particular enclosure from?  If we end up buying one of these same trailers, this is one of the first mods I would do, not to mention installing a roof mount A/C, but that's another discussion.

12:17 pm
April 25, 2011


sandersmr

Texas

Member

posts 338

I believe he got the enclosure at Lowe's.

I haven't done this but I make sure that I wipe down the walls with a squeegy when done.  I did go through and reseal where the trim meets the edge of the tub.  I used the strip stuff that you can get at Home Depot or Lowe's and then clear silicone caulk in the corners for extra watertightness.

2010 16BH towed by 2002 F-150 Super Crew 4.6L V8

1:24 pm
April 25, 2011


FoCoNoCo

Member

posts 17

I didn't really see anything on the Lowe's website that wasn't well over $100.00.  I did find a few places that sell RV shower enclosures in various width's, but not sure what size the tub is in these units…also had another idea of getting a white opaque length of acrylic sheeting from Home Depot–adhering to wall board as stated above, and caulking really well. Hmm…like I said, we haven't purchased our trailer yet, but need to plan out some of these ideas in advance (sorry, I just enjoy researching and planning to a OCD level, though I'm not OCD myself).  I believe the RV specific enclosures  I've found have been anywhere from $150 and up, depending on the dimensions, and the large sheet of acrylic is like $132 at Home Depot.  The only major issue I could see with using the acrylic if not pre-cut is making the cuts themselves.  I guess you may be able to use a fine tooth circular or jigsaw, but that may get too hot and melt the acrylic….not sure.

1:38 pm
April 25, 2011


FoCoNoCo

Member

posts 17

BTW, I found what he purchased, or at least it appears to be….it's a 5 piece kit at Home Depot for $47.00 or so…..now I see where he gets his "under $100.00″ figure from.  I bookmarked this and the Home Depot page for future reference.  Thanks!

8:17 pm
April 25, 2011


Sportsman Matt

Central MA

Moderator

posts 95

That's where I picked up mine, Home Depot, and it was under $80 at the time if I remember correctly.

6:49 am
April 26, 2011


pfidahospud

Post Falls, Idaho

Member

posts 107

If the core concern is water permeating the material of the walls, has anyone tried using a spray on wax, like those generally used on cars (something like this http://www.amazon.com/Turtle-W…..B000AM8BJU)?  I have used regular paste type wax on my showers at home, but with the small bit of texture on the walls of the trailer bathroom I'd be a little concerned about a paste leaving little white specs everywhere, but the spray on wax is completely clear.  I too have used clear caulk around the edges of the tub and the vertical seams just to feel a little more secure.  But for those of us that plan to use the shower maybe twice a season, adding the extra enclosure seems like a lot of effort.  Thoughts?
Happy camping!

Stephen

Tow-er: 2010 RAV4 3.5L 269 hp V6 with Tow Pkg ~ Tow-ee: 2011 Sportsmen Classic 14RB ~ Director: The wife

7:53 am
April 26, 2011


FoCoNoCo

Member

posts 17

Stephen,

      My concern is not so much any adverse affect on the wallboard/luaun, but the water damaging the wooden wall structure and batten insulation inside the walls.  The wallboard should be easy enough to replace, but I would not want to deal with structural rotting due to something as simple as a leaky shower.  I had read the previous post on another thread about these being "price point" trailers and that some compromises had to be made.  However, compared to their nearest competition, the Starcraft AR-ONE and the Jayco Jay Flight Swift SLX series, the competition both include more standard equipment (microwave, shower, monitor panel, furnace, rain gutters, sound system, and a few others) at a similar or lower price point than K-Z does.  If K-Z is wanting to get these customers, they need to do one of two things – either incorporate all of the same standard features as the competition, or include other features as standard that may not be offered at all on the others.  Some of these features are so inexpensive to include, that the average buyer wouldn't know how much they cost…take the shower surround – Sportsman Matt can install one for less than $100 RETAIL, they could also add the electric element to the water heater (another mod I would do, BTW), better yet, include a 6 cu ft reefer unit, how about winterization kit/water heater bypass?  Most of these things are not terribly pricy, but could set K-Z apart from Jayco and Starcraft.  My wife and I really love the floorplans of the Sportsmen Classics, but I wish K-Z would give me a serious reason to pick them over the competition! Anyway, sorry to ramble on!