Question Replacing a washing machine in a Newmar Class A motorhome

[Neal]

Splendide replied and said they can't sell direct, Camping World has the best prices and gave me the number of someone that could do it in the area. I'll see what I can come up with, if it can be done it may be a good opportunity to get'er done. I'm hemorrhaging cash this year anyways...why not.

 

[Neal]

Mobile tech Splendide recommended is booked until mid June. Splendide can't do it if I pickup the units which are available at Camping World in the south Portland area so it looks like it's me and my beloved Whirlpool for the time being. I guess this will give me time to experiment with washing one shirt at a time

 

[Neal]

I got quotes from Newmar this morning on both the Whirlpool 24" and Splendide. Surprisingly the same prices as you can get them typically from Lowes/HD type stores at around 1K for the unit, 3 hours of labor (140/hr) for install. Pretty fair, but unfortunate this may have to be done if smaller loads don't resolve the issue. Yesterday I did a comforter, blanket, sheets all without a problem.

I'm waiting to hear back to the specific Whirlpool model so I can compare. I know the feedback of the community on Splendide but I do like the fact of Whirlpools experience in building washing machines, the compact ones across the board are higher risk for issues, all reviews on all brands are not good.

I may source it on my own so that I can buy an extended warranty on it that you can't do when bought through Newmar.

 

[Neal]

This is the Whirlpool Newmar would install. 1 year warranty on it so if I sourced it I could get a longer warranty which I may order to pickup in Elkhart as the time nears.

2.3 cu. ft. 24" Compact Washer with Detergent Dosing Aid option White WFW5090JW | Whirlpool

Whirlpool 2.3 cu. ft. 24" Compact Washer with Detergent Dosing Aid option - White (WFW5090JW). Shop now.

www.whirlpool.com

Newmar's price is $100 less than what's shown on the Whirlpool site.

 

[Neal]

I'd probably get a Splendide SET at a Camping World nearest to Newmar. Researching....

 

[RKins]

Crazy prices - like they are specifically targeting the sector of the market that needs smaller footprint washers - outrageous - 2x the price of regular washers.

 

[Everglades]

I am going to try to replace mine today with the Splendid. It does not look easy .I will let you know how it goes. I have a 2016 - Ventana 4037
Also, Neil I see you have the HWH Active Air. How do you like it? Was it worth the money?. We get a lot of swaying back and forth in campgrounds with rough roads, and sometimes on some uneven roads. Does the active air stop that?

 

[redbaron]

When I removed my refrigerator from the 2013 DSDP, I went thru the bedroom escape window.

I had to remove the doors, remove the window from the coach, and remove all surrounding wood. This left a hole big enough to get a forklift thru the window,transfer fridge from the bed to forklift, and ease it out. New one went in same way.

Did this with 4 friends and in about 3 hours. A lot cheaper than quotes I got.

At the time I measured and the washer dryer could go out that way too. I would probably disassemble the washer if doing it myself, as that would be easier and not involve extra hands. Old one would never be reassembled.

 

[Neal]

I was quoted 3 hours by Newmar, I am sourcing my own machines (as of now, assuming I can get them in Elkhart). I will have the cabinet doors off and ready, I think Newmar could do it in one hour, well worth $140 to me. While my machine may work flawlessly between now and September as it did between December and recently, I still may take this opportunity while being at Newmar to get new ones installed. I am most likely going to try and sell this coach after that visit, we'll see how I feel then, so it's a mixed bag, do I spend the money to put new machines in or sell it with what's in it now and leave for the next owner to decide? As it may not sell or sell for the price I want it would probably be smart to just get new units installed and plan to keep it for the long haul. Thanks for listening to my self dialog

 

[redbaron]

New buyers only care if the equipment works...they won't pay extra for it being new.

If selling...stop spending.

 

[sheridany]

I agree with @redbaron. Don’t spend if you are planning to sell. The key thing to think about is are you planning to get another coach? That has been the biggest challenge for me which is finding one that I like that is attractively priced whether new or used.

