I'm installing a Splendid 2100XC vented washer dryer combo in my 2016 Keystone Cougar 333MKS. When I got into the w/d cabinet I found these instructions for installing a dryer vent:FIRST - In the washer/dryer cabinetDrill a hole in rear wall inline with dryer outlet.SECOND - Remove panel in front storage pass thru.THIRD - Locate vent in sidewall in step area on door side of unit & run hose between outlet & vent.These instructions make no sense to me.1) Is the rear wall reference the rear wall of the cabinet? If so, that would be front of the FW. And by what I can find, there's not enough clearance in that wall for a 4" pipe.2) My front storage is not a pass thru and the pass thru storage removable panel is located on the opposite side away from the bedroom. I do not see a pathway for a vent through the pass thru storage.3) The step area door side is 15 feet away from where the w/d cabinet is. That seems an awful long way to go for a dryer vent.Can anyone shed any light on these instructions or should I just locate the vent in the side wall of the FW which I have read about in all of my searches concerning installing dryer vents?Any information, pictures or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance as many of my other questions have been answered through the search feature here.Bruce __________________

not to be a pain but this would almost be a stealer-ship deal that way they screw it up they can fix. You screw it up you are on the lamb.I can access my campers under storage cabinet panel (I was just in there on this last trip. almost half the screws had fallen out) so I pulled this panel and straightened some wiring out behind it and wire tied some more then put some new screws in and vacuumed the carpert. but there is nothing to access in the front storage box. You would be straight down from the front closet I think on my 327RES anyway.randy

We agree, Let a dealer install it... a lot less stress for you, and possible headaches for them... My wife wants to have one installed, I can't justify the additional weight and taking up good a storage place. .... Good Luck and Happy Camping

I vote for doing it myself. If a dealer screws it up they will patch it in some hideous way. Dont count on them paying for some elaborate body work to fix it - most wont. In fact it wouldn't sruprise me at all if they drill through a stud and just left it that way.If I did it I would drill a small hole on the inside of the wall, stick a bent coat hanger in there to make sure there was clearance and then drill the big hole. I would also try a stud finder but they dont always work with RV's.Only drill the big hole through the inside paneling so you can check closer for issues. If nothing is in the way, just pierce the outside with the pilot screw of the hole saw and then go outside and drill inward for a clean hole.

ScottG wrote:I vote for doing it myself. If a dealer screws it up they will patch it in some hideous way. Dont count on them paying for some elaborate body work to fix it - most wont. In fact it wouldn't sruprise me at all if they drill through a stud and just left it that way.If I did it I would drill a small hole on the inside of the wall, stick a bent coat hanger in there to make sure there was clearance and then drill the big hole. I would also try a stud finder but they dont always work with RV's.Only drill the big hole through the inside paneling so you can check closer for issues. If nothing is in the way, just pierce the outside with the pilot screw of the hole saw and then go outside and drill inward for a clean hole.AGREE!!!

md_procouple wrote:We agree, Let a dealer install it... a lot less stress for you, and possible headaches for them... My wife wants to have one installed, I can't justify the additional weight and taking up good a storage place. .... Good Luck and Happy CampingThanks for the replies, but I have all of the tools, skills and ability to do this work myself. I also have little to no confidence in the three stealerships in my area. Unless there is an expensive warranty repair, CW, DG and BNRV will never get their hands on one of my RVs!Bruce

Installing Dryer Vent '16 Keystone Cougar 333MKS ???

jsum
Explorer
Nov 15, 2016
You did good.......
greende
Explorer II
Nov 08, 2016
Good job! Thanks for the followup.....
Dr_Bobs_Patient
Explorer
Nov 08, 2016
jsum wrote:
I don't have the same trailer as you, but installed my washer and dryer myself.
Do a lot of careful measuring inside and outside as well. On mine I could measure from the window on both sides.
When you do drill, like you said a small hole first...... I had to move the center of the hole about 1/2" to have enough room to miss molding on outside of rv.
It's not as bad as it seems......
Then you can double check with the 4" hole saw before you use it to make sure all is good.
And like you, I do NOT trust dealers!!
Good Luck

The above is right on the money on what I finally did. Here's the interior of the finished product-

As you can see the first location didn't work as there was part of the aluminum structure in the way. I then lowered it and checked to make sure nothing else was in the way, measured again and had to move over a little to avoid hitting the trim on the exterior. Drilled a small hole through the exterior and double checked that vent would hit anything out there.
And the exterior -

The exterior dryer vent was white from Lowes and I had some Dark Rubbed Metallic Bronze spray paint that matches the Cougar's bottom skirt perfectly.

