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Doing laundry on the road might not be at the forefront of your travel plans, but it’s good to know your RV washer and dryer combo options.
This is especially true if you’re taking an extended RV trip with your family or living in your RV full time since not all campgrounds and RV parks offer laundry rooms. With one of these machines, you don’t have to let those smelly clothes pile up!
What Is An RV Washer Dryer Combo?
An RV washer dryer combo is a single appliance built for dual purposes. Rather than having to purchase a separate washer and dryer, you can opt for one of these space-saving, multi-functional laundry machines. These 2-in-1 combos tend to be the most popular offerings on the market, especially for RVers with limited space.
How Does an RV Washer Dryer Combo Work?
Some styles consist of a single drum with the unit providing both wash and dry functions in sequence without having to switch the load. Many of these are on the smaller side and can take a while to complete a full-length wash and dry cycle, but allow you to choose the time and extent of each.
Several portable models are equipped with separate basins for washing and drying, requiring you to swap over the clothing. Many modern RVs come with water lines plumbed to install your own washer/dryer.
Types Of RV Washer Dryers
Portable RV Washer Dryer
True to the name, portable units are easy to install, lightweight, and compact, making them a celebrated option when cutting weight is a critical factor! These require more of a hands-on approach, and the unheated spin-dry won’t dry your clothes fully, but with short wash and dry cycles you can easily get several loads finished and hung within an hour.
Vented RV Washer Dryer
Like most in-home appliances, these machines use the air in the room to dry your clothes. They are very effective and efficient, but in order to vent the hot air and moisture, these types of appliances do require you to make a hole in the outside of your RV (or pay a professional to install it for you).
Ventless RV Washer Dryer
If you’re looking for a smaller appliance and would rather avoid making a hole in your RV, a ventless washer/dryer might be for you. These units use a heat exchanger to heat recycled air inside the drum to pull moisture from the clothes. The downside is that dry cycles can take a long time which means they demand a significant amount of electricity!
Stackable RV Washer and Dryer
Similar to traditional in-home appliances, except smaller, a stackable RV washer and dryer take up more space than a combo, but lets you wash and dry a load at the same time. For that reason, they dry clothes more quickly and save a lot of time.
Benefits of an RV Washer and Dryer
Multi-Task In Your RV
With a laundry unit in your RV, you have the ability to take care of this chore in the comfort of your own space and use your time more efficiently by working on other tasks while the machine does its job.
This is especially true if you work from your RV. You can put one load away while washing another. No more sitting and waiting at the laundromat! Plus, there’s the added benefit of avoiding wasted time driving each way! This will give you more time to do other maintenance tasks like washing your RV!
RV Washer Dryer Combos Save Valuable Space
Individual washer/dryer units take up space. A washer/dryer combo takes only half the space of the traditional machines. You can bring fewer clothes with you and do laundry more often, rather than waiting for the laundry to pile up before venturing to the laundromat. You might even get creative and use the washer as a hamper for holding dirty clothes!
Save Money In The Long Run
RV washer dryers come with a price tag, but don’t let the upfront cost of these machines deter you! You’ll save valuable time and effort normally spent doing laundry at local laundromats.
Wash and dry cycle costs can add up quickly. We’ve noticed prices ranging from $1.25-$4 for a single wash. Drying cycles usually start at $0.25 for 10-minute increments but some charge $1.50-$2.50 for a 40-50 minute cycle. Prices vary from place to place, budgeting for laundry costs becomes a challenge if you never know what to expect.
You’ll also need to have quarters on hand to pay for the coin-operated machines or get a preloaded card to swipe for each cycle.
RV Washer Dryer Buying Guide
We put together these important points to consider when selecting the device that’s right for you.
Load Capacity of the RV Washer Dryer
Most RV washers and dryers are designed to be compact, so generally, they accommodate a load of about half the size of their regular household counterparts. Measured in pounds, washer/dryer capacities vary greatly depending on the specific product.
Control Layout
The complexity of multiple buttons, knobs, and digital displays will generally give you greater control over temperatures, cleanliness, and the ability to set it and forget it. With just a few simple knobs portable washers are much less sophisticated devices but they definitely get the job done!
Noise Level of the RV Washer Dryer
Some units are specially designed to be quiet while others are loud and vibrate considerably, which may prove to be irritating to you and your neighbors.
