Is An RV Washer Dryer Combo Worth It?
RVs aren’t just for weekend camping anymore. Many people, like us, have chosen to live full time in campers.
That means household products like washers and dryers that aren’t commonly found in RVs are now being installed to make daily life in an RV easier.
Related Product: Power your RV Washer Dryer Combo without electrical hookups by using a Jackery Portable Power Station (click to view on Amazon)
Whether you are living in an RV park or traveling the country, having a ventless RV washer dryer combo not only makes laundry a lot easier but can also save a lot of the time and money you would have spent at a laundromat.
There are lots of different ways to do laundry in an RV. If you are mostly boondocking like us, a power hungry RV washer dryer combo might not be what you’re looking for.
But if you have a large solar power system or you regularly camp with electrical and water hookups, getting an RV washer dryer combo is going to make life a lot easier.
We’ve started to stay more in RV parks with hookups and have started to consider getting a ventless RV washer dryer combo since doing laundry our way takes a lot of time and effort.
Many RV parks and campgrounds have their own laundromats but they usually cost money and it’s sometimes difficult to find a free machine.
If you stay somewhere with water and electrical hookups at least once every week, installing a ventless RV washer dryer combo is worth it, especially if you are two or more people.
See Also: How To Do Laundry Efficiently When Boondocking Or RV Camping
How Does a Ventless RV Washer Dryer Combo Work?
Traditional dryers need a vent to release the excess hot air. You could cut a vent into the wall of your RV, but that’s not always the best option since that opens up the risk for leaks and pests.
Ventless RV washer dryer combos are the most popular way to go for RV use.
They can be installed pretty much anywhere inside a camper, and they use less power than a traditional washer and dryer.
The washing machine part works the same as with a vented washer dryer combo. The only difference is the drying technique.
Vented Washer Dryer Combo
A vented dryer takes in the air around it and heats it up. Hot air turns water into vapor faster and clothes can be dried quickly.
That moist hot air that’s being fed into the dryer needs to go somewhere. That’s where a vent comes into play.
Without the vent to release the excess heat, there’s a high risk of fire and overheating. That’s why a regular dryer should always be vented.
It’s also a way for the moisture to leave the dryer after it’s been removed from the laundry.
The main pro to vented dryers is they dry clothes quickly.
Ventless Washer Dryer Combos
A ventless dryer uses condensation, which is a less heat intensive method of drying.
The air inside the dryer is still heated but the moist air is run through a cool condensation chamber that collects the water from the air.
The water is then emptied into a reservoir on the unit or through a drain tube.
The hot air can be recycled using this method, making it more energy efficient.
Ventless dryers are usually slower at drying clothes when compared to their vented counterparts because the recycled air still has some moisture left in it and the air doesn’t always get as hot.
But the big pros are saving electricity, no need to figure out a vent system, and it’s a lot better for your clothes.
See Also: Best RV Washers & Dryers Reviewed For All Kinds Of Campers
Are Ventless RV Washer Dryer Combos Safe?
Thousands of dryer caused fires are reported in the USA every year. There have been some questions as to whether a ventless dryer is safe since there is no vent for the hot air to escape.
A lot of these dryer fires are actually caused by the vents themselves.
Lint built up, crushed vent hoses, and animals clogging the vents are the three most common reasons for dryer fires.
If you take away the need for the vent, most of these things won’t be an issue.
Ventless RV washer dryer combos don’t create as much lint as vented dryers do. The lint traps catch much of the lint that’s made.
So long as you clean the lint traps between each load and follow the regular cleaning guide, lint fires won’t be an issue.
Ventless dryers, especially those that are built today for RV and home use are very safe to use, even though there isn’t a vent.
See Also: Best RV Dishwashers Countertop & Built-In Reviewed
Things to Consider When Choosing a Ventless RV Washer Dryer Combos
Large RVs are starting to come with washer dryer combo hookups already installed. And some even come with a unit included.
If you’re looking to replace or add a ventless washer dryer combo to your RV there are a few things to consider.
Size
Making space for things is the biggest hurdle RV owners need to jump before installing appliances.
A lot of times you need to shop based on the size of appliance your camper can handle and not by the brand name.
Electricity
Power supply is also something to think about.
Most of the time there isn’t a 30 amp dryer outlet inside an RV. Most campers will need to find appliances that can be plugged into standard 15 amp 120 volt outlets.
Weight
Every RV has a weight limit, and you should never go over it.
If you install an RV washer dryer combo into your camper you will need to plan for the extra permanent weight.
Many of these units weigh over 100 lbs, which equals a lot of camping gear and clothes you might need to remove to compensate.
Winterizing
Pretty much any washer can be winterized if you do the work to make sure all of the water is drained from the pipes.
But many of the RV versions have a winterization cycle.
All you have to do is put antifreeze in the drum and run the winterize mode.
It’s not a mush have, especially for full-time RVers who never winterize their RVs but it’s a good option for summer campers who store their campers over the winter.
See Aslo: Best RV Water Softeners For On The Go & Long Term RV Camping
Ventless Washer Dryer Combos for RV Use Suggestions
You can talk to an RV dealer about getting a ventless RV washer dryer combo installed in your RV or install one yourself.
Here are a few good options compared.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The main thing to remember about ventless washer dryer combos and even regular ventless dryers is that they don’t dry the same way as regular dryers.
Many people are surprised by the longer drying time and how dry the clothes actually end up getting.
Ventless dryers can have a hard time getting clothes 100% dry. That can be both a pro and a con.
It’s a pro because it’s much better for clothes to not get cooked every time they are dried, but it’s a con because many people don’t want to have to finish drying laundry on a clothesline.
Not every ventless dryer doesn’t dry clothes all the way, it normally just takes a little more time.
If you want clothes to be 100% dry in 30-45 minutes, a ventless dryer is not going to be the best option for you.
Have any more questions about ventless RV washer dryer combos? Leave a comment below.
i live in an old trailer. max power is 1200 watts. would that washer/dryer combo be able to be used in my trailer?
Hi Janis
The Comfee Washer Dryer Combo (click to view on Amazon) is rated to use a maximum of 1,140 watts. It should be fine to use in your trailer.