BMW is updating the M4 and 4-series lineups for 2024 with new infotainment and a few other changes.These coupes and convertibles, plus the four-door Gran Coupe, now have the same curved display screens that their 3-series and M3 sedan stablemates added for 2023.The 2024 M4 and 4-series will start arriving in the U.S. this month.BMW is porting over the same new screens from many of its latest models into the M4 and 4-series range for 2024. The 4-series coupe, convertible, and Gran Coupe, plus the M4 coupe and convertible, now come standard with the “curved display” setup that’s also found in the 3-series sedan and many other new BMWs.2024 BMW M4 coupeBMWThis consists of a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.9-inch screen in the middle of the dashboard, both of which are housed under a single curved piece of glass. This also means that the 4-series and M4 now run the latest iDrive 8 software, which has updated graphics and menu structures, plus an upgraded BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant voice-command function.More on BMWBMW hasn’t released many photos of the 2024 models at this point, but we’ve included images of the M4 coupe and the 4-series Gran Coupe cabins with this new layout. The 4-series also has a different gear shifter that’s a small toggle on the center console. There are trim differences, too, including standard black trim on the window surround for the M440i and different aluminum trim called Rhombicle.2024 BMW 4-series Gran CoupeBMWBMW says that the 2024 models will start arriving this month. Pricing isn’t out yet for the 2024 4-series, but the 2024 M4 starts at $77,995 for the coupe, $81,935 for the 503-hp Competition coupe, and $92,935 for the convertible.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Senior EditorDespite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.   More

Talking about the cooling system is not nearly as exciting as talking about turbos or nitrous. Still, cooling is one of the most essential features of vehicle performance. After all, it doesn’t matter how much power an engine makes if it overheats and can’t actually put that power to the ground. If your motor starts getting hot, you can install oversized radiators or better fans. What if it’s your transmission that’s running too hot, though?
Simple: you install a radiator for your transmission.

A Quick Guide to Keeping Cool
Automatic transmission oil coolers, sometimes just called fluid coolers or transmission coolers, are relatively simple devices. After all, people had the whole heat dispersal thing figured out in the 1800s with in-home radiators. As fluid from your transmission gets pushed around, it flows through a metal pipe surrounded by fins. Those fins “radiate” the heat away from the liquid.
Being simple doesn’t mean there aren’t a lot of options on the market, though. Everybody thinks that they have the best design, and new innovations are happening every day. That’s where this guide comes in. We’ll give you all the tools you need to choose the best one for you, and give you our list of the top coolers on the market today. At the bottom of this guide, we get into the details and science with an in-depth guide.
First, though, there’s a question you really need to answer for yourself. Do you really need a transmission cooler?
Reasons to Get a Transmission Cooler
We’ll get into it more in our full guide, but unless you fall into one of the following categories, then the answer is, “probably not.”
You use your vehicle in ways it wasn’t meant to be used, like towing heavy loads or driving at high speeds on a track.
You live in an area where cars are more likely to overheat, like a winding mountain village or the middle of a desert.
You own a vehicle that has a factory defect causing the transmission to run hotter than it should.
You have a modified or custom car that does not have space for or never came with a factory transmission cooler.
You just really like the look of oil coolers and enjoy wrenching on engines.
Choosing The Right Transmission Cooler
Here are the general things you should look for when deciding which cooler is right for you.
Compatibility and Fitment
It’s the most obvious, but it is also a category that is easy to overlook. Some oil coolers are gigantic, and there won’t be room for them on your vehicle.
There are also a few different types of fittings going to and from your transmission. We’ll go over them in the “ >full guide, but basically, a push on fitting is more universal than an AN fitting. However, an AN fitting is more of a standard fitting in the performance world.
If you don’t know what kind you need, be prepared to buy adapters or do some DIY modifications.
The Style
In general, you probably won’t care if the cooler is a stacked plate or a tube and fin, since they all work. A plate cooler is technically more efficient than a tube cooler, but there are better ways to express that. If you really want to know, we’ll go through it more down in the full guide.
The more important thing to consider when looking at the cooler’s style is whether or not it includes a fan. A unit with its own fan can be mounted anywhere. A cooler without a fan has to be mounted in a place where it will receive a lot of airflow.
The Amount of Cooling Provided
Unfortunately, the actual amount of cooling a unit provides depends on many factors and is really hard to standardize. Sometimes manufacturers will express the cooling as a number, sometimes they will give you a general idea by using keywords like “heavy duty towing” or “racing,” and sometimes they will expect you to use the force to figure it out. As a very general rule, the bigger the radiator size, the more cooling it provides, and coolers with fans cool more than coolers without.
The only metric you will see used as a unit of measurement for oil coolers is the GVWR. That’s the number, in pounds, representing the maximum weight of your vehicle and what you can tow. Generally, a high number will require more cooling and more fluid.
Not all vehicle manufacturers adjust the GVWR in the same way, and not all oil cooler manufacturers use the same standards for measuring. Our advice is to not worry about numbers too much, and focus more on compatibility.
Here in the review section, we’ll cover various coolers and give a breakdown of what applications they are best suited for. Here are our picks for the top 10 transmission coolers on the market.

Top 10 Best Transmission Oil Coolers 2020
1. Best Cooler Overall: Derale Electra-Cool Remote Cooler

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Why we like it: It might be a little more expensive than others, but the Derale Electra-Cool is a high-performance cooler with an unrivaled application range.
Editor’s Rating:

Best Suited For
The Derale Electra-Cool is perfect for any vehicle owner that values performance. That included towing performance, drift circuit performance, or just dominating highway pulls down in Mexico.
It is fan-cooled and can be mounted anywhere. The fan cooling also keeps it compact enough that it’s easy to find a place to mount it. That makes it ideal for performance cars, newer compact trucks, and custom hotrods. It’s also perfect for old trucks that don’t have much room, or tiny cars that are being pushed too hard, or even motorcycles for your next “Long Way Around” tribute ride. Basically, anywhere you have fluids that need cooling.
Standout Features
The first prominent feature is the design. It’s compact, encased in an aluminum shroud, and includes a high flow fan. The whole package is easy to mount anywhere and will fit in perfectly no matter how crazy your build becomes.
Lending to that notion is the second big feature, the inclusion of AN fittings. It also includes barbed fittings for more universal fitment. If you really value performance, though, the -8AN fittings are how you’ll want to hook this cooler in.
How Does It Compare?
Let’s get the bad out of the way first. It’s a bit expensive, and the fan adds a layer of complexity that simpler units don’t have. If you really want a straightforward, radiator mounted cooler that works with almost any vehicle, the B&M SuperCooler on our list will probably suit you better. It’s cheaper and doesn’t have any moving parts.
If you are willing to tackle the added complexity, the performance to cost to size ratios of the Derale Electra-Cool is best in class.

Pros
It comes with factory AN fittings
It’s compact but still cools really well
The fan and size make it perfect for mounting anywhere

Cons
It’s more expensive than fanless units
It’s more complicated than other units and can be intimidating to install

2. Best Cooler Overall Runner-Up: B&M SuperCooler

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Why we like it: The B&M is a well designed, high-efficiency cooler that is rugged and super easy to install.
Editor’s Rating:

Best Suited For
The SuperCooler is really for anyone with a truck, SUV, or bigger vehicle who notices that the transmission is getting hot. It’s medium-sized, which is about the standard for most coolers, but it’s a very high-efficiency design. So even though it’s not very big, it still offers a great amount of cooling.
The big deal with the fitment is that the kit the SuperCooler comes in is really complete. You can use the threaded fittings it comes with or use the included barbed adapters. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have AN fittings, so you are better off with something else if you have a racecar.
It does come with bolts and brackets for mounting anywhere, meaning you can almost certainly find a place to install it. Just make sure it has good airflow because it doesn’t have a fan.
Standout Features
The one thing that really stands out about the B&M SuperCooler is the completeness of the package. It’s got threaded fittings with adapters, it’s got bracket mounts and funky zip tie mounts, and it even comes with tubing and hose clamps. It’s missing the bypass valve that the monster Tru-Cool kit we recommend has, but the B&M is half the price. It’s easy to buy a really nice bypass system for the money you’d save.
How Does It Compare?
The B&M cooler is one of the best value coolers you can get. It has tons of cooling potential, it has tons of installation options, and B&M makes a high-quality product.
There’s a lot of reasons that you might choose other products. If you need to install a cooler in a remote location, get the Derale Electra-Cool. If you need even more cooling, pay a lot more and get the Tru-Cool Max. If you want to spend a lot less, get the Hayden 678. If you want the balance between all those things in a simple to install, universal package? The B&M SuperCooler is the cooler for you.

