Washing machine in van - Is it worthwhile?

Mike Harding · Guru

Washing machine in van - Is it worthwhile?

Dougwe · Chief one feather

When I had my aluminium teepee built 4 years ago I chose to not have the washing machine and had a nest of drawers in it's spot instead.

Now 4 years on not once have I missed the washing machine and use the drawers every day.

Yes, the small machines they fit use heaps of water and don't fit much in.

I wash by hand when alternative camping using wool wash. Works well. If near a laundromat I wash bedding there. I use a disinfectant additive in the final rinse to help kill any unwanteds.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

STRETCH ARMSTRONG · Senior Member

There was a 2.5kg washer in my den when I brought it. I tested it out at a C.P I stayed at once. For one machine full of cloths doing the full cycle it used around 35litres of water that I collected in a bucket. I wanted to see how much water it used too!

If free camping then I think this is a poor use of my precious water supply and hand washing is preferred. If I intend to visit a C.P once a week or more then I think it saves a bit of money by having your own machine.

Stretch.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

We carry one that gets used when we have spare water or know when we will get it.
Used carefully, by collecting and re-using rinse water its use is not so much.
It does a pretty good job at spinning which is the prime reason we bought it.
Cheers,
Peter

vince56 · Senior Member

At least with your own washing machine you know what has been in it!
Caravan Park laundries are used by everyone to wash everything, including those who wash their dog beds/blankets and horse rugs.
Proven by a malfunctioning machine at one establishment that had its pump and filter completely blocked by dog hair and gravel.
Wouldn't be without the machine in the van.

PeterInSa · Guru

Agree with Vince's comments above, we rarely go to CP's and had a WM that I carried in the Cruiser and used it similar to P&M above but in the end it was a pain carrying in the back of the cruiser. If buying another van, would have one installed, you can always take it out and put in a smaller unit as a friend did or replace with cupboard.

In a CP with water connected and waste water outlet routed to the sullage point, with an Automatic machine its just load/set forget/unload/do next batch.

Radar · Guru

Hi Mike.

When we brought our 3 year old caravan a couple of years back it came with 3 items that I thought we would not want, need and use. Was intending take them out.

No 1 a slide out stainless steel marine style bbq, gets more use then I would of thought.

No 2 a oven, we are well into twenties the amount of cakes that been cooked in it along with dinners that there was any way of knowing it was going to be used for.

No 3 the washing machine, yes it is small at 2.5 kgs, uses about 40 litres of water. We mostly elect to go of power where we stay and it has surprised us how many times we can get water. I have just installed a 1000 watt inverter primary to run the washing machine when really needed. My other passing word to Lady of economic management is a 3.5 kg washer fits in that spot without any mods, swap and go.

Now there is no way are we giving these 3 items up, maybe the bbq only, it really is a pleasure to be out in the caravan touring about with these extra luxuries.

Our caravan is 6 metres long with ample storage with space to spare and under our max gross weight on the caravan. All good in that department.

If you get a chance or change your mine go the 3.5 kg it would be a bonus. Ralph

-- Edited by Radar on Friday 21st of September 2018 05:04:58 PM

the rocket · Guru

Hi mike, personal choice i think. Strop n i have a haier in the annexe 3.2kg i think. It is nearly 4 yrs. old so has paid for itself. The only thing it cannot fit in is the queen doona. Its only 12 kgs so easy to lift in n out of colorado Canopy. If free camping i hand wash. If in showgrounds i connect to power no problem. Glad we have it on the outside, i would worry about a hose breaking if it were inside the van. Certainly cheaper than using laundry mats all the time.

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

My van was built to how I wanted it and delivered back in Nov 2008. I have now been travelling for nine years and living full time in this van.

A washing machine (Lemair) was standard in the 'showroom model'. At the time of the order, August 2008, I made it a 'delete option' and the cost was deducted from the build/purchase price.

I got a call from the builder early Nov 2008 to tell me they had made a mistake and had installed the washing machine "because it was a standard item" and the bloke hadn't thoroughly checked the order sheet. I told them to take it out as I preferred to have the cupboard space than a "tiny little washing machine".

After of a couple of weeks of negotiating, I VERY reluctantly accepted the washing machine as installed as it would have delayed the van for a few months (because of the imminent Xmas break) with them removing the machine and remaking the cupboard due to the holes for hoses etc. They left the machine in at no cost to me so I just moved on with life.

Now nine years down the track I reckon it has been one of the better things that I have in the van. It has performed faultlessly - except for the pump failing about four years ago which I replaced.

I worked on farms for four to five months a year for four years and I used that machine EVERY night to wash my working clobber - at no cost to me because I didn't need to insert coins or wait in line for the machine in the van park/s.

I haven't needed to use van park's machines or a laundromat in all these nine years - musta saved heaps by now.

When I am camping off the grid I handwash using wool wash so it is not used then.

