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vac cleaner

Hi GREAT forum. I don't post often because most of my questions can be answered with a search. If I do know something that I can be of help with I wait before I offer advice because most of the time the question is answered by someone that knows more than me. Now my question. My on board vac cleaner works, but not so good. Is this normal? After a trip I lug my shop vac and use it to clean. I don't expect the on board vac to work this good, but it is almost a waste of time to use it. I have a new bag in it, etc. Is this normal?  Thanks, Mark
Mark Freeman 1995 grand villa, Brimson Mn
8.3 Cummins  G95 4709 40 WTBS U280 WE21

Re: vac cleaner

Reply #1 –
 They just pick up the smaller stuff and in the 225 and 240 we had I would they they are not worth it. The 2000 295 does not have a built in but we carry a small Dirt Devil in the closet.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: vac cleaner

Reply #2 –
Quote from: mark f –
Hi GREAT forum. I don't post often because most of my questions can be answered with a search. If I do know something that I can be of help with I wait before I offer advice because most of the time the question is answered by someone that knows more than me. Now my question. My on board vac cleaner works, but not so good. Is this normal? After a trip I lug my shop vac and use it to clean. I don't expect the on board vac to work this good, but it is almost a waste of time to use it. I have a new bag in it, etc. Is this normal?  Thanks, Mark

Lid is on crooked normally. 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: vac cleaner

Reply #3 –
Our built-in vaccum was useless and the cupboard it lived in was needed for other things. We bought a Shark Rocket Ultralight vacuum which lives in the closet and plugs into the inverter when needed. About half the price of the other ultralight out there, no batteries, and no issues. Even has a rotating brush that loosens dirt so it can be sucked away.

That little cupboard - right above the battery bank in our U225 - is way to handy to waste with a vacuum that doesn't work all that well anyway.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: vac cleaner

Reply #4 –
Asked a hundred times why the small wonder did not suck hard.  Lid gets cocked in mounting.  One inside one outside.  Trust me
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: vac cleaner

Reply #5 –
When I replaced the refrigerator I rebuilt the vacuum system underneath the fridge.
I replaced all he flexible hose with PVC pipe and routed it as direct as possible.
The system now works very well.
Still a pain to deal with the long hose. I think a battery operated/rechargeable stick vac that can be hung in a closet would be the best.
I do not have any carpet in my coach and none of the seating surfaces are fabric. I'm sure if I had fabric and carpet the  Red Devil Wonder Vac would be up to the task.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: vac cleaner

Reply #6 –
We have a smallish dirt devil upright with detachable hose and attachments that lives un the closet until it gets used.  Noisey but gets the job done well.  Crevice tool gets used often.  It was only about $50 on sale at Target.  Small foot print in the clostet and tucks in behind hanging stuff.  Two years + now and OK.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: vac cleaner

Reply #7 –
Mark, when I first got the 95 U280 I found the vac to be less than useless.  I found that inside the hose at the little door was a sharp bend and I fished out a whole ball of dog hair with a coat hanger.  It worked fine ever after. Also the lid where the has is HAS TO BE on tight and square, any loss of air here and you will have no vacuum.
Gary B

Re: vac cleaner

Reply #8 –
I have to say mine works very well. I use a stand up vac w/ beater  for the rug runners, but the Small Wonder for everything else. I duct tape around the bag cover, too. I have all tile and wood floors, though. When I had carpet I used the stand up because the Small Wonder has no beater.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: vac cleaner

Reply #9 –
Our factory built-in vac will be sacrificed next month when we do the residential fridge install.  No great loss, in my opinion...we have never used it.  We carry a little 20+ year-old Royal Can Vac Plus that we inherited from my parents.  "4.0 Peak HP" printed on it in prominent letters.  That little "sucker" has so much torque that it rolls over on it's side when you plug it in!  Does the job, but bags are hard to find.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: vac cleaner

Reply #10 –
I am thinking that the OEM vacuum also has a motor filter that I replaced when we first got the coach.  And my lid was tricky to get on tight as well.  It worked ok. 

In the U295 we too carry a small upright, battery unit with beater bar.  In addition I carry a small 2 gallon shop vacuum for other chores and wet clean ups.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: vac cleaner

Reply #11 –
We did not have built in vac and recently we bought a Dyson Animal 440- rechargeable, small, has stand up, beater bar etc.  Karen has pulled up more dirt than she ever did in our 6 1/2 years living in this coach.  Works great on tile, carpet in bedroom, couch, etc.  Not cheap, but she is happy. 

Happy trails
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: vac cleaner

Reply #12 –
I used to recommend beater bar power heads to go with the small wonder vacuum systems.

Separately powered like a home with a central vac system.  Works great. 

That being said the weight of a canister vac helps its extraction of crud
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: vac cleaner

Reply #13 –
Thanks for all the replies. I checked my lid installation and made sure no hoses were plugged. Everything seems OK. The vac seems to have plenty of suction when you hold your hand over the end of the hose, but not enough to pull even little pebbles the length of the long hose. I think I will take the advice and buy something that I can hang in the closet. Nice to have a 20 year old coach and my biggest problem is the vacuum cleaner! Mark
Mark Freeman 1995 grand villa, Brimson Mn
8.3 Cummins  G95 4709 40 WTBS U280 WE21

Re: vac cleaner

Reply #14 –
Mark, Check that there are no obstructions in the hose.
Gary B

Re: vac cleaner

Reply #15 –
Update. Gary B has helped me out more than anyone when I search posts with my problems. I rechecked hoses as he suggested, but they were OK. I have been able to get blower motors with squirrel cages to work alot better by blowing compressed air and cleaning them. I tried that a I got a little crud out of it. When I removed the plastic-mesh filter in the bag compartment it was clean but compressed flat. I think this was the main problem .The bag was being sucked in the vac inlet. I made a new one from a house furnace filter. I think the main purpose of this filter is to hold the bag away from the vacuum inlet, It can't do much filtering. I also duct taped the bag door, it had a small leak on one corner. I tried it out and it works great. Thanks for the tips! Mark
Mark Freeman 1995 grand villa, Brimson Mn
8.3 Cummins  G95 4709 40 WTBS U280 WE21

Re: vac cleaner

Reply #16 –
Replaced original central vac with new red Red Devil and it works GREAT. New Red Devil hose is very expandable, stores in small space and reaches all parts of motorhome. We use a wireless remote 120-volt switch to turn vacuum on & off without having to go back to wall socket each time. Suction is very strong.

Re: vac cleaner

Reply #17 –
Quote from: Gary Bouland –
Mark, when I first got the 95 U280 I found the vac to be less than useless.  I found that inside the hose at the little door was a sharp bend and I fished out a whole ball of dog hair with a coat hanger.  It worked fine ever after. Also the lid where the has is HAS TO BE on tight and square, any loss of air here and you will have no vacuum.
Gary B
Interesting Gary , we were on the verge of removing ours altogether. It is most definitely worthless. We will have a look see at the plumbing .
Tom
1998 U320 40'

Re: vac cleaner

Reply #18 –
This is the company that makes our new RV central vacuum and their web site has some good info:
Dirt Devil RV Central Vacuum Service Information

Here is the vacuum we have and it works great, and we use it almost daily.
http://www.rvupgradestore.com/Dirt-Devil-CV1500-RV-Central-Vacuum-System-p/9 614.htm