Off-Grid Van Life Hot Water Setup: Joolca HOTTAP V2 Nomad Kit Review

#PortableHotWaterHeater #VanLife #VanShower
After 3+ years of van life, I finally got a hot water heater and shower system in the van! This video reviews the Joolca HOTTAP V2 Nomad Kit and Shower Tent.
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[@kbc1883]

For those considering the Joolca, here is my experience after 6+ months of using it daily in my off grid yurt situation with a water tank with the complete kit, including the double en-suite tent, and using a Goal Zero 1000 for power. The concept is great, the reality has not been as wonderful. The whole design is really well thought out, but the quality is lacking. I’ve had 2 hoses separate from the plastic quick connect components, causing water to spray everywhere mid shower. I’ve also been through 3 shower/faucet handles. The on/off switch stops working pretty quickly, which also effects the performance when trying to use the split between the shower and sink. I end up using the one working faucet handle for both my shower abs sink, moving it between the two.. The 12V cord to the pump has also had to be replaced 3 times. The heater works beautifully in the winter when my water in my tank is 35-55 degrees. But in the warmer weather, it is much harder to keep the flame going when the temp is turned down to accommodate the warmer water in the tank (currently 60-95 degrees). The flame goes out easily even though I have the whole system enclosed, so zero wind.. The en-suite tent is very well made. Fortunately, due to the extremely late delivery date, Joolca gave me several years warranty and the customer service has been awesome. They have replaced the faulty items. However, it takes quite a long time for replacement items to ship, so we’ve been without a shower for weeks at a time several times. If Joolca greatly improved the overall quality of the components, I’d buy again. But at this point, I cannot recommend for those who want to use this for more than occasional camping situations. If I were to do it again, and by my pump separately and use one of the better quality portable propane water heaters on the market.

[@alpineamanda]

Which ones would you recommend? Thanks, happy trails!

[@kbc1883]

@@alpineamanda I haven’t found another complete system like Joolca makes. My plan prior to finding Joolca was to purchase the components separately. I was considering the Camplux or EcoTemp for the hot water heater and then purchasing a 12 V pump from Northern Tool and using my Goal Zero Yeti for power. There were a few KZbin videos of others who had made similar homemade systems that I was watching to get ideas. While Joolca is definitely way more convenient given that it has all components figured out, the quality of the individual pieces would have been better if I crafted the system myself. So since I am in a more permanent set up where easily transporting the components is not necessarily a need of mine, it would’ve been worth it to put the system together myself. If someone is doing a lot of travel and can’t rig up a more permanent set up, the I imagine Joolca is the best option.

[@kbc1883]

@Craig E It seems very hard to find real quality in these things! They all seem finicky. An update to my Joolca since writing the original above: my pump died! I’d been pulling the water from a tank using the Joolca system filter and intake. The pump got super loud and vibrated so much it unplugged itself. I did all the usual pump troubleshooting and found nothing blocking or amiss. Then today it died. Luckily I was able to hook up a very long hose from the neighbor’s main line water and found that the Joolca water heater works much, much better when attached directly via garden hose (I bought the quick coupling adapter that Joolca recommends for this purpose). The flame stays on (mostly) and it was so much easier to lower the water temp without losing the flame. Everything about it was much smoother than it has ever been when using the pump.

[@chadpeters2841]

@Craig E been thru 5 did models lmk lmao cause this is a problem.

[@itchypants4739]

Thanks for sharing your input. Glad I didn’t pull the trigger buying this unit.

[@breemarie2948]

It was so cute the way he ran out of nowhere when you yelled the water was too hot ❤️

[@roob47]

I also pushed this hot tap this past weekend our family of about 14 campers used it to shower and wash dishes , everything worked great until the last day of camping. The pump went out I contacted joolca and they are sending out a new unit.I am now looking for a back up pump in case this ever happens again. You may want to keep the pump off the ground as it has two vents in the bottom for air flow also they say you should only run the pump for a max of 20 minute cycles. Thanks great video.

[@SoulStay]

Alright. Yours is the 1st video I've watched all the way through. How-to, extra tips, and an actual review. :)

[@alicedenise5722]

I would mark with a permanent marker my favorite temperature setting 😄🌈

[@AnnaAndRyan]

Great idea!

[@JenniferKennedy562]

Thanks for sharing this product. It looked cool to be able to shower and look out at the beautiful view!!

[@AnnaAndRyan]

It's definitely a game-changer for the van! As always, thanks for watching my videos

[@mikeswildoutdoors7279]

My nomad was delivered today after 3 months of waiting!

[@erinhannah8566]

Ours is supposed to ship in a month and I can not wait. I’m on pins and needles waiting for it!!

[@djordan7979]

Great review thanks for posting

[@Mikayla_Y_1998]

When you screamed too hot and your boyfriend ran over I was cracking up 😂❤️. Y’all are so cute! And I absolutely adore this video and your energy and everything about you guys! ❤️

[@AnnaAndRyan]

Haha, I was going to edit that out, but I felt like it was too perfect lol. Also, thanks you for your kind words

[@atmn3408]

I have mine it's amazing 👏🏾 😍

[@dannygrissom1]

Great Info

[@mikioni]

Excellent

[@THENEWWRANGLER]

I use mine everytime I go camping, it's great, and I used it when the water was shut off at our apt. i was able to have hot showers even with the water shut off.

