A Practical and Budget-Friendly DIY Hot Water Setup for Your Cybertruck: Customer-Built RoadShower System

[Urander]

One of our customers recently shared their clever and practical water system built for the Tesla Cybertruck, combining hot water delivery, thoughtful mounting, and smart power use - all tied into the truck’s 48V accessory line. It’s a perfect example of how the Urander platform opens the door to real-world upgrades that enhance everyday overlanding life.

Here’s the setup:

"I added WaterPort’s 'under' rack mounts with an 8-gallon WaterPort Weekender and a 4-gallon Yakima RoadShower. The RoadShower is aluminum and allows for a little easy engineering where I added a heating element and a thermostat that runs off the Cybertruck roof 48V accessory feed."

The heating system uses a threaded 36–48V DC heating element, drawing only about 200 watts per hour, and brings 4 gallons of water up to 118°F (47°C) in roughly 70 to 90 minutes - plenty for a warm rinse, quick dish clean-up, or even a cozy night in your rooftop tent.

They also noted:

"It is pretty awesome that the Cybertruck with the Urander allows this functionality."

What You Can Do With It

• Wash dishes, boots, clothes, or your muddy dog
• Take a hot shower off-grid
• Add warmth to your rooftop tent
• Create a heat source, like a hot water bottle
• Enjoy heated water anywhere - without draining your battery

Key Parts Used
All parts are off-the-shelf and easy to install:

• Yakima RoadShower (4-gallon shown)
  $479 at REI
• Threaded 36–48V DC Heating Element (M14, 200W or 400W)
  $39 on Amazon
• 1/2" NPT to M14x1.5 Brass Adaptor
  $13 on eBay
• (Optional) Thermostat & Temperature Sensor
  $13 at Home Depot

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Connect to your Cybertruck’s 48V roof accessory line
   Use XT-style connectors for an easy plug-and-play setup.
2. Install the heating element
   Thread it into the brass M14 adaptor. Hand-tighten firmly—there’s a gasket to create a seal.
3. Mount the assembly into the RoadShower
   Tighten the adaptor with a 7/8" wrench about 1/4 to 1/2 turn past snug.
4. Wire the heating element
   Tie the pigtails into your 48V line. Add a detachable connector close to the canister so you can disconnect it easily.
5. Power it on
   Use your Cybertruck touchscreen to activate the 48V accessory line. Monitor the temperature using the built-in sticker thermometer or install an external sensor.
6. Optional thermostat upgrade
   The user added a temperature sensor around the RoadShower and wired it to auto-shutoff at 118°F (47°C) for safety.

Pro Tips

• The RoadShower includes both a shower head and spray nozzle with quick-connects. We recommend getting both.
• You can pressurize the tank with a tire pump thanks to its built-in Schrader valve.
• There’s also a pressure relief valve set at 55 PSI to keep things safe.
• No thermostat by default - monitor temp and mix in cold water if needed.

This setup adds serious functionality to your Cybertruck without adding much weight or complexity. Just another way Cybertruck owners are pushing boundaries - and getting creative while doing it.

Got your own build? Email us - we love showcasing community setups that take overlanding to the next level.

Extra Details from the Builder

"I also added Cybergirl’s Lipert winch spare-tire system for hanging a spare tire off the bottom rear of the Urander. But I’ve got to move that a little, as right now the spare is a little too close to my WaterPort Weekender and Yakima RoadShower."

This setup shows what’s possible when creativity meets capability. With the Cybertruck’s roof accessory power and Urander’s rack platform, you're free to build a system that fits your exact needs - whether that’s a mobile shower, a dishwashing station, a low-power heating source for your tent, or even hanging a spare tire off the bottom rear of the rack to save space and optimize gear layout.

I added a thermostat so that my Cybertruck’s water heater shuts off when the water reaches 118 degrees F (47 degrees C).

CT_AZ_4x4's RoadShower Components for Cybertruck Hot Water Delivery System

Wash dishes, clothes, shoes, boots, dirty dogs, dirty children, take a shower, even possibly use the RoadShower as a heat source like some do with hot water bottles. Put it in your Roof Top Tent and have heat! Do all the amazing stuff that you have been doing with your awesome Cybertruck, just better! And you’ll only use about 200 watts an hour or so, depending on the heating element that you choose!

All of the parts needed are listed below including simple step-by-step instructions.

The RoadShower has a few quick-connects. One is a shower head and the other is a spray nozzle. I suggest buying both. The shower attachment is separate from the RoadShower unit itself but worth it IMHO. The RoadShower has a Shraeder valve that lets you pressurize the tank with a bike or tire pump. It also has a pressure relief valve that pops around 55 PSI. It has 2 connection points for 1/2 NPT. One of these will be where you add a heating element using an adaptor. The other is for your water delivery point / water hose / shower head. Enjoy, fellow Cybertruck nuts!

