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Topic: What's Involved in Retrofit W/D (Read 1393 times) previous topic - next topic

What's Involved in Retrofit W/D

What's involved with putting in w/d in 1996 U295 WTBI?

TIA.
1996 36' U295 Build #4879 Motorcade #18088
2007 Jeep Liberty 4x4 FMCA #F474816
Foretravel Mid-South
There's no happy like Foretravel happy!

Re: What's Involved in Retrofit W/D

Reply #1 –
J,
Our 99 U270 had been fitted and then it was removed. Was your coach equipped from the factory? If so, it should not be too hard.
If not, then you would need to tap the water manifold, place in a drain, tap into the vent flue, and wire it up.

Len
Len and Deb Speiser
1999 U270 36'
2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
You're either on the bus, or you're off the bus!--Ken Kesey
If you're lucky enough to live in a bus, you're lucky enough!

Re: What's Involved in Retrofit W/D

Reply #2 –
I'm not sure. I wondered if they were all  pre set up for them. PO might know. Probably easiest thing for me to check is water valves I guess. I'm a total newbie.
1996 36' U295 Build #4879 Motorcade #18088
2007 Jeep Liberty 4x4 FMCA #F474816
Foretravel Mid-South
There's no happy like Foretravel happy!

Re: What's Involved in Retrofit W/D

Reply #3 –
Quote from: jhardman –
I wondered if they were all  pre set up for them.

On your coach it should be set up with both water hot & cold along with sewer. All will be hid in a closet wall or floor.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: What's Involved in Retrofit W/D

Reply #4 –
On my 96 wtbi the water and electrical connections were under the refrig at floor level.  You will need to drill a hole through the coach sidewall (assuming you're using a vented unit)  so will need a proper hole saw.  Be sure to check with a magnet for steel framing structure before you drill.  You may find it necessary to elevate the Splendide a couple inches in order to miss framing.  You have to be very accurate with locating that hole.  Love that Splendide, it's been well worth  the cost and effort.
"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: What's Involved in Retrofit W/D

Reply #5 –
J, Mike is right as usual, just look in the closet closest to kitchen and remove carpet and the plywood floor should be screwed down. Lift it out and you should find the connections(if not as Chuck just posted). The sewer pipe will be in the side wall of same cabinet. so take that out and prep from there.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: What's Involved in Retrofit W/D

Reply #6 –
I have noticed a small protrusion in the floor of the right hand hanging closet in the back on the right side.

Will the w/d units fit through door or do you have to remove one side of windshield?

I just trying to figure out if it's a job I could reasonably tackle or something I should leave to MOT...I'm not highly skilled but I have a brother in law who would probably tackle it with me and he has more confidence and experience.
1996 36' U295 Build #4879 Motorcade #18088
2007 Jeep Liberty 4x4 FMCA #F474816
Foretravel Mid-South
There's no happy like Foretravel happy!

Re: What's Involved in Retrofit W/D

Reply #7 –
J,
We had ours done at MOT. It took about 4 hours (if memory serves). We really like our splendide. The Forewheelers from AR convinced us of it's usefulness, and it has worked out well. Be warned that it does not have a great deal of capacity and the wash dry cycle takes some time.

Len
Len and Deb Speiser
1999 U270 36'
2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
You're either on the bus, or you're off the bus!--Ken Kesey
If you're lucky enough to live in a bus, you're lucky enough!

Re: What's Involved in Retrofit W/D

Reply #8 –
Quote from: jhardman –
Will the w/d units fit through door or do you have to remove one side of windshield?

J,

I think you have the wider door opening on your coach which the W/D should fit through. You will have to remove the inside grab handle to get it in. I would also recruit a couple of friends. To make sure look up the specs. on the unit you are looking at and then take a tape  measure out and check out the entry door.  I know of one owner that took a cardboard box and cut it to the measurements of a Splendide and used this mock up to map his rout before he started.

This is a learning experience for us all, some us have been learning longer than others but we all started out at ground zero.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: What's Involved in Retrofit W/D

Reply #9 –
We removed our Splendide in our 96 U295. Unit water/power connection in cabinet under fridge. Drain in common wall to fridge on right. Removed the grab handles from door and released the limit strap to open door fully. Carried out. Slid to exit on side on a moving blanket. I and a teenager put it through the door using moving men arm and back straps.

Fair warning. Heavy and corners are sharp. Biggest risk is punching a hole or scarring the dash upholstery. Don't ask me how I know.

