Stackable Washer and Dryer - Does the Washer Have to be on the Bottom?

roegs01

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Minneapolis Area
We're tossing around the idea of a somewhat larger trailer and getting something that would allow separate washer / dryer to be installed. Rather than lift wet clothes up to the dryer, she'd prefer having the washer on top. Do washers always need to be on the bottom when using stackable units?
 
Depends upon design but our washer is on the bottom - if for no other reason than the weight of the washer is greater than the weight of the dryer. Also, the washer discharge hose from a lower point provides a trap with the tank - less of an issue with a dedicated gray tank but with our home septic system it is likely code. An option (not our preferred) was to install a single combined unit. Just didn't seem efficient use of time.
 
I see two issues with the washer being on top. The washer is, by far, the heavier unit. This would put the stack at greater risk for rocking back and forth during travel - possibly causing damage. The second issue is similar to the first. Most washers can shake the whole RV if a spin cycle is less than perfectly balanced. With the washer on top, more motion would be permitted and the stack might bang side-to-side. Personally, I would not want the washer on top.

Rob
 
Agree on washer on bottom - due to the weight of a washer vs dryer. Not to mention the additional water weight and agitation of wet clothes (in water) thru cycles when in use. Our stick built has a stackable washer/dryer and it is a good space saver in our utility room.

The new all-in-one combo units definitely make sense for RV units and small stick built applications. Although much more efficient now with larger capacity, the concept has been around for awhile. My parents had a relatively small "all-in-one" combo while living in an apartment in Germany in the 70's. The biggest difference in 50 years is capacity and a "some" better drying. But just like the ones in the 70's, they still have some limitations. They are not very efficient at drying clothes completely. The newer ones still require some "compensating" to get clothes completely dry by finishing with hang dry, multiple drying cycles, or smaller loads. Our son has a newer front load washer dryer all-in-one combo. He mentioned its not as efficient at drying large volumes of clothes, and has to wash smaller loads than capacity to get dry on the first cycle.
 
We're tossing around the idea of a somewhat larger trailer and getting something that would allow separate washer / dryer to be installed. Rather than lift wet clothes up to the dryer, she'd prefer having the washer on top. Do washers always need to be on the bottom when using stackable units?
Yes, because of the weight of a washer vs the weight of the dryer
 

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