Joolca EnSuite and shower | Portable Hot Water | Part 2

In part 1, I briefly went over the sink set-up from the HOTTAP v2 Nomad Kit. Part 2 focuses on the better half in my opinion. The EnSuite and hot shower. “En Suite”, by definition means, “(of a bathroom) immediately adjoining a bedroom and forming part of the same set of rooms.”all rooms have en-suite facilities”. The EnSuite from Joolca is a hub-style pop-up tent available in both single and double sizes. With a short set-up time and a host of convenient features, the EnSuite will be ready when you are.

Joolca EnSuite and Shower Review

Plumbing the hand-held shower unit inside the Ensuite is fairly self explanatory. The red “hot line” from the HOTTAP is routed through a slit in the corner of the EnSuite and is held in place with several built-in clips. An additional clip at the peak of the EnSuite secures the shower head and orients the water to flow straight down. Offering a nice waterfall effect once turned on. The handheld switch is located just inside the doorway making toggling the shower just like turning on a light switch. And that all there is to turning on the hot water.

Once inside, there are many subtle yet ingenious features. Like the toiletry caddy to keep all your hygiene essentials organized and within reach. Plus a laundry bag to keep your clothes dry and off the floor. A pair of zippered roof vents and a large mesh window allow steam to escape as well as a nice view. To prevent a muddy mess, Joolca engineered a floor that includes a mesh gutter at the perimeter. Allowing the water to evacuate the shower enclosure and keeping your feet clean in the process. Additionally, the tent material features a silver lining for ultimate privacy as well as some waterproofness in the event of inclement weather.

As my wife and I switch from our Toyota Tundra to the much smaller FJ Cruiser for Overland travel, I was hesitant to purchase the Nomad Kit from Joolca. We’ve had to pair down what we bring due to the much smaller platform of the FJ. We even removed the rear seats in favor of a drawer system. I wasn’t sure the space required to haul the Nomad Kit plus the EnSuite was worth it. Until I put everything together and enjoyed a hot shower. A “real” hot shower. Not a luke-warm shower, or a chilly dip in a mountain lake. A 110 degree, steaming hot shower. It was then that the HOTTAP and EnSuite became an Overland Essential item for us.

Modular Design

Due to the modularity of the entire Joolca system, I have the ability to only pack what’s mission essential. For instance, a trip with my wife? Everything comes including the kitchen sink. But a solo trip or one with just my son? I’ll probably pair down the packing list and only pack the HOTTAP and the hand held shower. We don’t require the level of privacy as my wife and can get by without the kitchen sink. And it seems the team at Joolca planned for this with the inclusion of a magnetic clip for the shower head. Allowing me to stick the shower head to the side of the vehicle when showering. I recently picked up the HOTTAP Carry Bag for those trips where I only need the bare minimum.

Final Thoughts

Of all the kits available, definitely pick the one that best suits your budget. But if you can swing the Nomad Kit? I highly recommend it due to its inclusion of all the bits needed for both sink and shower. I also highly recommend a hard look at the EnSuite. It’s easy to set up once you’ve properly done it once. Or read the instructions (also recommended). With the growing popularity of Overland travel and off-grid living, Joolca is currently experiencing high volumes of orders. So don’t wait to order your kit.