Unless you are lucky enough to custom order your new RV from the factory, chances are it has some amenities you don’t need. When we purchased our first diesel pusher, it included the last thing we would ever want in a motorhome… or so we thought.
Enter the RV washer/dryer; it sat in one of the RV closets taking up valuable space that could otherwise be used to store clothes, linens, tools, or what-have-you, and we were not impressed.
Here we are, several years later, and we are true converts. While it is true that the unit is large, heavy, and takes up significant space, this is a small price to pay for the convenience a washer/dryer offers. It has really become a “must-have” go-to appliance in the years since.
We travel with two teenagers and two pets, and my eldest daughter has a two-year-old, and he is sure to be traveling with us soon as well, so the washer/dryer has become a lifesaver. We now take the appliance for granted, and certainly noticed its absence when we had one RV that did not have one. Our current RV has this essential appliance and it is unlikely we would be without one if and when we purchase a new RV in the future. If you’ve never considered a washer/dryer to be a factor in your RV purchasing decision, here are some thoughts that may affect your decision:
- You don’t have to turn around after leaving an RV park because you left a load of laundry in the dryer (yes this has happened).
- You won’t have to scrounge for change in order to wash your clothes
- You won’t have to purchase single-use wash detergent every time you need to do a load of laundry.
- It’s very easy to do laundry after kids and pets get things dirty.
- The space taken up by the washer/dryer may be compensated for by the fact you can pack fewer clothes and linens due to the convenience of onboard laundry.
- Individuals who may have soap sensitivities don’t have to worry about residual detergent in the commercial public machines.
- You don’t have to worry about changing your loads of laundry over between the public washers and dryers or leaving them in the machines while you are out, especially if the laundry facilities are busy and/or they close at night. This is especially relevant if you are out sightseeing and won’t be back to the park to switch your laundry.
- The sheer convenience of being able to do laundry where and when you want
There are some other things to think about when considering an RV washer/dryer:
- While combo units such as ours are the most convenient, the wash load capacity is generally larger than the drying capacity. The easiest workaround for this is simply to wash smaller loads
- You can opt for a separate washer and dryer units, but they take up more space and you will have to change your laundry over manually. This is not a major inconvenience for most people.
- You can also opt for vented or ventless dryers. The latter is used in RVs that can’t easily support a vent installed on the outside of the coach. Ventless dryers take longer to dry the laundry and consume more water.
- There are other options for washing clothes in an RV as well, such as washers that utilize the RV shower, as well as manually hand-cranked units. These are handy for the budget-conscious RV owner.
In summary, we have found that our washer/dryer has become an essential appliance in our motorhome, and the extra space it takes up is a small price to pay for the convenience it provides on the road. If you haven’t considered this appliance, or if you have previously dismissed it as an option, I highly recommend giving it another look.
About the author: Steve Froese
Steve Froese, an avid RV owner, traveler, and Coach-Net member since 2013, is the principal of “A Word to the Wise Technical Communications”, a published RV author, certified RV technician, and licensed Professional Engineer. He frequently collaborates with the “RV Doctor”, Gary Bunzer, and has worked with the RVIA/RVDA as a technical and training writer and consultant. Professionally, he works as a quality engineer and musician. Watch for more of Steve’s work in upcoming Coach-Net publications.
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Camping has always been something families do together. However, until recently, living and traveling in an RV fulltime was something that was primarily done by retirees. Now thanks to the internet, more and more young people are able to find mobile work and take their families on the road.
Obviously, if you’re going to be traveling fulltime, you will have to do some sort of homeschooling or 
When you move into your RV, be sure to set very clear boundaries for the kids from the beginning. For instance, our son is not allowed to leave our campsite without permission. He also isn’t allowed in anyone else’s RV without us. Setting these clear and unchanging boundaries will help keep your kids safe while you see the world.
RV homes are quite small. For this reason, it’s important to get out of the RV and stretch while all giving each other some space.
Camping with the family is always a fun experience—that is, until the rain starts pouring. When this happens, many campers feel disappointed and trapped inside of their RVs. While that feeling is totally understandable, it is also 100% avoidable.
As summer gives way to fall, many people will be winterizing their RVs and putting them away for the colder months. Fortunately, you do not have to be one of those people. Why not keep the RV out for some fall-time camping with the kids? Not only will you get to continue to enjoy the relaxing camping experience, your kids will be thrilled as well.
While acorns can be found on the ground in the summer, they become much more abundant as the weather turns colder. Take advantage of this fact by teaching your young nature explorers how to create a whistle from an acorn cap. Not only is this great fun, it could also be helpful knowledge to have in an emergency situation.
If you enjoy hiking, you are probably always looking for a way to entertain the kiddos during your treks through nature. Why not have the young hikers collect pretty fall leaves during your adventures? There are leaves in lots of amazing colors, shapes, and sizes, and collecting them could turn into a fun lesson on how to identify various leaves.
The fall season brings earlier sunsets, meaning much more of your camping time will be spent in darkness. However, you don’t have to let this fact put a damper on your fun. Instead, use the darkness to increase your fun by playing a rousing game of flashlight tag.
Summer and camping go hand in hand, and there is nothing quite as wonderful as sharing the summer camping experience with your kids. Part of the reason my family lives the RV lifestyle is to spend more time experiencing camping and making memories together, and I think every family should have the opportunity to do the same.
Hunting for treasure is fun for everyone. After all, it gives the hunters a great opportunity to pretend they are pirates, and who wouldn’t love to have that chance?
Many RVers have taken up painting and hiding rocks in the campgrounds they visit. The rocks are then found by others, who have the option to keep the pretty decorations or hide them somewhere else for other lucky campers to find.
Swimming is a big part of camping for most people. This is especially true during the hot summer months when keeping cool becomes difficult. Why not make your camping swimming sessions even more fun by playing some water games?
After the sun goes down, most campers can be found sitting around campfires telling stories and singing songs. While you will definitely want to have the classic campfire experience, there is nothing wrong with mixing it up on occasion.
Now that fall is upon us, camping becomes more and more popular. The fall temps make for great camping weather, and sitting around the campfire seems very appealing. But with every camping trip comes the inevitable question, ‘What should we cook?’ This fall, add some delicious seasonal vegetables and potatoes to your grocery list, and try one of these camping favorites!
