Adding washer and dryer to U295

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Adding washer and dryer to U295

June 05, 2021, 04:19:44 pm

I would like to put a washer and dryer combo in our u295. It looks like it was an option from the factory and there is the drain line and vent in the corner of the closet. Just curious if anyone has done this in their FT and could share some insight. Also looking for any recommendations on a unit to purchase.

Thanks!

Re: Adding washer and dryer to U295

Reply #1 – June 05, 2021, 07:44:40 pm

Our 01, 295 came with the washer/dryer installed. Not sure of your floor plan, but if already plumbed, I am betting that it is set up for the Spendide W/D Combo. We are very happy with ours, now the the DW has used it, she would never let it go.

Re: Adding washer and dryer to U295

Reply #2 – June 05, 2021, 07:54:22 pm

DW wasn't happy with the slow drying in our unit so I put a 220v dryer over the washer and just disabled all the dryer portion of the washer/dryer combo. DW Happy!!
Chris

Re: Adding washer and dryer to U295

Reply #3 – June 05, 2021, 10:10:38 pm

Do a search and you will find many of us have added and like having the all in one, combo Splendide.
My install required a dryer vent to be cut thru the exterior wall, and so I had to lower the supporting platform some inches to miss a steel diagonal bracing. The water hook ups are under the floor beside the washer locker space.

Re: Adding washer and dryer to U295

Reply #4 – June 06, 2021, 12:17:13 am

I will do some searching. Thanks for the advice. I figured since it was a factory option the rough in mechanical must be set up for it. My biggest question was where is the closest water and 110v. Didn't think about hitting the steel framing for the vent, good point. I have not looked at it close yet just know it's a must have for the DW!

Is anyone running the LG combo?

Re: Adding washer and dryer to U295

Reply #5 – June 06, 2021, 08:18:22 am

Ours went out a few weeks ago and have ordered the newest? from PPL Motorhomes. This is the combo washer/dryer and it was on sale. Seemed to be the best price out there. Check out their web page!

Re: Adding washer and dryer to U295

Reply #6 – June 06, 2021, 11:33:52 am

Quote from: nbluesky – June 06, 2021, 12:17:13 am

Is anyone running the LG combo?

Having a washer and dryer is a MUST for us! Your DW will be oh so happy to have one. Lift up the carpeted floor in the bottom of the closet to possibly find the water connections.

The LG combo looks like a feasible option - it is 120V and 10amp - only potential negative is that they are "ventless" which from what I have heard, means much longer drying times. There are LOTS of opinions of "vented" vs. "ventless" and most people swear by the "vented" units. This LG combo must be newer on the market, which is awesome. Gives the Splendide option a competitor. If only LG offered a "vented" option.....

Read all the reviews for anything you are considering. Splendide is tried and true, but new competitors are always welcome.

ALL THAT SAID - we LOVE LOVE LOVE having a stack-able Splendide with a separate washer and separate dryer. We can run both at the same time, and the load capacity is large!! Clothes are as dry as can be while another load is washing. If this is even a smidgen of a possibility, heed warning before showing to the DW.

Re: Adding washer and dryer to U295

Reply #7 – June 06, 2021, 11:41:35 am

Quote from: juicesqueezer – June 06, 2021, 08:18:22 am

Ours went out a few weeks ago and have ordered the newest? from PPL Motorhomes. This is the combo washer/dryer and it was on sale. Seemed to be the best price out there. Check out their web page!

Thanks for the info, it does seem to be the best price. What is their lead time? Does not say if it is in stock or not.

Quote from: Siren – June 06, 2021, 11:33:52 am

If this is even a smidgen of a possibility, heed warning before showing to the DW.

We had never used a combo unit before our last DP and she LOVED being able to put a load in and leave it all day while we were gone and come home to a dry load of laundry. The no swapping load from one unit to the other was a winner. Also not sure I would want to give up the whole closet. Look forward to looking for the waters under the floor.

Anyone know if 110V is nearby, again I could go look but have not had time yet.

Re: Adding washer and dryer to U295

Reply #8 – June 06, 2021, 12:10:33 pm

Quote from: nbluesky – June 06, 2021, 11:41:35 am

The no swapping load from one unit to the other was a winner. Also not sure I would want to give up the whole closet. Look forward to looking for the waters under the floor.

