Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

Hi folks,

I've been thinking about picking up a PT-40 for awhile with the
intention of living in it. As a result, the washer/dryer combo is a
necessity - and I don't want it in the cargo bay, I'd like it up in
the coach.

Thing is, I've seen several nice coaches for sale that either do not
have this option, or have it in the cargo bay. My questions are:

1. How difficult/expensive would this be to add to a coach that didn't have it?
2. How difficult/expensive to move one from the cargo bay?
3. How useful is this washer/dryer unit, anyway? Does it typically work well?

Thank you for your assistance.

-Ryan

If you look back to march 21st in the posts here you will find my post about
installing a Splendide in our PT40.

Item 3 is very subjective, and the opinions about washer/dryers in motor homes
vary from "not on your life" to "indispensable." I think that "indispensable"
becomes more common for people who spend a lot of time in their coach, but it
isn't unanimous there.

In our case, my wife would not consider RVing without one. We installed one in
our first SOB (it was plumbed), and the next one had a factory install. When we
bought the PT-40 it was understood that getting a washer/dryer into it was a
requirement, and it could not be in an outside bay. I took it as a given that we
could manage it, but there were several times during the install when I
questioned whether it would be successful.

Since PT-40 interiors vary, I'm not now going to assume that it is always
possible to get one in.

In order to install one you need a space that is wide enough, deep enough, and
has access to water and sewer, either black or grey. You can see our coach
pictures at http://www.arcatapet.net/travel/wanderlodge.cfm and you will see
that we have a fairly common floorplan for a 90. I don't think there was any
choice but to use the closet across from the shower/tub. The back right corner
of that closet has a trace containing the vent for the blackwater tank (which
also takes all of the kitchen sink output - only shower and bathroom vanity flow
to grey water on this coach). Hot and cold water run along the floor behind the
bottom drawer beneath the closet.

The space measures out as "not enough" so the challenge was to make it enough.
Removing a full-height plywood block-stop from the back of the left-hand door
allowed the right door to open enough to get the unit in. Cutting off the trace
at the top of the unit allowed just enough front-back clearance when it was
pushed up against the vent pipe itself. Cutting a 16x16-inch hole in the closet
floor made it much easier to do the water plumbing, with the cutout portion
reinserted on top of cross-braces.

I did most of the grunt work except the plumbing, working with a local RV place.
Ended up with a bill around $1450, and I think it would have run at least $500
more if they had done it all. The end result is here:
http://www.arcatapet.net/travel/images/9...g_3922.jpg

It is a hard decision, and I don't know how to help you make it other than to
describe what I did.

The installation data sheet for the Splendide 2000S, with measurements, can be
found here: http://www.splendide.com/wd2000s_datasheet.pdf

The 2100 is bigger/better, but needs another inch front-to-back that we could
not squeeze out.

On 4/7/2007 at 8:06 PM Ryan Wright wrote:

>Hi folks,
>
>I've been thinking about picking up a PT-40 for awhile with the
>intention of living in it. As a result, the washer/dryer combo is a
>necessity - and I don't want it in the cargo bay, I'd like it up in
>the coach.
>
>Thing is, I've seen several nice coaches for sale that either do not
>have this option, or have it in the cargo bay. My questions are:
>
>1. How difficult/expensive would this be to add to a coach that didn't
>have it?
>2. How difficult/expensive to move one from the cargo bay?
>3. How useful is this washer/dryer unit, anyway? Does it typically work
>well?
>
>Thank you for your assistance.
>
>-Ryan
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

Don Bradner
90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
Eureka, CA

Ryan, Richard and Julie Bonser have a 92 WLWB that they just put up for
sale. Contact _julbon@..._ (mailto:julbon@...) .
They are selling because of health issues. We wish them all the best.

Ernie Ekberg
83PT40
Livingston, Mt




************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I think Don Bradner just installed on in his 1990. Mine is in the bathroom
closet. The wife uses it daily when we are in the bus, on the road or in the
park. There are 5 of us. While it takes small loads, it works well. A side
benefit is the soapy water drains into the black tank and helps keep it clean.

Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
Niceville, FL
Happy Easter
1990 WB-40


----- Original Message -----
From: Ryan Wright
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2007 10:06 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Adding washer/dryer difficult?


Hi folks,

I've been thinking about picking up a PT-40 for awhile with the
intention of living in it. As a result, the washer/dryer combo is a
necessity - and I don't want it in the cargo bay, I'd like it up in
the coach.

Thing is, I've seen several nice coaches for sale that either do not
have this option, or have it in the cargo bay. My questions are:

1. How difficult/expensive would this be to add to a coach that didn't have
it?
2. How difficult/expensive to move one from the cargo bay?
3. How useful is this washer/dryer unit, anyway? Does it typically work well?

Thank you for your assistance.