 

[Ventana LE]

If it comes down to replacing this washing machine, which was a little finicky yesterday...for those that have done this or know of someone that's done it, how do you get the washing machine in/out of the coach?

Yesterday it didn't go into high speed spin so I had drenched clothes. I tried a drain/spin - no luck. I then moved the clothes around, did another drain/spin and it worked. I'll keep fiddling with this but it may come down to replacing it. The other dilemma is I can spend $500 in parts (shocks, top control panel as I broke the knob, maybe a new drain pump) or I can spend $1k in a new compact washer. I will go with a LG or Samsung most likely. There is quite a choice in 24 inch front load washers, disappointed Newmar chooses the worst of the worst (yeah, follow the money as with all of their choices), but when it comes to 120V dryers the pickings are really slim. Almost all electric dryers, even compact, are 240V.

If its a whirlpool washer, I have the same intermittent no high speed laundry mat. issue. It's a little bit of a pain but you can force it to do the spin. Look in the manual under test procedures and you will see a combination of dial settings and buttons to push that will make it do the final spin. Beats going to the laundrymat.

 

[Neal]

I have an old bike. I was thinking of putting half a pedal assembly on the door and a 9 gear sprocket. I’ll do my own high speed spin.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

When Newmar paid to have my local service guy replace my Whirlpool, It took 2 men less than an hour. You have to remove the doors to the laundry compartment, remove the top door holding mechanism so the door can swing completely open. The machine will easily go out the entrance door. It will need to be lifted over the co-pilot seat. I hope this helps.

 

[Neal]

When Newmar paid to have my local service guy replace my Whirlpool, It took 2 men less than an hour. You have to remove the doors to the laundry compartment, remove the top door holding mechanism so the door can swing completely open. The machine will easily go out the entrance door. It will need to be lifted over the co-pilot seat. I hope this helps.

Yep, I'm going to remove all that and be prepped to save their time. I just did all that when I removed the units myself into the bathroom to get into my washer to check for problems. So again, I think the $140 is well spent for the labor, I just have to decide if I want to replace the two units and with what, Whirlpool recent or Splendide. Just trying to figure out if I want to take a swing at selling this coach after my Newmar visit which will be "newed up" again with a new windshield, new upholstery, new carpet. Not sure what I could realistically get for the coach, that's for another topic, with all the mods, some of which are major. Just want to capitalize on the sellers market if the opportunity presents itself but I'd probably have to wait 1-2 years to re-enter the RV market.

 

[Neal]

Load of laundry today - no issues. Few days ago no issues with bedding.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Not sure what I could realistically get for the coach, that's for another topic, with all the mods, some of which are major. Just want to capitalize on the sellers market if the opportunity presents itself but I'd probably have to wait 1-2 years to re-enter the RV market.

Since you, oh fierce leader, opened the can of worms, I've never gotten any added value when selling for any of the mods including replacing every inch of carpet in with hardwood floors. Yes, it made for an easier sell but I didn't really get the added value I had hoped for.

 

[Neal]

Since you, oh fierce leader, opened the can of worms, I've never gotten any added value when selling for any of the mods including replacing every inch of carpet in with hardwood floors. Yes, it made for an easier sell but I didn't really get the added value I had hoped for.

Haha, you're the second one to mention that to me today. ?

 

[redbaron]

I have always ( 3 times ) received top dollar for my coach, within 10% of original purchase price.

This time, I can actually make a 10-15% profit. For me that's a challenge as I depreciate the RV, and not so sure I want to realize a gain when I won't be able to purchase same year. That can cause a tax situation that I am not wanting to take.

 

[Neal]

My plan is to try and see what I can get. My desire is to get near what I paid for it in 2017. Take into account HWH Active Air, Solar, etc. (you know the costs) and then the gazillion other valuable mods that do more to attract the buyer vs. yield a return of the money spent on those items.