RV Shower Curtain Track Types

Shower curtain tracks or rods attach to your walls and hold up your shower curtain with rings or hooks. Not all types of tracks are good for an RV shower.

Not every shower curtain stays up the same way. The tracks are all different shapes and sizes. Some tracks are screwed into the walls; others hang by tension.

Shower curtain tracks differ mostly by shape. There are fixed/adjustable tracks, straight/curved tracks, rectangular tracks, L-shaped tracks, D-shaped tracks, and more. Because of limited space, rods that are not straight are common in RVs.

You can also get enlarger rods, which hold the curtain away from the shower so that you don't have to be against the curtain when you shower in a small space. If you use an outdoor RV shower, circular tracks are a good idea. You can get custom shower rods if they need to bend around obstacles.

I have installed an indoor and an outdoor shower track in my RV before, and I never considered using straight rods. Curved rods give you more room in a small space. Since drilling into your RV walls may be a bad idea, you should use adjustable rods.

‍Types of Shower Curtain Tracks

The simplest and most common shower curtain tracks are straight rods that you hang a roughly 6ft by 6ft shower curtain from. These straight rods don't work everywhere. Your shower area might be too small, or it might need a rod that bends, depending on how much of the room it takes up.

Straight Tracks

Straight tracks are the simplest and easiest to use. If your shower area can be all along a wall, a straight shower curtain track will work perfectly fine in your RV. You can get smaller than normal straight tracks and smaller than normal shower curtains if you need them.

Adjustable Straight Tracks

Adjustable straight tracks are better than fixed straight tracks in most ways because you do not have to screw them into your walls. The walls of your RV are more delicate than the walls of your house, so I do not recommend drilling any holes unless you know it is ok to do this. The size of an adjustable rod can also be a bit too small without causing problems.

Tracks With a Spring Mechanism

Shower curtain tracks with spring mechanisms might be the best choice because they stay in place securely without needing screws. However, you need the right size, because you can only adjust these tracks by two or three inches.

Curved Tracks

Curved rods are great if you need to make the most of a small space. Curved shower curtain tracks bend out in the middle so that you can have somewhat more room in your small shower space.

Adjustable Curved Tracks

Like straight tracks, curved tracks are sometimes adjustable. Adjustable tracks are usually better even if they are not held in place as strongly.

L-Shaped Tracks

L-shaped tracks are for small shower stalls that fit into the corners of rooms. They are not very common, but some RVs do have these corner showers.

A lot of the time, it is difficult or impossible to find a curved rod that will work. Sometimes, only an L-shaped track will do.

L-shaped tracks that stay in place through tension are easier to set up than straight tension rods. You usually need a fairly long shower curtain to fit an L-shaped track.

D-Shaped Tracks

Since D-shaped curtain rods tend to fall down unless they are given some extra support, I do not recommend them. If you do use one, they are attached both to the wall and the ceiling.

If your shower is against a long wall and doesn't touch a second wall on either side, you might use a D-shaped rod. A D-shaped rod lets you entirely enclose your shower with a curtain instead of enclosing it only on three sides. Little or no water will get on your wall if you use a D-shaped track.

Rectangular Tracks

Rectangular tracks attach to the ceiling rather than the wall. This is useful if your shower is in the middle of a room and not right up against the wall. Rectangular tracks are unusual and are not likely to be necessary inside recreational vehicles.

Enlarger Tracks

One problem with a small RV shower is that the wet shower curtain might touch you while you are showering. You can get an enlarger rod that bends outwards in the middle, which pushes the curtain farther away from you and gives you enough room.

Custom Tracks

Usually, you won't need custom tracks - you can find a type of track that fits your shower. Put some thought into whether any standard type of track would fit before you order a custom track. Custom shower curtain tracks are more expensive than regular tracks, so you will waste money unless a custom track is truly necessary.

You can order custom tracks online, and you might even be able to order them in stores. Sometimes, depending on what is in your RV, a custom rod truly is necessary.

If there are other objects near your shower, it might not be a perfect circle or rectangle. In that case, you will need a custom rod that bends around these objects. Companies that supply custom rods can bend them into any reasonable shape.

Hooked VS Hookless Shower Curtains

While many shower curtains hang by hooks from their tracks, others use holes instead of hooks. You put the rod through the holes to hang the curtain. This is a better system because the shower curtain is attached more securely.

Why Do RVs Need Different Shower Curtain Tracks?

RVs have limited space, so curved rods are more useful than they are for bathrooms in regular homes. A rod that curves or turns at a 90-degree angle is also useful if you need to fit a curtain over a small shower.

What Types Are Suitable for RVs?

