This is mine and my wife's first RV purchase. We haven't got one yet, but we have an eye on one right now. It's a 2011 Copper Canyon 314FWRLS 5th Wheel in case anyone needs to know. It doesn't have a washer dryer already nor does it have hookups installed. It has 3 slides. There isn't really a closet big enough for the w/d unit. We don't care if it's in the living room as long as we have one. However, we were told that it has to be fairly close to the toilet in order to install one. Is that a must? Or can it be in the bedroom or living room? We aren't set n stone about this purchase because of that reason. From reading all the reviews, it's a very good thing to have one. I'm in the military and we are saving a ton of money living out of an RV for the time that I'm in and it's just my wife and I; no kids. We are looking at 5 wheel only because of the great price for a much larger RV. Weight of the w/d doesn't matter. After 3-5 years of living RV style, I'm sure the laundromat isn't going to be pleasant. I'm open to any suggestions anyone may have. Even telling me that the RV of choice is crappy if you think so. Also, we were looking at years 2010-2012. We wanted a fairly new one, but not brand new as they depreciate as much as cars do. Would it hurt any to get a 2007-2009 for a bigger/better unit at around the same price as the 2011 we are looking at? Or stick with a newer one? Can't really get much bigger than 3 slides and still be at our price though, but I mean with 2-3 slides and a w/d unit. I do know how much the w/d units cost, so buying one is completely fine. Thanks in advance to everyone!

I would keep looking and get the floor plan you really want....including washer/dryer setup.They are out there....good luck in your search.

Right, but we do like this one and was wondering how hard would it be to install a w/d in it and even if it's possible. Thanks for the response.

Would it be worth getting an older model RV like 2007-2009 with one or a 2011 w/o one for the same price? Was just thinking of how much "use/wear" would be on the 2007.

I have seen a washer dryer set up in the bedroom of a couple of new units I saw at a RV show. Don't know how common it is though. Many RV's don't have a sewer hookup from the washer to the grey tank, only to the outlet past the grey tank, so you can not wash while dry camping, only with full hookups. Probably a good thing anyway, because they would quickly fill a typical 50 - 60 gallon grey tank in only 2 wash loads. Personally, I don't like the washer, and have used campground washing machines, or more commonly would spend one day every 10 - 18 days at a laundrymat. I put everything into the washers at once, even my undies are blue, and no need to sort colors. I picked out the extra large machines that tumble the clothes, they sometimes accept 12 - 18 pounds of clothes per $4 or $6 washload. And then split it into 2 dryers per washing machine, to dry quickly. Be done with all the laundry in only about 2hours, including folding time. Check the size of the laundry machines put into most RV's. They typically will hold two pairs of blue jeans, and take forever to dry on the 1,500 watt setting - 1/3 the wattage of most electric dryers. This is because they are 120 volts, not the 30 amp 240 volt 4,500 watt versions found in homes. You might also consider a "toyhauler" that can haul around a car sometimes, and your other stuff. You can put full sized recliners into the back when the car is out. Keep the car very light, like Honda Civic, under the 2,000 pound ramp rating.Good luck!Fred.

We are w/d prepped but chose to have the extra storage.Laundries in a c/g, if nice, is what we use otherwise we head to a laundromat if available close by.With that it's personal preference if you really need on-board w/d.

Possible to install W/D? Full timers. First RV.

DianneOK
Explorer
Sep 19, 2013
Our dryers were 120v....Not gas.....takes a bit longer to dry, but did a good job....
acemyers
Explorer
Sep 19, 2013
Rlaubert wrote:
We have a toy hauler and installed the W/D in the back room. You will need three things done if the unit is not preppred for one. 1. Electricity for both the washer and drier. 2. Water for the washer and possibly the drier. 3 Drainage for the washer. You will have to use a gas drier as almost all electric driers are 220 volts and that will not be available at the campgrounds. With a gas drier you will also need to convert it to propane ($35 kit and some time). The water, electric and drain lines will have to be run by someone that knows what they are doing (you or a professional). Our unit had the electric, water and drain lines in the toy room, we had to have the gas line run.
You can also get a RV washer/drier. Much smaller but still needs the water and electric lines. In my opinion takes for ever to wash and dry a very very small load (7 lb max).

