Need help with front loader not fitting into house

[bethm]

I had a Frigidaire FWT445GES2 since 1997 that I loved. It had been through a few repairs and the last time it broke, I decided it was time to be replaced. Also the matching (stacked) dryer had been leaving brown streaks on clothes sometimes, so I was more or less waiting for this one to have one more issue before replacing both.

I ordered a 4.1 ft^3 Whirlpool set. Delivery goons came yesterday and removed the old set just fine (and I moved it here from another house just fine too). They could not for the life of them get the Whirlpool in the house, and got it downstairs only to realize they dented the bejesus out of the side panel *and* broke a gasket for the water pump. At that point I refused delivery, canceled the order, and they had already hauled out the old set, so I did not want them back in the house.

Local appliance store advised me to get 24" wide only. So I went and ordered a Bosch set, but the capacity is 2.2 ft^3. I'm pretty sure my old set was 4.4. I can't step down this far and I need to order something else.

My old set HAD to be 27" wide as it was a normal washer. So, now I think that the depth was the issue as the way to my basement requires a 90 degree turn and I think the 27" width can handle it but a large depth cannot. The botched delivery model had a depth of 33 1/8". I cannot for the life of me locate the dimensions of my FWT445GES2 model to figure out what I can work with for ordering a replacement. Can any of you experts help? Thank you so much.

 

[pierreandreply4]

if front load do not fit why not buy a top load washer set

if front loads do not fit why not buy a good old fashion top load washer instead as you would be sure that a top load washer with agitator would fit model i would recomend is this one that i plan on buying as a replacement for my duet thats is in th end of its lifetime use with the matching electric dryer of course

 

[aladude]

Pierre- thanks for yet another helpful reply.
Bethm- I can measure my Frigidaire for you. It's the 2005 model but the dimensions should be the same.

 

[aladude]

My measurements: mine are stacked with the top of the washer removed so I added 3/4" to the height to compensate for the top.
26 3/4" width
35 1/2" height
25" depth

 

[henene4]

A toploader is certainly lees deep, you are right.

But there are less deep frontload washers either. Any Whirlpool washer on their side with a load volume of 4.1 ft³ today is 33 1/8 deep, 38 3/4 high and 27 wide.

Next, it would be interesting in which way they tried to move the washer in your house if you remeber. When they moved it though the door/down the basement, did the front/back face forwards or sidewards? Because, if the front faced the direction they moved it, that would meen you would need a washer with one dimension being less than 27".
Overall, you may mesure the smallest width of any way the washer would have to pass if it would be delivered. This would able us to search for a washer that would fit!

But anyway, I can tell you that, for example, an LG model with 4.3ft³ would be 27" x 38 11/16" x 29 3/4" (uncrated), as well as LG's with 4.0ft³ and 3.7ft³. On LG, I would recomend a modell with Turbowash (as I mentioned quite often yet, the recirculation nozzels help to improve wash&rinse performance) and internal heater!

There are probably some other brands that may have smaller washers, but getting a 24" unit with 4 ft³ and plus would be impossible these days and was till today AFAIK.In the 3.5 ft³ range, the situation might be better and at the 4ft³ range, there is only LG that I found on the web.

Last but not least, there would be the a bit uncovenient option of getting 2 24" washers and 2 matching dryers, stack them and get an electrican in to get 2 extra connections.

But first of all, tell us what would fit and how the dimensions are in your home, than we can help you further.

Best wishes
Henrik

 

[bethm]

Thank you everyone. The issue is that the unit has to come through the garage and make an immediate 90 degree turn to go down about 9-10 steps to the basement, where things are wide open. We really would like a front loader so we can stack the machines and save floor space, plus I am used to having the arrangement that way and I like not having to bend over to load and unload the dryer with it at almost eye level.

So, loading can go through the doorway up to around 30" wide but then must rotate to get down the steps. The very top step because of the 90 degree angle restricts the space to exactly 27", but if the unit can be lifted 8-9" or so to clear that step, the rest of the staircase is no bother.

How on earth were they able to make a 4.4 ft^3 with only a 24" depth back in 1997, and they can't make one with over 4 ft^3 less than 30" depth today? To the person who owns this machine, it is 4.4 ft^3, correct?