Pros
It’s very versatile
High-quality
Really good cooling efficiency

Cons
It’s a little expensive for what it is
No AN fittings

3. Best Heavy Duty Cooler: Tru-Cool Max 40K

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Why we like it: If you are serious about towing, the Tru-Cool Max is rated for a gross vehicle weight of 40,000lbs.
Editor’s Rating:

Best Suited For
This is the mack daddy of cooling, and if you are about to pull a team of horses up to a secluded ranch in the high mountains, then the Tru-Cool Max 40k is for you. It takes up more room than anything else on our list, but the 40k in the name stands for a GVWR of 40,000 lbs. If you can tow that much weight, the size is not going to be an issue.
Standout Features
There are two really great features. First, and most importantly, it’s huge. It has a lot of surface area, it holds a lot of extra fluid, and it allows a ton of air to pull the heat away. That means you get as much cooling as is possible without spending even more and going to a fan cooled unit like the Derale Hyper-Cool.
Second, it’s super simple to install. Tru-Cool includes everything, even bolts. That’s unique for universal kits. Usually, companies make you source out everything. Tru-Cool seems to know that DIY types will love their products, so they go the extra mile. The brackets are pre-mounted to the cooler, it includes multiple different sized fittings and its own bypass.
How Does It Compare?
It’s hard not to say that the Tru-Cool cooler is a fantastic buy. It’s huge, so that eliminates it from many people’s lists, but it works great and is super easy to install. It is costly. However, you might actually save money over similar products because you’d have to buy the extras that the Tru-Cool includes separately.
The hardest part about an oil cooler this big is that if you already have a vehicle set up to tow, chances are it has a big transmission cooler from the factory. It’s a lot of money to spend on something that you may not need. If you are noticing some overheating while towing heavy loads, though, the Tru-Cool is the way to go.

Pros
It’s great for towing
It’s easy to install and includes almost any fitting you could need
The included bypass valve is a nice feature

Cons
Expensive
It’s too big for most vehicles, and vehicles big enough to utilize it might already have a good cooler

4. Best Premium Cooler: Derale Hyper-Cool Dual

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Why we like it: The Hyper Dual-Cool is ultra-compact but still has the cooling power of much larger units.
Editor’s Rating:

Best Suited For
The Hyper-Cool Dual is all about high-performance. It’s a bit complicated for just being a heavy towing cooler. The Tru-Cool cooler.
is just fine for large trucks, but if you are about to enter the King of Hammers competition, the Hyper-Cool is terrific.
It’s ultra-compact for the amount of cooling it produces. With two fans pushing air through the stacked plate system, you can get some of the best cooling on this list from a system that will fit anywhere and can be mounted anywhere. Dragsters, hardcore offroad buggies, and honestly just about any high-performance build where cooling is a very high priority can benefit from this Derale.
Standout Features
There’s a lot that stands out. First, it’s got two fans, so there’s a ton of cooling no matter where it’s placed. Second, it’s set up from the factory for custom and modified vehicles, with AN fittings and an aluminum shroud. Third, and perhaps most astonishingly, is the insane amount of cooling.
The Hyper-Cool Dual disperses more than 3 times the amount of heat as a really great tow cooler like the B&N SuperCooler. You read that correctly; the Hyper-Cool dwarfs most other coolers in terms of cooling performance.
How Does It Compare?
You’ll be paying a lot for that, though. It’s the most expensive thing on our list. If you don’t need that level of cooling, you’re spending a lot of money just to move air around. Also, like many high-performance parts, it’s just not noob friendly at all. If you are not comfortable doing a lot of wiring, you’ll be in for a bad time. Both the fans should be wired to separate controllers, and the whole thing should be wired into thermostat switches to keep everything optimal.
After you tackle the wiring, you need to plumb it in. Even though it comes with universal adapters, the only way to take advantage of the cooling is to have a robust system setup with bypasses. Trust us, if you are just getting into performance modifications, get the G-Plus cooler instead. When you outgrow it, come back for this Derale.

Pros
It has insane amounts of cooling performance
It’s ready from the factory to drop into high-performance vehicles
It can be mounted anywhere

Cons
It’s really expensive
You do need a high level of knowledge and skill to fully utilize it

5. Best Inexpensive Towing Cooler: Hayden Automotive 678

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Why we like it: The Hayden 678 is a great price and big enough to handle towing 5000lb trailers.
Editor’s Rating:

Best Suited For
The Hayden 678 is too big for small vehicles, but it’s got a ton of cooling potential. It’s got a GVWR of up to 24,000 pounds. For reference, that’s a motorhome towing a Jeep, or a 1-ton truck towing a few horses. That means for your average truck, this cooler is more than enough to keep your transmission from overheating.
Unlike really gigantic units like the Tru-Cool Max, the Hayden 678 is still a reasonable size and easy to shoehorn into older trucks that don’t have adequate factory cooling. For that reason, it’s easy to say that this Hayden cooler is the best general-purpose truck cooler on our list.
Standout Features
For a budget, fanless cooler, the efficiency is fantastic. To put it into context, it’s only a little bit bigger than one of our favorite coolers, the B&M SuperCooler. Despite that, it has very similar cooling properties.
How Does It Compare?
There are two main competitors on our list for the Hayden Automotive 678. The first one is one we mentioned above, the B&M SuperCooler. That doesn’t make for a very flattering comparison, though. They might have similar cooling capabilities, but the Hayden is lower quality, uses weaker metals, and is harder to mount. It’s a lot cheaper, but that’s about it.
For a much more flattering comparison, let’s contrast it with the other Hayden cooler on our list, the Transaver. The 678 is about ten dollars more, but for those extra dollars, you get a unit that is a lot easier to install and has a much higher cooling efficiency. If you tow a lot, the 678 is just a much better option, and you won’t regret paying for it.

Pros
It’s inexpensive
It’s easy to install
It’s great for towing

Cons
The quality could be better
It doesn’t have AN fittings

6. Best Budget Cooler: Hayden Transaver

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Why we like it: The Hayden Transaver is nothing fancy, but it will do the job.
Editor’s Rating:

Best Suited For
The Hayden Transaver is perfect for anyone that just needs a bit more cooling. It’s not going to stop you from overheating while towing a motorhome up a mountain. However, it will stop your truck from overheating as you pull a motorcycle trailer through the desert. This unit is just a perfect first step when you notice that you are running hot. It’s cheap enough that you can throw it on and see if it solves the problem before committing to a larger, more expensive unit.
They even made it moderately easy to mount. It’s medium-sized, so it will fit in almost anything as long as air can flow through it, and it includes its own tubing and push-on fittings. It’s a shame they didn’t attach any brackets for easier mounting, but the standard zip tie like things will suffice.
Standout Features
There really aren’t any; it’s about as straightforward as a cooler can be. It has a tube, some fins, and it comes with some tubing. That’s not a bad thing. It means nothing can break, but it can make it feel like other coolers are a much better value despite the low price.
How Does It Compare?
It’s a little unfair to compare this budget item to premium items like the B&M cooler. Yes, the Hayden Transaver is lower quality, is harder to install, and frankly looks uglier. It’s one-third the price, though, and that can forgive a lot of sins.
What is a fair comparison is to compare this Hayden to the other Hayden cooler on our list. They are about the same size, both use universal fittings, and both are under $50. This is where we have to be honest with you all and say that unless saving ten or so dollars is really important to you, you should get the Hayden 678 instead. The 678 is a lot more efficient. It’s about the same size, but it has more than twice the cooling power.
However, as we said before, the Hayden Transaver is a perfect first step. That’s where the price really matters. If you just are not sure if a cooler will solve the problem or are really worried about fitment, you can buy the Transaver and give the idea a good test.