Thanks for the response. Actually we just hang our clothes throughout the RV when they are done washing. We bought a portable washer that's 1.5 cu. feet. Washes enough for just the wife and I. The hoses hook up to the kitchen sink and plugs into a regular outlet. Best thing ever.
Rlaubert
Explorer
Sep 19, 2013
We have a toy hauler and installed the W/D in the back room. You will need three things done if the unit is not preppred for one. 1. Electricity for both the washer and drier. 2. Water for the washer and possibly the drier. 3 Drainage for the washer. You will have to use a gas drier as almost all electric driers are 220 volts and that will not be available at the campgrounds. With a gas drier you will also need to convert it to propane ($35 kit and some time). The water, electric and drain lines will have to be run by someone that knows what they are doing (you or a professional). Our unit had the electric, water and drain lines in the toy room, we had to have the gas line run.
You can also get a RV washer/drier. Much smaller but still needs the water and electric lines. In my opinion takes for ever to wash and dry a very very small load (7 lb max).
acemyers
Explorer
Aug 21, 2013
wannavolunteerFT wrote:
I don't know what you decided on trailer, but I have been looking at bunkhouse floorplans with outdoor kitchen on outside and wondering if I could modify cabinet and use the connections for outdoor connection. wouldn't require plumbing or wiring re-work, just some cabinetry work, which I feel like I could find someone to do much easier.

I've seen people post on here that that's exactly what we did. We decided on a 5th wheel. We got everything we wanted and went with the portable washer that's 1.5 CU FT and fits great in the bathroom for washing clothes in there w/o using the kitchen sink. We can easily switch sinks if we need to take a shower or something, no biggie. Plus, we don't have to go outside, not that that matters THAT much, and put clothes in the washer/get them out; if there's a storm or something. PLUS, no plumbing or "re-wiring" involved since we have a portable washer that hooks up to a regular outlet and uses the sinks water.
wannavolunteerF
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
I don't know what you decided on trailer, but I have been looking at bunkhouse floorplans with outdoor kitchen on outside and wondering if I could modify cabinet and use the connections for outdoor connection. wouldn't require plumbing or wiring re-work, just some cabinetry work, which I feel like I could find someone to do much easier.
acemyers
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
RoadLife wrote:
Lots of folks just use the laundromat. We love our Splendide, but the load capacity is very small. You or your wife might be doing laundry continuously especially with any kids. A Laundromat where you can use multiple machines at one time might make more sense. And military uniforms always went to be washed, starched, and ironed at the cleaners ;-) - less stress on the wife.

Is there a reason you cannot use the famcamp on the base? Or do they have one?

We just bought a nice portable washer yesterday. 1.5 CU FT. and it's only us 2, no kids. It might make more sense now, but I don't think she nor I would want to go to the laundromat to get clean clothes for 3+ years straight and imagine all those quarters! haha. Spending all the time in there as well and making sure nobody steals them. For big loads like every single uniform and bed spreads will be fine just doing once in a while. I think the camps we are looking at are the only ones. One of them isn't on the base, but it's right next to it and it's military only.
RoadLife
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
Lots of folks just use the laundromat. We love our Splendide, but the load capacity is very small. You or your wife might be doing laundry continuously especially with any kids. A Laundromat where you can use multiple machines at one time might make more sense. And military uniforms always went to be washed, starched, and ironed at the cleaners ;-) - less stress on the wife.

Is there a reason you cannot use the famcamp on the base? Or do they have one?
acemyers
Explorer
Aug 12, 2013
That doesn't sound so bad now! We have a lot of clothes to last us and not washing for a week wont hurt either lol. Most mine is uniforms, but I have plenty. We were considering the portable w/d. The one that hooks to your sink to wash and a regular house outlet to run. Reviews on them were pretty good. So I think we're going to be fine now knowing we can get that if we need it.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Aug 12, 2013
We have hookups for W/D but we use the space for other things.

We have lived in our RV fulltime for almost 2 years. We do not regret not having a W/D at all! We each have a lot of clothes so once every 3-4 weeks we spend 20-$30 and have a marathon laundry day.
acemyers
Explorer
Aug 12, 2013
The Works wrote:
I was wondering if you are in the navy. I retired from DON after 43 years, I worked on all carriers on both coasts, I was very fortunate, it was a great career!!

Sounds like you had a blast then. Good for you!

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