Oh, and the unit sat in a plywood pedestal.
Alan & Gerri Ortiz
1996 U295 36 ft.
"Rocinante"
Hartwell, Georgia
1999 Subaru Forester
Build No. 4957 Motorcader 17399

Re: What's Involved in Retrofit W/D

Reply #10 –
The Splendide fit through the smaller door of the 96 with no problem.  I found a four wheel el cheapo dolly from HF (the wooden ones with four casters) worked well for moving it through the coach. I put some wooden blocks between dolly and washer to raise it to height of floor platform.  I wouldn't rate it an easy project, primarily due to weight,(148 lbs) very tight clearances side to side and fore to aft, and the need to locate the vent hole vewwwyyy accurately.  Basically, the one in my rig sits against the back wall, when slid into place the vent collar that you'd normally put the hose on slips into aforementioned hole, (hole is sleeved thru wall with thin aluminum skin) and I have maybe 1/2" of clearance from front of washer to inside of door when closed.  I have heard of others using a vent riser but no room in  mine for this. Reminds me, I need to anchor that puppy.

Occasionally it is necessary to tilt the splendide forward in order to clean the vent, so whatever anchoring scheme you use make it easy to release.  Four hours labor seems a good enough deal.
"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: What's Involved in Retrofit W/D

Reply #11 –
Several years ago I installed a w/d in a 1989 ored 36 ft. Did not come from factory ready for w/d.
George Ray 1992 U280 40'

Re: What's Involved in Retrofit W/D

Reply #12 –
This Saturday I will be replacing my Splendide 2100 with a new 2100XC. I was going to do this three months ago when in Portland, OR. I purchased the new one and brought it into the coach, only to find out that the vent hole is in a different place after I was assured by CW that "all" of the dimensions were the same. I returned the new one and had the old one repaired by the Splendide distributor near Portland. The repair only lasted three weeks and then I tried replacing parts with no success. I have decided to bite the bullet and drill a new hole and have the old one patched. I am worried about hitting something in the side wall and have carefully checked with a fancy/expensive stud finder. Still worried about hitting something and worried about the fiberglass repair but I loved the w/d when it was working properly. I will let everyone know how this project goes. I have a quartz floor and so sliding the w/d on a towel worked great.
2000, U320 36' with Cummins 450, Toad - 2016 Ford CMax Energi
Previous MHs; 1970 Winnebago, 1973 FMC 2900R, much later a heavily modified 1975 FMC 2900R.

Re: What's Involved in Retrofit W/D

Reply #13 –
Hello Ken, You might also consider starting with something like this adjustable vent.  If not a heating sheet metal shop would have not a problem making you a perfect one needed.  I just finished taking out a stacked pair and installing a 2100XC in my U295 and used the following.  I used this as it only required 3 inches clearance.  The distributor said I would be ok, they just recommended taking it apart each year to clean, not a problem, takes just a few minutes.  I did not want to do the new wall vent location, fiberglass work, etc.  I had to order as they did not have it in stock, only took a few days.  The following one is better quality than the one that follows.  (both made by same mfg)  Everbilt Adjustable Aluminum Dryer Duct-UD48HD - The Home Depot 
this one was in stock and I do not recommend Everbilt Adjustable Aluminum Dryer Duct-DAF2HD - The Home Depot 
I also used half of this, which made the install easier into the existing wall vent.  Everbilt 4 in. Dryer Duct to Wall Connector-EZCNHD - The Home Depot
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: What's Involved in Retrofit W/D

Reply #14 –
In my 88 Grand Villa 40, I removed the combination unit, removed the shelf and the door and trim ( door and trim stuck out a little over 2 inches).  Removed the raised floor and lowered it by more than 5 inches.  Made it just high enough to clear plumbing drain.  Install a 2.3 cf dryer(magic chef).  Built a cradle out of 3/4 angle for the dryer to sit in and screwed angle on the wall to hold the cradle. Used a flat vent and left a 1/2 " air space on top.  Built filler panels out of the door stock.  Glued and stapled the top and two side section, than screwed them into place so I can easily service the dryer if needed.  Top panel needs to have a space to circulate air.  Used a 2.1 c.f. portable magic chef washer that is a top loader, the lid fold in half which ensures full opening.  Drilled two holes in the plywood to the front wood brace to set the front feet of the washer into.  Place a piece wood over the top back so unit is completely stable.  Set them to one side so I have space for mop and broom storage.  Have a picture. Pikewrenchataolcom
This is what it looked like when I bought it home
Rick

Re: What's Involved in Retrofit W/D

Reply #15 –
A set of strong magnets and a straight edge will help you outline the steel framing members. It is easier to identify from the inside wall, because it is a bit thinner and also less dense.
Don
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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: What's Involved in Retrofit W/D

Reply #16 –
Thank you for everone's comments on my Splendide issues. I posted in another thread my solution, which was to lower the floor of the closet by more than 4" which allowed me to avoid the steel cross member that would have been in the way of a new hole that drilled in the side of the coach because the new W/D has a different exhaust position. It was a full day of work but the new W/D is in and working beautifully. The fiberglass work to patch prior hole is done and will new gel coat will be applied when it stops raining here.
2000, U320 36' with Cummins 450, Toad - 2016 Ford CMax Energi
Previous MHs; 1970 Winnebago, 1973 FMC 2900R, much later a heavily modified 1975 FMC 2900R.