Electric Awning/Washer&Dryer

[ChiefJohn]

We're heading to Smith Center in June and the DW is trying to make a decision between having Jack install an electric awning or washer/dryer?? Our coach is prewired for the electric awning and prepped for the washer/dryer so installation of either one should not be too difficult. Forum members input appreciated.

[ChiefJohn]

We're heading to Smith Center in June and the DW is trying to make a decision between having Jack install an electric awning or washer/dryer?? Our coach is prewired for the electric awning and prepped for the washer/dryer so installation of either one should not be too difficult. Forum members input appreciated.

[Desert AV]

My last 5th wheel had a washer/dryer combo unit. We hardly used it because it felt like the rig was gonna fall apart when the spin cycle started. My local RV mechanic told me that was a pretty common problem due to the fact that they are very difficult to level and once you do get them level they get out of level from bouncing down the highways.

They also use a lot of water and don't dry very well because the dryer is only running off of 110 volt power as opposed to a residential dryer at 220 or gas fired.

Hope this helps.

[ChiefJohn]

Thanks Tomas -- we were looking at a Sears stacked unit with the gas (propane) option. We seldom use the furnace and have 2 lb bottles of propane--I understand from others, that the propane usage is about what the furnace uses.

[LindaH]

We ordered the washer/dryer in our new Excel...it's a Whirlpool front load washer and electric dryer. Both work very well and the front load washer doesn't use nearly as much water as a top loader does (but who cares, anyway...you're only going to use it when you're at a full hookup site) and gets clothes cleaner without as much wear and tear on the fabrics.

As far as the rig shaking when the spin cycle is going, we've added JT's Strong Arm Jack Stabilizers so our rig doesn't move when the washer is spinning.!

Regarding the electric awning, if it's the one with the wind sensor, personally, I'd be very leery of it. While they probably work very well in moderately increasing winds -- closing when the wind gets to some predetermined speed -- I can see where a sudden burst of wind could have the awning draped over the top of your rig before it ever had a chance to close.

[Desert AV]

No problem John
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The brand I had was a Splendide and was all electric. My Fifth Wheel was also not an Excel but an Alfa so I guess the build quality of the rig might have had a little to do with it. (Luckily the wheels didn't fall off during the spin cycle).
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I imagine these units have their advantages and disadvantages just like everything else. The real advantage in my situation was being that we are not full timers and have 2 small children that like to get wet and dirty when camping, it was nice to be able to do a small load of clothes and let them dry on a homemade clothesline strung up between the trees.

[redwing1]

Chief, you can't go wrong with the washer/dryer, we wouldn't do without it. We have never had the "shaking" experience with ours.
We're picking up our new '07 L35TKE in June and it will have the washer/dryer also.

[M&S Norrell]

We have the electric awning on our new unit; however, when we first got it, the door was rubbing on it when we opened it. Because of how the roof rolls around the sides, the awning had to be installed at a different height than Dometic had designed it for. PI got with Dometic and they made a new awning 2" shorter and it no longer rubs.

[Highgturn]

John,

We have both the W/D and the power awning. If I could only have one of them, I would go with the W/D. As Linda, stated, the Whirlpool units that PI installs really do work well. The 110v electric dryer works almost as well as a 220v residential. It draws about 12 amps so it can easly be run with your generator, if need be.

[ChiefJohn]

Thanks Bob we'll probably go with the W/D as we've RV'ed this long without a power awning. DW does miss the W/D we had in our previous MH.

[P3 guy]

Ours had a Sears pair in it when we bought it. They have really worked well for us. The dryer was hung off the wall with the top load washer below. The only problem we've experienced is the washer lid dropping at inopportune times. We have experienced no shaking in the spin cycle. It sure beats sitting around a laundromat reading outdated bulletin boards for a couple of hours each week.