Pros
It’s Inexpensive
It’s simple and durable
It will fit a really large variety of cars and trucks

Cons
It doesn’t cool very good for its size
The fit and finish leaves a bit to be desired

7. Best Small Car Transmission Cooler: VRacing 4 Row Universal

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Why we like it: At barely 5” tall by 14” long, the VRacing 4 Row is perfect if you just need a little more cooling for your commuter.
Editor’s Rating:

Best Suited For
If you need a cooler for towing a big trailer through the desert, this isn’t it. But if you have a small truck and just need a bit more cooling as you haul loads up long hills, this is perfect. The 4 Row is also perfect if you notice that your car is overheating on hot days. It doesn’t have a fan, so it needs to be mounted in front of your radiator, but it’s small enough that that isn’t an issue.
They claim it’s for performance cars too, but the reality is that most performance cars will be begging for the remote install capability that a unit with a fan will bring. Small trucks and cars that live in harsher climates or that are driven just a bit harder than they are meant for will really benefit from a small cooler like this, though.
Standout Features
It’s small and doesn’t cost much, but it doesn’t really stand out in any way. That’s not a bad thing. There’s nothing to go wrong with it, which can be just as valuable as any feature. There’s also nothing that makes it hard to work with. There’s no fan to figure out how to wire in and no AN fittings to adapt. It’s just, there’s also nothing that really makes it unique.
How Does It Compare?
It’s half the size of the Hayden Automotive 678 and less than half the cost. It’s also less than half the cooling power, so it all works out. If that’s all you need, then it’s perfect.
The simplicity of this cooler can lead to a few disadvantages. It has like, no install hardware. You basically just have to zip-tie it to a structural member. Second, the cooling efficiency isn’t high. On a small unit like this, efficiency is key to cooling performance, so that’s not great. It’s so cheap, though, it’s actually hard to criticize it too harshly.

Pros
It’s very inexpensive
It’s great for small vehicles where space is a concern
The simple design means there’s nothing that can break

Cons
You will have to find a DIY solution for mounting it
Not good for larger vehicles

8. Best Inexpensive Fan Cooled Cooler: G-Plus Racing Cooler

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Why we like it: The G-Plus cooler has a fan and costs less than half what a similar Derale unit costs. What’s not to love?
Editor’s Rating:

Best Suited For
Budget builders rejoice because the G-Plus is the perfect addition to any modified vehicle. It’s inexpensive enough to throw on an old K5 that needs to tow a travel trailer, and it’s approachable enough to stick on your old CRX before entering into the autocross.
The fan lets it work in any position, and it’s small enough to fit anywhere. The only issue that this G-Plus has is the opposite issue of the Mishimoto cooler on our list. For some reason, the G-Plus comes with AN fittings but no adapters. You’ll have to buy your own adapters if you want to make sure it fits your old work truck.
Standout Features
The price is the thing that makes the G-Plus standout. It is less than half the cost of the Derale electric cooler. You sacrifice quality for that price, and it shows in the finish of the unit. For instance, the seams aren’t sanded down, which is something you would never see on a higher quality cooler.
What you can do with a cheaper unit like this one is to test out the process before committing to a much more expensive setup. If you are on the fence about getting a cooler with a fan, then you can pick this up without feeling like you wasted a ton of money.
How Does It Compare?
As we said above, it’s the least expensive cooler with an electric fan on our list. We know that no one hates saving money, so we’ll count that as a good thing. It also comes in blue, if you want to add some color to your system.
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, though. Like we said before, it’s just not as high quality as the more expensive counterparts. It won’t cool as well as the Mishimoto cooler, despite being a similar size, and the threaded inputs can be intimidating for first time DIYers. Oh, it’s also got terrible documentation. They even proudly proclaim that they don’t include instructions in the ad.

Pros
Inexpensive
Can be mounted anywhere
Perfect for learning about transmission coolers and your vehicle

Cons
The quality could be better
The lack of universal fittings in the kit is annoying

9. Best Racing Cooler: Mishimoto MMOC-F

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Why we like it: Mishimoto knows how to speak our language with words like “ideal for supercharged vehicles” and “lifetime warranty.” Wanna go fast? Mishimoto wants you to as well.
Editor’s Rating:

Best Suited For
At first glance, it doesn’t seem like the Mishimoto brings anything new to the table. It looks like the Derale Electra-Cool, and it costs about the same. It’s a lot smaller, though, which means you can stick it in tight engine bays while still getting excellent cooling from the attached electric fan. It’s perfect for old Jeeps where space is a huge issue under the hood, but where we think it shines is on track weapons.
Yes, we know that most track day people would turn up their noses at an automatic transmission. There’s a great oil cooler by Mishimoto here for those of you who live the three-pedal life. Not everyone does, though, and plenty of people enjoy driving modified automatics. Especially the quarter-mile junkies, and they need to keep those automatic transmissions cool if they want the best possible ET. Weight, space, and compatibility are all at a premium when building a vehicle like that. This Mishimoto fits the bill.
Standout Features
The 8” heavy-duty fan is the biggest thing that makes this Mishimoto awesome. That allows you to install it totally out of position if you need to, and keeps you cool while staging at the lights.
How Does It Compare?
It’s a lot more expensive than the G-Plus cooler on our list, so it’s got to be pretty good to be worth it. The good news is that it is worth the extra price if you need the most cooling possible out of a compact unit. It’s a very well built unit, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
There is one big gripe we have with it, though. Usually, when you are building a high-performance car, you will almost always be switching to AN fittings at some point. Unfortunately, Mishimoto went for the more universal push fittings instead.
To give you an idea of how close a lot of these compact units compare, the inclusion of AN fittings is the only reason we like the Derale Electra-Cool better. The Mishimoto cooler is still absolutely fantastic.

Pros
The fan is really good
It’s easy to install because of the universal fittings
It’s very compact

Cons
It’s expensive for the size
We wish it had AN fittings and adapters instead of the straight universal connections

10. Best Tiny Cooler: Derale Compact Fluid Cooler

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Why we like it: It doesn’t make the best transmission cooler unless you have a very tiny transmission, but the versatility of the Derale Compact gives it a place on our list.
Editor’s Rating:

Best Suited For
It’s a little cooler for little things. It’s not even big enough to cool the transmission in your civic. You could stack a bunch of them together or something, but there are approximately 9 better ways on this list to cool a large transmission. Even if space is your biggest concern, a unit with a fan like the G-Plus cooler mounted in a remote location would be better than the relatively small surface area of this Derale.
Got a dirt bike, automatic scooter, or side-by-side, though? This little thing is perfect for keeping the transmission oil cool.
Standout Features
The size is really the most significant design element for this Derale. It comes stock with -6AN fittings, so you’ll have to convert it to barbed fittings to get a really universal fitment, but it’s small enough that it will fit on anything.
How Does It Compare?
When it comes down to it, the Derale Compact is just not big enough to be really useful for most transmissions, and that’s why we rated it so low. It’s really not a bad unit. Like most Derale products, it’s high quality and easy to mount. It’s perfect as a power steering cooler and perfect for cooling the oil on a motorcycle or other small engine. If you are looking for versatility, the size and AN fittings make it a great choice.
The problem is that they market it as an auxiliary transmission cooler, so we are reviewing it as such. It might lower your ATF temp a few degrees, but that’s nothing compared to the -20 you get from a small dedicated cooler like the VRacing 4 Row. The real kicker, though, is that the VRacing cooler is cheaper.

