Comparing Stackable and Combo Units to Keep Your Clothes Clean

Hiking, camping, exploring—the RV life can be quite an adventure. Often, these experiences result in a ton of dirty, smelly clothes that you wouldn't want to leave laying around. Fortunately, there are several options for getting your clothing clean and smelling good. Many motorhomes and trailers come equipped with washers and dryers located in either the bedroom closet or in the kitchen area, and those that don't can usually have them installed. Plus, for campers that don't want to take up the floor space with appliances, many RV parks and campgrounds have ample laundry facilities for the convenience of their residents and visitors.

With so many options available, how do you know what is the right one for you? A couple of things to consider are the size of your RV and your typical lifestyle. If you use your rig for traveling, camping, and vacations, you might find using a Laundromat or campground facility would be easier. If you live in your RV full-time, however, you might find having in-home appliances as necessary as you would in a brick or stick house.

Stackable Units: Pros and Cons

Stackable units are actually two separate units—a washing machine and a dryer—stacked one on top of the other. This enables them to take up no more floor space than one machine would, making them quite convenient in the limited space of an RV. The primary benefit to this style of laundry set up is that it allows you to finish your wash in half the time of the combo unit since you can have a load of laundry drying while you start washing a second load of clothes. A few of the top stackable washer and dryer sets from 2018 include these:

• Bosch 500 Series BOWADRE28403 Set

• Maytag 3505 Pair

• Maytag 5500 Pair

• Samsung 45K6200 Pair

• Whirlpool 9290 Pair

There are two main issues that people are most likely to complain about with this laundry option. First, it does take up twice the vertical space of the all-in-one, and in an RV space is always a premium. Second, the traditional dryer requires outside ventilation. If your RV was previously set up for an in-house laundry, it probably already has this access. If, however, you've decided to add in a washer/dryer during a renovation, it is much easier to install the combo unit.

Related Read: Laundry on the Go

All-in-One Combo Units: Pros and Cons

Many people swear by the all-in-one. These appliances handle both washing and drying without requiring you to switch the wet clothing to another machine. They're perfect for setting up and then leaving for the day. Many units use a condensation-based drying system that doesn't require outside ventilation. This is perfect for RVs that haven't already been set up for a washer and dryer. Plus, they take up half the space of a stackable set up, leaving room for a folding table over the machine, shelves, or additional closet space for hanging clothes. Some of the most popular models for 2018 include the following:

• Deco 4000 1.6-cubic foot Combo

• Haier HLC1700AXS 2.0-cubic foot Front Load

·LG Electronics WM3477HS 2.3-cubic foot Ventless

·LG Electronics WM3997HWA 4.3-cubic foot All-in-One

·Summit SPWD2200W 2.0-cubic foot Combo

Other RVers feel that a combo unit functions less efficiently than a separate washing machine and dryer do. Another common complaint is that since the washing and drying occurs in the same appliance, it is impossible to handle more than one load at a time. This means that laundry invariably takes twice as long to finish.

Laundry Facilities: Pros and Cons

Whether you have a washer/dryer or not, there are several benefits to using the laundry facilities provided by your RV Park. They're often centrally located to be convenient for all campers. Plus, washing your clothes outside of the RV means that you won't have to empty your gray-water tank as often. Drying them away from the RV means you won't be heating up your space during the summer, requiring the use of more energy to cool it back down. Additionally, when you aren't using shore power, you have to run your generator anytime you want to use your in-home laundry, and depending on current fuel prices, that can get pretty pricey. If your park doesn't have a laundry room, you can usually find a Laundromat or professional cleaner in the nearest town.

Perhaps best of all, washing at a location that has multiple machines enables you to wash and dry all of your laundry at once, rather than spending the day washing load after load in one machine.

Related Read: Mastering the Art of Laundry in Your RV

On the down-size, depending on the facility, the machines can be old and poorly maintained. This can be hard on your clothes perhaps leaving them with tears or even rust stains. Plus, not all facilities have change machines so you can get the required coins to operate the machines. Lastly, the washers and dryers at these places may be used by hundreds of other people. Sometimes, the clothing from prior patrons is left behind in the machine, and unless you inspect each before loading your clothing you may find a foreign article or two—or even worse—among your clean clothes when you begin folding them.

In Conclusion

If you are going to install—or replace—a washing machine and dryer, whether a stackable set or an all-in-one, choose one that's ENERGY STAR qualified to ensure maximum efficiency. If you already have laundry appliances in your motorhome or trailer, consider your options before removing or replacing your existing unit(s). Shop around, read reviews, and consider what you want for you RV before buying.

RVing is one of the most freeing experiences one can have. Using your existing washer/dryer, installing a different style, removing the machine to free-up some additional space or build a closet—however you choose to wash your laundry and use your RV is entirely up to you. Fortunately, with so many options, your home—or your home-away-from-home—can be anything you want it to be.