RV Dishwasher & Laundry Machines – The Pros and Cons

RV dishwashers and laundry machines make life on the road more convenient, but are they worth the cost and potential hassle? Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of adding these appliances to your RV.

RV Dishwashers

Few people enjoy washing dishes by hand, especially when they know that a dishwasher could finish the job much faster. Here are some of the benefits of installing a dishwasher in your RV.

• If you don’t wash dishes immediately, they may sit in the sink or on the counter and take up valuable space. They may also create an offensive odour. A dishwasher gives you a place to store dirty dishes until you’re ready to start a wash cycle.
• Using a dishwasher lets you know exactly how much water you use to clean your dishes. Water usage can be impossible to gauge when washing dishes by hand.
• It’s easy to miss spots when washing dishes by hand. Dishwashers clean and sanitize your dishes with each cycle.

It would be best to consider the downsides before installing a dishwasher in your RV.

• You’ll need a lot of battery power if you plan to use the dishwasher while boondocking since 12-volt RV dishwashers don’t exist yet. Most RVers wait to operate their dishwashers until they connect to shore power.
• RV dishwashers take up valuable space. You may have to give up much good room to store things like clothes and personal care items by putting in a dishwasher.
• They introduce the possibility of leaks. To avoid potential leaks, install your dishwasher correctly and winterize it yearly.

Installing an RV dishwasher is a big decision. We recommend asking yourself the following questions if you’re still unsure.

• Do you have the skills, time, and necessary tools to install a dishwasher? If not, can you hire a professional?
• Do you usually have electric hookups where you camp? If not, do you have enough separate battery power to operate the dishwasher?
• Does your RV have the space for a dishwasher?
• Can you afford an RV dishwasher?
• If you don’t have access to sewer hookups, do you have enough capacity where it wouldn’t be necessary to dump the dirty water every day?

RV Washers and Dryers

Like an RV Dishwasher, convenience tops the list of benefits of having your laundry machines in your RV. When your campground doesn’t have on-site laundry services, it’s a nuisance to pack all your dirty clothes in the car to search for the nearest laundromat. Another benefit of having RV washers and dryers? You won’t have to worry about stocking up on coins in coin-operated washers and dryers.

When installing RV washers and dryers, the best way to deal with space considerations is to choose a 2-in-1 combination unit with the washer stacked on top of the dryer. These units tend to cost less than larger units as well. With more Canadians embracing the RV lifestyle, manufacturers are listening and responding to customer requests for increased laundry space.

The water that runs through your washing machine can become problematic if you don’t normally connect to a sewer line and water source. Most experienced RVers only recommend installing the equipment if you spend most of your time boondocking since they take up much space.

You must carefully consider whether you have enough power to operate a washer and dryer, especially when boondocking. Family size is yet another thing to ponder. Lastly, look for a model that works quietly. If you overlook this step, you could end up with noisy equipment that causes your RV to vibrate.

Before installing RV dishwashers, RV washers, and dryers, ensure you have the skills, tools, and experience. If you don’t, always opt for a professional to handle the installation.

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