Camper Van RV with DIY shower installed - How to Install A Shower Drain in Your Camper Van Guide - Van Wife Components

How to Install a Shower Drain in Your Van

Everything you need to know to prep, drill, and secure your drain for a Van Wife Components aluminum shower.

Installing a shower drain in a camper van is one of those tasks that feels intimidating—until you understand the process. Whether you're building a Sprinter, Transit, or Promaster, the steps are virtually the same: drill, seat, secure, seal.

This guide walks you through the exact method used by Van Wife Components in their installation reels so you can install your shower drain correctly the first time.

Why Van Showers Require a Custom Drain Placement

Unlike residential showers, van builds don’t allow a pre-sloped drain or a pre-cut drain hole. That’s because:

  • Vans sit at different angles depending on terrain
  • Builders choose different drain locations based on plumbing layout
  • Tanks, heaters, and electrical components are often positioned nearby

That’s why Van Wife Components aluminum showers ship with an uncut pan—giving you flexibility to place the drain exactly where it works best for YOUR layout.

What You’ll Need

  • 2-inch shower drain (standard for Van Wife Components showers)
  • Hole saw – 2" for the drain, 4" for the van subfloor (optional but recommended)
  • Flare tool / drain setting tool – inexpensive and available on Amazon
  • Plumber’s putty
  • Channel locks
  • Spud wrench or two screwdrivers (to prevent the drain body from spinning)
  • Rubber gasket + cardboard washer (usually included with the drain)

Optional but recommended:

  • Teak shower mat (prevents standing water and improves comfort)

Step 1: Drill the Drain Hole in the Shower Pan

Use a 2-inch hole saw to drill the opening in the shower pan.

Van Wife Components pans are not pre-sloped, and that’s intentional—your van’s angle while parked determines how water flows. A level pan ensures consistent drainage no matter where you install the shower.

Step 2: Use a Flare Tool to Seat the Drain

This step sets Van Wife Components showers apart.

A simple flare tool lowers the drain flange slightly below the shower floor so water can flow cleanly into the drain.

  1. Insert the bottom piece of the flare tool up through the drain hole.
  2. Place the top puck on the shower side.
  3. Thread the center rod through and tighten.
  4. Crank until the drain seating area flattens and lowers evenly.

This ensures:

  • Better drainage
  • A cleaner installation
  • No gaps under the drain flange

Once seated, loosen and remove the tool.

Step 3: Decide How to Secure the Drain (Two Options)

Option A — Secure Just Under the Shower Pan (Most Common)

  • Use the supplied rubber gasket, cardboard washer, and nut directly under the aluminum pan.
  • If you choose this method, enlarge the subfloor hole to 4 inches.
    • This leaves space for the drain cone to sit freely without pushing upward on the shower pan.

Option B — Secure Through the Van Floor

  • Run the drain body through the subfloor and clamp it below the van’s metal flooring.
  • This method offers maximum holding strength but may require your plumbing stack to route differently.

Both methods work great—choose the one that best fits your plumbing and tank layout.

Step 4: Install the Drain Assembly

  1. Apply plumber’s putty to the underside of the drain flange.
  2. Insert the drain body through the hole.
  3. From below, slide on the rubber gasket, cardboard washer, and then thread the nut.
  4. Use channel locks to tighten the assembly.

Tip:
If the entire drain body begins spinning, use:

  • A spud wrench, or
  • Two screwdrivers inserted into the drain slots

…to hold it steady.

Crank it down as tight as possible.

Step 5: Verify the Drain Is Properly Seated

Look inside the shower pan—your flange should now sit cleanly below the shower floor surface, ensuring smooth water flow.

Step 6: Add Your Shower Mat

Van Wife Components recommends a teak mat for comfort and proper drainage.
It keeps your feet elevated above any residual water and improves airflow across the pan.

Final Tips for Best Results

  • Seal all shower seams with silicone after installation.
  • Use mild, non-abrasive cleaners on powder-coated aluminum.
  • For the cleanest look, pair your shower with a retractable shower door or basic curtain setup.
  • If you haven’t purchased your shower yet, explore the full collection here:
    👉 https://vanwifecomponents.com/collections/store-showers

Ready to Install Your Van’s Indoor Shower?

Van Wife Components aluminum showers are built for real van lifers—lightweight, durable, corrosion-resistant, and designed specifically for mobile living.

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