-Ryan




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

---Ryan:
We put Splendide 6200 in closet of our 90SP36 and use it almost
everyday!..Did plumbing with the help of my friend John Benham in
Texas..pretty easy job.....couple trips to hardware store etc...NO
outside venting..works fine.......email me if u need more info...
Regards,
Hank Hannigan
90SP36










In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan Wright"
wrote:
>
> Hi folks,
>
> I've been thinking about picking up a PT-40 for awhile with the
> intention of living in it. As a result, the washer/dryer combo is a
> necessity - and I don't want it in the cargo bay, I'd like it up in
> the coach.
>
> Thing is, I've seen several nice coaches for sale that either do
not
> have this option, or have it in the cargo bay. My questions are:
>
> 1. How difficult/expensive would this be to add to a coach that
didn't have it?
> 2. How difficult/expensive to move one from the cargo bay?
> 3. How useful is this washer/dryer unit, anyway? Does it typically
work well?
>
> Thank you for your assistance.
>
> -Ryan
>

I can't address the first 2 questions as my combo w/d is located in a
closet in the bathroom. My observations:
It washes very small loads. It's dryer handles even smaller loads.
The washing is OK. The dryer took FOREVER (although there is a
question about whether or not I have a dryer vent and if it was open
if I do, indeed have one.)

We still have the combo unit -- but this week we're washing all our
clothes at my wife's parents house. We'll give it another try,
probably next week. If it doesn't "prove out" I'll probably take it
out as I'd rather have the space for storage.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
in Golden CO this week.
aeonix1@...



On Apr 7, 2007, at 8:06 PM, Ryan Wright wrote:

> <snip> My questions are:
>
> 1. How difficult/expensive would this be to add to a coach that
> didn't have it?
> 2. How difficult/expensive to move one from the cargo bay?
> 3. How useful is this washer/dryer unit, anyway? Does it typically
> work well?
>
> Thank you for your assistance.
>
> -Ryan
>

Our dryer has an external vent. It drys properly and does pretty well for a
small load machine. If you try to dry to much at once, the clothes can wrinkle.
Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
Niceville, FL



----- Original Message -----
From: Ryan Wright
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 1:05 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Adding washer/dryer difficult?


Thanks all for the responses on this. I appreciate them. I was
surprised at the costs mentioned by Don - I thought these would be
much more expensive. I looked 'em up and ~$1000 for the unit is less
than half what I thought they'd be. Not bad at all in the grand scheme
of things.

Pete mentioned problems with the dryer - do others have issues with
getting things dry?

I realize it's only going to wash small loads, but that's fine. I'm
not the type to accumulate laundry, in fact I'm perfectly happy to
wash a single load of whatever I wore that day each night, or every
other night.

-Ryan




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thanks all for the responses on this. I appreciate them. I was
surprised at the costs mentioned by Don - I thought these would be
much more expensive. I looked 'em up and ~$1000 for the unit is less
than half what I thought they'd be. Not bad at all in the grand scheme
of things.

Pete mentioned problems with the dryer - do others have issues with
getting things dry?

I realize it's only going to wash small loads, but that's fine. I'm
not the type to accumulate laundry, in fact I'm perfectly happy to
wash a single load of whatever I wore that day each night, or every
other night.

-Ryan

The every-night method is our normal way also, unless we are boondocking.
110-volt dryers take a long time. Unvented versions take even longer, and use a
lot of water in the process.

To compensate somewhat, the units have very high spin rates to get rid of as
much water as possible before drying. That adds to wrinkles, so the newer units
have some variable-speed spin cycles that reduce the wrinkles somewhat. They are
quite marvelous machines, even if less than perfect.

On 4/11/2007 at 11:05 AM Ryan Wright wrote:

>Thanks all for the responses on this. I appreciate them. I was
>surprised at the costs mentioned by Don - I thought these would be
>much more expensive. I looked 'em up and ~$1000 for the unit is less
>than half what I thought they'd be. Not bad at all in the grand scheme
>of things.
>
>Pete mentioned problems with the dryer - do others have issues with
>getting things dry?
>
>I realize it's only going to wash small loads, but that's fine. I'm
>not the type to accumulate laundry, in fact I'm perfectly happy to
>wash a single load of whatever I wore that day each night, or every
>other night.

Don Bradner
90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
Eureka, CA

Thanks folks. This group makes the Wanderlodge so much more attractive
than other rigs. Like it needed any help, but, you know. :-)

-Ryan

On 4/11/07, Don Bradner wrote:
>
> The every-night method is our normal way also, unless we are boondocking.
110-volt
> dryers take a long time. Unvented versions take even longer, and use a lot of
water in the
> process.
>
> To compensate somewhat, the units have very high spin rates to get rid of as
much
> water as possible before drying. That adds to wrinkles, so the newer units
have some
> variable-speed spin cycles that reduce the wrinkles somewhat. They are quite
marvelous
> machines, even if less than perfect.
>