Pros
It’s tiny. Perfect for motorcycles and stuff
It has a high build quality
It comes stock with -6AN fittings

Cons
It’s kind of expensive for what it is
It’s tiny, and that means it’s not very good at cooling transmissions

Everything You Could Want To Know About Transmission Coolers
Up above, we promised you science, details, and tons of extra information. We like to keep our word, so let’s get into it. We’ll start with a deeper dive into the most important question.
Do You Really Need a Transmission Cooler?
If you go on to forums or follow truck builds on Instagram, you’re probably convinced that the minute you try to tow even the smallest trailer with your vehicle, it will instantly catch fire and explode. Unless, of course, you have a transmission cooler.
Here’s the big secret though: the people who design and manufacture trucks aren’t idiots. Most trucks, SUVs and even a lot of cars already have a transmission cooler integrated into the radiator. In fact, it’s usually better and more efficient than a lot of aftermarket ones. Unless you are actually noticing signs of your transmission overheating, then the answer is probably no.
There are a handful of good reasons to get an aftermarket cooler, though. Some don’t even require you to be having a problem first.
Your Transmission is Overheating
You can read about the signs here offsite, but the basic idea is that an overheating transmission will smell bad and behave strangely. There’s a few reasons a transmission can start overheating. There could simply be a design flaw for that make and model, or the owner could live in a really harsh and hot environment.
The first thing to check is the fluid quality. Bad or old fluid will cause overheating, so don’t jump straight into installing hundreds of dollars worth of upgrades when twenty dollars worth of ATF will do you just fine.
You Plan On Making the Transmission Do Extra Work
If you plan on really taxing the tranny, an oil cooler can save you from issues. Racing or towing heavy loads frequently can put a serious strain on a transmission and cause the temperatures to climb higher than the maker designed them for. Especially if you have a car or truck that doesn’t have a factory cooler.
You Are Messing With The Factory System Anyway
Modifying cars is a lot of fun. Any time you build power, you will probably also have to overhaul your cooling system. Most big aftermarket radiators won’t have an integrated transmission cooler, so you’ll need to buy a separate unit to ensure things stay under temp. What can be really handy about an aftermarket oil cooler is the ability to mount it anywhere. Depending on the extent of the modifications you are doing, you may be forced into buying an aftermarket cooler just because there isn’t room for the factory system anymore.

AN Fittings, Barbed Fittings, and Hose Clamps
After reading through our reviews, you might have some questions. Questions like, what is an AN fitting, and why do they keep talking about it? Why is an AN fitting better than a press on fitting, and why are all these press fittings different shapes?
Well, we’d like to answer those questions here.
AN Fittings
AN stands for Army Navy, because they were developed by the Army and the Navy. If you really want to know more, you can read the wiki about them here.
More importantly, AN fittings are standardized, threaded fittings for fluids used everywhere in the automotive world. They are measured by a dash number, and the higher the number, the bigger the fitting.
If you have ever gone to a place where there are a lot of high performance or custom cars, you’ve seen AN fittings everywhere, usually -8 and -10 fittings. Those are kind of your standard race car sizes. They are almost always either red or blue, and they are on the end of those cool braided hoses that run from reservoirs, to pumps, to filters, to coolers, and to the motor.
Push On or Barbed Fittings
Push on fittings have a ton of different designs, but they all function in the same way. You push a rubber hose over a tube that has ribs, barbs, or a bump to hold the rubber hose in place. Then you tighten a hose clamp around it.
They are dead simple and can be used with a lot of different types of hoses. You can even fudge the sizes. A hose barb that is too small for a hose can be made to work if you put enough force into the clamp, and a hose that is to small for the hose barb can be heated up and worked onto it anyway.
These types of connections are prone to wearing out and leaking, though. They can also be an absolute pain in the butt to work with after some time passes. Rubber hoses are especially prone to seizing in place. If a hose is older, you are much better off cutting it with a knife and replacing it rather than trying to carefully remove it and reuse it.
Threaded Fittings
Some of the coolers we recommend, like the B&M cooler, have threaded fittings that are not AN fittings. These threaded fittings are meant to be used with an adapter. You can either screw-in push on fittings or AN fittings. The advantages of having a threaded inlet and outlet are that you can choose what method you will use to hook up the oil lines, and they don’t have to be the same method for the in and the out. The downside is that you have to do some extra legwork to buy the adapter and install it.
The Three Main Types of Cooler
We touched on it briefly up above, but in addition to either having a fan or not, coolers come in three main types. The biggest differences between them are the efficiency of cooling and the price. The higher the efficiency, the more they cost. That usually means your budget will determine the type, so it’s not a very important thing to think about.
Tube and Fins– Cheap coolers like the Hayden Transaver are just a metal tube connected by metal fins. The heat gets absorbed from the tube by the fins and dispersed into the air. Simple, cheap, and good enough to cool things down a few degrees.
Plates and Fins- Plates are kinda like flat tubes. If you take a look at the Hayden 678 we recommend you’ll see that it has a ton of flat “plates” connected by a ton of tiny “fins.” The plates and fins design is higher efficiency because of the greater surface area, but the extra metal tends to make it cost more.
Stacked Plate- A stacked plate design is used in most premium coolers, like the B&M SuperCooler we recommend. At first glance, they look just like the plate and fin designs, but they are engineered to allow way better airflow and even more surface area. That engineering costs money, though.
A Transmission Cooler is Part of a System
The last thing we really want to touch on in this guide is to reinforce the fact that a transmission cooler is part of a system. It’s not enough to just buy a cooler and bolt it onto your truck; you also need to think about other vital components.
Thermostats and Bypasses
There is actually a sweet spot between too cold and too hot when it comes to most fluids. Your engine’s cooling system has a thermostat that only opens when the motor is warmed up. When you install a transmission cooler, you want it to behave in the same manner.
You do that by creating a bypass loop so that the transmission fluid can flow through the stock internals and warm up without having to flow through the aftermarket cooler. There are electric thermostats that hook up to bypasses controlled by an electric signal, and bypasses that work like a radiator thermostat. You will want to research since builds are more dependent on the individual vehicle than anything else.
Space Conflicts
Not only are there components that make up the transmission cooling system, but the transmission itself is part of a larger system that makes up your power train. That means you have to be careful to install coolers and hoses in a place where they will not interfere with other components. A fancy new cooler won’t do you any good if the radiator fan cuts the hose in half.
Relays and Wiring
Coolers with a fan have an extra step when installing them, and that extra step is wiring in the fan. Generally, you don’t want the fan to run all the time, and that’s for the same reason you would install a bypass. When the engine is cold, you are just wasting energy by letting the fan run constantly. The easiest thing to do is get a thermal switch, like this one, and wire the fan into it.
Otherwise, wire into a relay that’s triggered off the main thermostat or the computer. If you are hardcore, wire it to a switch on your dash and just turn it on when you need it.
Keep it Cool
The number one killer of performance transmissions is heat. There’s no reason not to solve that issue. Coolers range from cheap to still less than a good intake, and it’s a small price to pay compared to the thousands of dollars it would take to replace a transmission that you know is running hot. Don’t wait; grab some zip ties and some ATF and order one. More

There’s nothing like hitting the open road in an RV—relishing in the comfort of a mobile home while basking in the glory of nature within our spectacular national parks. But at the end of the day, RVing is still camping, and everyday household chores require a lot more effort than they would at home.
One of your weekly essentials on the road will be washing your clothes, which, unless you have a mammoth wardrobe, will need to be done every week or so. Sure, you could pop into the nearest RV park and use their facilities, but chances are the place will be packed, and you’ll have to keep checking whether the washer is free multiple times throughout the day. And to make matters worse, someone always ends up “accidentally” taking your favorite pair of socks—it’s far from ideal.
A much better option, if your rig permits, is to install or store a washer dryer combo inside. As the ultimate RV luxury item, a washer dryer combo lets you do your laundry on your own time without having to hustle in line at the RV park or laundromat. We’re going to look at the top eight options on the market after this short introductory guide.

