Moving a dishwasher can seem complicated, and because of their size, it can be difficult to fit them into some vehicles.
However, dishwashers aren’t among the largest household appliances, so as long as you measure properly, moving or bringing one home shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
Will a dishwasher fit in a minivan?
Yes, most dishwashers will fit in a minivan. The dimensions of a normal-sized dishwasher are 35 inches tall, 24 inches wide, and 24 inches deep, and they will fit in average-sized minivans, but you may need to fold down or remove the third row of seats.
Although they’re big, dishwashers aren’t usually as large as washing machines or dryers. Because they are generally designed to fit under a countertop, dishwashers don’t have the large, decorative frame of other appliances, which makes them slightly smaller and easier to move.
Before moving the dishwasher, it’s also a good idea to measure your specific dishwasher and the height, width, and depth of the inside of the minivan. It’s also important to measure the minivan’s door opening.
Door openings can often be a bit smaller than the inner size, which can occasionally cause issues when trying to get the dishwasher into the vehicle.
Most minivans, however, will have plenty of room, and you should have no problem transporting a dishwasher.
List of minivans that can fit a dishwasher
The following list is an example of minivans with enough space to transport a dishwasher. Always check the dimensions of the dishwasher and the minivan to confirm.
- Dodge Caravan
- Toyota Sienna
- Honda Odyssey
- Kia Carnival
- Kia Sedona
- Chrysler Pacifica
Most minivans have inside dimensions of 78 inches wide x 68 inches high and with the seats folded down there will be plenty of room for a dishwasher to fit inside.
Most minivans like the Dodge Caravan are large enough to fit a full 4×8 sheet of plywood!
Prepping the Dishwasher
Moving a brand new dishwasher is relatively easy once you get it inside the vehicle. New dishwashers come in a box, so all you’ll need to do is place the dishwasher in the vehicle, and the box should protect both the dishwasher and your minivan.
Used dishwashers can be a little more challenging to move. You’ll need to disconnect the electricity and the water, and some water can leak out. Have towels ready, and wrap the ends of the tubes with towels in case any more water leaks out as you move the dishwasher.
If you’re preparing for a long drive or think the dishwasher might stay in your minivan for a day or two, leave the dishwasher door open for about a day before you load it. This will get rid of any remaining moisture inside the dishwasher.
Dishwashers are often tucked under a cabinet or counter, so the parts that aren’t exposed can become very dusty and dirty. Wipe down the entire dishwasher before you move it into the minivan to keep both you and the vehicle clean.
You may want to use rope or bungee cords to secure the dishwasher door. If you hit a bump or take a corner too sharply, some dishwasher doors will spring open, which can cause damage to the appliance.
Once the dishwasher is in the minivan, place towels around it. This will protect the dishwasher if you go over any bumps or need to stop quickly and the dishwasher slides.
The towels will also buffer your car seats if the dishwasher bumps into them. If there is a lot of extra space around the dishwasher, it’s a good idea to secure it using straps so that it doesn’t slide too much.
Laying the Dishwasher in the Vehicle
Dishwashers are surprisingly fragile, as they have many moving pieces and must connect correctly to both electrical outlets and the water supply.
When transporting a dishwasher, you should always either keep it upright or lay it on its back. Laying a dishwasher on its side or upside-down can severely damage the dishwasher.
If your dishwasher is still in its box, the box should have arrows or signs that indicate which side is the top and how the dishwasher should stand.
Delivery Options
If you’re purchasing a dishwasher from a store instead of in a private sale, having it delivered is often a better choice. Although you may be charged a delivery fee, the delivery people will be responsible for loading and unloading the dishwasher.
If anything is damaged during the drive or while the dishwasher is being loaded or unloaded, the store you purchased it from will be responsible for replacing the dishwasher or reimbursing you.
If you bring the dishwasher home yourself, however, you will be liable for any damage.
Most people who deliver dishwashers will also install the appliance for you. This can be very beneficial, as placing and connecting a dishwasher can be somewhat tricky.
Check the Warranty
Although you will most likely be able to fit your new dishwasher into your minivan or even a large car, it’s a good idea to check the warranty before moving the dishwasher.
Some warranties state that if the dishwasher is moved in a personal vehicle, it will void the warranty. Other warranties allow for transportation by the new owner in a car or minivan, but the warranty will be voided if the dishwasher is placed on its side or back.
Each warranty is different depending on the specific brand and model.
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