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Replacing Glass RV Shower Door with Retractable (w/ how to video)

Replace glass camper shower door with retractable vinyl
The Smart RVer’s Guide: Why Replace Your Glass Shower Door with a RecPro or Nautilus Retractable Vinyl Door

For many RV owners, the bathroom is one of the most problematic spaces in their RV.  While glass shower doors might seem like an elegant solution, they often create more headaches than they solve on the road. Enter the RecPro or Nautilus retractable vinyl shower door—a game-changing alternative that’s winning over RVers across the country.  If you have a travel trailer, 5th wheel or motorhome with a glass shower door, switching to a retractable shower door may be a great choice for you!  CLICK HERE to read article about RecPro vs Nautilus retractable RV Shower Doors.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK THE PRICE OF THE RECPRO 

CLICK HERE TO CHECK THE PRICE OF THE NAUTILUS

What was reason we decided to put the retractable shower door in our Brinkley RV?  Well, on our last trip we found one of the three glass panels in our Brinkley shower had shattered during travel…  what a mess.  Not something that you want to find when you finally get to the campground at the end of a travel day.  When we found the mess, which took a while to clean up, we had to decide what to do.  First, we removed the other two glass panels and the top track so that we could just use a shower curtain for that week.  While removing the glass panels I realized just how heavy RV glass shower doors are!

Our last RV was a Tiffin Wayfarer.  It had a retractable shower door that as super easy to keep clean, lightweight and looked great.  Thinking of that retractable door got me wondering how hard would it be to replace the Brinkley glass shower door with one of the retractable vinyl doors.  Turn out, it is a fairly easy project.  I put together the following pros and cons list for replace the broken glass shower door with the retractable RV door…

Advantages of Replacing Your Glass Shower Door with a RecPro or Nautilus Retractable Vinyl Door:
  • Eliminate the risk of shower glass shattering while traveling
  • Reduce weight by 50+ pounts
  • Much easier to keep clean
  • More room inside shower due to smaller tracks
  • No more hard water spots on glass
  • More modern appearance
  • Wider opening to enter / exit shower
How to Replace Your RV Glass Shower Door with a RecPro or Nautilus Retractable Vinyl Door…  How difficult is the installation?

Replacing a glass RV shower door with a retractable vinyl door is not very difficult at all.  Below is a video showing how to remove a glass RV shower door and install the RecPro or Nautilus (similar procedure) door in your motorhome, 5th wheel or travel trailer.  We have a Brinkely travel trailer and I will I had replace the glass shower door with the retractable vinyl shower door sooner… preferably before the glass shower door broke into thousands of pieces!!!

Video showing the installation of a retractable vinyl RV shower door…

The Retractable RV Shower Door Advantage: Lightweight Innovation

Retractable vinyl shower doors represent a fundamental rethinking of RV bathroom design. Made from durable, flexible vinyl material, these doors eliminate the weight burden that glass imposes on your vehicle. Every pound matters when you’re towing or driving a motorhome, and switching to vinyl can save you significant weight—weight that could be better used for supplies, equipment, or staying within your payload capacity.

The vinyl material is specifically engineered for the RV lifestyle. It’s designed to withstand the flexing, twisting, and movement that RVs experience on the road without cracking, breaking, or wearing out prematurely. This resilience means you can travel with confidence, knowing your shower door won’t become another repair item on your list.

Space-Saving Design for Tight Quarters

One of the most significant advantages of a retractable design is how it maximizes limited bathroom space. Unlike traditional doors that swing open and require clearance, or sliding glass doors that still take up visual and physical space, retractable vinyl doors fold compactly against the wall when not in use.

This space efficiency is transformative in an RV bathroom. You gain precious inches that make the difference between a cramped, claustrophobic experience and a functional, comfortable space. Getting dressed, accessing storage, or simply moving around becomes noticeably easier when your shower door isn’t constantly in the way.

Low-Maintenance Living on the Road

RV life should be about adventure and freedom, not endless cleaning chores. Retractable vinyl doors are remarkably low-maintenance compared to glass alternatives. The vinyl material naturally resists water spots and mineral buildup, and when cleaning is needed, a simple wipe-down with mild soap and water does the job.

There’s no need for specialized glass cleaners, squeegees, or the endless scrubbing required to keep glass doors looking presentable. For full-time RVers or weekend warriors alike, this reduction in maintenance translates to more time enjoying your travels and less time playing housekeeper.

Cost-Effective Comfort

When you factor in the initial purchase price, potential replacement costs, ongoing maintenance expenses, and the fuel savings from reduced weight, Retractable vinyl doors represent a smart financial decision. They’re typically more affordable upfront than quality glass doors, and the long-term savings in maintenance and durability make them even more economical.

Should damage occur—perhaps from an errant elbow or shifting cargo—vinyl doors are far less expensive to repair or replace than glass. Many RVers can even handle installation themselves, saving on professional labor costs.

Safety First

Safety is paramount in the confined spaces of an RV.  Glass doors pose inherent risks, especially when traveling with children or pets. Sharp edges and the potential for shattering create hazards that simply don’t exist with vinyl alternatives.

Vinyl doors eliminate these concerns entirely. They’re soft, flexible, and impact-resistant. If someone slips in the shower, they’ll encounter a forgiving surface rather than hard, potentially dangerous glass.

Making the Switch

Upgrading from a glass shower door to a retractable vinyl door is a straightforward process that most RV owners can accomplish in an afternoon. The doors come with comprehensive installation instructions and all necessary hardware, and the installation video above gives a great overview of what is involved in the process.

The transformation is immediate and noticeable. Your bathroom will feel more spacious, lighter, and more suited to life on the road. The daily convenience of easy cleaning and worry-free durability quickly makes you wonder why you didn’t make the switch sooner.

The Bottom Line

For RV owners seeking to optimize their living space, reduce maintenance, and eliminate the fragility concerns of glass, retractable vinyl shower doors offer a compelling solution. They represent smart engineering tailored specifically to the mobile lifestyle—lightweight, durable, space-efficient, and low-maintenance.

Whether you’re a weekend camper or a full-time nomad, upgrading to a vinyl door means one less thing to worry about on the road. And in the world of RV ownership, where every improvement that simplifies life is worth its weight in gold, this simple change delivers benefits you’ll appreciate every single day.

Your RV bathroom should be a functional, comfortable space that serves you well no matter where your travels take you. With a retractable vinyl shower door, that’s exactly what you’ll have—minus the hassle, weight, and worry of traditional glass doors.