Anyone know if 110V is nearby, again I could go look but have not had time yet.

Oh, GREAT! So you have experience with them then. That is GREAT that the no-swapping is the winner for you. I love that there are different right options for different people.

If the water isn't in that closet, check the neighboring floor. It should be close. Same as the 110V. If your coach was plummed for a w/d, the 110v will be nearby as well.

Re: Adding washer and dryer to U295

Reply #9 – June 06, 2021, 09:03:48 pm

Noah, your supply line hook up and the 110 electric will be under the closet flooring. It just lifts up and you need to route your electric and water lines under the floor of where the washer/dryer will be sitting and bring them up the back wall. All this is depending on your rig, floor plan! Good luck and call PPL and they will tell you what they have in stock. Usually takes about 2 weeks to get. Longer if you are in Yellowstone NP! LOL

Re: Adding washer and dryer to U295

Reply #10 – June 07, 2021, 09:40:27 am

I put one in our 97 U295. One note, if you have a solid closet door, the depth probably is not going to be enough.
I actually had to cut into back wall, notching it out for drain line and a couple of other things.Or you could build a 1/4-3/8" frame all around closet opening, and space the door out.

We run ours with the door cracked open. Or you could order the correct vented 2 piece doors from FT, which allows the W/D to clear the door inside.One could install a metal vent in the door also.

Cutting the vent hole through the outside was no worries, FT had that planned, Have installed many, never hit any structure
Chris

Re: Adding washer and dryer to U295

Reply #11 – June 07, 2021, 04:43:13 pm

Perfect, just the info I was looking for. I figured it was set up for the install once I saw the empty closet with the drain/vent running up the back corner of the closet. I look forward to spending some time renovating and getting our FT on the road. I appreciate everyone's feedback! I will post some pics of the installation.

Re: Adding washer and dryer to U295

Reply #12 – June 08, 2021, 12:11:28 pm

Quote from: gracerace – June 07, 2021, 09:40:27 am

...Cutting the vent hole through the outside was no worries, FT had that planned, Have installed many, never hit any structure
Chris

It depends on the model of Splendide as to where the vent exits and on our 99' U270, the vent position on the XC2100 coincided with a horizontal frame member. The framing, being steel tubing, can easily be found with magnets (*the yellow plastic rectangles in the first picture are magnets used to locate outlet and switch boxes in drywall). Our coach had the vented doors and by modifying a dryer vent "periscope", I was able to make it fit without touching the door (just barely).
Don

Re: Adding washer and dryer to U295

Reply #13 – June 08, 2021, 12:34:21 pm

Quote from: Don & Tys – June 08, 2021, 12:11:28 pm

It depends on the model of Splendide as to where the vent exits and on our 99' U270, the vent position on the XC2100 coincided with a horizontal frame member. The framing, being steel tubing, can easily be found with magnets. Our coach had the vented doors and by modifying a dryer vent "periscope", I was able to make it fit without touching the door (just barely).
Don

Great pictures Don. Those are the flush mounted doors I was talking about.......Mine has one tall single one inset, a vent apparatus like that would never work on my coach.
Had to cut 3/4" into the back wall,moving the W/D back, just to get timer to clear door.
Guess I got lucky. Bought this one brand new for $400.00. Was a take out from someone that didn't want it.
Chris

Re: Adding washer and dryer to U295

Reply #14 – June 08, 2021, 01:36:38 pm

The vented doors add about a quarter inch of clearance for the washer door grab handle. Below is a picture that shows the right door closed and how close the door grab is to the vent louvers. There is enough clearance to fit a business card between the door grab and the louvers, but I doubt that two would fit easily.
Doin

Quote from: gracerace – June 08, 2021, 12:34:21 pm

Great pictures Don. Those are the flush mounted doors I was talking about.......Mine has one tall single one inset, a vent apparatus like that would never work on my coach.
Had to cut 3/4" into the back wall,moving the W/D back, just to get timer to clear door.
Guess I got lucky. Bought this one brand new for $400.00. Was a take out from someone that didn't want it.
Chris

Re: Adding washer and dryer to U295

Reply #15 – June 08, 2021, 02:00:22 pm

Quote from: Don & Tys – June 08, 2021, 01:36:38 pm

The vented doors add about a quarter inch of clearance for the washer door grab handle. Below is a picture that shows the right door closed and how close the door grab is to the vent louvers. There is enough clearance to fit a business card between the door grab and the louvers, but I doubt that two would fit easily.
Doin

WOW, still really tight on yours. Having the door flush like mine, compared to having it mounted like yours on the outside of the cabinet, cost me almost one inch.

