Washer Dryer Combo Duce!

Saturday, Oct 31, 2015

Today we headed to PPL Motorhomes in Cleburne to see about a washer/dryer combo purchase for Mammoth. They were having a sale, and I certainly didn't want to risk shipping such a large product. After 3 months of using a laundromat, we had decided that having our own machine would be easier -- less time consuming, and easier to get Tony's school band director shirts washed in a timely manner when he needs them.

I had researched and we decided to purchase the Pinnacle SuperCombo, which allows the user to choose between vented and ventless operation. We weren't sure we would install the dryer vent in the Mammoth (which requires drilling a 4-inch hole in the side), so this Combo W/D gave us the option.

We made the purchase, along with a few other things including a pan that goes under the unit to catch leaks, and headed home. The unit slid into the back of my small SUV just fine. Once we slid it out again and got it over to the coach steps, We were able to tip the unit onto the first step, then tilt it into the rig onto its side to get it in. We then uprighted it and took the box off of it. 

We were not able to get it installed right away -- it took a week or so to get time to do it. In that time, we researched where to install the vent, and I ordered the dryer vent pieces from Amazon.

Here's a few pics of the install:

Hole cut for the vent

Installing the vent cover

Vent pipe, pan, and overflow hose ready for the Combo

Pinnacle SuperCombo installed

Getting the unit up the stairs inside was a little easier, as they are carpeted. We tipped the unit onto its side once again to go up the steps, uprighted it, then put furniture-moving feet under it to slide it over to the closet for install (carefully removing the "locking rods" before final placement.)

After a week of use, we determined that the unit was not performing as we expected. The air coming out of the vent did not have much pressure, and the side of the unit got very hot. There was also an funny smell, suggesting something was burning or getting way too warm.

After getting a very challenging response from the manufacturer, (they wanted to send a tech to assess the issue, then send parts for the tech repair -- so two "visits" to attempt to fix, rather than swap the unit out,) we decided to contact the seller and exchange the unit for a Splendide Combo Vented unit, instead. PPL was extremely easy to deal with and helped us make the exchange very easy. (The hard part was of course getting the old unit out and back into the car, then the new unit back in the rig and installed.)

The second install went much easier than the first, because we knew what we were doing. :)

Now we have the new Splendide, and we are far more satisfied with its performance!

New Splendide Combo 2100XC installed