Yakama RoadShower Aluminum Canister / Delivery System

https://www.rei.com/product/191518/yakima-roadshower-portable-shower-4-gal

$479 at REI (or more for larger than 4 gallon-sized)

Threaded 36-48 volt DC 200 or 400 Watt Heating Element M14 Threaded Stainless Steel

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJZ3PNFW?ref_=pe_386300_442618370_TE_sc_as_ri_0&th=1

$39 at Amazon

1/2 Inch NPT Male to Metric M14 M14.1.5 Female Brass Adaptor

https://www.ebay.com/itm/162362536500

$13 at Fittings Space at Ebay

(1) Tie into your roof accessory 48 volt and run that where you will be installing your water heater. (I like using XT connectors for their ubiquity and ease of connection/disconnect.)

(2) Thread the heating element into the M14 female adaptor. Hand tighten FIRMLY. There is a gasket and it should be firmly seated against the adaptor.

(3) Thread the 1/2 inch NPT to Metric adaptor with the heating element already installed into the RoadSHow water canister. Tighten 1/4 turn to 1/2 turn past initial bottom out using a 7/8ths inch wrench.

(4) Tie the pigtail ends of your hot water heating element into your roof accessory 48 volt feed. Use a detachable connector close to the RoadShower to allow for quick disconnect as there is no thermostat in this system.

(5) When you want hot water, turn on your roof accessory 48 volt feed from your awesome truck’s touchscreen! Make sure to monitor the water temperature as there is no thermostat as described. Use the sticker thermometer that comes with the Yakima RoadShower and make sure to test the water before using it so that it doesn’t burn anyone. If it is too hot, add some cold water to the RoadShower until the desired temperature is achieved.

(6) I added a temperature sensor to the exterior of the RoadShower (the canister is aluminum and magnets don’t work) that I purchased through Home Depot and then added a longer strapping wire to fit the circumference of the RoadShower.


https://www.homedepot.com/pep/31950...65877eb60f2ef3ff5c4d9e07d7c380bfede62fd0c21e9


$13 at Home Depot

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[CT_AZ_4x4]

One of our customers recently shared their clever and practical water system built for the Tesla Cybertruck, combining hot water delivery, thoughtful mounting, and smart power use - all tied into the truck’s 48V accessory line. It’s a perfect example of how the Urander platform opens the door to real-world upgrades that enhance everyday overlanding life.

Here’s the setup:



The heating system uses a threaded 36–48V DC heating element, drawing only about 200 watts per hour, and brings 4 gallons of water up to 118°F (47°C) in roughly 70 to 90 minutes - plenty for a warm rinse, quick dish clean-up, or even a cozy night in your rooftop tent.

They also noted:

What You Can Do With It

• Wash dishes, boots, clothes, or your muddy dog
• Take a hot shower off-grid
• Add warmth to your rooftop tent
• Create a heat source, like a hot water bottle
• Enjoy heated water anywhere - without draining your battery

Key Parts Used
All parts are off-the-shelf and easy to install:

• Yakima RoadShower (4-gallon shown)
  $479 at REI
• Threaded 36–48V DC Heating Element (M14, 200W or 400W)
  $39 on Amazon
• 1/2" NPT to M14x1.5 Brass Adaptor
  $13 on eBay
• (Optional) Thermostat & Temperature Sensor
  $13 at Home Depot

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Connect to your Cybertruck’s 48V roof accessory line
   Use XT-style connectors for an easy plug-and-play setup.
2. Install the heating element
   Thread it into the brass M14 adaptor. Hand-tighten firmly—there’s a gasket to create a seal.
3. Mount the assembly into the RoadShower
   Tighten the adaptor with a 7/8" wrench about 1/4 to 1/2 turn past snug.
4. Wire the heating element
   Tie the pigtails into your 48V line. Add a detachable connector close to the canister so you can disconnect it easily.
5. Power it on
   Use your Cybertruck touchscreen to activate the 48V accessory line. Monitor the temperature using the built-in sticker thermometer or install an external sensor.
6. Optional thermostat upgrade
   The user added a temperature sensor around the RoadShower and wired it to auto-shutoff at 118°F (47°C) for safety.

Pro Tips

• The RoadShower includes both a shower head and spray nozzle with quick-connects. We recommend getting both.
• You can pressurize the tank with a tire pump thanks to its built-in Schrader valve.
• There’s also a pressure relief valve set at 55 PSI to keep things safe.
• No thermostat by default - monitor temp and mix in cold water if needed.

This setup adds serious functionality to your Cybertruck without adding much weight or complexity. Just another way Cybertruck owners are pushing boundaries - and getting creative while doing it.

Got your own build? Email us - we love showcasing community setups that take overlanding to the next level.

