Laundry while camping

[ruthies12]

I'm considering putting one of those washer/dryer combo units in my camper. My camper was not set up for a washer or dryer so I am thinking of getting a ventless unit and making dh run the hoses through a couple cabinets and "hard wiring" the plumbing ourselves. The one I'm thinking of purchasing plugs into a regular outlet for electric so no problem there.

I know they don't hold much but I'm envisioning throwing all our clothes from the day (so 2 adult outfits and 2 small children outfits) into it in the morning, then leaving for a park and coming back and pulling them back out and hanging up the clothes. I don't care if the clothes are wrinkled, we have enough outfits each to get through our ten day trip, it's just that the build up of dirty laundry gets stinky.

I wouldn't be buying it just for Disney, we have other trips we would use it on as well, but it is an expensive purchase (not to mention one more thing to winterize). Up until now I've always just used the laundrymat at the campground on longer trips. Usually I take everything in and fill up 5 or 6 machines at once. But this takes up 2 to 3 hours of my time and I do not want to waste that much time in Disney. I don't mind it at the beach, but missing park time will be torture.

Has anybody ever done something like that? Added a washer/dryer when it didn't come with the camper? Did it turn out okay for you?

How are the laundry facilities at FW? Will I be able to walk in at any time and take up 5 or 6 machines at once or will they all be filled?

 

[ArielRae]

We have never seen anyone using the laundry facilities when we have gone to do our laundry. (We do laundry in the morning while there for morning showers.) We were the only ones so no worries about taking up a few machines. They have plenty of machines at each comfort station. So if it happens to be a time where your laundry facility is full just walk to the next nearest one. The laundry facilities are open to use 24hrs a day just scan your card to gain entry during the early morning or late night hours.

 

[John VN]

You fill up 5 to 6 machines at once, !!!!! Pretty sure there are only 4 washers and 4 dryers in each CS. They do handle a lot though.

I think your plan is OK and will make things easier during your vacations. Got the room and a handy DH, .

 

[ArielRae]

There are 5 washers and 6 dryers in each facility.
They are standard capacity machines.

They cost $2.00 per machine for each load.

 

[ruthies12]

That is very helpful info thank you! Looks like the laundry facilities at FW would be okay, now I just have to decide if my vacation time is worth the outlay of money for the combo machine or not.

 

[John VN]

There are 5 washers and 6 dryers in each facility.
They are standard capacity machines.

They cost $2.00 per machine for each load.

Thanks for correcting my old and feeble memory. Been awhile since I have used their machines since we have our own Splendide W/D in the motorhome so I do laundry within. It's a rock-n-roll when the spin cycle gets-a-going.

 

[Napria]

Sorry, but must differ (to each his or her own, right?)

I hated doing laundry at DisneyWorld. I never even tried on any other camping trip. And when I did laundry each trip there were always other peoples' wash running. Sometimes their wash would be done, just sitting there in the washer or dryer. But nope, no one in the laundry room to take care of it so I could use the machines.

I swore our next RV would have a washer and dryer. And it does. I love it! My husband laughs at me because I'm always excited to do wash in the camper, lol.

P3220279 by napria, on Flickr


But, no, we bought a rig with hookups already in place and told the dealer to get the machines for us and install them.

 

[KristinU]

I would have a hard time giving up storage for a washer and dryer, but if you have space you're not using I could see doing it if it is that important to you.

We've always done laundry on vacation. Call me trusting, but I throw a load in then go do something like take a swim or walk the dogs, then check back in a half hour/45 minutes and switch. When we had DVC we did like having it in the 1 br units, but not too big a deal. What I love about doing laundry in small vacation sized batches is that I rarely lose socks like I do at home!

 

[Napria]

I would have a hard time giving up storage for a washer and dryer, but if you have space you're not using I could see doing it if it is that important to you.

We've always done laundry on vacation. Call me trusting, but I throw a load in then go do something like take a swim or walk the dogs, then check back in a half hour/45 minutes and switch. When we had DVC we did like having it in the 1 br units, but not too big a deal. What I love about doing laundry in small vacation sized batches is that I rarely lose socks like I do at home!

Our fifth wheel is 40' long and we're not full timers, so yeah. Even with two adults and two teens we have TONS of storage

Kitchen storage...


