Escapees July-August 2022

unconventional solutions

Washer/Dryer Combo Almost 10 years ago, on our fi rst date, I told my future wife that I dreamt of one day trav eling throughout North America in an RV. With much blessing, planning and the alignment of most of the planets, we are now full-time RVers. We researched redundant Internet systems (my wife works full-time from a cubicle I built in the rig), read up on boondocking, joined Escapees and prepared to hit the road. One question remained, though: what would we do about laundry? This was important. Adding a full work cubicle inside our rig meant that I would not have room to install a micro-laundromat, and I really wanted independence. And let’s face it, I like clean sheets. So, as a design engineer, I set about fi nding a solution. What I came up with is a little unusual: I mounted an all-in-one washer dryer combo unit into the back of our toad, a Jeep Wrangler. With some trial and error, here is how it was done. We needed a combo unit that would fi t under the roll-cage in the Jeep with some design wiggle room. The unit I chose was from LG. Not only did it fi t, but it is WiFi capable when connected to my phone, so I receive a noti fi cation when a load is done. The unit needed to be leveled, so it sits on three layers of plywood with perpendicular piano hinges between each of the layers. Each layer can be adjusted using hand-pumped air bags, which are similar in design to blood pressure cuffs. The double-bag design I chose is usually used to pry open doors when keys are locked in vehicles. We had plans to do some light off-roading in Moab, so the washer/dryer had to be secured. I used adjustable rachet straps, attached in front to the child-safety connection points and two cargo connections in the back. For added safety and support, we keep the 60/40 split rear seat up in front of the unit, and a 1" thick foam stadium seat on the rear gate (and in case you are curious, the stadium seat is attached with Velcro so that it can be used as intended). A hose extension was added to the water drain line so that it could reach a collection tank, which is nothing more than a water jug with a hole drilled through it. The jug top was adapted to fi t a garden hose, which gravity feeds to the RV sewer line. The outside shower was removed and replaced with quick-connect couplings so that we could wash with hot

or cold. An empty water bottle was perfect to use as a support, as it is fl exible and compressible. Quick-connect couplings were used to connect to the hot and cold lines, with a tee used on the hot side so that I could bleed it before each wash until hot. Finally, a 10-gauge electric cord connects to the 30A side of the campsite pole. The unit would pull too many amps and would overheat if a smaller cord was used. So, there you have it. Although the wash capacity is much smaller than we are used to, it works well. The only problem we have encountered is that the combo unit does not remove lint with a screen; since it is washed out through the drain hose, I periodically have to check the valve at the sewer two-way splitter for plugging. I tried to keep it simple by using existing components, like stadium seats and empty water bottles. No need to reinvent the wheel. And, of course, we used color coordinated hoses for hot, cold and drainage. A little OCD never hurt anyone. I hope this inspires you to think of your own creative solution. Follow my Dad’s advice: if you want it, go build it. Paul Antle #172819

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July/August 2022 ESCAPEES Magazine