Would I have another one ... you betcha. I often smile to meself when I think I nearly did myself outta this machine.

Cheers - John

dieseltojo · Senior Member

Speaking as a person who had one and removed it I am in the no way camp.

Water supply is a big deal and my van has 220 ltrs on board. We did the next was in the rinsing water from the first wash.

But the need for water means either you lug it out of a river are set up a pump situation.

Then welcome to the generator group. The machine needs power and noise to run the thing. You will not win a popularity competition in a free camp

But if all that is ok consider the drying of the clothes. In Tassie you will lug around wet clothes till you get sick of washing. Because when you move off take it from me you will need them hanging around.

I am not knocking any one that loves theirs, but this is is how it affected us on and 8 week tour.

My almost brand Electolux I think it is, new machine is now for sale so if I have not put you off, send me a note.....

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Just in case it was missed in my long post earlier .....

..........I reckon it has been one of the better things that I have in the van. I haven't needed to use van park's machines or a laundromat in all these nine years - musta saved heaps by now.

When I am camping off the grid I handwash using wool wash so it is not used then.

Would I have another one ... you betcha

I definitely would not use it while off the grid and not on mains water - ie only in a van park etc.

Just sayin' hmm

Cheers - John

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

dieseltojo wrote:
Then welcome to the generator group. The machine needs power and noise to run the thing. You will not win a popularity competition in a free camp

We have a 12V pump with a long lead and hose that allows us to fill our tanks (or the washing machine) from any water source.

The washing machine easily runs from a small inverter. Their power consumption is minimal.

The blue hose is from the OKA water tanks (pressurised).

3 (maybe 4?) loads. (including a pair of double bed sheets).

Cheers,

Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Friday 21st of September 2018 07:40:28 PM

Kaid · Guru

We have a small portable twin tub. Absolutely love it.
Carry it it the back of the Colorado. Can control how much water it uses and we reuse the water.
Cleanest clothes first then the dirtier ones topping up as needed and using Earth wool wash.

Bulariver · Veteran Member

We love our washing machine - just to use it when you have a stop at a park is just perfect. You will regret not having one IOHO

Mike Harding · Guru

Peter: I love all those washing lines - reminds me of southern Italy in the 70s.

However: the *green* underpants may have been "too much information" :)

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

We saw a bloke at Derby (WA) three years ago - he had his full sized top-loader machine (from home) in the back of his Landcruiser 100. I couldn't believe my eyes one morning when he pulled it out & did the washing next to his van.
There was no room for anything else in the back of the car.

We was out our smalls in the shower each day. The rest can wait a week or so when we can use the parks' machines.

Mickannie · Member

Don't leave home without one, we had cupboards instead in our first van but second had one so we left it in and her in doors loves it. Number one it does a great job and secondly you find machines at caravan parks etc have had so much use they can't do a good job anymore plus they are full of all sorts of gunk that ends up on your clothes

Mike Harding · Guru

Thank you very much everyone who replied - your comments were interesting and diverse.

You have convinced me to go with the washing machine.

aussie_paul · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
Thank you very much everyone who replied - your comments were interesting and diverse.
You have convinced me to go with the washing machine.

Definately good decision Mike.

Aussie Paul. smile

Hylife · Guru

In short, YES.

Having your own machine instead of:
Using filthy van park machines that leave your clothes covered in marks and stinking like a dog blanket.
Poor wash results because cheap skate van parks and laundromats that won't connect their machines to HOT water for a proper wash.
Paying multiples of $5 in change for 20 minute speed cycles.

Recommend a top loader over a front loader because:
Whilst free-camping (using a generator) you can fill up with water from clean sources such as a creek or river and reuse soapy water collected in buckets.
You can add hot water (from a tap or boil the billy) for a proper cleansing wash that you just don't get from cold water washes no matter what detergent you use.

Mike Harding · Guru

Hylife: Good points - yeah, I'm none too keen on using public washing machines either :(

And I like your suggestion regarding a top loader and externally provided hot water - I camp in forests, I have a chain saw, hot water is not an issue :)

StewG · Senior Member

Good decision, Mike. typical caravan washing machines are small and use a fair bit of water and sometimes shake a small van worryingly, BUT... they don't take up much room if mounted in a van, don't weigh much, are incredibly convenient at caravan parks and save many dollars. I wouldn't leave home without one. We travelled for 5 months on the big lap and used it several times weekly (small loads per wash).

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

We used and took ours not inbuilt but a light plastic. Runs on 12v . Spins out ok . We erected a cable inside to hang washed clothes . Window down a little . Wind soon dries clothes out . Just have to be inventive . Another option we have used in the past is a big sealed bucket and a rock . They dont spin dry as well though . Tried placing clothes between leveling wedge and driving over ??

Mike Harding · Guru

>Tried placing clothes between leveling wedge and driving over ??

I love the innovation :)