To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

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To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

June 17, 2016, 10:45:31 am

We have been hemming and hawing about whether or not to have a drain pan installed with our stackable washer and dryer. From all the looking we've done, the Newells we've seen do not have one underneath their apartment style washer and dryers, and I have not seen one in the newer model Foretravels, either. When we asked David Flanagan about it, he said they basically never install them.

Looking at the plastic one that Splendide offers, it doesn't exactly thrill me.

Of course we know the benefits and peace of mind to having one, but I'd like to know who has one, who doesn't have one, and if you have something other than the Splendide one, where did you get it?

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #1 – June 17, 2016, 10:48:32 am

What is below the washer. A finished level or the basement. I would not install one

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #2 – June 17, 2016, 11:04:33 am

The Washer/Dryer that was in our 295 was removed as not needed, but, having said that I personally cannot envision NOT having a drain pan under one no matter what is below it. I would also only use a galvanized metal one (they are available or can be made to suit) and should have a 1" drain tube and hose fitted to exit under coach. These machines (just like a hot water tank) are very prone to leaking with age and surely a person does not want all that water going into the under carraige of our style coach's!
I would also suggest that the tray is made to fit the complete open floor area of the cabinet washer is in, not just the washer itself.
JohnH

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #3 – June 17, 2016, 11:17:29 am

I'm thinking instead of an unsightly drain pan, install small 1/4 turn inline water shutoffs. Of course you have to be religious about using them. It seems like in an unattended coach, this would overflow anyway.

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #4 – June 17, 2016, 11:18:35 am

I know Foretravel never installed them, but having had to rebuild the basement framing and bulkhead joint area because of a freshwater leak (took me almost two years), I wasn't about to take a chance on a leak going unnoticed. I plumbed the outlet down through the floor into the coach drain manifold where it can exit through the basement floor. There is a ball valve inline with the drain pan outlet which is closed in the picture but is normally left open. All of the other valves are opened only to drain the various systems. I used the splendid pan, as I wasn't able to find any alternatives at the time. It is made out of a very tough polyethylene type plastic, and I am satisfied with the product. It is really no more noticeable than the carpet which Foretravel normally put there, and to my eye, looks less incongruous.

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #5 – June 17, 2016, 11:53:06 am

I also replaced the drain out the side of the pan with one that went out the bottom rear of the pan. That hose goes to the utility bay and can reach out the power cable door. Also use a little brass wool the keep the critters out of the hose.

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #6 – June 17, 2016, 11:58:14 am

I just installed a Splendide, and used their tough pan. But the pan came with rear outlet in the wall of the pan. I had zero room to even think about using that drain. So I plugged it, and then also cut off the exterior hanging out nipple, to get the pan to flush to the rear outside wall. Then I installed a yacht thru hull fitting in the bottom of the pan, plumbed down thru the platform, and then thru the coach floor. I added a flexible hose, and lead it aft, and out to the air of the rear wheel area. I added a net screen to stop bugs building in the drain hose. I also had to lower the washer platform to avoid hitting a steel angled structure of the wall.

A caution to everyone, my black pipe drain had never been used, and it leaked at one of the fittings on the pee trap. When I was checking for any leaks, I never thought a factory installed pipe might be an issue. I had to undo, remove closet door, and pull everything out to access the black pvc drain on the side wall of the closet. We were able to feed a hose thru the dryer vent to load the black pipe with lots of water to test our fix.

Also, there was simply no way any form of exhaust hook up was possible. I needed every 1/16" front to back to let the solid closet door not touch against the unit's door. I had to modify the machine's exhaust part, and then press into it a pipe accessory from the outside of the coach, once the unit was installed. Hoses, clamps, snorkels, no room for any of those. Now after 40+ loads, everything is still working perfectly. I used a way less than the normal dryer vent hose sized drilled hole, as the machine only has a 2 1/4" interior discharge port. Figured why drill a huge hole in the side of my coach?

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #7 – June 17, 2016, 03:06:58 pm

If I were installing a Washer and Dryer I would put in a drain pan that drains below the basement floor.

I would also use Flood Safe hoses. These have flow rate sensitive valves that will close in the event of a major leak. These are a good idea on the incoming water line to the coach if you are leaving the external water source open.

Watts MFS PBSPL48-1212 FloodSafe 3/4-by-3/4-by-48-Inch Washing Machine...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #8 – June 17, 2016, 03:16:32 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – June 17, 2016, 03:06:58 pm

https:/amazon.com/gp/product/B000HE5EXC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Good idea, Rog, but the link works zero & you've got your PM blocked. As a "Commercial Member" that is odd.

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #9 – June 17, 2016, 04:00:10 pm

Before installing the Splendide in my coach I had a conversation with the Splendide factory representative at a FMCA convention. He told me that the only reason that Splendide made a pan available was because Country Coach insisted on it. In his opinion, most leaks were the result of sloppy installation and he told me that he would not do it if it was his. That information coupled with the fact that my previous coach with Splendide installed never leaked during the 15 years was good enough for me. No pan installed.

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #10 – June 17, 2016, 05:02:21 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – June 17, 2016, 03:06:58 pm

I would also use Food Safe hoses. These have flow rate sensitive valves that will close in the event of a major leak. These are a good idea on the incoming water line to the coach if you are leaving the external water source open.

The Splendide unit does not have a standard connection on it for the fill hoses so you must use their supplied hoses.