Features to Consider
Before you start sifting through our eight recommendations for RV washer dryer combos, you need to wrap your head around the concept of mobile laundering. The best machine is subjective; what works for your buddy won’t necessarily be the best option for you. Take the following things into consideration before purchasing an RV washer dryer combo from our list.
The Type of RV Washer Dryer Combo
RV washer dryer combos come in three main forms:
RV Single-Drum Washer Dryer Combo: these have a single drum that does both the washing and the tumble drying.
Stackable RV Washer Dryer: these have two drums stacked on top of each other, one for washing and one for tumble drying.
Portable RV Washer Dryer: these aren’t permanently installed into your RV and have one drum for washing and one drum for spin-drying.
See our section on the pros and cons of each type to help you decide which type is best for your needs. Note that portable models can only spin-dry your clothes; you’ll still have to hang them up to get them properly dry.
Non-portable models are either vented (faster and more efficient, but require an exhaust pipe to the outside) or non-vented (slower and less efficient, but does not need an exhaust fan). Skip ahead to our section on Vented Versus Non-Vented Washer Dryer Combos to learn more.
How Often Do You Use Your RV?
Are you a weekend warrior, or are you living in your RV full time? The more time you spend inside your great mobile home, the more money you should spend on decking it out to make life as comfortable and convenient as can be.
Fulltime RVers would be wise to splash out on a top of the line model with a high load capacity and a low power draw (especially if they’re using it off-grid). Occasional adventurers, however, could settle for a cheap option that covers the bare basics.
Will You Be Using It Off-Grid?
If you plan to do your laundry while boondocking (camping off-grid in a remote location), then energy and water efficiency must take the utmost priority. After all, you’ll need to supply power through solar panels/batteries plus water through your freshwater tank. And getting a super-efficient machine will mean less drain on those precious off-grid resources.
Another crucial factor to consider is your inverter. Is it beefy enough to handle the wattage of your power-hungry washer dryer combo? Boondockers will need a mighty strong inverter, a massive battery bank, and a marvelous solar set up to run a single-drum or stackable washer dryer combo off the grid. Portables have much lower resource requirements, so they’re worth considering if your RV isn’t fully decked out.
If you’re planning on using your machine via shore power—plugging into the 120V grid and water hook up at your nearest RV park—then energy and water efficiency aren’t relevant, unless you’re environmentally conscious. For most, you’ve already paid for the electricity and water upfront, so there’s no harm in using a smidgen more.
Want to learn more about the art of washing while boondocking? Then skip ahead to Using Your RV Washer Dryer Off-Grid.
The Load Capacity
How often do you plan on laundering your clothes? How many times are you happy to wear the same t-shirt before chucking it in the wash?
Load capacity refers to the total weight of the clothes you can wash in one go. Note that RV washer dryer combos have a much lower load capacity than their household counterparts because they’re designed to fit into a smaller space.
The Dimensions
There’s no point buying an RV washer dryer combo that’s too big for the available space, so it’s essential you carefully measure the dimensions before committing to a purchase.
Aside from width, length, and height, you may also want to consider the weight. If your RV is already approaching the limit of its Gross Vehicle Mass (the maximum permitted weight as specified by the vehicle manufacturer), then you need to be very careful not to exceed that amount. Not only will your overburdened RV fail to make it up steep hills, but you will also be in breach of your registration. And let’s not forget that heavier RVs consume more miles per gallon on each trip.
Furthermore, weight is especially crucial for portable washer dryers if you plan on moving them around the RV or using them outside.
It’s a complex choice, but those are the basics you’ll need to choose the right washer/dryer combo for your RV. If you want a more in-depth analysis as well as some other things to consider with your purchase, or you’re new to life on the road and want some basics, check out our full guide below.

Top 8 Best RV Washer Dryer Combos 2020

1. Best Overall RV Washer Dryer Combo: Giantex Portable Washing Machine

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Why we like it: It’s simple, affordable, and takes up a tiny amount of space.
Editor’s Rating:

Quick Facts
Type: Portable
Load Capacity: Washing 11 lbs / spinning 6.6 lbs
Wattage: Washing 300w / spinning 110w
Dimensions: 31 x 27 x 16 inches
Weight: 28 pounds
Run Time: Washing 15 mins / Spinning 5 mins
The portable washer dryer combo is the option of choice for countless RV enthusiasts around America, and the Giantex Twin Tub Washing Machine is the cream of the crop. This wildly popular unit can be found on small and big rigs alike from Florida to New Hampshire and everywhere in-between.
The secret to Giantex’s success is simple: create an affordable product that works. While other portable washer dryer combos are notoriously fickle, Giantex has built a reliable piece of equipment that gets the job done—and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
The dimensions here are relatively petite, so most RVers will have a cupboard somewhere to stash the machine until its time to clean. And with a modest 300W for washing and 110W for spinning, you won’t need an epic battery bank to run this little wonder off the grid. And even though it’s famously quiet and easy to use, the Giantex still manages to coax out even the most stubborn of stains.
Like most portable options, it’s a twin tub, so you’ll need to transfer the laundry into the spinner by hand. Furthermore, the spinner holds half the capacity of the washer, which means double the work.
Nonetheless, given its low price point, effective wash/spin cycles, and tiny dimensions, this product is certainly our #1 pick overall.

Pros

Low price point
Simple interface
Small and lightweight
Extremely popular and well-known

Cons

Spinner capacity is half that of the washer

2. Best Premium RV Washer Dryer Combo: Splendide WD2100XC

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Why we like it: Set it and forget it: this vented single-drum machine lets you throw in a load then go do something else until it’s done—easy peasy!
Editor’s Rating:

Quick Facts
Type: Single-drum
Vented: Yes
Load Capacity: washing 15 lbs / drying 11 pounds
Wattage: 1300W
Dimensions: 23.5 x 22.6 x 33.12 inches
Run Time: Washing 40 mins / Drying 45 mins
If you’ve got the space to slip a single-drum washer dryer combo into your RV, then the WD2100XC Splendide is…well…splendid. This wonderful machine takes all the effort out of washing your clothes on the road—simply configure the desired settings then go explore the great outdoors while it does its thing. The entire washing and tumble drying process takes about an hour and a half, just enough time to grill a few juicy steaks on the BBQ as you admire those epic alpine views.
At well over a thousand bucks, the WD2100XC Splendide costs a fortune compared to the cheaper portable washer dryer combos on our list. Nonetheless, that’s money well spent for the full-time RVer who wants a machine to tumble dry their clothes until they’re all toasty warm.
Although it kind of looks like a household washer dryer combo, the reality is the load capacity is much lower than what you would expect at home. Having said that, it’s still way higher than any of the portable washing machines out there. Furthermore, you don’t have to manually switch your laundry between a washing and a spinning tub, or have to hang it all up on the line afterward. Consequently, the whole laundering process becomes super easy—just like at home.
Rest assured Splendide built this model specially for RV and marine use; it’s super sturdy and won’t breakdown as you traverse all those bumps on the road.
There are a couple of things you need to be aware of before you bash that ‘buy now’ button, though. First, the washer dryer combo uses a whopping 1300W, which will require a big battery bank and inverter if you plan to use it off the grid (connecting it to the mains is no problem, however). Second, this model is vented (find out more about the differences here), which means you need to have an exhaust pipe leading to the exterior of your RV. If you’re A-Okay with these two conditions, then the WD2100XC can’t be beaten.

