RV Washer/Dryer Combos Buying Guide: Which is the Best for You?

Having a combo washer/dryer set-up in an RV is a luxury. It’s all about no more trips to the laundromat; saving quarters and time, plus no more annoyances like dirty machines, dog hair or dye from other people. They say that having your own combo in your rig equals less laundry and more life.

RV combos are usually tucked away in the bedroom closet. There are some in bathroom and kitchen closets, but the majority hook up in the bedroom. Space is very limited in an RV and combos sit at 24” or less to fit in an RV closet.

Hardware is set-up in an RV for a separate washer and dryer, but a combo is a way to go; it takes up less space so you can put more clothes and shoes into the closet and have just plain more storage. Storage space in an RV is like gold.

Here I will be focusing on the 2-in-1 combos as opposed to the stackables which are also used in RV’s. The combos I mention in this guide are all right around the $1,000 mark. Combos range from $600 to $2,000. They aren’t cheap and will cost you more than a home set-up which consists of a full-sized washing machine with a separate full-sized dryer.

What to Look for in a 2-in-1 Combo

The best washer/dryer 2-in-1’s have the following features:

• Functionality: The number of loads it can handle and the amount of energy it uses over time
• Multiple water temperature, soil level, wash cycle, and dry cycle setting options
• Fully dries all items
• Automatic soap/bleach/softener dispensers
• Child door locks
• Digital display
• Automatic load sensor: Fills water according to load size

What to Know before Purchasing a 2-in-1:

• Dimensions

Spaces in an RV are small, so your 2-in-1 should be ultra-compact. Take exact measurements: Vertical and horizontal.

• Vented or Ventless

Vented

The warmed (gas or electric) air streams into the dryer’s tumbler, runs over and around the clothes, and then the humid air/carbon dioxide is expelled through the exterior vent. Vented requires higher maintenance but has lower upfront costs.

Ventless

The RV may not have the option for installing a vent, so the hot air inside the dryer is simply recycled; no need for a vent, but it takes much longer for clothes to dry. Lower maintenance, but, it has higher upfront costs.

• Do you want an extended warranty

A combo is an investment, and the cost of repairs on these machines can be astronomical.

Warranties should cover:

• Motor
• Drum
• Parts/labor

What to Watch out for:

It’s best to go to RV stores for the tried and true machines rather than buy them blind and without any real feedback from actual owners. These stores know what works the best. Also, you can check out online RV forums for the advice you get from actual RV owners.

Pro’s and Con’s of Owning a 2-in-1

Pros:

• Washes and dries clothes in one sitting
• Takes up less space in the RV
• No having to go to a laundromat
• Saves money in the long run

Con’s

• Longer dry cycle
• Clothes more likely to come out wrinkled
• Installation
• Upfront cost

Brands

Here are the brands that that received the best reviews and can be purchased at RV Stores like Camping World, PPL and Tweety’s. You can also shop at Home Depot, Best Buy, and Amazon.

Equator EZ 4400 CV

Specs:

• Weight: 161 lbs.
• Size: 33.5”H, 23.5”W, 22”D
• Capacity: 13 lbs
• Warranty: 1-year warranty
• Manufacturer: Equator Advanced Appliances

Features:

• Slimmest model
• White, black or merlot
• Auto water level sensor
• Delay start time
• Convertible venting/condensing options
• Dry sensor
• Wrinkle guard
• Optional booster fan
• 14 programmable washer/dryer functions
• Wash only/dry only options
• LED display
• 45-degree door handle
• Child lock

Splendide 7100 XC

Specs:

• Weight: 148 lbs
• Size: 33 1/8”H, 23 1/2”W, 22 1/4” D
• Capacity: 15 lbs
• Warranty: 1 year
• Manufacturer: Westland Sales

Features:

• Easy-to-use controls with LEDs
• Larger 11.5” door opening
• Unique condenser drying technology
• Convenient and efficient drying cycles
• Very well-constructed internal components
• Super-quiet and advanced brushless AC motor system
• “Add-An-Item” feature
• Low-heat option
• Wool dry cycle for heavier items
• 10 washing cycles and 3 drying cycles
• Stainless steel interior
• Water level control
• Automatic load-balance system
• Contemporary Platinum finish
• An advanced ventless drying system for ease of use

Dometic WDCVLW2

Specs:

• Weight: 174 lbs
• Size: 24”L, 23.4”W, 32.5”H
• Capacity: 15 lbs
• Warranty: 1 year limited
• Manufacturer: Dometic Corp.

