HELP ME GROW AN IDEA - WASHING MACHINE INSTALLATION
Tones said
08:41 AM Feb 18, 2015
We have a Jayco 17.55.3 model poptop with shower / toilet etc. with rear door entry. As you enter the van, the L shaped dinette is on the left.
I have had an idea in my head for a while and just wanted to throw it out there for further thoughts, comments, suggestions etc with a view to getting a better result.
I have been thinking that the space under the dinette table could be put to better use and that our 2.2Kg top loading auto washing machine might be able to stand under where the table is instead of being carried in the back of the dual cab. The only drawback would be the loss of one seating position at the dinette.
Some of my thoughts are running like this at present......
!. Remove table and pedestal and replace with box that would attach to floor and house the w/m. Existing table top could be used on top of that box and attached with a piano hinge to open up and away to one side for use of the w/m. This would also allow the dinette to be used whilst the w/m is operating.
2. I have no firm ideas about the plumbing and 240V electrics. They could be either established as permanent fittings or left coiled in the top of the box and run out for operation of the w/m. If that were the case, then small cut-outs could be done to the top of the box so that the table top could be closed whilst the hoses and lead are deployed.
Now some questions to promote input.
Should the box be fixed or mobile. Which would be better and what would the advantages and disadvantages be.
Could this design become generic so that it could be used in various vans with l-shaped dinette fittings. If it were to be made generic, would it be for a permanent fixing or mobile style use. Which would be better.
Looking for ideas and input from other vanners. More input will prevent cramps in my head as I get closer to making this happen.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Tones
Dougwe said
06:35 PM Feb 18, 2015
We used to call this "Brain Storming" in my previous life Had great results most of the time.
Sounds a reasonably good idea Tones. I would be a little concerned about the extra weight added and distribution by the machine during towing.
My washing machine works well, I have a 30lt bowl and I am the machine Just thought I'd say that Yeh I know, stupid hey!
Lets see how the "Brain Storming" goes from here.
valiant81 said
10:57 PM Feb 18, 2015
Hi tones;
I to have the same make and model caravan as you do, and yes, we also travel with a washing machine. While ours is not a not a auto matic like yours is , but ours is just one of the little twin tub models that cost about $150.00 a couple of years ago.
Now with ours when we travel and because of the size and light weight we travel with it in the corner of the L shape lounge ( never had a problem with it moving while we are traveling ) and place it on the bed ( while we stop for lunch ) or out side when we have set up camp. We also use a short garden hose to fill up the machine that is fed from the tap on the draw bar, drain the dirty water in to a bucket and use that for the trees.
One place you could stor the machine is on the short side of your lounge, in front of the foot of your bed and held in place with a couple of scew eyes and a occy strap, while i haven't tryed that way of storing while traveling that way should work
-- Edited by valiant81 on Wednesday 18th of February 2015 10:58:15 PM
Aus-Kiwi said
10:24 AM Feb 19, 2015
Pics ??
exa41 said
10:24 AM Feb 19, 2015
Hi Tones , we are lucky enough to have Madnos and Rosa staying with us for a while , anyway the girls Yvonne and Sally went to Aldi last weekend and purchased a small 2Kg hand tumple washer . only uses minimal water and does a really good job . could be an alternative and you get a workout as well , win win !
Tones said
02:11 PM Feb 19, 2015
G'day all.
Thanks for the replies to date. I have got a few more ideas out of what has been said. Sorry, I can't post pics of the inside of the van at present because of where it is in the carport (I would have to diet for 6 months to get the door open).
I like the idea of getting the water feed by hose from the tap on the drawbar. I was thinking that at the very worst, the waste pipe could empty via the shower recess although the hose would have to be anchored in place properly. Another choice for the water feed would be a T piece on the shower to allow the hose to attach in the shower. It would allow water to be drawn from mains or tanks via pump if that were necessary, although the same can be said for the tap on the drawbar. Six of one and half a dozen of the other I suppose.
Have looked at the idea of storing the w/m around the front side of the dinette but I think it would drive us mad in a short time because it would limit movement around the foot of the bed.
Very interesting to see that a smaller size machine can be stowed under the existing table. That means that a downsizing of machines would remove a lot of the problem.
Will have to give the "armstrong" method a miss because of physical limitations.
Still thinking!
Tones
-- Edited by Tones on Thursday 19th of February 2015 02:13:03 PM
grahamg said
04:47 PM Feb 19, 2015
From a man's point of view , it a washing machine - does it need to be in the van. With limited space why put a washing machine in the van. leave it at home or in the car.
Peterpan said
11:23 AM Feb 20, 2015
Here's a thought, met a couple last time I was in Rockhampton, and they had a Wheelie Bin attached to their
back bumper,inside the bin was the washing machine. They had hose connections connected through the bin to the machine.
Lots of people came to check out their system as it was working. He was quite tall, she was shorter, so a step was required
for her to load and unload the washing.
Cloak said
12:45 PM Feb 21, 2015
We're putting a big plastic barrel on the back of the truck. Fill it and go for a drive - job done.
