6 Best RV Washing Machine Combos For Space Saving That Maximize Every Inch
Discover the top 6 space-saving RV washer-dryer combos. These compact units maximize every inch, bringing the convenience of laundry to your life on the road.
Nothing kills the freedom of the open road faster than a duffel bag full of dirty laundry and a desperate search for a laundromat. Having a washer dryer combo in your RV isn’t just a luxury; it’s a game-changer for full-timers and long-term travelers. Choosing the right one means reclaiming your time and independence, but choosing the wrong one means sacrificing precious space, water, and power.
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Choosing Your Ideal RV Washer Dryer Combo
Finding the right machine starts with a realistic assessment of your space and your lifestyle, not just the features on a box. Before you look at a single model, measure your intended cabinet or closet three times. Account for the depth needed for hoses and power cords, which can easily add three to four inches behind the unit.
Next, think about your laundry habits. Are you a solo traveler washing a few things every other day, or a family of four trying to keep up with a mountain of clothes? Capacity is measured in dry weight, and a typical RV combo handles 8 to 15 pounds. That’s roughly one full load from a standard home machine. If you consistently need more, you might be better off with a higher-capacity compact model, but be prepared for it to dominate a closet.
Finally, consider your resources. How big are your water tanks? How robust is your electrical system? A washer combo can use 8 to 16 gallons of water per cycle, a significant draw when you’re boondocking. You also need to know if your RV is wired for the 110-120V and 15-amp circuit these units typically require. Don’t just assume an outlet will work; verify its rating to avoid constantly tripping breakers.
Splendide WDV2200XCD: The Vented RV Standard
This Splendide 24-inch washer is RV-ready with reinforced internal components and cULus approval. Enjoy reduced fabric creasing and wear thanks to the Reduce Wrinkles wash feature and bi-directional dryer rotation, all managed via a digital display with multiple wash options.
When you see a washer dryer pre-installed in an RV, it’s often a Splendide, and for good reason. The WDV2200XCD is the quintessential vented model, a workhorse designed specifically for the rigors of the road. Its durability and straightforward operation make it a reliable choice that thousands of RVers depend on.
The key feature here is its vented drying system. It works just like a traditional home dryer, pulling in ambient air, heating it, and then forcefully expelling the hot, moist air outside through a vent hose. This makes it significantly faster and more efficient at drying clothes than its ventless counterparts. For anyone doing frequent or large loads, the time saved with a vented model is a massive quality-of-life improvement. You get truly dry, fluffy towels, not the slightly damp, line-dried feel that can come from ventless units. The tradeoff, of course, is that you have to cut a 4-inch hole in the side of your RV, a commitment that not everyone is comfortable with.
Equator EZ 4400N: Top Ventless Combo Option
The Equator EZ 4400N is a fantastic solution for anyone who dreads cutting a hole in their rig. As a ventless condenser dryer, it offers incredible installation flexibility. You can place it in a slide-out, an interior closet, or anywhere you have water and power hookups, without worrying about external venting. This is a huge advantage in custom conversions or smaller RVs where exterior wall space is at a premium.
Instead of venting hot air outside, a condenser dryer cools the moist air from the drum, causing the water to condense into a drain line. This process is effective but takes longer and uses a small amount of water during the dry cycle to aid in cooling. Be prepared for dry times to be double that of a vented machine. It also releases some heat and humidity into your RV, which is something to manage, especially in warmer climates. But for the sheer ease of installation and placement freedom, the Equator is a leading contender.
LG WM3488HW: High-Capacity Compact Laundry
This LG all-in-one washer/dryer offers 2.3 cu. ft. capacity and smart, Wi-Fi enabled operation. Enjoy quiet performance and fabric-protecting steam cleaning with 14 wash cycles.
If the tiny capacities of most RV-specific models feel limiting, the LG WM3488HW is the answer. While still a compact 24-inch unit, it boasts a 2.3 cubic foot drum, which is significantly larger than many dedicated RV combos. This machine bridges the gap between RV-sized and residential-sized laundry, making it perfect for families or full-timers who don’t want to do laundry every single day.
This is a ventless condenser model, so you get the installation flexibility that comes with it. But its main selling point is performance. LG’s 6Motion Technology tumbles clothes in multiple ways for a better clean, and its direct-drive motor is quieter and more reliable than the belt-driven systems in many competitors. The catch? It’s heavier and slightly deeper than models like the Splendide, so you need a robustly built cabinet to house it. Make sure your chosen spot can handle both the dimensions and the weight, especially during travel.