P3220281 by napria, on Flickr


More storage in the hutch behind the dining room table...


P6030358 by napria, on Flickr


Storage in the living room...


P6170381 by napria, on Flickr

And plenty in the bedroom. After having the washer and dryer installed, I'd never go back to not having them. I can do laundry whenever I want and I know the machines are clean and never washed anything nasty in them. Kind of the same with why I prefer staying in my rv; I know my husband and I are the only ones who have ever slept in our bed, and I have my home away from home with my stuff around me. But I also recognize this isn't how everyone feels. As I said, to each his own.

 

[John VN]

36' A and the storage given up by my W/D combo isn't that critical. Besides, I could always store some stuff in the drum when not being used.

 

[Starwind]

I can't speak to putting a W/D into an RV, but I do have one consideration wrt that: keep in mind the vibration of the machine(s), especially front-loaders and ensure the space you are putting it in can handle it properly.

As for doing laundry at resorts:

I've done quite a few loads of laundry at Wilderness Lodge (er, and on the Disney Dream...).

Things that I have found help:

- having a smartphone or other alarm that I can set for a few minutes before the load should be finishing; then I can be there when it finishes and either run it through again (due to sensitivities, we have to double-rinse everything and the only way to do that is to run everything through a second full cycle) or transfer it to the dryer;

- doing loads over a meal (even if I have to go quickly partway through to cycle the load) or while swimming;

- doing laundry late at night


Finally, I bought a Scrubba wash bag ( http://thescrubba.com/ ) which is great for doing small loads of laundry when you don't have washer access, or for delicates like bras which don't always survive well in commercial machines that don't have sufficient "delicate" or "hand wash" settings. The downside of course is that air drying takes some time But washing with it is so much easier (and more effective) than hand-washing in a sink.

-SW

 

[ruthies12]

Great tips, thanks everyone!

The spot I'm wanting to put it in currently just has a cabinet with two drawers in it, so I'll only be losing two drawers and they aren't a big deal to me. The convenience of the w/d would be a much bigger deal.

The problem I have is the cost, as the unit I need to get to fit in the space is $1400 and I have to justify that to DH which won't be easy.

I plan to talk to our local service guys first and get their take on it, especially since it will be adding weight to a slideout that we have already had problems with.

Napria- I'm totally with you! I will take my RV over a hotel room any day and for the exact same reasons you stated. We just bought this camper last year and I really wanted a washer and dryer, it was on my list of necessities while shopping, but I ended up choosing this particular unit because it had every other feature I wanted plus a couple others that I didn't even have on my list and was in our price range. Your fifth wheel is beautiful btw!

 

[KristinU]

Finally, I bought a Scrubba wash bag ( http://thescrubba.com/ ) which is great for doing small loads of laundry when you don't have washer access, or for delicates like bras which don't always survive well in commercial machines that don't have sufficient "delicate" or "hand wash" settings. The downside of course is that air drying takes some time But washing with it is so much easier (and more effective) than hand-washing in a sink.
-SW

VERY interesting! Thanks for posting this. We do have a washing plunger thing that we use sometimes for our running gear: http://www.amazon.com/MobileWasher-Operating-Washing-Machine-Emergencies/dp/B003SQ7I5S/ref=sr_1_1?s=appliances&ie=UTF8&qid=1411340831&sr=1-1 but I often end up just hand washing...this thing looks like a cool option!

 

[MommaluvsDis]

ruthies12

I just did my first load of laundry in my washer/dryer combo in my motor home. Here are a couple of observations for what they're worth.

1. The combo doesn't hold much at all. I put in one thin towel, three wash cloths, two shirts, two pair undergarments and one pair of socks. It was maxed.

2. It takes a long time to wash and a really long time to dry. Mine is vented and they are suppose to be faster but it still took two 50 minute rounds on the dryer option. I've heard ventless takes longer but I have no first hand knowledge of it.

3. NEVER leave your unit running when you will not be there as things happen. My friend used hers and it flooded her motor home. Imagine if they had not been there!

4. I have used the laundry facilities at the fort and never encountered any problems. Always available and spotless. Of course, we do ours at night so i'm sure that makes a difference.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your time at the fort!

 

[MommaluvsDis]

Napria,

What make and model is your home away from home? Very nice!

