Having a luxurious bath is nothing short of amazing, especially after a long day on the road bumping around in your RV. What is not so luxurious is deciding on and installing the right RV bathtub for your vehicle. In today’s article, we’ll take a look at what you need to know before getting your hands dirty.
We’ll cover topics ranging from what features to look out for, material selection, which brands are best (Lippert vs. Icon) and even give you a few recommendations on size. In the end, you’ll be able to decide which tub is best for your specific needs and make an informed buying decision. After all, the Best RV bathtub, is the one that fits within your budget, decor and available space.
If you want to simply pick up a replacement tub or already know what size you need, just choose one of our three recommendations below to save yourself some time and effort.
Best 24” x 40” RV Tub – Kinro Composites Lippert 209678 Kinro ABS RV Full Tub
- Adds a timeless elegance to your home or RV
- Made of durable, scratch-resistant ABS acrylic material
If you’re looking for a simple, durable and downright budget friendly RV Tub that fits in a standard 24”x40” foot print, the Lippert 209678 is the one to get. This unit is made from 5/32” ABS making it extremely strong and yet, with minimal ridges and nooks, very easy to clean. The dimensions are nice and tight making for a perfect fit during installation.
The included foam base is great for reducing vibrations, increasing comfort and expanding the tub’s longevity. Plus, weighing in at only 9 lbs, it won’t push an RV over its weight limit. This is simply put, the best 24” x 40” RV bathtub on the market.
Best 24” x 36” RV Tub – Lippert 209376 Better Bath RV Bath Tub
- ABS acrylic bath tub ideal for RVs with space for a full bathtub/bathroom
- Classic style and color fits in with most RV color schemes
When it comes to the best 24” x 36” RV tub available, the Lippert 209376 take our top spot. You’ll find that it’s design is quite similar to the Lippert 209678, and for good reason. The ⅛” ABS construction is ultra durable and the parchment color is great for old and new RV’s alike. It’s got a textured bottom for extra grip and is super easy to clean. It also measures in at 9.5” deep which is deep enough to soak in but not deep enough to have issues getting out of. If you need a quality, well-built 24” x 36” RV tub, this is far and away the best choice available.
Best 24” x 46” RV Tub – Lippert Components 209683 White Bathtub
- Greater toughness than coated fiberglass
- ABS presents a viable and environmentally friendly paint replacement alternative
Wouldn’t you believe it, our #1 recommended 24” x 46” RV bathtub is another one from Lippert. The Lippert 209683 is available in both left and right hand configurations depending on what you need. It’s made from extremely resilient and mold free thermoformed ABS. That means less cleaning, less maintenance and more soaking. As this is a “larger” RV tub it weighs in at 12.45 pound and is very easy to install. It’s interior is 11.5” deep giving you room for a nice and relaxing bath. In the end, as with most Lippert products, this is a high quality RV tub and well worth the price.
Top 3 Best RV Bathtubs Comparison Table
How to Choose the Right RV Bathtub
Choosing the right RV bathtub can a pretty stressful deal. After all, if you get it wrong and your old tub is already gone, what do you do? We’ve put together the below section to help guide you through the process and to hopefully make the selection process that much easier. In the end, we want you to get an RV bathtub that fit right, is what YOU want and is durable yet budget friendly.
What size is an RV Bathtub?
While it’s possible for an RV bathtub to come in pretty much any size, the RV industry does have a few standards in place. In general you’ll find three major sizes:
24”x 40”
24” x 36”
24” x 46”
Obviously, which one you choose will vary depending on your available space or needs. If you want a longer tub but currently can’t fit it one, it is possible to move walls and plumbing connections. But be warned, that can get costly very quickly.
You’ll also find that not a single RV bathtub will be extremely tall. This is due to the weight of water when full. A 24” tall tub would weigh quite a lot and potentially damage the underlying support structure of your RV. As such, they are typically 12” tall for a deep RV tub and 9-10” tall for a standard RV tub. If you happen to find one deeper than 12”, I’d be very wary and make sure your support beams are nice and solid before proceeding.
What Materials are Best?
Unlike a residential tub, an RV bathtub needs to be lightweight and durable. Due to this requirement, pretty much every single one will be made from some type of plastic. At this point, the industry has standardized on thermoformed ABS. This is a highly durable material that is cheap to produce, lightweight and very easy to keep clean. It’s got very few pores and is extremely resistant to staining and scuffing. Even more, textures and shapes can be formed into the tub itself for one piece seamless construction.