Pros

Single-drum design doesn’t require moving laundry from washer to dryer
Saves you lots of time and hassle
Vented to the exterior for faster drying

Cons

Expensive
High wattage

3. SUPER DEAL Portable Twin Tub Washing Machine

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Why we like it: In terms of cleaning and speed, it outperforms most portable washer dryer combos on the market.
Editor’s Rating:

Quick Facts
Type: Portable
Load Capacity: Washing 8 lbs / spinning 5 lbs
Wattage: 240 W
Dimensions: 23 x 13.5 x 26 inches
Weight: 26.4 pounds
Run Time: Washing 15 mins / Spinning 5 mins
You’ll pay a little more for the privilege, but the Portable Twin Tub Washing Machine from SUPER DEAL is still one heck of a super deal. The reason we reckon it’s so great is simple: the powerful machine runs at a whopping 1300 RPM, which lets it finish it’s wash and spin cycle much quicker than the other portable combos out there.
And despite the fact it runs quick, the machine does an excellent job of washing and spin-drying your clothes. Expect to get a wrinkle-free pile of fresh laundry with every load, sans those annoying detergent stains.
Plus—and this is a big plus—you can run the washer and the dryer at the same time, which makes the whole laundry process much easier to manage. So, despite the fact it costs about double that of our cheapest recommendation, it’s money well spent for the time-poor RVer.
Another cool feature is its translucent plastic tub, which lets you watch your washing in action (handy if something gets stuck). Although you might associate plastic with being cheap, it’s beneficial in the portable washer dryer world because it means the machine isn’t prone to rust.
On the downside, the load capacity here is rather low, so don’t expect to wash and dry a big pile of laundry at the same time. You might have to purchase a new hose connection, too, as the included ones don’t fit every faucet.

Pros

Runs at 1300 RPM (more than other models)
Has a compact, lightweight design
The plastic body isn’t prone to rust

Cons

More expensive than other portables
Low load capacity

4. Best Choice Products Portable Laundry Machine & Spin Cycle

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Why we like it: It washes and dries in record speed and is a cinch to use.
Editor’s Rating:

Quick Facts:
Type: Portable
Load Capacity: washing 8 lbs / spinning 5 lbs
Wattage: 300W
Dimensions: 23″ x 13.5″ x 26″
Run-time: Washing 15 mins / Spinning 5 mins
Weight: 23 lbs
Best Choice Products do one of the best portable washer dryers on the market. The product is a hit among American consumers for its rapid washing and spinning time and its simple, user-friendly interface. The device washes in 15 minutes and spin dries in five, which is notably quicker than other options out there—and the fact you can perform both functions at once makes everything so much easier.
Another awesome feature is the filtration system that stops lint, hair, and other nasty gunk from clogging up the drain. That means you won’t have to waste time cleaning your washer dryer after every use—a definite bonus on our book!
It’s about on par with its competitors in terms of weight and size, although the unit is a little more power-hungry than other portables, something to consider if you’ve got limited juice. It’s also a tiny bit noisier than other options, so think twice about putting on a load late at night in the RV park.

Pros

Easy to use
Washes and spin-dries at the same time
Fast and effective
Superb filtration system

Cons

Uses a bit more power than others
Quite noisy

5. Best Budget RV Washer Dryer Combo: COSTWAY Mini Washing Machine

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Why we like it: This tiny little unit does the job with gusto and fits into the smallest of spaces.
Editor’s Rating:

Quick Facts
Type: Portable
Load Capacity: 7 lbs
Wattage: 200W
Dimensions: 22 x 15 x 14 inches
Weight: 13.95 lbs
Run-time: Washing 10 mins / Spinning 5 mins
Weighing in at a meager 14 pounds, the COSTWAY Mini Washing Machine is the lightest washer dryer combo on our list and is little enough to lift with one arm. Forget about busting your back by trying to lug a heavy combo machine out of the closet every time you need to clean your clothes. This model gives portability a whole new meaning.
Naturally, the downside is it can’t wash a big load of clothes at once; there’s a minuscule load capacity of just seven pounds to play with. Nonetheless, if you’re happy to wash often and want something petite and cheap, COSTAWAY delivers the goods.
Using the thing is super simple, too: fill it with water, set the timer, and away you go. Ten minutes later, it’ll have finished its wash cycle, and five minutes after that, it’ll stop spin-drying.
One thing we don’t love about this model is you have to stand there and watch the water fill to the brim—there’s no automatic mechanism to stop it overflowing. Also, if you don’t load it correctly with even weight distribution, the spin cycle will force the machine to shake like mad and make an awful racket (that causes additional wear and tear as well).

Pros

Small and light
Affordable
Easy to use

Cons

User needs to monitor the water level when filling
Spin cycle is problematic without proper weight distribution

6. ThinkGizmos Portable Washing Machine

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Why we like it: It’s a solid mid-range option that does an excellent job of cleaning your kit.
Editor’s Rating:

Quick Facts
Type: Portable
Load Capacity: Washing 8 lbs / spinning 4.4 lbs
Wattage: Washing 230W/ spinning 100W
Dimensions: 23 x 14 x 27 inches
Weight: 27 pounds
Run-time: Washing 15 mins / Spinning 5 mins
Happy campers who are prepared to spend a bit more on a decent portable washer dryer combo might consider this excellent option from ThinkGizmos. It costs about double the price of the cheapest portable on our list, but that’s money well spent if you’re passionate about wearing spotlessly clean clothing at the campground. Put simply, ThinkGizmos is more effective at removing stains and nasty odors than its portable competitors.
The model is on par with other portables in terms of weight, size, and wattage, although it will take slightly longer to finish a full run (20 minutes all up). A built-in lint filter succeeds at keeping the fluffy stuff from sticking all over your fresh, clean clothes.
Be warned, though, if you overfill it or don’t get the weight distribution right, it’ll shake itself around the room and make an annoying amount of noise.

Pros

Cleans better than most portables
Has an effective lint filter
Comparable in size and weight to other portables

Cons

Has a slightly longer cycle than most
Problematic when overloaded

7. Best Non-Vented Single-Drum Washer Dryer: Splendide WDC7100XC

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Why we like it: It’s perfect for RVers who want a powerful single-drum machine without vents.
Editor’s Rating:

Quick Facts
Type: Single-Drum
Vented: No
Load Capacity: Washing 15 lbs / drying 11 lbs
Wattage: 1300 watts
Dimensions: 33 x 23 x 22 inches
Weight: 145 pounds
Run-time: Washing 30 mins / Rinsing 30 mins / Drying 150 mins
Non-vented single-drum washer dryer combos require more power to run and take longer to dry than their vented counterparts. However, as these don’t need an exhaust pipe to the exterior of the vehicle, they’re the only viable option for RVers who don’t have such a pipe yet still want the raw drying power of a proper tumble drier. And Splendide does the best non-vented model on the market with its flagship WDC7100XC.
The load capacity of 15/11lbs doesn’t compete with a domestic washer dryer, but it’s pretty good for a mobile home and easily outperforms any portable options on the market. And although the drier might not be as quick or effective as our favorite vented model, the Splendide WD2100XC, it still gets your clothes all toasty warm and dry with minimal fuss.
The total run time drags on for 3.5 hours (2.5 hours just for tumble drying), but the fact you can ‘set it and forget it’ makes up for the wait.
Sadly, much like other non-vented washer dryer combos, the construction is a bit fickle and prone to breakdown, so expect to have to repair it sooner or later. Also, the included plastic necks that sit between the hose and couples have a nasty tendency to crack, leaving a swamp of soapy water in its wake. Thankfully, it’s an easy situation to remedy by buying quality stainless steel replacements from your local hardware store.

Pros

Non-vented models can tumble dry without an exhaust pipe to the exterior
Set it and forget it—no need to swap clothes between drums for drying
Does a great job of washing and drying

Cons

Non-vented models take a long time to dry
Machine occasionally breaks down
Some stock parts are low quality (can be replaced)

8. Best Non-Electric RV Washer Dryer Combo: WOAIM Portable Washer/Dryer

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Why we like it: The machine doesn’t require any electricity at all to wash and dry your clothes.
Editor’s Rating:

Quick Facts:
Type: Non-electric portable
Load Capacity: 4.4 lbs
Dimensions: 16 x 13 x 15 inches
Weight: 9 pounds
Don’t have an inverter in your RV? Then you need a washing and drying solution that doesn’t require any electricity at all! Introducing the Portable Washer/Dryer from WOAIM, a wonder device that washes and cleans your clothes without a single watt. There is a catch, of course: you have to do all the hard work yourself.
Rather than relying on an electric powered motor, WOAIM has you spinning the drum of the washer-dryer through your arms. You’ll have to yank a cord up and down, again and again, until your clothes are finally clean and dry enough to hang up on the line. It’s backbreaking work, but there’s no denying the concept is eco-friendly, and you could certainly save on your membership at the gym.
The lightweight design and small dimensions mean you could also stash this away in a small storage space and retrieve it when needed. Do note, however, it has a minuscule load capacity of 4.4 pounds, meaning you’ll be tugging away at those cords for an eternity if you need to clean and spin dry a big load.
And it well over a hundred bucks, it hardly seems terrific value when there’s plenty of cheaper portable electric models out there. Nonetheless, if you like the idea of washing your clothes with your own raw effort, then go ahead and grab this one to stow in your RV.

