How Much Does an RV Washer and Dryer Weigh? (Cost and Size)
When you are looking at adding an RV washer and dryer to your rig, there is more to the issue than keeping your clothes clean. You need to factor in their weight before you purchase the unit you like the most.
How Much Does an RV Washer and Dryer Weigh? The total weight of that machine is 148 pounds. Portable washers and dryers weigh significantly less, down around 14 to 20 pounds but they may not do a lot of laundry at one time.
We cannot speak for every washer and dryer combo or set out there but for the Splendide ventless model you are looking at spending about $1200 roughly, if on sale and just over 1500 dollars when it is not.
To learn more about RV washers and dryers just continue to read our article. It contains the information you need to know to make sure you purchase the right RV washer and dryer for your rig.
Having the right information keeps you from buying the wrong appliance and makes sure you get your clothes cleaned correctly and quickly.
RV Washer and Dryer Weigh 101
How Much are RV Washer and Dryers
Like similar questions, the answer to this one is it depends. The price depends on the retailer, the discounter, the model and the brand. Plus, it will depend on any features you want and if the washer and dryer is ventless or not.
While we cannot check a lot of retailers and discounters to get you a good price range, we did use Amazon because they actually have a lot of different RV washers and dryers on sale.
Their portable models were running between $101 and $300 give or take a few bucks. Then their stackable sets were running about $700 to over $1500. The combos were starting at around $225 and going up from there.
For more specific prices you would have to decide which brand you would want and what style you have room for. Also, you would need to decide if you want ventless or vented machines.
All the different options that are available will influence the price you pay
How Big are RV Washer and Dryers?
Like the price of an RV washer and dryer, the size of the appliances will range depending on their style. For the stackable set of appliances, you are looking at a standard size of 30 inches wide, 30 inches deep and 70 inches high.
Of course, there may be some exceptions to that rule as manufacturers try to please their customers with a variety of sizes. The washer dryer combo size can be approx. 27 inches by 16 inches by 32 inches in size.
Another size will be about 25 by 15 by 29 inches so those two figures give you some idea of how much space you will need if you purchase a combo package. The portable can be around 18 by 13 by 14 inches in size and only weight roughly 14 pounds.
Each model will have different dimensions and weights.
Full RV Washer and Dryer Dimensions
These will range as well. The full size is not that much larger or smaller than the stackable version. These come somewhere in the neighborhood of 27 inches wide by 43 inches high by 34 inches deep.
That means that you want a side-by-side unit, you are looking at needing about 60 inches of cabinet width and about 50 inches roughly of height space. Not to mention at least 35 inches of depth to accommodate power cords, vents and so on.
Remember, you are going to need space around whichever unit you purchase and it is not the actual dimensions that really matter. You need to make allowances and it is those dimensions that will ultimately decide how big your new washer and dryer will be.
Air circulation around the machines is very important. This clearance space allows the appliances to operate safely and to their full potential. The rule of thumb is to add an inch of space to both sides of the appliance and 6 inches to the depth
RV Washer Dryer Pros and Cons
In this instance we will give you the bad news first so that you are fully aware of the negatives that come with having a washer and dryer installed in your RV.
Cons:
- You may triple your winterization costs- you may have to pump a lot of fluid through these appliances to have them ready for the winter
- Some models cost a lot- so you are spending a lot of purchase price money for convenience
- 5th wheel plumbing issues- the plumbing in some 5th wheels is up high, not down low. This is a factor to consider when installing a new set of washer and dryer
- Size matters- not every washer and dryer set will comply with your available space. You may need to modify or remodel to get them to fit
- Some rigs are brand specific- in other words, your RV or TT may only accommodate certain types of washer and dryers and won’t be compatible with competing brands
- Doorways may not be wide enough- it isn’t just the space you need to measure, you have to measure the width of all doors the appliances are going to travel through to get to that space to make sure the one you want will fit
Pros:
- Convenience- with RV parks’ laundry facilities on the other side of the park or in very rough or dirty shape, having your own is a good thing
- Save on laundry costs- some laundromat facilities in Parks or in the city can be expensive per load
- Can save you on other expenses- you do not have to use gas and oil transporting your laundry to the nearest facilities
- You have plenty of washer and dryer choices- that means you can pick the right one for you and your rig
- Heat control- some ventless dryers recycle the hot air it produces so you do not heat your RV as you dry your clothes
- Installation- ventless dryers can be installed just about anywhere in your RV and where there is enough space
- Clothes last longer- a ventless washer and dryer will treat your clothes a lot better than any alternative making them last a bit longer
Are RV Washer and Dryers Worth It
Ultimately, the answer to this question will be up to you. If you like trekking across RV parks or campgrounds with your dirty laundry in full public view, then you may not think installing a set is worth it.