Tones said
08:50 AM Feb 24, 2015
Thanks to everyone for your input. I have made up a sammy board for the base of the w/m and put four castor wheels on it so that the machine can live in the back of the truck and be secured with a ratchet strap. When required for use, simply wheel to the tailgate, connect at tap on drawbar of van and place waste hose into sullage hose.
Thanks again to everyone for the input.
Tones
Two Strays said
10:42 AM Mar 3, 2015
Tones
The missus will be happy with an onboard washing machine.
A few tips
1. Put a gal tray with 10mm sides with a drain thru the floor under the W/M
2. Put a "Y" piece in the drain instead of "T" piece. You will reduce the back pressure and assist a in faster draining.
3. Use side load washing detergent, it does not foam as much as the other stuff
We have a Jayco 17.55.3 model poptop with shower / toilet etc. with rear door entry. As you enter the van, the L shaped dinette is on the left.
I have had an idea in my head for a while and just wanted to throw it out there for further thoughts, comments, suggestions etc with a view to getting a better result.
I have been thinking that the space under the dinette table could be put to better use and that our 2.2Kg top loading auto washing machine might be able to stand under where the table is instead of being carried in the back of the dual cab. The only drawback would be the loss of one seating position at the dinette.
Some of my thoughts are running like this at present......
!. Remove table and pedestal and replace with box that would attach to floor and house the w/m. Existing table top could be used on top of that box and attached with a piano hinge to open up and away to one side for use of the w/m. This would also allow the dinette to be used whilst the w/m is operating.
2. I have no firm ideas about the plumbing and 240V electrics. They could be either established as permanent fittings or left coiled in the top of the box and run out for operation of the w/m. If that were the case, then small cut-outs could be done to the top of the box so that the table top could be closed whilst the hoses and lead are deployed.
Now some questions to promote input.
Should the box be fixed or mobile. Which would be better and what would the advantages and disadvantages be.
Could this design become generic so that it could be used in various vans with l-shaped dinette fittings. If it were to be made generic, would it be for a permanent fixing or mobile style use. Which would be better.
Looking for ideas and input from other vanners. More input will prevent cramps in my head as I get closer to making this happen.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Tones
We used to call this "Brain Storming" in my previous life
Had great results most of the time.
Sounds a reasonably good idea Tones. I would be a little concerned about the extra weight added and distribution by the machine during towing.
My washing machine works well, I have a 30lt bowl and I am the machine
Just thought I'd say that 
Yeh I know, stupid hey!
Lets see how the "Brain Storming" goes from here.
Hi tones;
I to have the same make and model caravan as you do, and yes, we also travel with a washing machine. While ours is not a not a auto matic like yours is , but ours is just one of the little twin tub models that cost about $150.00 a couple of years ago.
Now with ours when we travel and because of the size and light weight we travel with it in the corner of the L shape lounge ( never had a problem with it moving while we are traveling ) and place it on the bed ( while we stop for lunch ) or out side when we have set up camp. We also use a short garden hose to fill up the machine that is fed from the tap on the draw bar, drain the dirty water in to a bucket and use that for the trees.
One place you could stor the machine is on the short side of your lounge, in front of the foot of your bed and held in place with a couple of scew eyes and a occy strap, while i haven't tryed that way of storing while traveling that way should work
-- Edited by valiant81 on Wednesday 18th of February 2015 10:58:15 PM
G'day all.
Thanks for the replies to date. I have got a few more ideas out of what has been said. Sorry, I can't post pics of the inside of the van at present because of where it is in the carport (I would have to diet for 6 months to get the door open).
I like the idea of getting the water feed by hose from the tap on the drawbar. I was thinking that at the very worst, the waste pipe could empty via the shower recess although the hose would have to be anchored in place properly. Another choice for the water feed would be a T piece on the shower to allow the hose to attach in the shower. It would allow water to be drawn from mains or tanks via pump if that were necessary, although the same can be said for the tap on the drawbar. Six of one and half a dozen of the other I suppose.
Have looked at the idea of storing the w/m around the front side of the dinette but I think it would drive us mad in a short time because it would limit movement around the foot of the bed.
Very interesting to see that a smaller size machine can be stowed under the existing table. That means that a downsizing of machines would remove a lot of the problem.
Will have to give the "armstrong" method a miss because of physical limitations.
Still thinking!
Tones
-- Edited by Tones on Thursday 19th of February 2015 02:13:03 PM
Here's a thought, met a couple last time I was in Rockhampton, and they had a Wheelie Bin attached to their
back bumper,inside the bin was the washing machine. They had hose connections connected through the bin to the machine.
Lots of people came to check out their system as it was working. He was quite tall, she was shorter, so a step was required
for her to load and unload the washing.
Thanks to everyone for your input. I have made up a sammy board for the base of the w/m and put four castor wheels on it so that the machine can live in the back of the truck and be secured with a ratchet strap. When required for use, simply wheel to the tailgate, connect at tap on drawbar of van and place waste hose into sullage hose.
Thanks again to everyone for the input.
Tones
Tones
The missus will be happy with an onboard washing machine.
A few tips
1. Put a gal tray with 10mm sides with a drain thru the floor under the W/M
2. Put a "Y" piece in the drain instead of "T" piece. You will reduce the back pressure and assist a in faster draining.
3. Use side load washing detergent, it does not foam as much as the other stuff
Cheers