Just bought a 1995 Gran Villa and I don't think the previous owner knew there was a vacuum system and there is no info in the manuals. How can I determine the male/model and find a compatible hose.
If nothing else, call FT , Brad in parts. I would think the unit itself has a number somewhere
Look in the basement for the unit-- likely a Small Wonder vacuum.
Ask on the ForeForum-- others are ditching theirs and you may be able to get a hose from one of them.
Hey Fiwoods,
Welcome to the Forum. Always glad to have new members. If you'll tell us your location and what model GV you have, it will help us help you.
The OEM central vacuum in our '93 U280 was partly mounted in the cabinet under the fridge, and partly (the motor) under the floor in the center storage bay. We removed ours many years ago. I still have the long hose and most of the attachments. If you don't have any luck finding what you need locally let me know. I could probably be talked into boxing up what I have and sending it to you.
I know some Forum members like the built-in vacuum, but we thought digging out the hose and dragging it around the coach was more work than it was worth. We just carry a small portable vac that works fine, and is lots easier and quicker to deploy. But, each to their own!
Michelle recommended the Dyson v6, 3 years ago and I bought one immediately and it is a coach and house necessity now.
Dyson stick vac (split from vac cleaner) (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=31441.msg277062#msg277062)
I bought one for house. Now have 4 Dysons, all my kids have version 6, 8 or 10
I'm with everybody else. The hose is a pain and vac itself under-powered. Got a SharkVac and perfectly happy.
My coach has a built in Dirt Devil and I've never need it. It seems like a compromise in every way. We use a small Meile in the coach. We have two 11 year old labs. Shedding season coincides with camping season. :))
The dirt devil is coming out when we install our residential fridge in January if anyone wants it.
The search feature works: Getting rid of my central vac (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=40133.msg397051#msg397051)
Ours works great, bought new set of bags and made sure the lid was on correctly and bingo ^.^d
I sure like my original and it's out of the way, under the floor in the bay, good suction and enough tools to get everything. Maybe mine has a turbo on it. Very powerful!
When I changed out my refrigerator I replaced all the flexible hose located under the fridge and into the storage bay with PVC pipe.
This made a big difference in the performance of the built in vacumn system.
Even though the built in system works much better I find using the Dyson V-8 stick vacumn ( hung and recharged in the bathroom closet) much more convenient than fighting with the long hose used in the built in. Also storing the hose and attachments are a pain.
We like our original "Small Wonder" also.
Start with a new bag installed correctly (no leaks around the cover) and verify the fixed hose from basement to the outlet below the refrigerator is in good condition. Ours works well enough for the small area it needs to clean. Having hardwood floors and not much carpet is a plus too.
I suggest you try to find an original hose and new dust collection bag and try it before you ditch it. You may like the way it works and the fact you only have to store the hose and not a complete vacuum cleaner. If you hate it as others do, then you can pitch it and get a small portable one.