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Topic: Splendide Removal (Read 1593 times) previous topic - next topic

Splendide Removal

The dryer function on our Splendide is no longer working and I need to remove the washer/dryer from it's cabinet to do some testing.  Is the carpeted piece of wood across the bottom the only thing holding the unit in place?

Re: Splendide Removal

Reply #1 –
I'm not sure about yours, but in my '97 there was also a piece along the bottom right hand side of the unit that was a tight enough fit that it needed to be removed as well.
Regards

1997 U295 40 with CAT 3126

Re: Splendide Removal

Reply #2 –
In my coach only the carpet keeps it in place.  Slides out of location.

John M
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Splendide Removal

Reply #3 –
When we purchased our coach the washer failed to dry.  Our Splendide slid right out after removing the cabinet door.  Found the vent clogged with lint.  We ended up installing a stacked  washer and dryer.
Tom and Linda
1995 U280SE #4636

Re: Splendide Removal

Reply #4 –
If it's not drying it's probably plugged with lint.  Only way I've found to clean is tilt machine forward, unplug vent connection rubber fittings, garden hose water into vent, (toward machine, not outside).  Water will wash lumps of lint into the tub where they can be removed.
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Splendide Removal

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Tom & Lynda –
We ended up installing a stacked  washer and dryer.
Tom,
 
Do you remember which model numbers you bought?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Splendide Removal

Reply #6 –
Trent,  We installed the Ariston model ARXL129WSP washer and Ariston AS66VX dryer.  Ariston is made by Splendide.  I built a shelf above the washer for the dryer to sit on.  Each unit has their own circuit so we can run both at the same time. Tom
Tom and Linda
1995 U280SE #4636

Re: Splendide Removal

Reply #7 –
Wooden retaining ledge across the bottom.  Pull staples. Pull back carpet.  Unscrew retainer. Pull splendide out
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Splendide Removal

Reply #8 –
I just pulled ours out last week (2003 U320).  1st gain access from top, in the rear.  Unscrew the vent hose top rear.  See if water hoses, drain hoses, and power cord look long enough to leave connected to pull drier out, if not remove all above. 

*If* you have clearance to tilt the washer/drier, just tilt the front upward, and slide the unit out up and over the front bottom board.  Might have carpet or cardboard on floor to put the drier on.

Two possibilities: the drier element may be burned out. If so, order a new drier heating element , and it will "probably" also require a new mount system for the heating element (it changed the mount over the years).

2nd possibility - just a big lint ball in the top rear drier vent on the unit itself.  Remove hard plastic outer ring.  With LONG needle nose pliers, reach in rubber exhaust boot and "pinch" the lint ball, pulling it out. Repeat multiple times, shine a light in and see if clear.

Using the reverse water hose blast from the rear does not always remove the lint ball. The needle nose pliers technique works best.

Do you have a photo of how your drier is in the coach? I may have more advice on accessing the top of the unit at rear to remove hoses etc.

If you need help with figuring it out PM me and I'll give you my phone number.  I have operated on the Splendide in 2 coaches, replaced heating element in last coach, cleaned lint blockages, and cleaned out the drain at bottom.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Splendide Removal

Reply #9 –
Dan,

I can access my dryer from the top which I will do next week.  If I have further problems I'll shoot you a PM, thanks.

Re: Splendide Removal

Reply #10 –
My wife just told me that the dryer function on our Splendide is working again, so that means the element is good.  Now I need to access the back of the washer/dryer for lint removal. 

It looks like the luan floor of the closet directly above the W/D has perimeter screws securing it. The ceiling in the W/D cabinet is walnut veneer luan, so I'm guessing there's a framework with two pieces of luan attached top and bottom (sandwich) and the top piece is bigger so that it can rest on the cabinet frame, creating a floor/ceiling?

My question;  Are those perimeter screws the only thing holding the floor of the closet in place?

Also, is there a thermo-switch on the dryer heating element that would cause it to shut down if too much lint was causing overheat?



Re: Splendide Removal

Reply #11 –
From that picture of the washer dryer I can see why your called the traveling man. Looks like you have a tee shirt from just about everywhere😀
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Splendide Removal

Reply #12 –
"luan attached top and bottom (sandwich) and the top piece is bigger so that it can rest on the cabinet frame, creating a floor/ceiling".  Correct.  That is true.


There is some form of thermo switch, so the drier does go into fault mod if the lint blockage causes overheating.

 On mine (2003 U320) I was able to remove the floor of the upper cabinet.  However, the lower cabinet had a separate "roof". In other words, a double layer with air space in between.

To remove the drier entirely, and for greater access with it partially out of the cabinet, and to ease future maintenance, I removed the "roof" of the lower cabinet.  No reason I can see for a double layer.

On mine, removing the floor of the upper cabinet revealed the roof of the lower cabinet, and only the most rearward portion of the "roof" had a access cut to the drier hose, water connections, power cord plug in, and drain hose.

I decided the double layer made future maintenance more difficult, and served no real world purpose/advantage.  I cut out the lower layer, and only have the upper layer now.  There is a framework the upper layer rests upon - so the upper layer really needs no screws at all, or only a couple.

The best lint removal technique I have found is a pair of very long needle nose pliers, to reach into the rubber vent boot, and "pinch" to pull out lint balls.  I have done the reverse water hose flush from the vent boot pushing water into the drier, and still pulled out lint balls with pliers after.  With the right angle, you can pull the rubber boot part way out and shine a smaller flashlight in to see the blockage.

I think for those without dogs and/or cats, they get fewer lint ball problems.  The animal hair gets on clothes and slowly collects in the drier rubber boot  vent outlet.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Splendide Removal

Reply #13 –
Thanks Dan.

I may try the garden hose idea but I really hate to inject water in there without being able to see if there's a leak, plus we're living in the coach at present so I'd like to not have to entirely remove the W/D unless it's absolutely necessary.

Re: Splendide Removal

Reply #14 –
T-Man,

    I do not have a dryer, so I am not familiar with the vent. Is there anyway

you could rig the hose from a strong vacuum like a shop vac or one at a

car wash to help get the dust out? Or maybe something like a sewer snake?

Carter-

Re: Splendide Removal

Reply #16 –
Thanks John.
Quote from: Texas Guy –
T-Man,

    I do not have a dryer, so I am not familiar with the vent. Is there anyway

you could rig the hose from a strong vacuum like a shop vac or one at a

car wash to help get the dust out? Or maybe something like a sewer snake?

Carter-

Maybe, thanks for the suggestion Carter,

Re: Splendide Removal

Reply #17 –

The problem is not the flexible drier venting duct that we have all had in our sticks and bricks over the years. 

The lint that blocks drying and causes overheating  is a internal rubber duct that makes two 90 degree turns inside the back of the Spendide.  The tool will not solve the problem and will not fit in the rubber internal duct.

Quote from: John Morales –
T-Man,
Clean your vent out easily.
John M.
Amazon.com: Deflecto Dryer Duct Cleaning Kit, Extends Up To 12': Home...
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Splendide Removal

Reply #18 –
Let me correct what I said. We are not so country here that we do not

have a washer and dryer at home, just meant in the MH. Actually I can

remember having a washer with an outboard wringer, we then headed

outside to "the clothes line" if the weather was nice. Otherwise clothes were

hung inside and all over the place.

Carter-