Here is what I am considering; keep in mind that I was really happy with that old Frigidaire and I'd be happy to buy another one. Height does not matter and widths are all 27" which is our absolute max I am sure:
Frigidaire FAFW3801LW 3.26 ft^3 with a depth of 29.75"
Frigidaire FFFS5115PW 3.9 ft^3 with a depth of 30.3"
Electrolux EWFLS70JIW 4.4 ft^3 with a depth of 31.5"

The Whirlpool unit that would not fit yesterday and got damaged was a depth of 33.12 so I think that shallower depth is the issue we need to resolve.

Could real (not the guys I had) delivery people remove some of the cladding in order to reduce the overall size?

If push comes to shove, I will get a top loader but that is my last choice. I'd like to maximize the load capacity and minimize the machine depth, if you all can be any help in that regard. I feel like anything below 4.0 is going to be a big step down and a disappointment.

I could tell that the people of this forum were active and happy to help others! Happy new year to you all.

 

[henene4]

So, you are sure the old one had 4 ft³? Because, ugh, I could not imagine that. At least, if we talk about this washer

http://www.google.de/imgres?imgurl=...3JUq6KMYPTtQaIoICIAw&ved=0CIABEPUBMAg&dur=343

This looks more like a maximum of 3ft³!!!

Anyway, if you want a such big frontloader, I really would go with LG! They are (by consumer report) the most relaible machines in their tests. And, espacially, they are really good at low water washing!

But if I were you and would only consider these 3 washers, I would select the E-Lux. Overall, best user interface and an internal heater and, IIRC, they have pretty good reviews either.

But keep in mind: I suggest you LG as the best...

 

[bethm]

henene4 yes that looks like it is the very same model!

All I have is the model number which I found written down on an old piece of paper. The manuals were in the machine when it was hauled away yesterday. What I found online was that the numbers "44" in the model meant that it was 4.4 ft^3. If this is wrong, and I have been living with something much smaller, I would like to know that too. I'm used to this size as you can imagine after 16+ years.

 

[bethm]

Edit: I also have the serial number of the old machine but I'm not so sure that would help determine the capacity.

 

[henene4]

Ugh, I don't know. But I just cant imagine that! Looks kind a small....

 

[iheartmaytag]

When My machines were delivered, it took the delivery men about two hours to get the washer and dryer down the stairs. The machines are 27 1/2 inches wide, and the doorway was 29 inches.

The 15 inch pedestals were already installed so their height played into the fun as well. The made it, all ok, and only pray they last a good many years, as that is something you don't want to do everyday.

 

[yogitunes]

I presume your last washer looked something like this.....which is only around a 3 cu ft in the first place.....

I can't imagine going to a store, knowing you have limited access for a machine, not taking doorway measurements with you, and then buying one way too big to fit, and then blaming the delivery guys for all the problems with getting it down the stairs.....its a miracle they did not charge you for damages to the machine...

granted some machines can be disassembled to a point to fit thru doorways and tight spaces, I have done this myself....heck, even this machine here I took in thru a window...and jsut the same for the size of this machine, it fit king size comforters with ease, for the most part I see no reason to go with such a huge machine....

 

[yogitunes]

you can always hit CL or an Used Appliance store, and graba set like these, which are still the same dimensions as the old one, just an updated version...you may even find a new set at places like Sears ScratchNDent Depot...

 

[yogitunes]

heres a used set off CL....for around 250.00......sometimes better to stay with the older versions, they at least used more water, and what you were used to....

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/app/4266160359.html

 

[bethm]

Yogitunes, thank you. That looks very much like what we had, yes. If that was around 3 cubic feet, that makes me feel much more at ease with the smaller depth on the new Frigidaire or one of the LGs if I can get it. I just did not want to reduce what I had, which I mistakenly thought was 4.4. Anything larger than 3 is fine, but 2.2 seems like too small.

