315RLTS Washer & Dryer Installation (How I Did It)

Howard, Nice work, do you need to strap them(kudos on what could be called overkill on the straps better safe than sorry) down they do weight a lot and may not move around, I was planning on use the grain pan as well because when washers go out they leak water and sometimes oil. I am looking getting a pair that are 6 months old from a guy north of me.
 
...do you need to strap them

The word "need" implies "required". I don't remember reading (in the manuals for the appliances or the trailer) that securing the applicances is required. I may have missed it, though.

FYI, the dryer is surprisingly light compared to the washer.

BL--the washer and dryer are strapped down for my peace of mind.
 
Straps v2

I had orange straps in my garage when I first installed my washer and dryer so I used them. I just tossed on the selt belt comforter (bought at Walmart) to protect the edges of the appliance, too. As you might expect, Fran wanted something that looked nicer.

For the life of me I couldn't find bright white straps (at a reasonable price) so I used silver I found on Amazon. Cut down the seat belt comforter, too, so there's just a small piece under the corner to eliminate the possibility of the straps wearing away the finish on the appliance.

Fran's happy, so as the saying goes...

ORIGINAL
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NOW
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Straps
DSCN0129 (Small).JPG

Close up of Corner Protection
DSCN0133 (Small).JPG
 
how did you anchor the straps to the floor, I have a 7100XC that I have to install this week before I hit the road
 
how did you anchor the straps to the floor, I have a 7100XC that I have to install this week before I hit the road

I screwed D-rings into the floor. They are shown in the PDF (first post in this thread).
 
I ended up doing just that, was on the way to Home Depot before your response. Not sure I like the hoses that came with the washer, seem kind of cheap.
 
Howard, thanks for a great write-up. I'm buying a slightly used set from a GDRV Solitude owner who traded his in, but pulled the washer and dryer. I'm picking them up on Friday and will be installing them in our 313RLTS this summer.

A couple of questions:

1. The periscoping dryer vent. Lowes has a number of them. Did you use the 21" x 41" or the 21" x 45" (or didn't it matter)?
2. Anchoring the D-rings to the floor. You used 3/4" screws and "gently torqued them" into the floor. I'm not at the trailer now, but couldn't you bolt them to the floor by accessing the ceiling of the basement? Was there a specific reason why you went with wood screws?
3. For the 90º hose adapters, was there a specific length that worked best? By that I mean 1" x 1" would be better than 2" x 2" for example?
4. Did you remove the mattress to get the appliances into the closet? If not, would it have been easier if you had it to do all over again?
5. It would appear that you've pretty much lost use of the closet for anything other than a laundry room. Is that the case?
6. I understand there is a filter in the washing machine. How difficult is it to get to once the washer is installed?
7. Tongue weight. Adding those two put 200+ lbs into the nose. What's your tongue weight now as a result?

More questions to follow... LOL

Thanks.
 
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Howard, thanks for a great write-up. I'm buying a slightly used set from a GDRV Solitude owner who traded his in, but pulled the washer and dryer. I'm picking them up on Friday and will be installing them in our 313RLTS this summer.

A couple of questions:

1. The periscoping dryer vent. Lowes has a number of them. Did you use the 21" x 41" or the 21" x 45" (or didn't it matter)?
I don't know if it makes a difference, but I bought the 24" to 45" adjustable vent. Don't neglect to seal it up real good with HVAC tape. https://www.lowes.com/pd/IMPERIAL-24-in-to-45-in-Adjustable-Periscope-Dryer-Vent/3203041

2. Anchoring the D-rings to the floor. You used 3/4" screws and "gently torqued them" into the floor. I'm not at the trailer now, but couldn't you bolt them to the floor by accessing the ceiling of the basement? Was there a specific reason why you went with wood screws?
No specific reason. Yes, if you line them up carefully I'm sure bolt/nut combination is possible. The straps are not cranked down super tight. "Snug" is a better description. Wood screws seemed the right choice at the time. So far everything has held together and we've towed over some violently rough roads.

3. For the 90º hose adapters, was there a specific length that worked best? By that I mean 1" x 1" would be better than 2" x 2" for example?
Again, not sure if these are the "best"--I just know they worked. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Apollo-2-P...t-Copper-Washing-Machine-Connector/1000096862

4. Did you remove the mattress to get the appliances into the closet? If not, would it have been easier if you had it to do all over again?
This is a two-person job, no question about that. I had a friend help me lug in the washer and dryer (washer is much heavier). The mattress was actually a great place to put down the appliances without damaging them during the process.

5. It would appear that you've pretty much lost use of the closet for anything other than a laundry room. Is that the case?
Yes, that's the case. We've removed the closet doors as all they did was get in the way. Saves weight, too. Have you seen my kennel thread? That's how we're utilizing the rest of the space.

6. I understand there is a filter in the washing machine. How difficult is it to get to once the washer is installed?
I'm embarrassed to admit that if there's a filter I haven't looked at it. (Now I'm going to have to go look!)

7. Tongue weight. Adding those two put 200+ lbs into the nose. What's your tongue weight now as a result?
I've been as high as 1,700lbs. It is tough to keep the trailer under the GVWR. It didn't help when I added the inverter and batteries. :( I travel with 4 gallons of water in the fresh tank (for the potty on the road) and that's it. I even drain the hot water tank every single time on travel days. It's great that GD made it so we can put a washer and dryer in the trailer, but they sure didn't give us the CCC required.

More questions to follow... LOL

Thanks.

Bring 'em on! :)
 
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[MENTION=13185]howson[/MENTION] many thanks, man! I scored a great deal on the Ariston Splendide separates ($850 for the set from a 2017 Solitude). Can’t believe we’re actually doing it. Both of us are excited - and a little nervous.
 
Bring 'em on! :)

Did you have to do anything to the bedroom door to get the appliances through (like take it off the hinges)? How about the front door?

I was thinking about removing the mattress, taking a couple of 2 x 4s and making a slide rail system to slide them from the bed across the span between the bed and the closet shelf. This would make it easier to wrangle the washer around.
 
Did you have to do anything to the bedroom door to get the appliances through (like take it off the hinges)? How about the front door?

I was thinking about removing the mattress, taking a couple of 2 x 4s and making a slide rail system to slide them from the bed across the span between the bed and the closet shelf. This would make it easier to wrangle the washer around.

No, I didn't have to remove any doors or the closet sliding doors. Just needed a friend to help wrestle the washer into the closet.
 
No, I didn't have to remove any doors or the closet sliding doors. Just needed a friend to help wrestle the washer into the closet.

How about electrical? I've got circuit breakers in my Solitude 310GK, but I don't see any 20 amp service in the washer/dryer closet. Can you explain how to find the service taps?

Thanks.

-Steve
 
How about electrical? I've got circuit breakers in my Solitude 310GK, but I don't see any 20 amp service in the washer/dryer closet. Can you explain how to find the service taps?

Thanks.

-Steve

That's very odd, Steve. There isn't an outlet by the water connections?

Sorry, but I am not familiar with the 310GK's interior. Maybe start a new thread with that as the title ("Where is washer/dryer electrical outlet in 310GK?") so the knowledgeable folks see it and have a chance to respond.
 
Thanks for another great thread Howard. My wife eagerly wants this setup before our 3 week trip in November and my 3740BH has a very similar closet layout to your 315RLTS.
 

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