[@sashanealand8315]

cool but looks like a ton of parts to assemble everytime before you can use it, maybe ok if you are going to leave it set up in one spot for a long time. The all in ones look waay more convenient for mobile people.

[@DIGUMPPandFamily]

hi Nice reviews, just place an order today and can`t wait to get it. my only question is, is the Dbatteries included in the hottap package? i will use an air cargo to ship it to my country and worry about the airplane battery restrictions.

[@TM-yw8bu]

I hAve a joolca and also a usb powered pump for 35 bucks on amazon and a 5 gallon bucket. I boil 2.5 gallons of water on propane and 2.5 regular water. It is much better for a shower than joolca.

[@breakdownbill1]

A road shower on a roof rack is also more convenient you don’t have anything to tote around. You save a lot of space in your living quarters not having jerry cans,propane tanks and the joolco box taking up space in your living space

[@ScoobieDee]

Hey thanks, does the heater stay lite in a bit windy conditions?

[@macmam]

Nice 👍🇧🇷

[@mikedowling3569]

Recently purchased the whole set-up and I’m very concerned with the apparent fragility of the hoses, not to mention what reportedly is the poor quality and failure rates on the pump. How do I hook up a regular garden hose to the heating unit?

[@toddhoffmaster6057]

Have you had any issues with higher elevations? The Mr. Buddy shower states that their unit recommends 2,000 or lower elevation to use. Well, that pretty much knocks out most states...

[@AnnaAndRyan]

We haven’t had any trouble with high elevation so far, this video was filmed at around 8000 feet in elevation

[@art_of_jing]

Great video. I just received mine 2 days ago. How's the Hottap today? Any issues?

[@samoothy]

Any updates a year later?

[@frostyfroze7352]

What’s the weight of the tote with heater and accessories in it?

[@millypreston2209]

Hi, how long will your jackery last while running the pump?

[@breakdownbill1]

Divide 1,000 by 36,,27 hours,,unless you are solar charging,,then the pump will burn up before the Jackery dies

[@reuben6664]

Great information. How long on average does the water stay hot? How long does it take for the water to heat up?

[@scottcarl3086]

I'm looking to include the hot tub to my setup.

[@darlawebber2524]

Have you had any problems with it not working in high elevations? I've read where some other brands do not work over 3,000 ft elevation

[@huyle7953]

Where did y’all buy that kits ?

[@fgarcia1091]

Does it come with the 100ft cable to put in water source?

[@alpineamanda]

Did they offer any promo codes for us? Thanks!

[@l3eaver]

Does the shower tent have an open floor or not? Would be nice it it were to keep dirt/mud off your wet feet but on the other hand… if closed floor then it would essentially be collecting everyones shower scum 😅

[@mauropignotti8925]

How much gas it burn in 1 hour?

[@nathanmartin81]

Mine lasted less than one year. Plastic components easily break and the ignition system failed. Overpriced.

[@BamaTraveller]

Kit seems to take up a lot of space.

[@malkaart9808]

Great stuff! Very soon I am going to live full time in my van and I will definitely buy one of those kits. My living situation has unfortunately changed quite rapidly and I decided I will not rent another property and I will use my semi-converted van as my new home on wheels. 3rd of June is my last day of living in a house and on that day I will swap it for regular van life. That hot water system is exactly what I need. Looks like it is super easy to use and I can tell it seems quite robust, made of good quality materials. I'm buying one 100%! The only thing I find too much of a hassle is the tent. It's a fantastic piece of equipment but it takes too much space and I believe there is a better solution - one I have been using already myself during my own trips in my van - I have been using a DIY shower curtain that is spread on 2 poles between the rear doors left at 90 degrees open. I have made 2 mounting points on each door, at the bottom and at the top and all I need to have some privacy is those 2 poles that are holding the doors and a shower curtain spread across them. One additional piece of equipment is a showering duckboard, I have made one myself out of spare wood but there are super cheap boards made of bamboo available online or in supermarkets.

[@kclamer]

No boyfriend, no deal Joolca.

[@davidcroft2192]

I watched this with interest. But to be honest, just boiling up a couple of pots of water on the hob in the van is just easier. Thanks anyway

[@L4WNY..]

An additional £90 for the pump and another £70 for a plastic container over the basis kit 😅

[@downzy007]

This is pretty much no different to a 12 v shower that plugs right into youre cigarette socket... I boiled a large pot of water and tipped it in with a already large amount of cold water for good... the amount of water is the same from the hottap because most ppl would be limited on water when camping anyway unless you're using the filter into a river or creek which I wouldn't.... lessening around with tge 12v to " plug in, drop the end in your already boiled water n away you go.

[@shop970]

Reality is: its expensive with lots of plastic parts. Way too big. Doesn't last.

[@shepherdofmysoul6]

you have to use soap....OMG

[@AnnaAndRyan]

Haha, I did. Just didn't include every second of my shower in the final video. I hoped using soap was a given and doesn't need to be included in instructions for using a shower or sink ;)

[@EZ4U2Say11]

And grey water is not good to dump out in the ground

[@EZ4U2Say11]

Wow that’s a lot of bullshit to wash a plate

[@speakbigtruth9383]

Does he have a man bun?

[@franciscotrillo8269]

Worst customer service EVER, buyer beware just saying.

[@BoulderCreekSteve]

Lose the rising intonation at the end of nearly every sentence. Unwatchable/unlistenable. You’re not 13 years old.