Any type can be good for your RV, as long as it fits your shower area. Even straight shower curtain tracks can work. Since space is small, you probably won't use a long and straight rod.

Regular Shower Curtains Cause Problems in RVs

Using a regular shower curtain in an RV isn't a good idea. Space in an RV is limited, and regular shower curtains are unnecessarily large. Your shower curtain will never be straight if it is too large, and it may also drag on the ground.

Regular shower curtains may also get mildew if you use them in a small RV shower. A large curtain will stay wet and will become moldy eventually. Someone can also trip on a shower curtain that is too big for the small shower and drags it onto the ground.

The easiest way to deal with these problems is to buy a smaller-than-normal shower curtain for your RV. Another option is to modify a full-size shower curtain until it fits your small RV shower.

How to Hang an RV Shower Curtain

Usually, you won't have any trouble hanging a shower curtain, but it can be a bit tricky sometimes. The main thing is to measure your shower properly. Set the rest of your shower up before you put your shower curtain in place.

Most shower curtains are 72 by 72 inches; this may be too large for your RV shower area. Measure the length and width properly and then get or make an appropriate-sized curtain. Once you have everything, make marks on your walls, so you know exactly where to put the rod.

Put your shower curtain on your rod while it is on the ground; not about to go on your wall. With holes, put them on your rod carefully and make sure you don't miss a hole. With hooks, attach the hooks to your track and then put the hooks into the holes in your curtain.

What If You Don't Already Have a Track Installed?

If you don't already have an RV shower curtain track installed, you can buy a new one. Installing a new track is a bit of a hassle, but your track will work properly and not cause any problems if you do it right. Using a track rather than a shower rod is usually necessary if your shower is in a corner and doesn't have a door.

What Is The Advantage of Adjustable Shower Rods?

Not everyone wants to drill holes in their RV walls and screws. Another choice is to use a tension rod. A tension rod will stay in place without any screws. Curved tension rods are easy to find if you need one.

If tension rods have a disadvantage, it is that they are held in place less securely than fixed shower tracks are. You don't usually need to worry about tension rods falling down - if you set them up properly, they will stay up.

How to Keep Your Shower Curtain Clean

The easiest way to keep your shower curtain clean is to make sure it is small enough for your shower. An oversized curtain may get mildew or drag on the floor and get dirty. If it is too large, it is more likely to hold water.

You should also close the curtain after showering to help it get dry. The straighter your shower curtain is, the less water it will hold onto. If there is a ventilation system that reaches your bathroom, you can use it to get rid of moisture. If moisture remains in the air after your shower, it will condense on your shower curtain and keep it wet for longer.

A lot of people's shower curtains get dirty or moldy because they never clean them, not even when they clean the shower. Use spray cleaner and wipe your curtains down with paper towels. If your curtains are fabric rather than plastic, make sure you put them in the washing machine reasonably often.

Shower Curtains for Outdoor RV Showers

Shower curtains are particularly important for privacy if you are showering outside your RV. Not every RV has an indoor shower, and not every outdoor shower comes with curtains or anything to hang curtains on. You might need to buy or make an outdoor shower stall for your RV.

You Can Buy Outdoor Shower Kits

You do not have to make an outdoor shower yourself. Outdoor shower kits are commercially available. They are easy to set up and will hold a shower curtain of the right size in place without problems.

There are many different kinds of outdoor showers, such as pop-up showers and foldaway showers. Any camping or outdoor recreation store may sell an outdoor shower kit for RVs.

You Can Make One Yourself

If you want to build an outdoor shower yourself, you can fairly easily build a good one out of PVC Pipe. You need to build a 4x4 foot square. Four feet by four feet is usually around the right size; you can make it a different size if you prefer.

With the right tools, cut your PVC pipe into four-foot lengths. Then, buy elbow connectors and attach them to your pipes to make a square. Since the connectors will also have to hold lengths of pipe that go upward, they need to be three-way connectors.

You will need to make two squares, one for the top and one for the bottom of your enclosure. You then need to cut pieces of metal for your vertical bars. There also needs to be four of them, and they should be about six feet long.

Putting It All Together

First, use shower rings to attach a shower curtain to the top square. If you don't want to use shower rings, you might be able to use a utility cord to hang your shower curtains.

After getting the shower curtain in place, use the vertical lengths to connect the enclosure together. You might also build a floor for your outdoor shower to stop your feet from getting muddy.

Disassembling and storing your outdoor shower is easy. You can remove the vertical beams and store them on top of your RV. It won't take up too much valuable space that way.

Is There an Easier Way to Build an Outdoor Shower?

A simpler way to build an outdoor shower is to hang your enclosure from the luggage rack. If you do this, you may only need to build a single square and not a stall.