i suppose they could be very usefull if you're on a seasonal pitch ,and dont have to lug the thing around, but i suppose they would be impractical with a tourer, moving from place to place.
i have one, its just a bucket with a motor underneath so doesnt take up much room at all, it washes no bother but it doesnt spin, no not much good when it comes to rinsing etc. i do use it at home tho for thos times when you havent got enough to put into the main washing machine such as doing a white wash, its a case of boiling the kettle a few times then to get the water in
There has been at least one, maybe two, previous threads on this topic if you search the equipment forum.
We have a MH so we have no spare weight or space for a washing machine, we use the site laundry or (if I have to) wash by hand.
A friend who does quite long stays of weeks away from home in her caravan has a twin tub (wash and spin) one, she rates it.
Seen reviews that are both ends of the good/bad scale, so cant really draw much from them it would seem! Some people have ridiculous expectations, others are too easily pleased!
My engineers eye/instinct tells me they lack power and volume, so performance should probably be compared to a hand wash rather than a domestic machine wash. The spin, if it has one, can only achieve so much with a small diameter drum and pretty slow speed, but likely to be better than dripping wet.
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
We looked at getting 1 but the amount of use v the amount of storage space required meant it was a great big NO!
If away for several weeks a trip or 2 to a launderette or even leave a few small's soaking overnight then a quick hand wash does it.
We have found that most sites we have been to have very good on site laundry rooms which we use. We just don’t have the payload available to carry anything like a washing machine around with us. However, if you are seasonal, then it might be worth considering if you will be staying for long periods and need to do a lot of laundry.
For my trip to Scotland in July 2025, it was over 3 weeks and I needed to do a wash half way into the trip.
I was planning to use the laundry facilities at a C&CC club site, to find its dryer was out of action.
Instead of washing a bigger load by hand which I did not have space in the van to hang them out (I don't like hanging out my washing for all to see), I ended up doing a small wash for essentials by hand.
My advice would be to be prepared not to have functional laundry facilities at campsites!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Not long been away for nearly a month, didn't do any laundry whilst away, but did take a LOT of clothes with me!
Now I'm home, house looked like a Chinese laundry, SO MANY washed clothes, towels and bedding drying indoors as always rain threat to stop outdoor drying. Maybe some value in a portable washer!
Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 12/9/2025
Instead of washing a bigger load by hand which I did not have space in the van to hang them out (I don't like hanging out my washing for all to see), I ended up doing a small wash for essentials by hand.
My advice would be to be prepared not to have functional laundry facilities at campsites!
DK
Our Auto-sleeper MH “en suite” is fitted with a 6 line drying line, like some hotels have over the bath. Ideal for small items, it’s where our towels air too.
But longer trips require a bedding wash, especially in hot weather & I'm not doing that by hand. Most independent sites we go to have a “washing green” (whirly or lines) in the event that the dryer is out of action, or outside drying is preferable (eg free), but club sites generally don’t seem to want us to dry our towels & sheets in public - or the sites we’ve been to don’t.
Just consider the cost of the machine, the space used up for its transport and the fuel cost of lugging the damn thing around.
Next think how many washes are you likely to need whilst camping (say once every 10 days) and the cost of the site or laundrette facilities (£8 ish for wash and dry)
I would tend to take up naturism so that there was more space to transport wine
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 13/9/2025
Our Auto-sleeper MH “en suite” is fitted with a 6 line drying line, like some hotels have over the bath. Ideal for small items, it’s where our towels air too.
But longer trips require a bedding wash, especially in hot weather & I'm not doing that by hand. Most independent sites we go to have a “washing green” (whirly or lines) in the event that the dryer is out of action, or outside drying is preferable (eg free), but club sites generally don’t seem to want us to dry our towels & sheets in public - or the sites we’ve been to don’t.
I can hang a few small items in the shower room or drape on the seats in the cab, that's about it!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Portable Washing machine
via mobile 11/9/2025 at 8:33pm
