While many opt for an RV washer dryer combo unit, it isn’t uncommon to have separate washers and dryers in an RV. If you have the space for individual units, it’s a great option.
When you decide you want different pieces, you must decide which models to consider. Today, we’ll focus on RV dryers and give you some information to consider for your purchase.
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What Makes a Dryer a Good Fit for an RV?
Even if you do not have a washer in your RV, it can be helpful to have a small clothes dryer readily available. Having a portable dryer in your RV allows you to dry your clothes after getting caught in the rain, and having dry clothes can make all the difference. A dryer in your RV can also be great for helping reduce wrinkles in clothes should you want a romantic date night.
If you’re in a humid or rainy climate, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to hang dry items. Often, RVing can include bathing suits and beach towels; having dryer access can prevent those items from getting musty from sitting wet too long.
Vented vs. Non-Vented RV Dryers
Vented dryers require a bit more setup but provide quicker and more consistent drying results. A vented RV dryer uses electricity to direct hot air into the dryer, which is eventually expelled to the outside of the RV through an air duct. This process allows newly heated air to cycle through and dry the clothes, ensuring an even and efficient drying process.
A ventless or non-vented dryer does not make use of an air duct. Hot moist air is cooled by a condenser that drip out the water before its heated and cycles through the unit again. These dryers are easier to install since you don’t need direct access to the outdoors. But they take longer to dry.
5 Best RV Dryers for Doing Laundry on the Move
We don’t want you wasting time at the laundromat when you could be out adventuring. Here are the five best RV dryers to help you tackle that mountain of laundry while on the move.
1. Euhomy Compact Laundry Dryer
About the Euhomy Compact Dryer: The Euhomy Compact Laundry Dryer has a drying capacity of nine pounds. The temperature reaches 140 degrees to ensure a quick drying time. There’s a vent at the back of the unit that can quickly connect to your RV’s dryer vent. There are four drying modes: strong, intelligent, ECO, and normal.
- 【High performance】This is powerful yet compact clothes dryer...
- 【Front and back flip function】 This portable clothes dryer...
- 【Multi-function】 Our electric clothes dryer machine features...
This dryer weighs 49 pounds and is 120 volts. It is 23.5 x 17 x 26.6 inches in size, making it an excellent product for small spaces. And the LCD touch screen display makes changing settings incredibly easy.
Best Features: This dryer features a two-way flip function which helps save energy. You’ll also love the reverse tumble action to help keep excessive wrinkles away.
2. Panda PAN206ET Electric Dryer
About the Panda Electric Dryer: Those who decide on the Panda PAN206ET Electric Dryer will enjoy a capacity of 3.3 cubic feet. There are many options to choose from when it comes to drying your clothing. There are intelligent dry options as well as time dry settings of 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes. It features three temperature settings and a venting pipe on the back.
- Space Saving Design which is perfect for apartments or other...
- Multifunctional: combined with Intelligent Dry Programs which...
- Adopted the "Wrinkle Guard" function that the tumble will reverse...
The Panda weighs 59.4 pounds. It’s 110 volts and 23.5 x 20 x 27 inches in size. The display screen is a sleek design that makes it easy to change your settings. Plus, there’s a wrinkle guard function to keep your clothes looking fresh.
Best Features: The abundance of settings on this RV dryer make this unit a hit. Clothing isn’t one size fits all, and your dryer settings shouldn’t be either. Regardless, if you just have a damp shirt or a soaked towel, Panda has you covered.
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3. AICOOK Compact Laundry Dryer
About the Aicook Compact Dryer: The AICOOK Compact Laundry Dryer has a clothing capacity of 2.65 cubic feet. It’s a vented unit, making your clothes dry faster. It’s small enough to store directly on the ground or the countertop. There are several drying modes. You can choose the intelligent drying settings or set the timer from 1-200 minutes. Additionally, you can select your temperature settings.
The dryer weighs 46.3 pounds and uses 120 volts. It’s incredibly compact at only 23.6 x 17.1 x 27.6 inches. Despite its small size, it has plenty to give with a drying temperature that can reach 140 degrees.
Best Features: This RV dryer gives you complete customization over your timer down to the minute. The company also prides itself on a quiet unit, which is vital in a small RV.
4. COSTWAY Electric Portable Dryer
About the Costway Portable Dryer: For those who want to be in the compact category but have a large capacity, the COSTWAY Electric Portable Dryer is a clear winner. This dryer has an impressive 13 pounds of capacity. Not only does it hold a considerable amount of clothes for its size, but it also has a great deal of heat. On its highest settings, the dryer can reach temperatures of 172 degrees. There are seven drying options, too.
- 【POWERFUL DRYING PERFORMANCE】Costway electric compact laundry...
- 【VERSATILE FRONT LOAD DRYER】This front-loading electric...
- 【HIGH EFFICIENCY & QUIET TUMBLING】Electric clothes dryer...
This vented, highly efficient, and quiet dryer weighs 57 pounds and is 110 volts. It’s 26 x 23 x 19 inches in size.
Best Features: The COSTWAY dryer can be the best of both worlds. It’s compact, which is necessary for RV life, but it still holds many clothes. Some dryers barely fit a pair of jeans, leaving the user frustrated. This dryer will feel spacious compared to many other models.
5. Barton Premium Digital Dryer
About the Barton Premium Dryer: The Barton Premium Digital Dryer is a compact and useful machine. It has a capacity of just over six pounds. It’s multifunction, so you can use intelligent drying based on clothing weight or by a preset time. Perhaps best of all, you won’t need to yell over its tranquil motor.
- Compact & Portable Machine -The weight of this clothes dryer is...
- Powerful Performance - With 850W power and 2.8KG large capacity...
- Electric Front Load Clothes Dryer - This front-loading electric...
The Barton Premium is a vented unit at 120 volts. It weighs 45.6 pounds and measures 19.75 x 15.5 x 23.25 inches, making it a good size for most RVs.
Best Features: The Barton Premium Dryer is one of the most compact units available. It’s excellent for RVs with limited space. Those that cannot fit other models into their RV may have success with this model.
Things to Consider Before Buying an RV Dryer
RVs aren’t known for their abundant space, so an RV dryer needs to be small. Before purchasing, carefully measure the dedicated dryer space. The last thing you want to do is purchase a dryer, only to discover it doesn’t fit.
Dryers use a lot of electricity. If you often boondock, keep the energy use in mind. If you don’t have access to ample power, the dryer will become useless.
These compact dryers will give different results than your large unit at home. RV dryers hold less and tend to take longer to dry.
Should You Buy an RV Dryer?
The choice is up to you.
Having fresh clothing can make you feel so much better. You can reduce the mountain of laundry staring at you, and you’ll have more time to enjoy your RV.
On the other hand, you might not have space, energy availability, or time to wait for your clothes to dry. Some RVers simply prefer to visit laundromats or RV parks with laundry facilities.
Do you think having a dryer is an integral part of your RV setup? Drop a comment below.
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Robyn
Friday 25th of June 2021
I think having a dryer as a full time rv'er is important because most campgrounds don't allow clothes lines and I wouldn't really like to see a clothes line up in boondock areas. I few things hung out or on a clothes rack is fine but for sheets and more soiled clothes, a washer/dryer are important. Now whether you go for a combo or 2 separate units is up to the size coach you have and if you're willing to give up cabinet space for 2 units.