Community Forums

Ralph K · 10-04-2009, 04:58 PM

This is our first posting.
Has anyone recently installed the Whirlpool Stackable Washer/Dryer, vented? Any reviews available?
We are thinking of having the factory install the set but would like to hear from anyone who has one.
Concerned about performance and capacity.
Installed price is approximately $2500.; is it worth the convenience of doing laundry in your unit?
Marlene & Ralph

Jim & Bona · 10-04-2009, 06:27 PM

Ralph,

Welcome to the Excel Owners Forum. You've come to the right place to hear all sides of just about any Excel trailer question you might have. My advice is to listen to everyone before you jump to any conclusion.

Regarding your question on the Whirlpool stackables, we bought them as a factory installed option and are very happy with that decision. Although you may not be able to justify the cost of this option when you pencil it out against using laundromats the convenience factor is well worth it in our case. I assume that you are planning to use your coach as a fulltimer. Otherwise, I'd advise against it if you're using it for weekends and vacations (even extended ones).

As to capacity and performance - while these are compact units with significantly less capacity than the washer/dryer you have in your stick house, they definitely aren't toys. We've used ours pretty hard for the last 1 1/2 years with nary a hiccup. And the wash job is up to par although the dryer takes a while as it runs on 110 volts. It seems that the cycle time for the washer is roughly equal to the time to dry a normal (don't overload) load. The model numbers on our Whirlpool units: Washer = LHW0050PQ4 and Dryer = LDR3822PQ1. I found the dryer on the Whirlpool website but not the washer. You could get the current model numbers from your Excel dealer and check out the capacities by downloading the owners manuals from the Whirlpool site.

I recall that the option price on the W/D combo in our '08 model was in the range of $1,500 =$1,600 -somewhat less than $2,500. But then I periodically suffer attacks of OldTimers disease as do several others on this forum. I honestly don't think I'd pay $2,500 for the W/D option.

Happy shopping and again, Welcome.

davydee · 10-05-2009, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralph K

This is our first posting.
is it worth the convenience of doing laundry in your unit?
Marlene & Ralph

Yes. In addition to Jim & Bona's comments: Just be aware that it shakes the trailer pretty good when you're running the washer. You'll need to ensure the gray tank drain is open when using the washer. Ensure you use HE detergent. Run washer once empty and test everything before traveling too far. We thought the washer did a great job cleaning everything. Dryer did a better job than we expected. Also, we tended to wash small loads everyday. David

Endeavor2BnC · 10-07-2009, 08:43 AM

Ralph,
Welcome to the forum and many happy & safe travels in the future.
We opted to not have a W/D because we wanted the extra storage space for FT'ing needs. We spend about 1.5 - 2 hrs / wk doing laundry. We figure the ave cost @ $11.50 / wk. If the new maching costs $1,600, that's 140 wks of laundry and some one else has the worries of problems. We also use the laundry day to run extra errands and to find out about the town from the locals. It's amazing what you can find out at the laundramats. So far after 18 mos of FT'ing, we have no regrets with our decision to not have the W/D. Good luck. Tim

KU9L · 10-07-2009, 08:54 AM

We are still on the fence on this one. Our 28rgo is too small for a W/D option, however it is $2.50/load at the RV resort we are working and often a long line for the machines that are actually working properly (outsourced machines). We are thinking of buying a WalMart 6.6lb (0.97cu ft) portable washer (~$200) that connects up to our sink faucet until we upgrade to a slightly larger rig in the next couple of years. We usually use solar drying racks anyway. This is what some of the workampers are using at the resort we worked at in the FL Keys last winter.

Dave

Route 66 · 10-07-2009, 09:03 AM

I have the Whirlpool stacked W/D and I am very satisfied with it.

As David notes above, the spin cycle can really shake the rig, but setting the spin speed to "medium" greatly reduced the vibration.

The capacity is certainly less than full size units, but the only things that can't be washed would be comforters, mattress pads, etc.

As a fulltimer, I wouldn't be without the W/D.

Rsteabag · 10-08-2009, 07:04 PM

Ralph we also have the whirlpool washer/dryer and this is our 2nd trailer that we have had them in and wouldn't be with out them. If the trailer is leveled we know it is on the spin cycle but not much and we don't leave the gray water open as a full wash cycle won't fill the tank. It will go from low to 3/4s full but never has filled to the top of the gray tank. I like to have the tank full to dump as soap and sludge/crud sits on the bottom so like to have a full load to wash it out.

