The first one, is changing the washer/dryer comb out to a stack washer and dryer in a 36RD5S. There is no accommodation in this unit to do that, because where the W/D is located, it is in the very front wall in the bedroom, between the closet and drawers, it was the height in the front that restricted it. We had looked at a 36RD5S on a sales lot in Lansing, MI, we asked the dealer there, about a stack Washer/Dryer, he said it could be done, and explained how it could be done. So, when we actually did ordered the unit, we were in Elkhart, IN. I talked with the dealer there, explaining about what we were told in Lansing. The dealer in Elkhart said no problem, that could be done. That was the first problem, believing the dealer, later we found out many things he was not truthful or up front about after the sale. Anyway, Cedar Creek made it right, plus!!!! After we came to pick up our new unit, we walked in to find the washer and dryer setting on the floor in the kitchen?????? Talking to the dealer, he informed us they could not figure out how to install them, as there was not enough height behind the wall to install the stacked units. So, I made a trip to Topeka, to the factory. Found the “complaint” department, and told them about the dealer, and what had happened. The folks (all of them), were great, this was on a Friday, they scheduled us to come in the next Monday. They had the unit for most of the day (they also did some other work on the unit), and prest-o change-o, we have a stacked washer and dryer installed. All they did was cut the back wall behind the shelf (which they removed), above the combo W/D, they removed about 3’ vertically and 24” horizontal so the dryer could slide back into it, the washer fit, just like the combo W/D did, (this is just what the dealer in Lansing had told me, that I in turn told the dealer in Elkhart). There is about 18” between the wall and the insulation/front cap. The only other thing I did, was later change out the Splendide units that came with our unit, to Ariston units. The Splendide unit’s capacity were small (you could wash maybe one or two pair of pants (not jeans) and one or two shirts at a time, then the dryer would wrinkle them, my wife was not a happy camper (when Mother is not happy, neither is the whole house!!!!, our old 5th wheel had a Sears apartment size stack unit, worked great, so this was unexceptable). Plus the Splendide unit did not have a lint filter, just made a mess outside the vent. The dryer capacity was less than the washer (Washer was 11 lbs dryer was 8 lbs), that did not make much sense to us. I found the Ariston units, the washer has a capacity of 13 lbs and the dryer 16 lbs, now this makes sense, it also has a lint filter. They are 24” wide, but just a little deeper than the Splendide, so I removed the doors and added 3/4” piece of trim, to move the doors out to accommodate the deeper units. Everyone is now happy with the washer and dryer. Total cost about $2,000.00, the cost of the new washer and dryer, the factory work was done at, no cost!!!
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The next project was installation of a dishwasher. We had a counter top unit, that I installed in our last 5th wheel. The gas oven did not work so I removed the stove/oven replaced with a stove top and installed the dishwasher where the oven was. So when we ordered the new unit, we ordered it with a convection oven and stove top, without the gas oven. Because, I was going to install one just like I did before. Then, looking around I found the unit we installed. It is a Frigidaire 18” apartment unit (purchased on ebay, new with warranty 300.00). It was a week-end project. I tore out the stove top and everything below it. The biggest problem was, unseen, on the right side beside the refrigerator was a drain/vent, going to the galley tank, you cannot move that! So, back to the drawing board, I re-figured, and had to offset the unit because of the pipe, then I made a bin over the top of it, so that we could store flat pans, etc. The drain pipe did work out good to connect the dishwasher drain to, though. I made the other side with a door (went to the factory and got matching doors), with slide-out shelves for pans and lids. Also under the sink, I added a slide out shelve, so we would have enough room for pans, etc. I did have to raise the stove top by 2” for clearance above the unit. All in all, I feel it came out OK. But most important, Judy does and Ok’d the project when I finished. Total cost about $450.00.
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So, next time your just looking for something to do to stay out of trouble, you might want to do this for the “needed” things in our “homes”.
God bless,
Mike and Judy
