Читать книгу RVs & Campers For Dummies - Christopher Hodapp - Страница 71

The arrival of RV dishwashers, we admit, has left us scratching our heads. Yes, you’ve got one at home. But home plumbing can cope with a dishwasher and garbage disposal, while an RV usually can’t. You’ll only see built-in dishwashers in the high-end luxury RVs, and they help to drive up the price. If you’re determined to have one, you can get it as an after-market add-on, but they’re a bit pricey, and you’ll lose precious cabinet space. A drawer dishwasher can make a nice substitute fit for an oven, if you prefer a convection microwave. We’ve also seen them installed in the kitchen island section of a fifth wheel.

Like floor space, a dishwasher in an RV does seem to be an issue tied to whether you travel with kids. Cooking for a family or a large group requires more effort and makes more dirty dishes.

Even dishwashers designed for RV use are subject to the rough treatment of bouncing down the road. Manufacturers that install residential appliances in RVs are tempting fate because they aren’t designed for mobile use and need to be fixed by household repair services. Yet most appliance factory-authorized repair services won’t touch a residential unit in a trailer or motorhome because mobile use violates the manufacturer’s warranty.

RVs are designed to use as little water as possible to extend your time away from civilization. We tell you more than you’ll ever want to know about plumbing in Chapter 15, but be aware that RV plumbing systems were never intended to accommodate the level of water use that dishwashers and washing machines demand. If you intend to park at a campsite with full hookups to provide continuous fresh water and a wastewater drain connection to get rid of what you use, you’re in clover. Wash all the dishes and clothes you like. But the minute you go boondocking, you’ll need to close up the water-gulping appliances and wait for a return to civilization.

Also, you should get all grease and food bits off before running an RV dishwasher. Even in full hookup, graywater tanks can’t handle lots of grease and food.

If you’re on a budget, you can find lots of mini, countertop dishwashers on Amazon at very reasonable prices (between $200 and $400). They operate essentially like many of those in the ’50s and ’60s did, by attaching a water and drain hose to the sink. Some of these appliances get surprisingly decent reviews, but the complaints are as expected: annoying hoses, leaks, an inability to handle truly dirty plates and pots. With an RV, the biggest negative is going to be the counter space you give up and/or finding a place to stow it.