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Old 07-15-2020, 05:31 AM   #1
RMcNeal
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Washer/Dryer install

I am considering a stackable Splendide Washer/Dryer (not combo unit) in our 3791RD. It is pre-wired and plumbed in the bedroom closet, very front door side. No dryer vent as yet. My question is has anyone considered running the dryer vent downward through the floor instead of out the side next to the front cap? Is this even possible?
I'm very reluctant to drill a 4" hole in the side of our new Monte. Not to mention the horror stories of hitting a stud or other wiring in the side, or coming out in the middle of our awning frame, etc.
Has anyone else considered such a thing?
 
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Old 07-15-2020, 08:16 AM   #2
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I have not, however I have installed a combo unit in two different Montana units myself, and cutting that 4 inch exhaust hole is not a big deal if you do it smartly. Do not trust the label marking. What I did each time was to pick my spot, use my 4inch hole saw as a template, marked the cut, used a studfinder (mine does wood, metal, and electrical wiring), and as a further precaution, drilled holes at 12, 3, 6, 9 and center with the smallest bit I had to ensure nothing behind the wall. Then using my holesaw with an extra long driverbit, I cut through the innerwall, being careful to stop if I hit anything stronger, and continued until my bit went thru the outer wall. Wife stood outside and yelled as soon as she saw the bit. Then I removed my cut from the inside, visually inspected. Finished the cut by going outside, and using the bit hole as my guide, mask taped my cutting surface and finished the cut from the outside in. First time, took me twenty minutes, second time I knew what I was doing, and job took 10 minutes. No horror stories.
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Old 07-15-2020, 08:24 AM   #3
RMcNeal
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Thanks, Mike. I was actually planning a similar process for mine. Just a little concerned about cutting holes in our new 5er. Ours did not have a sticker indicating where to place the vent hole, but from what I'm seeing most are not correct or at least not exactly where it should be anyway.
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Old 07-15-2020, 08:28 AM   #4
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you should be fine. The inner wall is thin, and if for some reason you do hit a stud, you will know it and stop. The wife is going to love having a washer and dryer!
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Old 07-15-2020, 08:42 AM   #5
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I don't understand why the units come pre-wired and pre-plumbed, but do not include the dryer vent. It's like the the manufacturer only provided 2/3's of the puzzle.
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Old 07-15-2020, 08:51 AM   #6
Charlie 3931fb
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I thought that when they have the marking sticker for the vent that there is a wood backer in the wall that the 4 inch hole goes thru?
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Old 07-15-2020, 09:47 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 432bartman View Post
I don't understand why the units come pre-wired and pre-plumbed, but do not include the dryer vent. It's like the the manufacturer only provided 2/3's of the puzzle.
I imagine lots of folks don't want a washer dryer, and want the storage space instead. Suspect they don't want a useless vent cover screwed into the side of their rig. Additionally non-vented washer/dryer combos are available. And combo/stackable units options often have different optimal locations for the vent. Pre-plumbed wiring and plumbing is best done during unit construction, and vent holes can be done anytime.
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Old 07-15-2020, 02:31 PM   #8
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I have a 2020 3791RD and I just installed my stackable 2 weeks ago. This weekend when I go to the campground I can send you the measurements where I put the vent thru the wall. Buy yourself a new hole saw and drill from the outside in, drilling from the inside out and you risk damage to the fiberglass skin when the hole saw pops thru. Installing the vent thru the floor will prevent the flapper from closing when not in use and all kinds of critters can get in, the vent kit for the splendide units is for wall mounting only.
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Old 07-15-2020, 03:16 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 432bartman View Post
I don't understand why the units come pre-wired and pre-plumbed, but do not include the dryer vent. It's like the the manufacturer only provided 2/3's of the puzzle.
Mine was plumbed and wired, no vent nor sticker for where to drill. I wouldn't trust it anyway. Then there was not a suitable base on which to set the washer (combo). I am actually in the middle of installing it right now. I made this base which is also a drain pan. The perimeter framing captures the washer's feet to keep it from sliding around. This base will sit on top of a modified sub base in the trailer.
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Old 07-15-2020, 03:37 PM   #10
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If you get started on your project in the early AM hours you can see the stud locations from the outside of the 5er and mark or drill a pilot inward. No chance of hitting the studs that way.
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Old 07-16-2020, 06:31 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie 3931fb View Post
I thought that when they have the marking sticker for the vent that there is a wood backer in the wall that the 4 inch hole goes thru?
All the ones I've seen with a wood backer are for TV mounts. Not sure why you would want a wood backer for the dryer vent to go through.
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Old 07-16-2020, 06:32 AM   #12
RMcNeal
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilC View Post
I have a 2020 3791RD and I just installed my stackable 2 weeks ago. This weekend when I go to the campground I can send you the measurements where I put the vent thru the wall. Buy yourself a new hole saw and drill from the outside in, drilling from the inside out and you risk damage to the fiberglass skin when the hole saw pops thru. Installing the vent thru the floor will prevent the flapper from closing when not in use and all kinds of critters can get in, the vent kit for the splendide units is for wall mounting only.
Thanks Phil. That would be great! Did you start the hole from the outside or just finish it from there?
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Old 07-16-2020, 06:59 AM   #13
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I drilled the pilot hole only from the inside out then hole sawed from outside in. I’ll post some pictures with dimensions tomorrow night when I get to the campground
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Old 07-16-2020, 08:59 AM   #14
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I have a 2017 Alpine . The washer closet is separate from the bedroom closet so no space was lost. I bought a Splendid combo washer/dryer from craigslist for less than half the price and installed it myself. Purchased mostly what i needed from Amazon . I simply marked where my vent was going and made a small cutout on the inside. Once i was sure there were no studs, i used a long bit to make a hole through both sides but I put a piece of tape on the outside just to make to make sure fiberglass wouldn't chip. i then used a hole saw cutting about half from both sides therefore making a clean cut. i was reluctant at first but glad i installed it myself as i know the job was done correctly and clean. We would not be without the combo now that we have it. We usually throw in a load as we're doing other things especially at night when we sit outside to enjoy the evening.
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Old 07-18-2020, 09:12 AM   #15
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Here’s the dimensions for the dryer vent install. From the awning mount left to right is 9 1/4” to center of hole. With the tape hooked on the rain gutter it’s 37 1/2” down to center. Also you will need a longer vent hose than the one that comes in the kit it’s way too short. If you have any other questions let me know. Hope this helps