GE GFW148SSMWW: Smart Features for the Road
This GE frontload washer tackles tough stains with steam and offers a quick wash cycle for lightly soiled items. Its 2.4 cu. ft. capacity and streamlined controls make laundry efficient and effective.
In a small space, efficiency is everything, and the GE GFW148SSMWW brings modern tech to the RV laundry closet. This 24-inch front-loader is a ventless condenser unit with built-in WiFi. While "smart" features can sometimes feel like a gimmick, here they offer real, practical benefits for RV life.
Imagine getting a notification on your phone that the wash cycle is done while you’re outside by the campfire. Or being able to check how much time is left in the dry cycle without having to go inside. These features help you manage your time and your RV’s power consumption more effectively. This GE model also includes steam cycles, which are fantastic for refreshing clothes that have been packed away, reducing wrinkles and saving you from having to run a full wash. It’s a premium option for those who want their rig’s appliances to be as connected as the rest of their lives.
Pinnacle 18-850: Super Combo for Tight Fits
Sometimes, every single inch counts. The Pinnacle 18-850 is designed for exactly those situations. Measuring just 22 inches deep, it’s one of the shallowest combos on the market, allowing it to fit into closets and cabinets that are off-limits to bulkier machines. If you’re converting a van or have a smaller travel trailer, this could be the only option that fits without major modifications.
To achieve this compact footprint, it does make some compromises. Its capacity is on the smaller side, topping out around 8-10 pounds. It’s also a ventless condenser model, so you’ll have the longer drying times associated with that technology. However, it’s remarkably quiet and energy-efficient. This isn’t the machine for a family of five, but for a solo traveler or a couple in a compact rig, the Pinnacle is a space-saving miracle. It proves you don’t need a massive fifth wheel to enjoy the convenience of onboard laundry.
Splendide 2100XC: Quiet, Non-Vented Performer
Wash and dry clothes in one compact unit with the Splendide WDV2200XCD vented combo. This space-saving appliance simplifies laundry with its combined washer and dryer functionality.
Returning to the most trusted name in RV laundry, the Splendide 2100XC is the ventless counterpart to their vented standard. It offers the same build quality and road-ready durability as the WDV2200XCD but in a ventless condenser package. This makes it the perfect choice for RVers who want Splendide’s reputation without cutting a hole in their wall.
One of its standout features is its brushless AC motor, which makes it exceptionally quiet and stable during spin cycles. In a thin-walled RV, a loud, vibrating washer can be incredibly disruptive, and the 2100XC is engineered to minimize that noise. It also features a self-cleaning lint filter and an oversized drum for its class, improving wash quality. You’ll still face the longer dry times inherent to ventless tech, but if a quiet, reliable, and easy-to-install machine is your top priority, this model is tough to beat.
Vented vs. Ventless: Key RV Considerations
The single biggest decision you’ll make is choosing between a vented and a ventless model. This choice impacts installation, performance, and even how you manage your RV’s interior environment. Neither is universally "better"; the right one depends entirely on your rig and your priorities.
A vented dryer is your best bet for performance. It dries clothes faster, more completely, and with less energy per load. The major downside is the installation. You must cut a 4-inch hole through your RV’s wall, a task that requires careful measurement to avoid hitting structural framing and proper sealing to prevent water leaks. If your RV is already prepped for a washer, this is a no-brainer. If not, it’s a significant project.
A ventless (condenser) dryer offers unmatched installation flexibility but comes with operational tradeoffs. Because it doesn’t exhaust air outside, it releases some heat and humidity into your living space. This can be a problem in hot, humid climates, potentially forcing your air conditioner to work harder. The drying process also takes much longer, sometimes over two hours for a load of towels.
Here’s the breakdown:
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Choose Vented If:
- You prioritize fast, efficient drying.
- You do laundry frequently for multiple people.
- Your RV is already prepped with a vent, or you’re comfortable cutting a hole.
- Choose Ventless If:
- You cannot or will not cut a hole in your RV.
- Your only available installation spot is in a slide-out or on an interior wall.
- You do smaller, less frequent loads and don’t mind longer cycle times.
Ultimately, this decision is a classic RV dilemma: balancing pure performance against installation simplicity and flexibility.
The best RV washer dryer combo isn’t the one with the most features, but the one that seamlessly integrates with your space, your resources, and your travel style. By weighing the real-world tradeoffs of size, venting, and capacity, you can find a machine that adds true convenience to your life on the road. Laundry day will no longer be a chore to plan your travels around, but just another simple task handled in the comfort of your own home on wheels.