With that, my timers etc. are right up against inside of the door, with 1" cut out of sections of the rear wall.
It fits though.

As a FT tech, we installed your type of doors, when we did an install for a customer aftermarket. But they were easier to get then.
Chris

Re: Adding washer and dryer to U295

Reply #16 – June 08, 2021, 10:23:20 pm

Quote from: gracerace – June 08, 2021, 12:34:21 pm

Great pictures Don. Those are the flush mounted doors I was talking about.......Mine has one tall single one inset, a vent apparatus like that would never work on my coach.
Had to cut 3/4" into the back wall,moving the W/D back, just to get timer to clear door.
Guess I got lucky. Bought this one brand new for $400.00. Was a take out from someone that didn't want it.
Chris

This is what my closet looks like so I guess I will be planning on pushing it back into the wall. How did you get an inch back there? Was there not one piece of wall framing in the way?

I have been looking online. Hoping to score a deal but if I run out of time I will just buy a new one. Or maybe I just snag the one out of my other coach since the buyer backed out today and I still own two diesel pushers

Re: Adding washer and dryer to U295

Reply #17 – June 09, 2021, 01:50:32 pm

Not sure where anyone found an inch into the back wall. On my 1998 U295, the total wall, from the outside gelcoat, the fiberglass, thru the closed cell, the side glass, and the inside cedar closet wall including the steel horizontal and diagonal bracing is maybe 1 3/4''.
On my 2100xc installed in 2016, my unit just by a 1/4 fits behind the walnut door. There was no room for any vent hose, or snorkel as Don used.

I very carefully measured 10x and drilled a vent hole at the perfect spot for a direct discharge from the Splendide outside. I found a plumbing part to join two pvc pipes, it's the rubber, and it fit perfectly into the discharge vent of the unit. And of course it reduces the inside diameter of the discharge by the rubber's wall thickness. I figured the lack of any inches or snorkel was still better for the drier's output.

Re: Adding washer and dryer to U295

Reply #18 – June 09, 2021, 02:03:27 pm

Quote from: Dave Cobb – June 09, 2021, 01:50:32 pm

Not sure where anyone found an inch into the back wall. On my 1998 U295, the total wall, from the outside gelcoat, the fiberglass, thru the closed cell, the side glass, and the inside cedar closet wall including the steel horizontal and diagonal bracing is maybe 1 3/4''.
On my 2100xc installed in 2016, my unit just by a 1/4 fits behind the walnut door. There was no room for any vent hose, or snorkel as Don used.

I very carefully measured 10x and drilled a vent hole at the perfect spot for a direct discharge from the Splendide outside. I found a plumbing part to join two pvc pipes, it's the rubber, and it fit perfectly into the discharge vent of the unit. And of course it reduces the inside diameter of the discharge by the rubber's wall thickness. I figured the lack of any inches or snorkel was still better for the drier's output.

Dave
The walls are actually 1 7/8' thick.....

I cut to almost the outer skin, then laid thin carpet pad in for insulation, and cushion on the items I cut out for. Mostly it was the drain hoses and water inlets.

Cutting didn't hit any metal framing. Sorry I don't have better pictures.

Be Careful to not gouge outer walls.

It was a pain, lifting it in and out trial and error to fit. Someone could make a template I guess.

While on the subject, make sure the vent pipe going outside is sealed good. You can get delam from the exhaust condensation. I check mine all the time.
Chris

I found my unit on craigslist. Been almost 5 years ago. I didn't mess around. Guy had 7 calls.It had never been used.

Re: Adding washer and dryer to U295

Reply #19 – June 09, 2021, 06:03:06 pm

"Dave
The walls are actually 1 7/8' thick....."
I have the wall plug and folks are amazed to see the cut out plug of the wall construction. I was just guessing on the thickness, and never thought to actually measure it.

And I have sealed the discharge pipe as you suggested.

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