Washing machines have been available in RVs for quite a while now. They can be a very convenient luxury to have with you on your adventures. However, there are some drawbacks to having a washing machine on your rig. In this article we will discuss the pros and cons of having one. 

Pros

  • They make doing laundry easier. You no longer have to load heavy amounts of clothes into and out of a laundromat.
  • Many RV washing machines also have the ability to dry the clothes in the same unit without needing to move the laundry from one machine to another.
  • You will not need to have a handful of quarters in order to complete your laundry.
  • There is no fear of someone stealing your clothes.
  • You have the ability to do other things during the time that your clothes are being washed, since you are not stuck at a laundromat.
  • There will be no need to worry about what other people have washed in the machine before you and what may be transferred to your clothes.

Cons

  • You will need to be on full hook-ups to use your washing machine, because they all run off a 120 volt circuit.
  • You will need to be at a campsite that has its own sewer port. An RV washing machine will fill up the gray water holding tank after roughly two loads. Most RV washing machines use between 8 to 20 gallons of water per load.
  • Being connected to a freshwater supply is a must.
  • RV washing machines take significantly longer to wash a load than a household or laundromat washer.
  • If there is a built in dryer function to the washing machine, the time it will take to wash and dry a small load of laundry 3-4 hours to complete.
  • RV washing machines are very heavy, often between 120 and 200 pounds, adding to the weight you are carrying in your RV.
  • During the spin cycle the washing machine can cause a significant amount of vibration throughout the RV.
  • Washing machines hold less clothing than a household washing machine. They will therefore require more loads.
  • They are large and take up a lot of space that could be used for additional storage. 

The Takeaway

RV washing machines can be an absolute necessity if you are living full time in an RV. Some people absolutely swear by them. It really comes down to the style of camping that you do. If you prefer full hook-up camping or are stationary for long periods of time, it may be worth investing in an RV washing machine. However, if you prefer boondocking or just camp occasionally in your RV, it may not be worth the space that it takes up.

If you would like to read about the best RV laundry detergents to use, check out this article!

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