Christopher Hodapp - RVs & Campers For Dummies

Leaks in RV washing machines are fairly common. Remember, the plumbing lines for that machine are being subjected to the stresses of bouncing down the road, and it’s hard not to have any problems eventually. You need to be alert to them. However, it’s arguable that, even including a service call, the money it costs you will be well spent, because you’re not pumping cash into a public laundry.

Using a public laundry has its advantages. The job goes far more quickly than you’d think, because you’ll probably have access to multiple machines at once, if it’s not crowded. We pack enough clothing that we can get by at least two weeks without having to cope with the laundry, and we also keep a small collapsible laundry tub, where it’s just as easy to hand-launder little things and clip-hang them to dry. For us, investing two or three hours every two or three weeks isn’t a trial. Pack your special little laundry kit, with detergent pods and Woolite, bleach wipes, hanger clips, and collapsible clothes bags — it’s kind of fun! Be sure to check the campground’s store for small, convenient sizes of laundry detergent and dryer sheets so you don’t have to haul around the 2-gallon super-saver sizes on the road. When you get the hang of it, it’s not much more of a pain than laundry day at home.

Believe it or not, there are portable washing machines available that are no larger than a kitchen wastebasket. A couple of them use old-fashioned foot power to agitate your clothes, but others have an electric motor. Typically, even the better ones have few features beyond agitating and spinning, and they can’t handle much more than a couple of bath towels at a time. We tried one for a while, but it just wasn’t worth the space it took up in the back of our tow vehicle, as well as all the folderol of setting it up and taking it down. But if you have enough space to keep one in your RV, they could be an inexpensive compromise, as long as you only want to wash a few things at once, no more than you can find space to hang-dry.

The arrival of RV dishwashers, we admit, has left us scratching our heads. Yes, you’ve got one at home. But home plumbing can cope with a dishwasher and garbage disposal, while an RV usually can’t. You’ll only see built-in dishwashers in the high-end luxury RVs, and they help to drive up the price. If you’re determined to have one, you can get it as an after-market add-on, but they’re a bit pricey, and you’ll lose precious cabinet space. A drawer dishwasher can make a nice substitute fit for an oven, if you prefer a convection microwave. We’ve also seen them installed in the kitchen island section of a fifth wheel.

Like floor space, a dishwasher in an RV does seem to be an issue tied to whether you travel with kids. Cooking for a family or a large group requires more effort and makes more dirty dishes.

Even dishwashers designed for RV use are subject to the rough treatment of bouncing down the road. Manufacturers that install residential appliances in RVs are tempting fate because they aren’t designed for mobile use and need to be fixed by household repair services. Yet most appliance factory-authorized repair services won’t touch a residential unit in a trailer or motorhome because mobile use violates the manufacturer’s warranty.

RVs are designed to use as little water as possible to extend your time away from civilization. We tell you more than you’ll ever want to know about plumbing in Chapter 15, but be aware that RV plumbing systems were never intended to accommodate the level of water use that dishwashers and washing machines demand. If you intend to park at a campsite with full hookups to provide continuous fresh water and a wastewater drain connection to get rid of what you use, you’re in clover. Wash all the dishes and clothes you like. But the minute you go boondocking, you’ll need to close up the water-gulping appliances and wait for a return to civilization.

Also, you should get all grease and food bits off before running an RV dishwasher. Even in full hookup, graywater tanks can’t handle lots of grease and food.

If you’re on a budget, you can find lots of mini, countertop dishwashers on Amazon at very reasonable prices (between $200 and $400). They operate essentially like many of those in the ’50s and ’60s did, by attaching a water and drain hose to the sink. Some of these appliances get surprisingly decent reviews, but the complaints are as expected: annoying hoses, leaks, an inability to handle truly dirty plates and pots. With an RV, the biggest negative is going to be the counter space you give up and/or finding a place to stow it.

If you’re trying to get an idea of which RV you may want, TV can be a great place to start. One of our favorite shows is Going RV, on both the Travel Channel and the Great American Country channel. You follow a buyer through the process of shopping for an RV. Even if that particular buyer isn’t a reflection of you and your needs, you’ll learn a lot, and you’ll start picking up the lingo of RV shopping. Retail prices are also bannered rather than coyly hidden, another plus for your learning curve.

All of which is great, so long as you remember one thing: Nobody, at least nobody with a brain, buys an RV this way. In the course of 30 minutes, the shopper is shown three RVs, and by the end of the show, with a roll of the drums, they choose the one they want. Arguably, this is good showmanship, but it’s a lousy way to buy a trailer. Shopping is a long process. It’s also one of the most pleasurable parts of choosing an RV, and you shouldn’t let anyone spoil it for you. We’ve walked into dealerships where there’s a general feeling in the air, put there by the salesperson and their manager, that we’re expected to buy an RV before we leave. Why did you bother us otherwise? It’s surprisingly easy for intelligent people to fall for these tactics, when the salesperson hauls you into their office with the old line, “What will it take to put you into that Thor Hurricane today?” Usually the correct answer is, “More than you’ve got.” If you haven’t decided yet, don’t let them railroad you.

Part 2

IN THIS PART …

Determine how an RV can fit into your budget.

Do your homework before you go RV shopping.

Decide whether you want new or used, and find out how to deal with dealers.

Match up your RV with the right tow vehicle.

Get the lowdown on trailer hitches.

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