Consumption Rate
Consider both water usage in gallons per load and electricity usage in amperage per cycle. You don’t want to run out of water and/or grey tank space if you don’t have full hookups or overload your RVs electrical system with an overly demanding device.
Price
Costs can range from $150 for a portable machine to $1500 or more for a vented machine fully installed.
Available Space In Your RV
Be sure to compare the dimensions of the space you plan to store your machine with any unit you’re considering buying to choose a good fit!
The Best RV Washer Dryer Combos
We’ve compiled a list of the best RV washer dryer combos. By considering the factors listed above to your unique needs, you should be able to narrow down your options. Let’s dive in!
1. Conserv Compact Combo Washer Dryer
This model weighs 180 pounds and has a convertible vented/ventless feature. This RV washer dryer combo offers a high spin speed that extracts more water, reducing the drying time. Another great feature is its low noise level, so you won’t be disturbed when washing and drying.
Additionally, this model has a two-minute winterizing feature, meaning you can leave it in your RV if you don’t travel full-time.
2. Equator Combo Washer Dryer
- All-in-one unit combines a washer and dryer into a compact size to take up minimal floor space Convertible...
- Redesigned control panel with an easy-to-read color coded LED display
This RV washer dryer combo has an easy-to-use, color-coded LED display screen. Similar to option one on our list, this unit also offers a vented/ventless feature. Lastly, this unit weighs 160 pounds and provides a 16-pound load capacity.
3. LG Front Load Washer Dryer Combo
If you have the space and weight capacity for a full-size machine, this washer dryer combo is your match. This 4.5 cubic feet unit weighs 236 pounds. The reviews prove this is the best option for a large family or someone who goes through tons of clothes. This unit can stand the abuse of running frequently, and uses very little power and water to get the job done.
4. RCA Combo Washer Dryer
- SPACE SAVING - 2-In-1 combo washer and dryer that will make your life more convenient and save you space. 23.1 x 23.4 x...
- COMPACT- Front-loading design with a 2. 7 Cu. Ft. D. O. E. Capacity; largest capacity in the 24 in market
The RCA washer dryer combo is a good option for RVers. It boasts 16 different washing cycles and four drying options. It has a delay start feature, so you can get your load ready to go but start it at a more convenient time. This unit comes in at 100 pounds and with a sleek design.
5. Splendide Vented Washer Dryer Combo
- SPACE SAVING - 2-In-1 combo washer and dryer that will make your life more convenient and save you space. 23.1 x 23.4 x...
- COMPACT- Front-loading design with a 2. 7 Cu. Ft. D. O. E. Capacity; largest capacity in the 24 in market
This RV washer dryer combo is vented. It uses eight gallons of water for a normal wash cycle and offers three different timed dry cycles. It can be winterized if you don’t plan on camping year-round too!
RV Washer and Dryer Honorable Mention
While RV washer dryer combos are fantastic, we wanted to mention the below two products. While they are individual products, they are both compact and light. And when you total the cost, they come in less expensive than most washer dryer combos.
Giantex Portable RV Washing Machine
- 🧺【Easy & Convenient to Use】: Our Giantex portable full automatic laundry washing machine only needs a small space...
- 🧺【Water Level and Mode Control】: 6 Programs for choosing: wash-rinse-spin, soak-wash-rinse -spin, wash,...
This is a great low-cost option for your RV washer needs. It is smaller than the combo options, though, meaning its load capacity is also smaller. This unit can handle an eight-pound load capacity and only weighs 39 pounds. Amazon reviewers love it as it has a 4.2-star rating with over 2,400 reviews!
COSTWAY Compact Laundry Dryer
- 【Compact & Portable】The weight of this clothes dryer is only 37.3lbs, and the small size makes it portable. It’s...
- 【Powerful Performance】This electric dryer with 850W power and 10 lbs large capacity（10 pounds is the weight of wet...
This compact dryer weighs 37 pounds and is an excellent fit for small spaces. It has a ten-pound capacity and four different heat settings for drying. It comes with a vent kit, but some reviewers state they don’t even need to vent it, since the unit is small.
Keep Clean on the Road With an RV Washer Dryer
Now that you know your RV washer dryer combo options, you can make the best choice for your needs. By considering how much you travel, the space you have available, your budget, and your laundry needs, you can make an informed decision.
Last update on 2024-11-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
We have a Tiffin Gas Class A motorhome. We are full time and have the stackable Splendide Washer & Dryer. We love our washer/dryer and can’t imagine not having them. So far we haven’t had any problems.