By Mark Deering – Dragon Adventures Base Camp
One of the best parts about life at Dragon Adventures Base Camp is dialing in the gear that makes adventure living more comfortable—and this week, I had the chance to unbox and test out the Camplux Nano 3 Pro Portable Water Heater, a game-changer for trail-side showers and van life.
Whether you’re camping, mountain biking, hiking, or living full-time in a van or RV, a reliable hot water solution is key. And let me tell you, this unit delivers.
📦 The Unboxing – First Impressions
Right out of the box, the Camplux Nano 3 Pro feels solid, lightweight, and compact—perfect for mobile living or permanent camp setups like ours here at the Base Camp. It comes well-packaged and includes:
- The main water heater unit
- Gas hose and regulator
- Mounting hardware
- Instruction manual
- A few accessories for water in/out connections
Setup was a breeze. No fuss, no weird parts, and nothing overly complicated. If you’re even remotely handy, you’ll have this thing ready to go in minutes.
đź”§ Setup & Installation
We mounted the Nano 3 Pro just outside our converted van setup, near the outdoor shower area we’ve been working on here at the Base Camp. All it needed was a propane hookup and water source—either a pressurized tank or pump system (we used our portable pump).
Within minutes, we had hot water running! đź’¦
🔥 Performance Review
Here’s where this little unit shines:
✅ Fast Heat-Up Time – It only took a few seconds to get warm water flowing, even in cooler Michigan spring temps.
✅ Adjustable Temperature Controls – Easy-to-use dials to get just the right warmth for your shower or dishwashing station.
✅ Compact & Lightweight – Super van life-friendly. Doesn’t take up space or weigh down your build.
✅ Low Water Pressure Compatible – Perfect for off-grid systems or pump-fed tanks.
✅ Flame Visibility Window – Nice touch for checking operation and safety.
💡 Why It’s Perfect for Base Camp Life
At Dragon Adventures Base Camp, we cater to mountain bikers, hikers, and outdoor lovers looking for a little comfort between trail runs. Having a hot shower after a long ride on the Dragon Trail is a luxury—and the Camplux Nano 3 Pro makes that luxury accessible in a compact, affordable setup.
This unit will be a permanent fixture at our outdoor shower station for guests—and it may be making its way into our future camper van builds too.
🏕️ Final Thoughts
If you’re living the van life, building out a bike base camp, or just need a portable hot water solution for your camp setup, the Camplux Nano 3 Pro is absolutely worth the investment. It’s efficient, easy to install, and powerful enough to meet the needs of solo adventurers or families alike.
👍 Highly recommended from the trails of Rockford, Michigan!
đź› Want to see the unboxing in action?
📺 Check out our full YouTube video here →
🚵‍♂️ Follow us for more gear reviews, van life hacks, and behind-the-scenes content from Dragon Adventures Base Camp—right off the legendary Dragon Trail in West Michigan.
Stay adventurous,
Mark Deering
RE/MAX Real Estate Agent | Outdoor Junkie | Base Camp Builder