 

[John VN]

ruthies12

I just did my first load of laundry in my washer/dryer combo in my motor home. Here are a couple of observations for what they're worth.

1. The combo doesn't hold much at all. I put in one thin towel, three wash cloths, two shirts, two pair undergarments and one pair of socks. It was maxed.

2. It takes a long time to wash and a really long time to dry. Mine is vented and they are suppose to be faster but it still took two 50 minute rounds on the dryer option. I've heard ventless takes longer but I have no first hand knowledge of it.

3. NEVER leave your unit running when you will not be there as things happen. My friend used hers and it flooded her motor home. Imagine if they had not been there!

4. I have used the laundry facilities at the fort and never encountered any problems. Always available and spotless. Of course, we do ours at night so i'm sure that makes a difference.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your time at the fort!

Funny thing is that as I am reading this thread my home washer is just finishing a load so I will be hanging laundry after this reply.

My motorhome's W/D is the Splendide and a drying tip is to not have it cycle directly to dry after washing. When washing is done, take laundry out and shake all items then put back in and dry. It helps a bit.

 

[jbrostek]

My old MH had a combo unit, I used it to dry outdoor gear on really rainy days. Otherwise, I used campground laundries. My new 5th wheel has the prep for a W/D stack install. I have not gotten one yet since I have not found myself in need of a Laundry other then when we spend our 2 weeks at FW in the winter.

As for the FW comfort stations, I never have an issue getting enough washing machines and dryers to clean my clothes while on the trip. Half the time I am the only one using it at the time, but I have had others doing laundry as well. I prefer to the the wash around 7am, I use the timer in my phone to know when to go back.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

John NV, thanks for tip! Fluff then dry! My first time to ever use my Splendide.

 

[Napria]

Thanks everyone!

I must have always picked the wrong time to do laundry at Ft. Wilderness. It seems like there was always someone else's wash going when I got there.

Also, my units in my fifth wheel are two separate Splendide units. I was all set to get the combo, but then I read on the forums that you can't wash a lot in a combo unit and they wrinkle the clothes something fierce. I love my stacking Splendide units. They do as nice a job as the Whirlpool front loaders in my sticks & bricks home.

MomaluvsDis, we have a 2014 Montana 3850FL. Just found out it has been discontinued, and they only made it for 2014! So sad as the floorplan it's being replaced with isn't as nice, IMO. But we love so many things about it, and so do the kids!

Our cat likes it too...



P6170378 by napria, on Flickr

 

[North of Mouse]

I'm considering putting one of those washer/dryer combo units in my camper. My camper was not set up for a washer or dryer so I am thinking of getting a ventless unit and making dh run the hoses through a couple cabinets and "hard wiring" the plumbing ourselves. The one I'm thinking of purchasing plugs into a regular outlet for electric so no problem there.

I know they don't hold much but I'm envisioning throwing all our clothes from the day (so 2 adult outfits and 2 small children outfits) into it in the morning, then leaving for a park and coming back and pulling them back out and hanging up the clothes. I don't care if the clothes are wrinkled, we have enough outfits each to get through our ten day trip, it's just that the build up of dirty laundry gets stinky.

I wouldn't be buying it just for Disney, we have other trips we would use it on as well, but it is an expensive purchase (not to mention one more thing to winterize). Up until now I've always just used the laundrymat at the campground on longer trips. Usually I take everything in and fill up 5 or 6 machines at once. But this takes up 2 to 3 hours of my time and I do not want to waste that much time in Disney. I don't mind it at the beach, but missing park time will be torture.

Has anybody ever done something like that? Added a washer/dryer when it didn't come with the camper? Did it turn out okay for you?

How are the laundry facilities at FW? Will I be able to walk in at any time and take up 5 or 6 machines at once or will they all be filled?

I guess washer/dryers in RV's are love/hate thing. I would never have one in ours. That is one request that we make when looking/buying a mh, and when we used to have trailers. My bro. has one in his 5th wheel and they can be a royal pain, not to mention they are 'tiny' and take a long time to finish.

Also they take take up a complete double wardrobe/drawer space that I find useful for extra bedding, etc. They seem to malfunction easy also, so leaving them is not a good idea.

It's definitely a personal issue though, because some people love them. We seldom do laundry on most vacations - just put our laundry in large net bags - when full, just put them down in the basement - no odor problems as we air dry everything before putting them in.