Extra Details from the Builder


This setup shows what’s possible when creativity meets capability. With the Cybertruck’s roof accessory power and Urander’s rack platform, you're free to build a system that fits your exact needs - whether that’s a mobile shower, a dishwashing station, a low-power heating source for your tent, or even hanging a spare tire off the bottom rear of the rack to save space and optimize gear layout.

https://a.co/d/hecyeRs

This is the digital thermostat I added bought from Amazon. It is technically rated at up to 30 volts but runs fine off of the Cybertruck’s 48 volt accessory roof feed. It is very simple to wire up as shown in the attached photo. (In the attached photo the proper wiring is the schematic at the top of the photo, not the bottom schematic.). A few tips: all wires can be fished from both the Cybertruck’s roof accessory line and the Yakima Roadshower heating element from above the tonneau to below the tonneau in such a way to not interfere with the tonneau’s movement. I housed the Drok thermostat in the ESD bag that it came in and mounted it to the bed’s Molle panel. To do so I taped a bunch of electrical tape to the rear of the circuit to prevent any short-circuiting and then taped the esd bag shut around the exposed-wire end. I put it in a position where it is both out of the way but where I can also see it from the secondary camera feed for the TesStudio S92 digital rearview camera (the secondary camera feed was designed to be a forward-looking camera but I’ve got it looking at the rear seats of the truck and into the bed). (As an aside, I posted instructions on how to ditch the TesStudio wiring harness for the S92 to avoid the associated phantom alarms/alerts relating to the truck’s speaker system if you search for it in the forum.). But back to the secondary camera feed, when I use the touchscreen to turn on the truck’s roof top accessory feed I can instantly see the digital display of the thermostat light up, and there is also a red LED on the thermostat that lights when the circuit is under load , telling me that the heating element in the Yakima Roadshower is being fed 200 watts and I’ll have hot water in about an hour to 90 minutes or so. One additional thing about mounting the thermostat circuit below the tonneau: I had to extend the length of the temperature sensor to enable it to be fished both above and below the tonneau cover. I used some camoflauge gauze tape to hold the temperature sensor in a groove of the aluminum Roadshower. Lastly, the thermostat could actually be programmed up to 110 degrees C, but for safety I’ve set mine to stop heating at 47 degrees C (118 degrees F).

Two takeaways: (1) there probably isn’t a more energy-efficient manner of heating water with your Cybertruck and (2) the Yakima Roadshower design is both out-of-the-way while being conveniently available.

 

[CT_AZ_4x4]

https://a.co/d/hecyeRs

This is the digital thermostat I added bought from Amazon. It is technically rated at up to 30 volts but runs fine off of the Cybertruck’s 48 volt accessory roof feed. It is very simple to wire up as shown in the attached photo. (In the attached photo the proper wiring is the schematic at the top of the photo, not the bottom schematic.). A few tips: all wires can be fished from both the Cybertruck’s roof accessory line and the Yakima Roadshower heating element from above the tonneau to below the tonneau in such a way to not interfere with the tonneau’s movement. I housed the Drok thermostat in the ESD bag that it came in and mounted it to the bed’s Molle panel. To do so I taped a bunch of electrical tape to the rear of the circuit to prevent any short-circuiting and then taped the esd bag shut around the exposed-wire end. I put it in a position where it is both out of the way but where I can also see it from the secondary camera feed for the TesStudio S92 digital rearview camera (the secondary camera feed was designed to be a forward-looking camera but I’ve got it looking at the rear seats of the truck and into the bed). (As an aside, I posted instructions on how to ditch the TesStudio wiring harness for the S92 to avoid the associated phantom alarms/alerts relating to the truck’s speaker system if you search for it in the forum.). But back to the secondary camera feed, when I use the touchscreen to turn on the truck’s roof top accessory feed I can instantly see the digital display of the thermostat light up, and there is also a red LED on the thermostat that lights when the circuit is under load , telling me that the heating element in the Yakima Roadshower is being fed 200 watts and I’ll have hot water in about an hour to 90 minutes or so. One additional thing about mounting the thermostat circuit below the tonneau: I had to extend the length of the temperature sensor to enable it to be fished both above and below the tonneau cover. I used some camoflauge gauze tape to hold the temperature sensor in a groove of the aluminum Roadshower. Lastly, the thermostat could actually be programmed up to 110 degrees C, but for safety I’ve set mine to stop heating at 47 degrees C (118 degrees F).

Two takeaways: (1) there probably isn’t a more energy-efficient manner of heating water with your Cybertruck and (2) the Yakima Roadshower design is both out-of-the-way while being conveniently available.

Here is the camoflauge gauze that I used to secure the temperature sensor to a groove in the exterior of the Yakima Roadshower.

https://a.co/d/dek1awh

 

[BillSirloin]

Very nice work. What brackets did you use to attach the tank to the rack platform? Or did those come with the tank from REI?

 

[CT_AZ_4x4]

Very nice work. What brackets did you use to attach the tank to the rack platform? Or did those come with the tank from REI?

Those brackets are provided by Waterport.

 

[BillSirloin]

Those brackets are provided by Waterport.

Much appreciated

 

[CT_AZ_4x4]

Those brackets are provided by Waterport.

There are brackets that come with the Yakima Roadshower but they are for mounting ON TOP of roof rack bars, not below.

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