For quite a while, we have seen small washing machines available for those 'on the road'. Would be interested in what the opinion of people is, particularly those that are 'on the road' permanently.

Have seen many vans with washing machines "built in" mainly in the ensuite and thought......." I would REALLY like one of those".

Set out to talk to people who had them and those who didn't and those who had them in the back of the tug.

After much thought re: pros and cons I have decided that the "in built" ones do limit you to when you can do the washing as you nearly have to be on mains water. 

If however, you free camp like we do then the one in the back of the tug is more beneficial as if you are parked up near clean water it's just a matter of bucketing water into the machine instead of traipsing buckets through your van to fill the washing machine.

I am looking for a single tub machine but haven't located one yet.  I am over the twin tub variety.....been there and done that and I'm all for the easy way out now.

Other opinions would be gratefully received as Pejay and I have decisions to make haven't we Pejay.

i thought they ment a washing maching was actually on the road

Ma seen a couple using one at Lee Point and it seemed to take them hours to do a few loads. Don't know what they would be like. The ones I have seen only wash, don't spin, so it seemed pointless to me for the money. They must have them somewhere.

I have considered and decided no. I soak  in cheap napisan overnight and it does a marvelous job- need no rubbing just rinse.

Di

Its not exactly a washing machine, but we use a toilet plunger from bunnings. One with a screw on plunger not push on so it dosent come off. costs about $5. Works fine. The clothes we are washing are not exactly tuxedo's and ball gowns though, and we are not on the road permanently. But thought others may be interested. cheers pete

We were given a little electric single tub washing machine, and I tried it out at home before going away. It had about 10 or 12 litre capacity, and washed like one of those Hoover twin tubs with the agitator on the bottom. Trouble is, thats all it did, no rinse, wring or spin. And it needed 240 volts, so not suitable for bush camping. I left it at home, couldnt justify the size or weight to carry. 

-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Thursday 2nd of December 2010 02:55:44 PM

Back in the good old days....We used a plastic (new) rubbish bin with a tight lid   half fill with water suds and by  the time you have done a couple of hours drive..It's ready for rinsing.....It worked okay for me.....

Our little Lemair auto is just fine, dose a good wash and spins and is small enough to fit into a van.. If you save the water and use it again its not bad on water.. Just rinse the smalls by hand ...

Hmm, thanks folks, Ma & I will have to think this one over, over a glass or three me thinks. The ones we were considering were twin tub types, but @ around $200, I think the old bucket in the back of 'the beast' may be the way to go - like when hubby was in the army, and they washed their clothes (mainly jocks etc) in a 20Lt pail - just saved ourselves a couple of bob - that means I can buy more vino - Yeah!!!!!!

All the ones we have seen built in the vans are the Lemair. After lots of clothes comming out of the van park machines dirtier than they went in , we got jack of using them.
Many parks have construction workers living there so their clothers are fairly dirty.We bought a Lemair & carry it in the tug, they are fully auto, same as a home unit, one tub, wash ,spin, rinse, spin etc. do a great job while you are doing something else.

We love our little lemair automatic washes as good as the big machine at home. We bought it after seeing a woman put dogs bedding with vomit on it straight into the park machine. She did not rinse or anything disgusting

OK, next question guys, WHERE DO YA GET IT and How much?  The Lemair's that is.  Still thinking about it but knowing how much vino I can't buy if I do buy one sure would help.

Ma wrote:

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OK, next question guys, WHERE DO YA GET IT and How much?  The Lemair's that is.  Still thinking about it but knowing how much vino I can't buy if I do buy one sure would help.

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MA, got ours at a Harvey norman, good price. Have seen them at caravan sales yards,
also on Ebay, some marked etc, bit of a gamble there as you dont see it first.

PS, you wont work up such a thirst this way =====less vino.LOL.

 

-- Edited by justcruisin01 on Thursday 2nd of December 2010 08:16:20 PM

Thought i saw them advertised recently for $300. 2.2kg wash and spin. Still need 240v power i think. Don't know if a gennie would run one?? Johnw

Here is 2 upence worth. Hop on Ebay and search for mini washing machines. There are about 9 on ebay at the moment. We bid and won one of those pink / red top twin tubs for around $60 plus cartage $40. 5 kg capacity and weigh 14 kg. Not automatic, but what the hell it runs on mains power or if free camping ... generator to mains in the van and you will get you money back in 12 washes, as we used to spend $8 to$10 on the Wash machines in the C.Parks. Happy bidding. Check out the specifications before you make up your mind. But it gets our tick of approval Jay&Dee

Ma, our van has a 2.2kg Lemair auto in it. With arthtitis in my fingers, the washing in camp was delegated to Dero. The woman of the van before me, said, she wouldn't be without one. I'm taking her word on it. As yet, haven't tried it out...but will rectify that in the New Year. We feel we won't be wasting our water, as we'll recycle that with the "washing" for our fossicking dirt. Let you know how it goes. Cheers Dellie

Geez you guys make it hard.  Now it's back to the drawing board.  Will have a look on Ebay for sure and Dell, I will be VERY interested to hear what you think about yours.

Are you loosing sleep over this Ma?  Posting at 4.05 am! 

Hi folks .. I purchased one of these 12 months ago and it hasn't missed a beat. I do however only use it when another machine isn't available and when free-camping .. mind you, I'm a solo male so my needs are probably less than a couple .. if you recycle the water .. or wash all first and then rinse all afterwards, then its quite good !

http://www.topbuy.com.au/tbcart/pc/Super-Mini-Washing-Machine-with-Spin-Cycle-2KG-Capacity-185p2073.htm

.. this is not a promotion .. just my experience !

Jon

(about to leave Sydney area for the Bathurst/Orange area)

Stopped using park machines and laundromats when we saw a woman putting dog blankets in some machines . The 40 litre screw-top plastic container does a reasonable job . Getting a new van in June . It has a small front-loader in it .

jimricho wrote:

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Are you loosing sleep over this Ma?  Posting at 4.05 am! 

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It's a major life changing decision Jim.................NOT.............

 

The cheapest place is Goodguys or Harvey Norman to get the Lemair caravan suppliers charge to much. We run ours of 2kva honda genny

Ma wrote:

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jimricho wrote:

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Are you loosing sleep over this Ma?  Posting at 4.05 am! 

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It's a major life changing decision Jim.................NOT.............

 

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Come on MA. get washed up, there,s things to do , places to go;LOL

 

There was a Lemair campers washing machine in our local paper today for 150.00 Can't give you any more details as have passed the paper on to the neighbour.

I use the bucket and foot method . A 20 ltr bucket with 3 or 4 pieces of clothing , half filled with water and a bit of liquid detergent. Put foot in and AGITATE. works, . no power, not alot of water. wring out and dry in sun. Very simple, and no power.

Bill,
Hope you change feet half way so that you come out with two clean feet as well.

Its called the"territory two step". You know, one step forward. two steps back. The politicians do it all the time. My feet do come out smelling better. High tech engineering, I think.

hope you feet don't smell as bad as my son inlaw can smell all the way down the hallway