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While overlanding South America, I soon learned that high-pressure hot water was a rare commodity at most camps and even brick-and-mortar accommodations. This is especially true in hot climates like Brazil and dry environments like the Atacama Desert, where a hostel may offer parking for overland vehicles and a “suicide” electric shower that drips lukewarm water on your frozen, dusty corpse. I eventually learned to enjoy a cold shower and have incorporated cold showers into my lifestyle; it is refreshing! But, my family of wife and now two grown children never shared my appreciation for cold water for showers and dishwashing.
Joolca, the Australian outdoor gear manufacturer, recently sent us their Hottap hot water solution, Gotta Go toilet, and Shower Base, and we took the opportunity while traveling from the Pacific Northwest to central Mexico to get acquainted with this innovative gear.
Hottap V2 Nomad Kit
The Joolca Hottap V2 Nomad Kit includes a water heater, pump and plumbing kit, multi-setting showerhead, shower pole with showerhead holder, shower hose, gas hose with regulator, water pump, and a large blue plastic sink that doubles as the unit storage bin. The device is powered by propane and is capable of delivering hot water almost instantaneously once set up correctly. The system is designed to work with a standard 4-pound propane bottle, and the Hottap unit itself is compact, weighing just under 11 pounds, can be stored or installed in a vehicle or carried to a campsite, and can also be a practical solution for off-grid living.
One of the most significant advantages of this is its ease of setup and operation if the batteries are new, the gas tank is full, and the gas line is purged. The submersible water pump can draw water from any available source, whether river, lake, or jerry can. This flexibility makes the Hottap Nomad kit particularly useful in remote locations where traditional water sources are unavailable but natural sources are abundant.
Setting up the Hottap was not without its issues on the first crack at it, as the supplied batteries needed to be replaced, and my gas tank was not full—my bad. The kit comes with user-friendly, easy-to-comprehend start-up brochures. I highly recommend not assembling and testing the kit when Missus Overlander is stripping down for the maiden shower, as you may not get it right the first time. But, when you get the click and whoosh of a flame (and no error codes on the little bottom-right display), you are guaranteed satisfaction. The colder the water, the longer it will take to heat and the less it will heat; the converse is naturally true for a warm water source, and recirculating hot water can lead to the Hottap overheating alarm activating. The Joolca Hottap water heater has a water flow rate of up to 1.5 gallons per minute, which doesn’t sound like much, but it is significant, especially if you are drawing water from a finite source (our 3-gallon Dometic water jug emptied much too quickly for my liking, in just over a 1 minute and 40 seconds). When showering, it is best to use the military-style wet, sud, rinse method to save water unless you are plumbed into a stream. For those with smaller water tanks or who travel deep into dry areas, Joolca will be releasing the Hottie in 2025, a compact, mini version of Hottap with its own reservoir. Please bear in mind, it is always best to avoid the pollution of the ground, rivers, and streams by using biodegradable and natural soaps for both your body and dishes.
$549 | Hottap Nomad Kit
GottaGo Toilet
The Joolca GottaGo toilet is engineered with convenience and portability in mind. It weighs just over 6.6 pounds and can be easily carried in its included bag, making it an ideal choice for those with limited space. However, the GottaGo is noticeably larger than competitor options, such as the Thetford portable toilet. Despite its lightweight design, the toilet is sturdy and can support up to 290 pounds, providing a stable and secure seating experience.
Hygiene is a key consideration in the GottaGo toilet’s design. It utilizes a waste bag system that securely contains waste and minimizes odors, compatible with widely available “Go Anywhere” toilet kits. This system not only ensures cleanliness but also facilitates easy disposal.
Overall, the Joolca GottaGo toilet provides a reliable, comfortable, and hygienic option for managing waste in outdoor environments. The separation of fluids and solid waste ensures a less smelly and noxious toilet, and the tools (spray bottle and poop push stick) are neatly housed within the body of the toilet. For traveling North America, the chemical toilet makes more sense than the eco version (when purchasing, you need to choose which type or buy both at $69 each). A carrier bag is a wise investment.
$251 | GottaGo toilet
Ensuite Shower Base
The Joolca Shower Base is designed to provide users with a clean and stable surface while showering in remote locations. Constructed from durable materials such as aluminum, bamboo, ABS plastic and welded PVC, the Joolca shower base features a non-slip surface, ensuring safety even when wet. It includes drainage holes that channel water away, prevent pooling, and keep the shower area clean and dry.
The base is compatible with other Joolca products, such as the Hottap V2 portable water heater and shower tent, and works as a recirculation outdoor shower system.
Overall, the shower base offers a well-designed solution for maintaining cleanliness and comfort during outdoor activities. No more muddy feet and dirty pants after a shower! However, the shower base is quite heavy, at 22 pounds, and takes up a fair amount of space on the roof rack or in a large drawer, with dimensions of 37 x 6.7 x 10.6 inches.
$279 | Ensuite shower base
In conclusion, this is a winning combination. While the Hottap kit and GottaGo toilet are perfectly suited to almost any four-wheel overland rig, the shower base was, in our experience, too bulky for a medium-sized overland rig. As a set, the three products are best suited to a larger vehicle with big enough water tanks to supply the water capacity required. That said, I would not hesitate to permanently install the Hottap Kit and GottaGo toilet in my vehicle and would recommend that potential users consider doing the same, especially if they are blessed with “live-in” campers.
The build quality of all the products reviewed was excellent, customer support was way above par, and the overall user experience was more than satisfactory.
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