Also, if you enjoy those trips into the new town to see the area and meet its people, then staying back at the RV to do laundry may not seem like a fun or ideal way to spend your time.
In the long run though, you may think installing these machines is worth it as you can do your laundry at any time and anywhere you happen to be. Plus, they will work for you when you run out of quarters.
In our opinion, the question is a toss-up and we can go either way on the subject.
RV Washer and Dryer Ventless vs Vented
This question may also be eventually answered by personal opinion because both styles have their good and bad points. For the non-vented appliances, your clothes are treated better and more gently, they are easier to install and fewer steps to make.
Also, the non-vented machines do not create a lot of lint and run more efficiently. On top of that, non-vented washer and dryers can be installed just about anywhere. The advantage the vented machines have is that they do not create the steam the non-vented options do.
You also use less water because the non-vented ones use cold water to cool the drum. Then clothes come out of the dryer a lot drier than non-vented machines. Finally, the vented dryer is faster in drying your clothes.
The decision on which one you end up using may rest with the design of your RV which may not be able to accommodate a vented dryer.
RV Washer and Dryer All in One vs Stackable
To start this debate off, the combo option may save you space as you only need room for one machine. The stackable version is basically two machines and are a lot taller than the combo. Height space will be a concern.
Also, the combo will automatically switch from washer to dryer mode. This will save you the time of moving your wet laundry to the dryer. All you have to do is pull the dry clothes out and put them away.
Then the combo lets you do larger loads than the stackable can handle. But the stackable may use less water than the combo and get your laundry cleaned and dried long before the combo will.
Plus, the stackable lets you wash one load while drying a second. With the stackable, you may not have to pay the high price just because the letters RV are attached. You may buy the apartment models and save a few bucks.
Which one you use will be up to you but the stackable seems to have an edge over the combo.
How Does an RV Washer Dryer Combo Work
The RV combo is designed to bring you a lot of conveniences. You need less room; it takes less wiring to get it hooked up and it can do large loads of laundry. Also, it switches from washer to dryer without you having to do a thing.
Those features are convenient. If you do not have a lot of spare room in your RV you can still find some space for the combo as it is only one machine and not two. With fewer machines to worry about your needed space shrinks.
All the controls you need are conveniently located. Just push a few buttons and turn the dial and you should be good to go. With recently built RVs already plumbed for a combo appliance, you do not have any installation hassles.
On top of all that, many of these machines can handle up to 15 pounds of laundry at one time. You can get a lot of clothes cleaned when it is laundry day. The machine is also conservative on water use.
The only drawback is that these machines can take a long time to was and then dry your clothes. Plan on spending the day at the RV when you use this model.
Do RV Washer Dryer Combos Work
Yes, they do. Some RV owners are not happy about the length of time it takes to clean their clothes but combo washer and dryers do work and get a lot of laundry cleaned at one time.
Also, since RVs are coming plumbed for combos, you know that they will work once you install one. The only real thing you have to watch out for is their weight. You need to know your vehicle’s or TT’s carry weight to make sure the extra appliance weight does not cross that weight limit.
If you are getting close to it, you may have to make a few sacrifices and leave some other items behind.
Some Final Words
In the long run, having a washer and dryer installed in your RV may be worth the cost and the added expense. You can stay at your RV and clean your clothes when you have nothing else to do.
There are 4 main factors you need to consider when looking at installing a set of RV washers and dryers in your rig. The first one is plumbing. Can you plumb the machines correctly without harming other wiring or other items already installed in your vehicle.
The next three will be the size of the appliances, space in your RV and how much the units will cost.