How do I install and RV Bathtub
Installing an RV bathtub is actually fairly straight forward, even if it does take a bit of time and patience. Before proceeding you’ll need to measure up the existing tub or space and buy a suitable sized replacement bathtub.
Take a look at the video below for a detailed guide on how to replace an existing tub.
Make sure that the tub you purchase has the drain hole in the correct location. Some are centered while others are offset. You’ll also want to double check that you purchased the correct left or right hand configuration. You don’t the water retaining lip on long edge to be on the wrong side!
Finally after you get the drain all hooked up and the tub in place, you’ll need to seal the edges to prevent water leaking down. And that’s pretty much it!
What Features should I look for?
Honestly, an RV bathtub doesn’t need any fancy features. We don’t recommend massaging jets or bubbler due to their added expense and constant problems.
What we do recommend is having a non-slip bottom for added security. Taking a fall in a small space is definitely not fun. It’s also a good idea to get an easy to clean tub. This means avoiding fancy designs and inlays on the tub itself.
You’ll also want a tub with smooth plastic that can’t collect dirt and debris. Lastly, it’s probably a good idea to grab a deep RV bathtub instead of a standard depth one. Having extra capacity is never a bad thing, but if you don’t have it, there is no way to retroactively add it in.
How do I repair an RV Bathtub
When it comes to fixing an RV bathtub there are really only a few things that can go wrong. The first is a cracked tub that is leaking. The second is a bad connection to the drain, which will also cause a leak. The third and final thing is a wobbly or loose tub. We’ve included three specific videos below which address each of those problems. After all, a video is worth a million words right?
Recommended RV Bathtub Accessories
Below, we’ve included a few accessories that are pretty handy to have around during an RV bathtub install or just as an added luxury.
- HIGHLY DURABLE: The Strainer is made of stainless steel which is built to last!
- FITS 1-7/8 inch to 2-1/4 inch openings , Which is the size of standard bathroom or bar sinks
- CONVENIENT HOT WATER HEATER: 4 gallon point-of-use mini-tank fits under your sink to provide hot water right where you need it. Thermal efficiency is 98%. Dimensions : 13.75 W x 13.75 H x 13.5 D...
- LONG LASTING QUALITY: This electric water heater is easy to maintain and has premium glass-lined material for a long service life. (Amps 12A, Volts (VAC) 120)
- Seals pipe threads effectively in more applications
- All purpose - use on iron, brass, copper, aluminum, stainless stee, galvanized steel, polyethylene, polyproopylene, PVC, CPVC, ABS, fiberglass,a nd more
- Innovative, patented design to install and remove Tub drains without scratching fine finishes. The only tool of its kind that can be turned with a 3/8” or ½” ratchet wrench and extension from...
- Country Of Origin: China
- Incredibly versatile 100% silicone sealant that dries translucent clear
- Best for sealing gaps or cracks between two surfaces; Works on window, door, kitchen, bath, gutters, auto, marine and more
Best RV Bathtub Detailed Reviews
Now that we’ve reviewed what to look for in an RV tub, let’s take a look at detailed reviews of a selection of the best ones on the market. The majority of these are Kinro and Lippert brand tubs due to their durability, build quality, aesthetics and dimensional accuracy. After all, what good is an RV tub if you can get the darn thing installed or it cracks after a single season of use?
#1 Kinro Composites Lippert 209678 ABS RV Full Tub – 24″ x 40″, Right Hand, White
- Adds a timeless elegance to your home or RV
- Made of durable, scratch-resistant ABS acrylic material
Whether you’re looking to replace a broken tub, upgrade an existing one or simply add a new one entirely, the Kinro/Lippert 209678 is our #1 recommendation. That is, of course, if you’re looking for a 24” x 40” sized unit.
This tub is offered in a right hand configuration and weighs in at an ultralight 9 pounds. However, don’t think because it’s light it’s not sturdy. The Lippert 209678 is made from 5/32” thick ABS, which for an RV tub is VERY sturdy.
You could wash a car engine in this tub and not bust through it!
User Review
You’ll also find a nice non-skid surface with micro treads for added traction. This is great for getting into and out of a rather small RV bathtub without risking a fall, especially if it’s right next to an RV Toilet. As is standard with RV tubs, this unit is designed with a ¼” per foot of drainfall. That means for each foot of length, the bottom slopes down ¼” so water is directed towards the drain.
We also really like the clean and simple design of the tub overall. Minimal nooks and crannies mean less cleaning and more relaxing. Even more, the clean white coloring is perfect to brighten up any RV bathroom.
