Transporting washer in P/U truck

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randycmaynard

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Hey guys - I'm headed out this weekend to pick up a 1960s Kenmore belt drive washer and was wondering if it machine could
be laid on it's side to transport or should it stay upright? Probably a silly (if not stupid) quesion but was wanting to be sure it stayed in the truck bed and not scattered in pieces down the road. Probably a matter of just having it well strapped in.

Thanks!
 
Keep it upright!

It would be best if you can keep it upright due to the suspension and other things.

Go to Home Depot or Lowes and buy some ratcheting tie down, or cargo straps! They are very easy to use, they secure the item very nicely AND they are only about $15 for a pack of 4.... and very worth while investment!!!

Kevin
 
Transporting washer in P/U truck

Thanks Kevin - will definately get the straps.... the fun part will be getting the thing into the truck bed - they're pretty heavy. Will take a strong back with me for this one!

Thanks again!
 
Make sure it is securely tied to the truck!

Make sure the dryer is securely attached to the truck! I bought a KitchenAid dryer for my in-laws once and I did not have it secured well enough. Well, once I got up to speed the wind blew it over on its front and the once nice scratch-free dryer ended up with several large dents in the door and front panel.

I would also make sure the door and lint filter door are secured shut. Duct tape works well for this.

Andrew S.
 
i would make sure

that washer is tied down safe and secure with no possibility of it toppling over! last summer i carried one in my truck back from buffalo and it flew over the side around a curve and landed in a ditch! i had not tied it down properly.
 
I'm surprised that nobody has said this yet....

Do not ever leave a belt-drive Kenmore/Whirlpool machine on it's side for more than a few minutes. In many (but not all) cases, the agitator shaft seal in the transmission has either dislodged or become worn, and in so doing, when the transmission is not upright, up to 1/2 of the internal 60-weight motor oil can leak out onto the machine cabinet, or onto whatever the machine is laying on, such as a vehicle's carpet, etc.

I don't like to leave machines on their sides for more than a 10 minutes or so.

Gordon
 
Here is a pic of the straps..........

I didn't have time to post this before leaving for work.... but here you go Randy. These are the straps I was referring to.... There are other brands in different colors, I just happened to like the orange ones!

Kevin

revvinkevin++3-10-2010-09-28-8.jpg
 
Thanks Kevin - will visit HD or Lws before Sunday aftn.

Will get a set - will need them later in the month for the pick up on my 70s White-Westy FL & dryer in NC. When I first joined this site last year folks said it would get addictive and now will have 3 appliances (2 washers/1 dryer) by the end of this month. Wife is not as enthusiastic about this as I am but, she's kinda warming up to the idea even with the room taken up in the garage. Have a 2 year old GE FL & matching dryer that is the regular laundry work horses so will have a wall of washers/dryers now!

Welcome to our world!!! Lots of fun!
 
trukin it home...

...also keep the washer as close to the cab of the truck as possible- I use a strap over the top of the machine, & another one over the front of it, keeping it sucurely against the truck bed wall against the cab-good luck!
 
I use my pickup for this sort of thing all the time. Like others have said, keep it upright, strap it down tightly, secure the doors and lids with tape. I use thick blue painters tape, since I don't like scraping sticky duct tape residue off paintwork. I have some blankets I can put between the front edge of the bed and the machine to prevent scratching.

Of course, you are going to keep your speed down and make sure you take corners very conservatively, as with any load. Imagine an open cup of piping hot coffee is sitting between your legs, and drive accordingly.
 
MOVING BD WP WASHERS

Laying a WP BD washer down will not hurt it if done properly. You can lay it carefully on its back if all hoses are removed with no oil leakage problem or on the left side looking @ the front of washer, if laying on the left side its a good idea to put some heavy cardboard or old rug inside the cabinet between the tub assembly and the cabinet.If you are going a good distance and have the room in the truck its often better to lay it down you don't have the wind drag problems and the tub assembly isn't banging around inside the cabinet with every stop and start and corner the truck makes.
 
The fun part will be getting it into the truck bed....

Here is So Cal, the end of the driveway, between the sidewalk and the street, slopes down to the street and the road also slopes toward the gutter/curb.

What I've done is put the rear tires dead center in the gutter/curb (with the truck sticking out into the street). This puts the tailgate lower to the driveway or sidewalk, making it easier to load. If the truck is low enough (i.e. not a 4x4), tilt the washer way back on a dolly and move to the tailgate. At this point it should be partially on the tailgate and from there (with help is better) you just tilt the washer up onto the tailgate, then slide it into the bed of the truck!

I've done this many times and if the truck is low enough you can easily do it by yourself.

BTW, PLEASE post photos once you get it home!
 
I'll put up photos!

It's a 1963 Kenmore BD - my parents bought the exact same model as this (600 I believe - 2 spd) and '63 was the year I was born and they bought a dryer in '67 the year my sister was born. Anyways this Kenmore has the oval shaped turquoise color small dials for the water level and wash/rinse water combinations with a large center dial having a yellow section for the normal cycle, pink section for W&W cycle and blue section for the delicate cycle and the controls are offset to the right side of the control console. I'll get photos as quick as I can after I get it home!
 
'63 Kenmore

That actually sounds just like the model 70 Kenmore that my aunt and uncle got in '65. Apparently that model started in '63 but was still being sold in '65. At least one other member has one like it. I will be anxious to see pictures!

Andrew S.
 
Randy -

I'm guessing you got the machine that was on Craigslist and mentioned here last week or two? I hope so, both for the machine (was hoping someone didn't buy it for scrap or to wring the life out of) and for you too!

VERY BEST OF LUCK WITH IT!

Gordon
 
i've hauled several washers on there side in the back of my
dodge raider(it's a lot like an early ford bronco)to load
appliances,i usually place a large piece of cardboard across
the bumper and cargo area edge,lean the washer over onto the
cardboard,lift up and shove home,securing with ratchet straps
in the back so washer doesn't shift back and punch out the
rear window! On a filter flo,vertical transport might place
strain on the boot,could brace the tranny with a wood block
or something.And i have had BD WP/KM leak a little oil when
on there side for a few days,a day would probably be ok
 
I transport all my Whirly's on their side in the back of the station wagon and at most I've lost 1tbsp of oil from the transmission. If its going on its side, just make sure that there isnt a Magic clean filter attached to the tub on the side that is going down. The suspension in the Whirly's is that solid and there are no springs to stretch/detach if its tipped over from upright.

Either way will be find, I'd also suggest taping the washer lid down as well as the dryer door/filter.
 
Andrew - you're probably correct on the 70 series.....

My parents bought it new in 1963 - I was guessing on the number but the rest of the description was correct.

Gordon, correct - I had thought it was gone but earlier this week I was checking some things online and saw it still listed and sent the seller an email and found that it was available and right now have plans to drive over to the Nashville area this Sunday and pick it up. Find the "Grandma's Washer in Nashville" thread for the photo of the control dials.

Looking forward to having "mom's" washer back if you will!
 

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