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #11 – June 17, 2016, 05:21:42 pm

Quote from: Siren – June 17, 2016, 10:45:31 am

We have been hemming and hawing about whether or not to have a drain pan installed with our stackable washer and dryer.

Quote from: Michelle – June 17, 2016, 05:02:21 pm

The Splendide unit does not have a standard connection on it for the fill hoses so you must use their supplied hoses.

Oh, of course they don't have standard connections.

I think Siren is going to install a stackable pair, maybe not a Splendide.

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #12 – June 17, 2016, 06:40:52 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – June 17, 2016, 05:21:42 pm

Oh, of course they don't have standard connections.

I think Siren is going to install a stackable pair, maybe not a Splendide.

What did you do to your coach today v

Ariston is the stackable separate units from Splendide.

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #13 – June 17, 2016, 07:36:48 pm

OK, didn't see the other post. They had asked me about a Bosch. The installation instructions for the stackable pair show pretty much normal washing machine hose connections.

Use a 90Â° connector.
Watts MFS PBSPL48-1212 FloodSafe 3/4-by-3/4-by-48-Inch Washing Machine...
Amazon.com: Camco 22505 90 Degree Hose Elbow - Lead Free: Automotive

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #14 – June 17, 2016, 08:27:59 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – June 17, 2016, 07:36:48 pm

OK, didn't see the other post. They had asked me about a Bosch. The installation instructions for the stackable pair show pretty much normal washing machine hose connections.

Perhaps the Ariston version uses a normal thread on the machine end; the Splendide combo certainly doesn't. The hoses look standard, but the hose thread for the machine end is not and I confirmed that when I had to get replacement hoses from Westland Sales.

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #15 – June 17, 2016, 08:44:37 pm

In any case, the Flood Safe hoses are pretty neat. If the flow rate exceeds some set point, I think it is about 3.5 gallons per minute, the stop valve closes. It is resettable and adds a passive protection against a catastrophic water line failure. For folks who like to hook up to water and leave it on it can be a great add on.

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #16 – June 18, 2016, 12:22:05 am

Quote

Good idea, Rog, but the link works zero
On: Fri Jun 17, 2016 Roger & Susan in Home2 Wrote: https:/amazon
> .com/gp/product/B000HE5EXC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The problem of broken links occurs a lot and it may help to understand why it happens and how to fix it.

It is often caused by the link being split into multiple lines by the system being used to read the email.
Links are usually correct when reading the posting on Foreforums.com, so that may be the easiest way.

The line split can be made whole again if the problem posting can be changed or edited. Which may be done during a reply or copy to another place.

In Rogers split, the 2nd line starting with ".com" needs to be put just after the previous line "amazon", with any space. Or vis versa, with "amazon" being moved to just before ".com"

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #17 – June 18, 2016, 09:51:11 am

Quote from: Michelle – June 17, 2016, 08:27:59 pm

Perhaps the Ariston version uses a normal thread on the machine end; the Splendide combo certainly doesn't. The hoses look standard, but the hose thread for the machine end is not and I confirmed that when I had to get replacement hoses from Westland Sales.

Adapters?

I like the looks of this, if there's room to install one;
Amazon.com: Watts 1/2 A2C-M1 IntelliFlow Automatic Washing Machine Water...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #18 – June 18, 2016, 09:55:20 am

The links were fixed yesterday. It was not the split but a missing / after the https:/.

My copies of an Amazon address are always .. //smile.amazon .. I trim out the "smile". Sign up for smile, a charity of your choice gets 0.5% of everything you buy.

Thanks.

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #19 – June 18, 2016, 11:12:13 am

This looks like a good idea especially if the shut offs for water are hard to get too. In our home we always turn off the valves when washing Mc is finished with. They are behind and above the machine so easy.
I would think adding this unit in a coach may be tough unless you plumb it into the next closet or?
JohnH

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #20 – June 18, 2016, 11:41:18 am

After reading the ratings on the flood safe hoses I do not think I would want those.

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #21 – June 18, 2016, 02:35:06 pm

Typical reviews on Amazon. FloodSafe hoses installed correctly, work very well. The valves are directional and are clearly marked. Very few appliance exceed the flow rate so incidental stoppage should not be happening. Mine will sometimes trip using it between the water supply and the filters and water softener if they were drained. If there is water in them it never trips. We almost never leave the water connected to the coach except to fill the tank and always shut the pump off if we are not there.

We have used them in the house for many years and on the coach for more than four years, no leaks, no failures.

Re: To drain pan, or not to drain pan - washer/dryer install

Reply #22 – June 18, 2016, 03:05:47 pm

Wow! Thank you all for your responses and suggestions.

I really appreciate all the details on how you have modified your drain pans. I also have a lot of respect for those of you that have done such meticulous work on your coaches. I am thinking we are leaning towards no drain pan - EEK - the rebels that we are.

We'll take extra special care that Flanagan's guys install it properly the first time, and with fingers crossed and good juju on our side, I think we will be A-OKAY!

Roger - we really like the looks of that hose. It sounds like a brilliant idea. I am pretty sure that since we are going with the Splendide Ariston Stackable (not the Bosch units we were talking about), them crazy Italians do have their own way of threading the hose. I'll double check on Monday when we see the washer and dryer in person, and check with Flanagan. If it miraculously works, I'll Amazon Prime that overnight.

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