When it comes to installing the Kinro/Lippert 209678 RV bathtub it no easier or harder than any other comparable tub. It’s got a foam base to absorb shock and vibrations along with a nice tight overall fit. If you’re worried about the dimensions not quite matching, you can breathe a sigh of relief. You’ll want to make sure your RV water pump is also up to the task. Some older models just don’t have the required power to fill up a tub of this size.
The tub itself is also 12.5” deep, which for a smaller unit at least, makes this a deep RV bathtub. The increased height is great for keeping water spray inside the tub and makes it superior to a traditional RV shower pan.
Overall, this is a simple yet robust RV bathtub that just works. No fuss, no strange features and no astronomical cost. If you want to just get on with your life and soak in some hot water, get this and move on!
#2 Lippert 209376 Better Bath RV Bath Tub 24″ x 36″ Right Hand Drain Parchment
- ABS acrylic bath tub ideal for RVs with space for a full bathtub/bathroom
- Classic style and color fits in with most RV color schemes
The Lippert 209376 Better Bath RV Bath Tub is our #1 rated 24” x 36” RV bathtub, similar to other Lippert offerings it is made from ultra durable ABS acrylic and is a whopping ⅛” thick. While that may sound pretty thin, in actuality it’s a perfect compromise for a lightweight yet ultra durable design.
We’ve found that older style tubs made from inferior plastics, resins and polymers tend to peel, chip and spider web over time. ABS however, has none of these issues and can easily stand the test of time.
As you’d expect from any quality RV tub, this has a ¼” slope per foot of tub length to accelerate drainage and keep water from pooling in the bottom. You’ll also find the bottom of the tub is extremely grippy and the perfect texture to prevent slips, trips and falls.
Functional RV tub. Good buy.
User Review
For an RV tub, the Lippert 209376 Better Bath RV Bath Tub is right in the average height category. Coming at 9.5” deep, it’s not a deep RV tub, but it’s way better than a typical shower pan and can get the job done well enough.
It’s formed in a classic shape and the parchment coloring is a great fit for new and old RV’s alike. While we prefer white, this is actually easier to keep clean and can hide stains easier.
Installing this is also as simple as pulling out the old tub, cleaning the drain connections, popping this in and sealing it up. The integrated foam base is perfect for getting things level, flush and vibration free. We’d recommend you pick up the drain set so you can get a totally new and problem free install.
Overall, if you’re looking for a 24” x 36” RV bathtub, the Lippert 209376 is our number one choice. It’s got a clean design, top notch build quality and is made by a brand you can trust. In the end, what else could you ever ask for?
#3 Lippert Components 209683 White 24″ x 46″ Right Handed Bath Tub
- Greater toughness than coated fiberglass
- ABS presents a viable and environmentally friendly paint replacement alternative
When it comes to name brands being the best, Lippert sure has the competition beat. For any RV’ers searching for a replacement RV bathtub that’s 24” x 46”, the Lippert 209683 is going to be your golden ticket.
This RV bathtub is available in both left and right hand configurations to fit any existing or new installation. We also like the clean white coloring and modern look of the tub. This is perfect for providing extra brightness to your bathroom and keep it from feeling dark and dingy.
You’ll find that the Lippert 24”x 46” RV bathtub is also classified as a deep RV bathtub with it’s 11.5” of depth. However do note that you won’t want to fill it all the way up or you’ll risk flooding your floor. In general you’ll only be able to put about 10” of water in the tub. Even that amount is provided you have enough water in the first place and if you’re not hooked up, a large enough grey water tank to store it all.
A great durable camper tub.
User Review
The Lippert 209683 is made from the same incredibly durable thermoformed ABS as the other Lippert options. This makes cleaning it a breeze and it’s very hard to scratch and scuff. Even better, if for some reason it does crack, there are a ton of available repair options.
On the bottom of the tub you’ll find the enhanced anti-slip bottom to keep you nice and stable with bathing. After all, an RV bathtub is far superior to an RV shower pan when it comes to keeping water and splashes contained. Finally, you’ll have a standard 2” drain connection to connect to any existing system.
Overall, if you’re in the market for a 24” x 46” RV bathtub, the Lippert 209683 makes for a phenomenal choice. It’s built to last, easy to install and great in any RV, new or old.
Summary
In the end, our recommendation for the best RV bathtub is simply to get any Lippert RV bathtub you want. As you can see, all of our top choices were from the same brand and for good reason. They are durable, budget friendly, simply to install, and easy to maintain. With all this and a wonderful warranty, there is no reason to look elsewhere.
While you’re in the process of replacing the tub, you might want to look into replacing the toilet as well. We’ve covered a selection of the best RV Toilets in a separate article.
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