Dick S

Norm4015 · 10-08-2009, 07:19 PM

We have a Dutch Star and we ordered it prepped for a stackable washer and dryer. Newmar preps every Dutch Star for a combo unit so they didn't charge anything to prep for a stackable. We bought the washer and dryer at Lowe's and saved a lot of money. We have used them 4 1/2 years fulltiming and love them. Our previous motorhome had Sears stackables and they were good too. In over ten years of fulltiming we have used a laundramat one time. Priceless.

BookIIRoadtrash · 10-09-2009, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm4015

We have a Dutch Star and we ordered it prepped for a stackable washer and dryer. Newmar preps every Dutch Star for a combo unit so they didn't charge anything to prep for a stackable. We bought the washer and dryer at Lowe's and saved a lot of money. We have used them 4 1/2 years fulltiming and love them. Our previous motorhome had Sears stackables and they were good too. In over ten years of fulltiming we have used a laundramat one time. Priceless.

In over ten years of fulltiming I have used a laundramat one time, because they have Fluff and Folds......Priceless!

rockintom · 10-09-2009, 08:33 AM

I guess we've been lucky.......in our 4.5 years of FTing we have only had 2 less then expected experiences in laundromats.

We had the rig built W/D ready......But couldn't afford anymore weight. Tried doing laundromats with few ill affects, so just kept it up. I know the stackables have gotten a lot better.....so we may consider in our next rig....which will be a little smaller and a bit lighter. ol' rockie

wa8yxm · 10-09-2009, 10:19 AM

One thing to do.. .. THE MATH

Cost of stackable combo/years of anticipated life.. (Remember bouncind down the highway does NOT increase their life)

Cost of using a laundromat over the same period of time.

When I did the math it was right about break-even

Now, Storage room.. That's a lot of storage space you give up when you install the combo

Results.. Wife and I opted to use laundromats instead

HOWEVER... your decision may be different.

rockintom · 10-09-2009, 10:55 AM

It's not about cost at all....it's call convienence. I did extensive research (anal retentive) and the bottom line is....50% have to have it for convienence and 50% find it unnecessary.

We had to laugh....we had happy hour with some folks we met in one of our winter resorts. The washer was shaking the whole rig....almost spilled my drink.

The lady said she would not RV without a W/D. Next day we were doing laundry in the resort. The couple came in with a couple of baskets of laundry. I asked if their washer had crapped out. She said they only do undies and the like in their washer, the rest has to be done in the laundry because they were too heavy and took too long to do!

Maybe someone can explain this to me!

Norm4015 · 10-09-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom

Maybe someone can explain this to me!

Must have been one of those combo washer/dryers.

stewed · 10-09-2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralph K

This is our first posting.
Has anyone recently installed the Whirlpool Stackable Washer/Dryer, vented? Any reviews available?
We are thinking of having the factory install the set but would like to hear from anyone who has one.
Concerned about performance and capacity.
Installed price is approximately $2500.; is it worth the convenience of doing laundry in your unit?
Marlene & Ralph

Ralph/Marlene,
As this is your first posting, it is also my first reply. We're fairly new to 5th wheel/RVing, but the biggest request my wife had when we were looking to buy was to have a W/D installed. I called the factory (Peterson, Ind); they wanted $2500 installed for Whirlpool stackables. I called the closest Excel dealer and got a quote of $1750 (they needed the work). I've got a friend who buys appliances wholesale and we ended up buying the Whirlpool units for about $1200 or so for the pair. I installed the units myself and saved a little. Was it worth it? Well, installation was a little nerve racking at times, but a success. The closet where the W/D goes is almost big enough.........it's about like trying to put 10 lbs of potatoes in a 5 lb sack! I also had questions along the way and the folks at Excel are absolutely the finest! They helped me out enormously!.......sold me the drain pan for under the washer, sent me a template for boring the dryer vent hole, etc. The bottom line for me was getting my wife a W/D.........she doesn't care to cart the laundry around here and there. If you're trying to justify dollars and cents about the W/D, it probably won't work.......but neither does RVing.....you do it because you want to! We wouldn't be without our W/D. They work great and have been problem free.

Enjoy!

Roger