Community Forums

Dav L · 03-18-2020, 07:33 AM

Like others have said...no RV specific info. Read the dryer manual to determine approx. where the vent needs to be relative to the dryer. Generally mark that location on the inside.

Around that location:

You can use a magnet to find steel studs.
You can remove something already in the wall to locate a stud and the next is typically 16 inches away.
You can thump on the wall to hear where the stud is.
You can use a stud finder if the materials are compatible.
You can look to where other things are screwed solid and measure off from there.

Before cutting, look on the roof, and all sides to ensure there are no vents or pipes.
Adjust your exact location based on what you find.

Cut an exploration hole on the inside first. The inside is easier to hide a mistake than the outside wall. If the exploration seems good, then drill the pilot hole through the outside to locate the center of the holes in alignment (inside to outside). Don't use much pressure to ensure you don't delaminate the fiberglass on the outside. Sharp bit.

Using the outside pilot hole as in index, mark your finish cut hole with a sharpie. Put blue masking tape around the hole, with exception of the edges of the marked hole. This will make it easy to remove as the blue tape has weak adhesive. Put heavier tape like duct tape over the top of the blue and adhere well to the edges of the planned hole.

Drill a pilot hole and double check nothing in the way. Use a sharp, metal finer blade on a jig saw and cut your hole. the duct tape serves to protect the paint finish from the sole of the jig saw and also helps keep the fiberglass from splintering. Go slow with little pressure on the blade. Don't let the saw bounce on the surface.

Cut the inside hole to match.

Install the vent.

scottandanna · 03-22-2020, 06:19 PM

Well, we got the dryer and installed it.i didnt realize my trailer already had a factory installed vent!!! Simple job!

scottandanna · 03-22-2020, 06:20 PM

Sorry for the sideways phone photo...

scottandanna · 03-22-2020, 06:41 PM

OK, this new dryer ROCKS!!! Dried a complete full load in less than 45 minutes. The POS Haier we had before took no less than 4 hours to dry, sometimes up to 12 (yes, not a typo!)

The Haier washed very well, but the dry mode on it was horrible. We got a $300 Magic Chef 3.2 cf dryer on 110 power, and it works GREAT! And both washer and dryer work at the same time. I have had 110 dryers that would not work while the washer was running, no issues here.

Mr_D · 03-22-2020, 06:58 PM

We ordered our '02 DSDP with the idea of adding the W/D combo later so it was prepped for the install. Bought a lightly used one from a club member. Drilled a hole exactly where the sticker said and took part of the aluminum frame with it. Only about 1/4" though so no problem.

scottandanna · 04-02-2020, 08:03 AM

Finally stopped raining long enough for me to cut the hole. Pretty straight-forward job. My stud-finder found NO STUDS in the entire section of wall. Found some in the back wall, so I am pretty sure it was working.

I was able to put the vent hole pretty much at the very back of the wall to keep as much space open as possible on top, for soaps and wash equipment.