Pros

Doesn’t require electricity
Good exercise
Eco-friendly concept

Cons

Hard work to use
Small load capacity

RV Washer Dryer Combo Buyer’s Guide
RV washer dryer combos vary significantly from your typical domestic machines, and there’s quite a lot to learn about the art of washing your clothes on the road.
In this section, we provide a comprehensive breakdown of everything you need to know about RV washer dryers and outline the pros and cons of each type. That way, you’ll have the necessary knowledge at hand to make an informed purchase and can enjoy the benefits of your mobile washing machine for years to come.
Why You Should Buy An RV Washer Dryer Combo
Sure, you could get by without an RV washer dryer combo, but the marvelous machine will make your life on the road so much easier. By having your very own washing facilities onboard, you can bypass the queue at the RV park and skip the line at the laundromat.
Traveling in an RV already entails a whole host of annoying domestic chores: washing your clothes and bed linen, filling up your fresh water tank, emptying your grey water tank, disposing of your black water, refueling your gas tank, and ensuring your batteries have plenty of juice. Having a washer dryer combo at the ready makes laundering a breeze, giving you more time to focus on these other tasks or—better yet—relaxing in the great outdoors.
The Pros & Cons of Each RV Washer Dryer Type
Are you confused about the different types of RV washer dryers on the market? Here, we’ll break down the benefits and drawbacks of each to help you decide what works best for you.
Single Drum RV Washer Dryer Combos
As the name suggests, these machines have one single drum that washes then tumble dries your clothes at the push of a button (manufacturers may refer to them as RV Washer Dryer Combos or Combination RV Washer Dryers). Single drum models are the most popular type of non-portable RV washer dryers as they don’t require much space (under 25 x 25 x 35 inches), have modest energy and water requirements, and you don’t need to take your clothes out of the washer and put them into the drier (unlike the stackable model).
The Good:
Compact design is easy to fit into your RV (many new RVs have slots where you can plug them in yourself)
Vented and non-vented models available
Uses less electricity than stackable models
Tumble drying will full dry your clothes
One button washing and drying—set it and forget it
The Bad:
Can’t do large loads of laundry at once (up to 15 pounds)
Longer total laundering time than stackable washer dryers
Uses quite a lot of water (20-25 gallons per load)
Sound tempting? Our favorite single-drum washer dryer combo is the fantastic Splendide WD2100XC.
Stackable RV Washer Dryer Combos
Stackable RV washer dryer combos work with two drums; the tumble dryer is stacked on top of the washer. Although the maximum load per drum is only around 12 pounds, give or take, the beautiful thing is you can run both drums at the same time—perfect for families with large washing requirements. In fact, stackable RV washer dryers have a comparable load capacity to dual-drum domestic units, so you can get away with washing just about anything you like.
As for the dimensions, you need a bit more available width and depth than the single-drum variety (up to 30 inches wide by 30 inches deep). But as you’d expect, they’re much higher, usually reaching 70 inches or so. Folks who own a big rig with plenty of extra space may prefer these models as they allow you to churn through a massive pile of laundry quickly, despite the fact you need to transfer your clothes between each drum manually.
Portable RV Washer Dryer Combos
Although these machines are called “portable,” that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re easy to cart around—some weigh as much as 100 pounds, although 15 to 25 is the norm. The term “portable” refers to the fact they don’t need to be installed into your RV; simply plug them into an electrical outlet, fill them with water, and your good to go.
The major downside to portable combos—and it’s a doozy—is they spin-dry rather than tumble dry. Spin-drying leaves your clothes damp rather than soaking wet, so you’ll still need to hang them up on the line before slipping them on.
Portable RV washer dryer combos come with a hose to get the greywater down the drain (don’t forget to hook it up or you’ll flood your floor). Some models don’t even require electricity — you pull a cord repeatedly instead — which is perfect for the RVers with a modest battery bank who wants to launder off-grid.
As they’re small and portable, the load capacity is low, rarely more than 8 pounds. Consequently, these aren’t ideal for families or travels with high laundry requirements. The entire process is rather quick, however, with each load taking less than half an hour, including the time it takes to put the washed clothes on the line.
The Good:
Don’t require installation
Many models don’t need electricity
Very reasonably priced
Each load gets washed and dried quickly
Doesn’t need much water
Can easily be moved between RVs
The Bad:
Can’t be fixed in place
Can only wash minimal loads
Many models require manual work
Using Your RV Washer Dryer Off-Grid
While most RVers will plug into the shore power (the electrical grid at an RV park or home) to use their washer dryer combo, those with more advanced electrical setups may be able to run their machine while boondocking. Non-portable (single-drum/stackable) washer dryer combos have high power requirements, however, so if off-grid laundering with these is a necessity, you need to ensure your rig is up to the challenge. Portables, on the other hand, work well with more primitive setups.
The Wattage
The first thing you need to consider is the wattage (W), or in other words, how much power the machine uses. RV washer dryer combos typically run between 150 and 1500 watts. If laundering off-grid, you need to ensure your inverter is capable of inverting the required wattage from your 12-24V (DC) battery system to the 120V (AC) system that runs most of your appliances.
Inverters are rated with a maximum peak wattage; examples include 1000W, 1500W, 3000W, and 5000W; be sure the wattage of your washer dryer is much lower than your inverter. However, the maximum wattage of the inverter needs also to be higher than all the appliances you will be using at the same time—factor in your toaster, kettle, fan, TV, etc. And finally, you’ll generally need a pure sine wave inverter for a washer-dryer, as the other types could damage the complex electrical system.
The Battery Bank
The second key thing to consider is your battery bank, which is measured in Amp Hours (ah). As washer dryer combos draw quite a lot of power, they’re going to drain your batteries fairly quickly. If your batteries rarely have much juice to spare, then you should look at expanding your battery bank before trying to run a non-portable washer dryer off-grid. Mighty Max makes superb AGM deep cycle batteries, while SHUNBIN does superb lithium batteries (you can’t mix and match the battery types, so go with the same variety you’ve already got installed). Before buying these, consult an auto-electrician to determine whether it’s feasible to install more batteries in your RV.
Keeping Your Batteries Charged On the Road
You’ve got three options for keeping your batteries charged up on the road:
A DC to DC charger uses your vehicle’s alternator to charge your batteries as you drive (REDARC make a good option)
Solar panels and the associated controller will draw power from the sun to recharge your battery bank. However, they aren’t especially useful when it’s overcast, or you’re parked in the shade (Renogy are a well-regarded brand).
A generator will charge your batteries and can even power your 120V system while boondocking. Opting for a high wattage model will let you run your air conditioning, washer dryer, and other power-hungry appliances in the remote wilderness. Still, it’s proper RV etiquette to consider how the noise pollution may affect your neighbors (Champion make a great wattage generator that doesn’t make too much noise).
Vented Versus Non-Vented Washer Dryer Combos
Non-portable RV washer dryer combos fit into two categories: vented and non-vented. Every seasoned RVer knows the vented machines are ideal; however, it may not be possible to install one on your rig.
Note that portable washer dryers don’t have vents because they don’t have a tumble dry function; they use spin-drying instead.
Vented Washer Dryer Combos
These systems draw in air from the RV, heat it up, and tumble it through your laundry before sending it out of an external exhaust pipe into the open-air. Although the process is fast, easy, and energy-efficient, there’s one major caveat: you need to have someone drill a hole for the exhaust pipe if there isn’t already one there. There might not be a suitable place to install an exhaust vent on your rig, and even if there is, you’ll still need to pay a technician to set it up for you.
The Splendide WD2100XC is our favorite single-drum vented washer-dryer.
Non-Vented Washer Dryer Combos
The non-vented varieties, on the other hand, heat the air within the drum to tumble dry your clothes. As a result, a considerable amount of steam forms within the drum, which the machine cools using cold water on the outside. The excess water from the steam is pumped into your RV’s grey water tank.
The drawback here is non-vented systems take much longer to perform the same task and require more electricity and water to run.
The Splendide WDC7100XC is our top pick for a non-vented RV washer dryer.
Installing an RV Washer Dryer Combo
Can you install an RV washer dryer combo yourself, or do you need to get a professional involved? It depends on the type.
Installing A Single Drum Washer Dryer Combo
If you’ve got a late-model RV, you might be able to hook up a single-drum washer dryer combo yourself if the water and electrical connections are already in place. Just be sure to follow the manual carefully and remember to bolt the machine down to the floor. If the electrical and water hookups aren’t in place, you’ll need a professional to sort it out.
Installing A Stackable Washer Dryer
Stackable Washer Dryers are usually custom-fit into larger RVs, so the layman won’t be able to set these up on their own. Of course, if you happen to be a skilled plumber/electrician, then you might be up to the task.
Installing A Portable Washer Dryer Combos
These don’t require installation at all, which helps keep the costs right down. Just plug them into your electrical hookup, fill them with water, and you’re good to go.
How to Winterize Your RV Washing Machine
If you plan on storing your RV in an area where the temperature dips below 32F, then you must winterize your washer-dryer machine. Otherwise, it will get destroyed when the water expands into ice (you’ll also need to do this for your RV’s water system). In a nutshell, the process involves pumping anti-freeze into the system, then flushing it out again when you’re ready to use it in spring. However, as all washer dryer combos are different, you’ll need to consult your manual to see the precise steps.
Alternatively, a professional RV servicing company like Lazy Days can do the whole thing for you for a couple of hundred dollars.
Handy Tips for Doing Laundry in Your RV
Doing laundry on the road isn’t quite as simple as at home and may require a little extra planning and preparation to pull off. The following handy hints should help lighten the load (pun intended).
Avoid doing the heavy-duty stuff yourself
Washing your blankets, comforters, jackets, and other bulky items can be a hassle in an RV, especially if you’ve got a small portable machine. Veteran travelers prefer to save these for the RV park washing machine.
Ensure everything is hooked up properly
One loose nut or a stray grey water hose will result in an awful soapy mess all over your lovely carpet. Double-check everything is as it should be and enlist the help of an expert if you’re unsure.
Read the instruction manual
Although RV washer dryers aren’t particularly hard to operate, it’s worth reading through the manual to get the gist of their inner-workings.
Washers work as a dirty clothes hamper
Store your smelly laundry inside the washing drum to save space. And when it comes time to wash, it’s already there waiting to go.
Electricity and water don’t mix
Make sure your hands and any clothes are completely dry before playing around with a live current.
Use high-efficiency detergent
Look for the HE (high efficiency) label on your laundry detergent as the regular stuff won’t cut it on an RV washing machine.
The Best RV Washer Dryer Combo: Final Thoughts
The best RV washer dryer combo depends on your laundering requirements, budget, and the existing layout and features of your rig. Today we’ve covered the three main types—single-drum, stackable, and portable —plus provided a wealth of information on how to launder off-grid, how to install a washer dryer in your RV, and and the key points to consider before making a purchase, among other things.
Keep the information contained in this guide in mind and carefully consider your existing setup and laundry requirements before selecting one of the options on our list. That way, you’ll find the ideal washer dryer combo for your rig and enjoy years of hassle-free washing to come. Happy road-tripping, folks. More

