First, I recommend a deep breath. It's only laundry, after all. (I can say this, because a few months back, I was where you are, hyperventilating about all the choices!) You can find my ongoing saga by searching for Bosch 500 and platform and second floor. I need to go update that thread with some pictures and if I have time later tonight, I will. They do make different sized trays. I used one called Floodsaver, from floodsaver.com and had to choose their larger pan to fit the front loaders. I opted for their entire surround. No tray will allow the drawer to open. The Bosch set has crappy little drawers that don't store much, so I opted for platform to get the height, and the tray because I'm paranoid about leaks. But many people have correctly pointed out that you're not talking 20 or 30 gallons of water in the machine at a time. And I know the Duet has really NICE drawers, so you do have to make a choice. Another option you have... search for Luna Laundry System in the forum and build THAT sort of storage with a tray on top! Then you can bail out on the Duet drawers but still have height and storage and the tray!

I do have a vibration problem, but I'm going to put some ShakeAway pads under the machine (when I can get someone to come help me with the logistics of doing it). The vibration is only at certain stages of the spin cycle - maybe 5 solid minutes of things around the house jiggling. It's no worse than what we used to experience in older homes near railroad tracks when a train came through, however.

Here is a link that might be useful: Floodsaver laundry pans and surrounds

Can't help you with the FL vs. TL dilemma on the 2nd floor. Too many variables come to play whether this is workable or not. The strength and rigidity of the floor and supporting structure is the determining factor, and any anecdotal information from other people can't really be directly applied to your setup. We had an Euro-sized Asko going at 1500 rpm in our 2nd floor laudry room. It would sound like a jet engine and sometimes lightly shake the pictures hanging on the walls below. Not a big deal for us, but it would probably bother others.

Personally I would try to address the drain pan issue before moving the washer in place. Sometimes a drain pan smaller than the overall dimenensions of your washer will still work fine. Often times the dimensions at the base are several inches smaller than at it's maximum (usually including the door). Is the existing drain pan plumbed to provide emergency overflow? If not, that feature is particularly important for a 2nd floor laundry room.

I know of a couple of companies that make drain pans in various sizes. Take a look at:

http://www.floodsaver.com/ and

http://www.mustee.com/durapan.shtml

One of the Mustee pages even shows their drain pan with a Whirlpool FLer inside. I guess most pedestals will have an incompatibility with drain pans.

Just moved into a new home and have had the Duet HT washer (9300) and matching dryer for about a month now. I've run about 6 cycles of washing and drying so far. They're on pedestals in a second floor utility room. I have no vibration issues and they are pretty quiet.

I'm in a tract home, however, we did hire our own inspector for the entire phase of construction. So our home is pretty compliant and structuraly sound.

I was very skeptical and weary about putting front-loaders upstairs, so I made sure that I could return them without being penalized by the dealer. The washer and dryer are working fine, so they are keepers.

I hope that whatever you purchase ends up working out for you.

Try these to stop the vibration and give an extra ~1-1/2" height for the pedestal drawer to clear the drip pan lip.

Good Vibrations: http://gviinc.net/index.shtml