Also, I posted this on two other Forums with little to no responses. I even sent Keystone an email asking to clarify their instructions and they told me to take the unit to an authorized dealer to do the work and sent me a copy of their warranty. I didn't expect anything different.
jsum
Explorer
Nov 04, 2016
I don't have the same trailer as you, but installed my washer and dryer myself.
Do a lot of careful measuring inside and outside as well. On mine I could measure from the window on both sides.
When you do drill, like you said a small hole first...... I had to move the center of the hole about 1/2" to have enough room to miss molding on outside of rv.
It's not as bad as it seems......
Then you can double check with the 4" hole saw before you use it to make sure all is good.
And like you, I do NOT trust dealers!!
Good Luck
jsum
Explorer
Nov 04, 2016
Dr Bobs Patient wrote:
I'm installing a Splendid 2100XC vented washer dryer combo in my 2016 Keystone Cougar 333MKS. When I got into the w/d cabinet I found these instructions for installing a dryer vent:

FIRST - In the washer/dryer cabinet
Drill a hole in rear wall inline with dryer outlet.
SECOND - Remove panel in front storage pass thru.
THIRD - Locate vent in sidewall in step area on door side of unit & run hose between outlet & vent.

These instructions make no sense to me.
1) Is the rear wall reference the rear wall of the cabinet? If so, that would be front of the FW. And by what I can find, there's not enough clearance in that wall for a 4" pipe.
2) My front storage is not a pass thru and the pass thru storage removable panel is located on the opposite side away from the bedroom. I do not see a pathway for a vent through the pass thru storage.
3) The step area door side is 15 feet away from where the w/d cabinet is. That seems an awful long way to go for a dryer vent.

Can anyone shed any light on these instructions or should I just locate the vent in the side wall of the FW which I have read about in all of my searches concerning installing dryer vents?

Any information, pictures or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance as many of my other questions have been answered through the search feature here.

Bruce
__________________
BB_TX
Nomad
Nov 03, 2016
Dealer installed mine. But last year I replaced the external vent cap. And after removing the old cap and looking thru the hole, I could see thru the hole that the dryer vent hose was routed in a "cavity" area behind the rear panel of the washer/dryer prep cabinet and the front cap. I assume the dealer removed the rear panel of the cabinet to drill the hole thru the side, or at least to locate the hole between frame members. Hole did come out right in the curve of the moulding. Luck or careful planning? Don't know of any other way they could have accessed it to route the hose back there though.

I agree that those instructions do not seem to make a lot of sense. This pic of mine seems to be the typical location for dryer vents with front washer/dryer cabinets.

Edit: this pic shows right side up on my PC, but upside down on my iPhone. Have no idea why.
Dr_Bobs_Patient
Explorer
Nov 03, 2016
md_procouple wrote:
We agree, Let a dealer install it... a lot less stress for you, and possible headaches for them... My wife wants to have one installed, I can't justify the additional weight and taking up good a storage place. .... Good Luck and Happy Camping

Thanks for the replies, but I have all of the tools, skills and ability to do this work myself. I also have little to no confidence in the three stealerships in my area. Unless there is an expensive warranty repair, CW, DG and BNRV will never get their hands on one of my RVs!

Bruce
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Nov 03, 2016
ScottG wrote:
I vote for doing it myself. If a dealer screws it up they will patch it in some hideous way. Dont count on them paying for some elaborate body work to fix it - most wont. In fact it wouldn't sruprise me at all if they drill through a stud and just left it that way.
If I did it I would drill a small hole on the inside of the wall, stick a bent coat hanger in there to make sure there was clearance and then drill the big hole. I would also try a stud finder but they dont always work with RV's.
Only drill the big hole through the inside paneling so you can check closer for issues. If nothing is in the way, just pierce the outside with the pilot screw of the hole saw and then go outside and drill inward for a clean hole.

AGREE!!!
ScottG
Nomad
Nov 03, 2016
I vote for doing it myself. If a dealer screws it up they will patch it in some hideous way. Dont count on them paying for some elaborate body work to fix it - most wont. In fact it wouldn't sruprise me at all if they drill through a stud and just left it that way.
If I did it I would drill a small hole on the inside of the wall, stick a bent coat hanger in there to make sure there was clearance and then drill the big hole. I would also try a stud finder but they dont always work with RV's.
Only drill the big hole through the inside paneling so you can check closer for issues. If nothing is in the way, just pierce the outside with the pilot screw of the hole saw and then go outside and drill inward for a clean hole.
md_procouple
Explorer
Nov 03, 2016
We agree, Let a dealer install it... a lot less stress for you, and possible headaches for them... My wife wants to have one installed, I can't justify the additional weight and taking up good a storage place. .... Good Luck and Happy Camping