Features:

• Uses 20% less water than competitive models
• Improved drying efficiency
• Continuous wash/dry
• Ventless – moisture drains to sink, shower or gray water tank
• LED display with cycle status indicator
• 10 wash cycles with additional rinse and spin cycles
• Programmable frequent user settings
• Ergonomic door handle
• Load balancing system
• Self-cleaning wash cycle
• Self-cleaning pump
• Easy-load laundry products drawer
• Drainage plug access
• Installation kit included
• 120-volt

Pinnacle 18-4000 W

Specs:

• Weight: 161 lbs
• Size: 33 ½”H, 23 ½”W, 22”D
• Capacity: 13 lbs
• Warranty: 5-year limited warranty
• Manufacturer: Pinnacle Appliances

Features:

• Stainless steel drum
• 1200 RPM
• Convertible Venting/Condensing Dry
• LED display
• Automatic water level
• Automatic dry level
• Sensor Dry
• Refresh function
• Child lock
• Delay start
• Self-clean option
• Add-a-sock option
• End cycle chime
• Water Saver option
• Built-in diagnostics
• Easy to open coin trap
• Start/Pause function
• Four adjustable leveling legs
• Automatic wrinkle guard in a dry cycle
• Electronic control panel with LED lights
• Energy Saving – auto display off after 5 minutes
• Venting booster fan option to blow air 50’
• Angled 45 degree door handle to reduce bending

LG WM3488H

Specs:

• Weight: 156.5 lbs
• Size: 33 1/2″H, 24”W, 25 1/4″D
• Capacity: 2.3 cu. Ft.
• Warranty: 1 Year Parts and Labor, 10 Years Motor, Lifetime on Drum
• Manufacturer: LG Electronics

Features:

• 14 Washing Programs
• 6 Drying Programs
• 1,400 RPM
• 6Motion™ Technology
• NeveRust™ St. Steel Drum
• Direct Drive Motor
• TrueBalance™ Anti-Vibration
• LoDecibel™ Quiet Operation
• SenseClean™
• Ventless Condensing Drying
• Delay Wash (Up to 19 Hours)
• 10° TilTub™
• Chrome Rimmed Glass Door
• SmartDiagnosis™
• NFC Tag On

Magic Chef MCSCWD20W3

Specs:

• Weight: 174 lbs
• Size: 33.4”H, 23.4”W, 23.1”D
• Capacity: 2.0 cu. Ft.
• Warranty: 1 Year Parts and Labor
• Manufacturer: MC Appliance Corp.

Features:

• Durable stainless steel drum
• Five wash and rinse temperatures
• Electronic controls with LCD display
• Spin Speeds up to 1120 Maximum RPM
• Delay the start time of a cycle from one to 24 hours
• Tub Clean cycle
• De-Wrinkle option
• Three soil level settings
• Ventless

Haier HLC1700AXS

Specs:

• Weight: 148 lbs
• Size: 33.3”H, 23.4”W, 22.5”D
• Capacity: 2.0 cu. ft.
• Warranty: 1 year
• Manufacturer: Haier

Features:

• 8 wash programs and 3 dry programs
• Non-vented condensing drying
• Front-load design
• Stainless steel wash drum

Deco DC 4400 CV

Specs:

• Weight: 161 lbs
• Size: 33.5”H, 23.5”W, 22”D
• Capacity: 1.57 cu. ft.
• Warranty: 1 year
• Manufacturer: Deco Appliances

Features:

• Delay Start
• Refresh function
• Self-Clean option
• End of cycle chime
• LED display
• Water-saver option
• Built-in diagnostics
• Easy to open coin trap
• Start /pause function
• Includes four adjustable leveling legs
• Convertible venting/condensing drying
• 13 lb. capacity
• The highest drying time is 120 minutes

Summit SPWD2200W

Specs:

• Weight: 188 lbs
• Size: 33.25”H, 23.38”W, 24.25”D
• Capacity: 2.0 cu. ft.
• Warranty: 1 year
• Manufacturer: Summit Appliances

Features:

• 15.4 wash capacity and 7.7 dry capacity
• Combination of digital and dial controls
• Large LCD display
• Multiple wash and dry programs
• Speed wash cycle
• Prewash setting
• Add Garment function
• Self-cleaning cycle
• Delicate wash cycle
• Spin speeds up to 1200 RPM

Best Appliance BA-W20-White

Specs:

• Weight: 182lbs
• Size: 33 7/16”H, 23 7/16”W, 23 7/16”D
• Capacity: 2.0 cu. ft.
• Warranty: 1 year
• Manufacturer: BestAppliance

Features:

• Ventless drying
• 1200 RPM Spin speed
• Water Heater
• Child door look
• LED display
• Auto-balance
• Prewash

Alternatives

There are two alternatives to the 2-in-1 combo:

Stackable:

GE GUD27ESSJWW (Home Depot)

All-in-one design combines a washer and dryer into a compact package to take up minimal floor space.

• 3.8 cu. ft. Washer and 5.9 cu. ft. 240 Volt Vented Electric Dryer
• Rotary-electronic controls (washer)
• 11 wash cycles
• 6 wash/rinse temperatures
• 1 wash/spin speed combination
• Auto-load sensing with 4 water levels
• Bleach and fabric softener dispensers
• Cycle status lights
• Rotary- electromechanical controls (dryer)
• Quiet packages help to reduce operating noise
• Limited 1-year entire appliance warranty

Portable:

Panda Small Compact Portable Washing Machine (Amazon)

It’s not a fully automatic washer, needs a bit more work between washing and spinning. Watch this YouTube video to see how it works. Great for emergencies and in-between washes.

• Runs on electric
• No dry cycle
• Agitator for washing
• Spin for drying (Spin compartment is separate from wash compartment)
• Pour water into wash side yourself
• Only 33 lbs
• Up to 10 lbs washing capacity
• Up to 5.5 lbs spin drying capacity
• Spin 1300 RPM
• Inlet and drain hoses

Conclusion

RV’s are very limited on space and storage, yes even the bigger, fancier rigs, so compact is the way to go on everything like washers and dryers. Some rigs are set up for separate washers and dryers, but that extra space for the dryer can be used for so much more important things like winter/summer clothes storage (the RV’s basement is used for tools and things like extra paper towels, toilet paper, and even bikes and ladders. It’s a mini garage).

Putting the washer and dryer into one unit makes all the difference in the world for space and storage, which is limited in an RV. Having a 2-in-1 unit saves time and money in the long run. No more wasting time and money in the local laundromat. You are out in nature and a 2-in-1 will allow you to get out and enjoy the outdoors.

Recommendation

I do want to mention that we use the Splendide 2100XC in our rig and it has worked flawlessly the entire 2 years we’ve owned it. It comes with features such as extra capacity, 10 wash cycles, 3 dry cycles, an auto-balance system, it spins at 1200 RPM, and it is vented. It washes and dries one load in about 2 hours and has minimal wrinkling in the clothes. I’ve washed delicates and heavily soiled clothes successfully. It handles a load of towels and a load of sheets wonderfully.

No major complaints and we are very happy with our somewhat expensive unit. It has held up well. The only one negative I can say is that the spin cycle vibrates throughout the rig, but rigs are built on springs because they have to go down the road, so it’s not really a disappointment. If the time ever comes to purchase a new one, we will go with Splendide again. Ours costs $1,200.

Splendide WD 2100 XC

Specs:

• Weight: 145 lbs
• Size: 33.1”H, 23.5”W, 22.6”D
• Capacity: 2.3 cu. ft.
• Warranty: 1 year
• Manufacturer: Westland

Features:

• Auto dispense drawer
• Auto water/energy control
• Safety door lock
• Express wash
• Multiple wash/rinse cycles
• Foam removal
• Recirculating wash
• Automatic balance
• Impulse spin
• Extra large door opening
• 12 RPM spin
• Dryer cool down
• Self-cleaning pump

Further read:

• A Complete Guide to RV Living