As far as the delivery guys, we were to get "white glove" delivery; these guys tracked salt and snow and mud into my basement and some carpets I had down there, my staircase is covered in salt stained footprints, they had no blankets or anything to shield the casing from scraping the wall, and broke a small piece off my lowest basement step. As they were unloading the machine from the truck they dropped it down a few inches too, which was my first red flag. They not only damaged the unit by trying to get it down the steps, but if they really felt like it was too big to go in without damage they should have never tried. They then made a claim on the delivery/refusal form that it must have been damaged at the warehouse and certainly not by them. Trust me, these guys were not the kind of delivery guys to send out for a "white glove" delivery job. I concede that I need to buy a smaller unit, but they left my house damaged and dirty and each one trash talked the other one behind his back "he doesn't want to lift it" and "he wasn't going to point out the damaged drain". Just completely unprofessional all around.

 

[henene4]

Ohh, as they were 3 ft³ I'm now abled to tell you: Get Speed Queen FL's!!! They last long and may be the best choice for you as they are only 28" deep and not completly 27", little bit beneath. They are fast and use water! Coast a bit and are pre-stacked and not splitable into two (that makes it even easier to use the controls), but worth investment:

Electric dryer:
http://www.speedqueen.com/home/en-us/products/product.aspx?id=350
Amazon price for the wsher and dryer, stacked permanently is 2233,49$:
http://www.amazon.com/Speed-Queen-ATE50/dp/B00294J5ZG

Gas dryer:
http://www.speedqueen.com/home/en-us/products/product.aspx?id=351
Price at this dealer is 2309$:
http://www.coolrunninghs.com/atg50.html

But if you want to order this, make sure they are aibeled to bring these ones down your basement!

Why spending such much money on such simple appliances?
Because:
1.These wahers and dryers are based on commercial desings. Built to last and work like a horse!
2. No gimmicks that can break: No steamproducer or such that could break!
3. The suspension is made out of each 4 high-quality dampers and springs. Even heavy loads are no problem to spin. No out-of-balance problems!
4. They use water! Whyle they are still efficent, they use it, and more than a cup as others would!
5. Stainles Steal outer and inner tub: No mold, residue or gunk to build up. Means less cleaning and no smelly washer!
6. Less of these expensive electronic controls to break and make a repair unefficent!
7. Easy to use: Even your child/husband/wife can use them rigth away! No eternity searching the manual!
8. Last but really not least: A true hot water wash! Others mix cold water in to save energy and look good on their labels. Speed Queen does not! Water enters the tub at faucet temperature! Thus, no internal heater equired, means less breakable parts!

Ask the others on here: Speed Queen is your deal (as long as it fits down your basement!!!)!!!

 

[yogitunes]

mishaps happen.....done....now lets move on....

first of all...take a measuring tape with you, and measure every which way you can think of a display model.....and compare to getting it down your stairs...

second....check out some mom and pop type dealers for these Frigidaires.....although they may not show up with an on-line store as being available......some of these smaller places may have stock in the back room.....and may also offer a deeper discount for merchandise that has not moved...give them your measurements and let them search and compare for you, thats why their there, to help you out....

you can shop online, ut see if a SearsOutlet is somewhat near you....a variable of markdown pricing.....and even though they show items online, the actual inventory may be best to view in person......

this Kenmore here may fall into what your measurements......

3.7 cu ft machine

width....27
depth is 29.75

may be a bit of a squeeze...but just might make it....

check it out and let us know how you make out....

Shop: Appliances, Tools, Clothing, Mattresses & More

Shop Sears for appliances, tools, clothing, mattresses & more. Great name brands like Kenmore, Craftsman Tools, Serta, Diehard and many others.

www.searsoutlet.com

 

[yogitunes]

this one is

width 27 inches

depth is 28.25

were getting closer.....

and its still a 3.0 capacity.....heck, take a comforter with you while you shop, and try it out inside the machine, granted once water hits it, it will compact down, but if this is what you ahd before and it worked for you, you should be fine...

I have taken screwdrivers in with me and opened up machines to see the insides.....I want to know before I buy....if they have arpoblem with it, I just move on...apparently they didn't want me to know something...

http://t.searsoutlet.com/3-0-cu-ft-Front-Load-King-Size-Capacity-Washing-Machine-ATF6700F-/d/product_details.jsp?md=ct_md&pid=6896&mode=seeAll

 

[combo52]

New Machines are often bigger

We are rebuilding a lot of washers ad dryers in there installed location because of this problem, you may want to just get your washer rebuilt.