Phil

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Old 07-18-2020, 01:13 PM   #16
Charlie 3931fb
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Originally Posted by RMcNeal View Post
All the ones I've seen with a wood backer are for TV mounts. Not sure why you would want a wood backer for the dryer vent to go through.
I wasn't thinking so much of the 4 inch hole to be drill as to have a blocker in the wall to screw the vent too. Also give that area a little extra strength.
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Old 07-18-2020, 03:03 PM   #17
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Thanks PhilC for the pics. I'll be drilling that hole this week. You say the vent hose is too short. Can you not reach behind the washer to connect the hose? I was going to drill the hole even with the exhaust hole on the washer. I have room to reach over and behind to connect the duct.
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Old 07-18-2020, 03:07 PM   #18
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I had no room to make connections with the stackable installed in place. I had to do my connections with it sitting out of the closet and then move the unit in and bolt it down.
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Old 07-18-2020, 03:13 PM   #19
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Gotcha, thx.
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Old 07-21-2020, 10:57 AM   #20
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This post is rather long but contains items purchased and instructions. I have a 2019 Montana 3130RE. My DW wanted the Splendide 2100XCWasher dryer Combo but didn't want the dyer vent coming out of the side of the camper. On my camper there is a small square wooden cover up on the right bottom side in the washer prep area that hides the washer supply and drain lines. I removed that and was able to access down to the bottom of the front cap and figure out where I wanted my vent to go. I purchased a black battery vent assembly, 5 feet of 2" rigid vent hose, A 4" by 2" reducer adapter, 8 feet of 4" rigid dryer vent hose and a 4" dryer swivel. I drilled a 2" hole in the bottom of the front cap. I installed the 2" rigid hose onto the interior portion of the battery vent. The hose id 2" and battery hose connector is approx. 1 1/2" so 2" rigid hose crimped a little. I secured hose with hose clamp and covered hose clamp connection with aluminum hvac tape. I then figured out where I wanted to drill my hole through the wooden square cover and drilled it out and installed battery vent to front cap. (Please note* you will need to silicone inside portion of battery vent as the front cap contains fiberglass fragments and is not smooth. the silicone will help fill voids and you will need a 2nd person inside the camper holding the interior portion of battery vent while the outside person screws the outside portion together. I also held up outside battery vent cover to hole and marked and pre-drilled holes to prevent chipping ) The battery vent has angled vents so i installed them so they are facing towards the rear of the camper so when towing the air is deflected and goes away from the vent and does not go up the vent into the dryer. I also put black aluminum screen onto the inside of the exterior battery vent to prevent bugs from entering. Once vent is installed, i slid the square wooden cover over the 2' rigid vent hose and screwed it back down. next I installed the other end of 2" vent hose onto the 4" by 2" adapter and screwed hose clamp and covered clamp with aluminum hvac tape. then cut to fit the 4" dryer vent hose and installed with the Easy Turn Thumb Screw Metal Clamps. I did not cover those with hvac tape. I laid the assembled 4" hose off to the side onto the square wooden box cover. I installed the 4" close elbow onto the washer dryer assembly. I then installed the washer/dryer assembly into opening and hooked up all connections and was able to connect open end of 4" dryer vent hose into 4" close elbow with Easy Turn Thumb Screw Metal Clamp with no problem. Items i purchased are.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.kencraftcompany.com/prod...aper-reducers/

I will post pictures tomorrow of final product. Has been installed nearly a year without any issues and reducer does not cut down on airflow.
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