Plastic vs metal outer tub and suspension...
I apologize, but I got confused as I read through this discussion.
The washing machines with plastic outer tubs I have seen tend to be the vmw with hung suspension. The washing machines I have seen or heard about with metal outer tubs had a better suspension system.
With that said, I haven't had much issue with the older Maytag mvwp575gw--a vmw with the plastic outer tub. The newer model of this even has the water level control.
If I am washing something odd like a pet bed, I balance it with a towel or something. Other option may be to take those special items to a laundry mat.
Now I am kind of getting meh the Speed Queen TC and especially TR really aren't any better because of rusting tubs now? Yet these are one of the few models I know of today that have a transmission and not a gear case. If so, that's a lot more important to me. If these tubs don't rust out until they are over ten years old anyway, they have probably still exceeded the life I'd get out of a vmw with a plastic tub and gear case.
I remember having to defend that Maytag??? In some areas the Speed Queen just isn't available and/or overpriced even above retail. Then people felt they had no good choices when there was at least this one--the Maytag mvwp575 easily found at big box stores and local appliance shops! BTW, it still works at almost 7 years old with having only replaced the agitator dogs. In my area there is enough of a price difference especially given the Speed Queen dryer's higher price is not justified to still recommend the Maytag set as a good, less expensive alternative. It won't last as long, but I didn't pay as much either. While not great for our landfills, I didn't have any say in these new eco rules or the mindset that profit was in selling more which results in wasting more (cheaper build quality and made not to repair). While these are not true commercial washers, they do seem to be a bit better built for residential use, fill with water, and offer great agitation. The issues I've seen seem to suggest overuse of bleach and overloading--what one might see in a hair salon or dog grooming business. Better yet, I still occasionally see a Whirpool vmm set budget with dual-action agitator. Some say it is the same without the 5 year warranty, but it does seem the Maytag has upgraded some parts.
Since I didn't know Maytag was going to revise their model, I ended up deciding I'd go with a Speed Queen set next time. So when my dryer broke, I bought the DC5 dryer because I wanted a matching set when I replaced the washer. Well now. I still have an unmatched set because that Maytag washer will not die LOL. Trust me. It's seen the typical family use only without misuse--I am careful not to overload and check pockets. Sometimes, I do have the TC5 hooked up and run both when I don't need the space for other things.