The Toyota Crown is a new sedan model for 2023 that replaces the Avalon.It starts at $41,045 and ranges up to $53,445 for the top Platinum model.The Crown will start reaching U.S. dealerships in early 2023.Toyota is aiming high with the new 2023 Crown sedan, both literally—it’s significantly taller than the Avalon large sedan that it replaces—and figuratively, as it’s priced on the high end of the automaker’s lineup, with the loaded model topping $50,000. The Crown is available in three trim levels: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, and all versions come standard with all-wheel-drive and hybrid powertrains.More on the CrownThe Crown XLE starts at $41,045 and comes with a hybrid setup that uses a 2.5-liter gasoline engine and makes a total of 236 horsepower. That starting price is $3125 more than the 2022 Avalon XLE’s. The Limited starts at $46,645 and adds equipment including a panoramic sunroof, leather seats, an upgraded audio system, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. These versions of the Crown are EPA-rated at 41 mpg combined.The Crown Platinum requires a big jump up to its starting price of $53,445, and it brings on a significantly more powerful hybrid powertrain that Toyota calls Hybrid Max. This powertrain uses a turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four gasoline engine, produces 340 horsepower, and is EPA-rated at a significantly lower 30 mpg combined. Added equipment for the Platinum includes adaptive dampers, 21-inch wheels, and an upgraded park-assist system.Toyota says that the Crown will start arriving at U.S. dealerships in early 2023.This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. More

The R35 Nissan GT-R reshaped the supercar world when it arrived on the scene back in 2009. Twin-turbocharged, all-wheel drive and packing a quick-shifting dual-clutch, the GT-R would become a blueprint that almost every supercar manufacturer would copy moving into the current decade. Thankfully for die-hard Godzilla fans, you now have a chance to own a pristine example of the rarest variant produced during that run: a 2021 Nissan GT-R50. The GT-R50 first arrived as a concept vehicle back in 2018, marking the dual 50th anniversaries of the GT-R nameplate, as well as the design house Italdesign before 2019. The concept merged the R35’s technical ability with some design influences from the days-gone-by of the auto industry, borrowing heavily from Italy in the process. The concept was met with such excitement that Nissan actually committed to building a limited run of the cars, with production volume officially capped at 50 units. Production was slowed as a result of COVID, but the automaker closed the order books in July of this year. Legendary Motorcar CompanyThis particular example is number 11 in the run, though the listing sellers at Legendary Motor Car claim that only 19 examples were ever produced. Considering it took the automaker so long to close the order books, it is possible that demand never reached that 50-unit goal. Regardless of the true production figures, the car’s $1,165,000 base price certainly ensured only the most fanatical of R35 customers would have a chance to own one. That’s a ton of cash, but the work done by both Nissan and Italdesign is extensive and impressive. Starting under the hood, the GT-R50 packs a modified variant of the familiar 3.8-liter VR38DETT V-6. Upgraded turbos are pulled right off the GT3 racer and combined with higher-flow injectors, larger intercoolers, and a reworked intake to provide more power. An updated crankshaft, pistons, and connecting rods bolster high-horsepower engine health. The end result is 710 hp and 585 pound-feet of torque, significantly more than the range-topping NISMO’s 600 hp and 481-pound-foot rating. Power is sent to the wheels via a reworked six-speed dual-clutch transmission, while adaptive Bilstein dampers handle the suspension duties.Legendary Motorcar CompanyThis particular example has also been outfitted with the optional hydraulic rear wing, which provides some active aero elements for maximum performance on track. Not that this car has ever seen the track, as it has arrived for sale with delivery mileage on the clock. The Italdesign bodywork certainly won’t be for everyone, but the shape is far more unique than you’d typically find from a Nissan product. The paint is also a unique hue, which cost the first owner nearly $30,000 to spec from the factory. It looks great with the red NISMO accents, though we hope that initial investment doesn’t require a significant price bump for any prospective buyers.Legendary Motorcar hasn’t published any pricing information about this particular GT-R, following the age-old adage about anything of great expense. Either way, here’s hoping that the next owner of this modern coachbuilt sports car actually decides to use the thing for its intended purpose. This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. More