What's the best vacuum - RV-Dreams Community Forum

jimdee · RV-Dreams Family Member

What's the best vacuum

Gerryann · RV-Dreams Community Member

jimdee wrote:

I don't see anything in the forum about what vacuum people are using. Many of the newer RV's have vacuums already installed but if you don't have one, what's the best to get. Do the installed vacuums work well? Please advise. I have a friend also that's waiting for an answer.
Thanks in advance

Hi Jim and Dee,
I don't know if you have gotten an answer to question or not, but after viewing and searching and talking to other people I have come say that the built in ones arn't efficient . Now in saying that I have never owned one myself. What I can say for sure is I have owned several vacums some good most not. Because It needs to be small and that means emptying it alot or it won't vacume well. I have a (Eureka Boss 20.0 pro) bagless and sofar it is fairly good.
I bought it at wal-mart but don't know if they still have them.. Hopes this helps

Gerryann

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have the Dirt Devil built in. It's one of those things that makes sense on paper, but just doesn't cut it in real life. The bag is too small, and the rug attachment isn't very good, and the hose isn't quite long enough to get to the ends of the rig without straining. It is handy for cleaning out the truck when plugged into the basement outlet though.

I continue to use it because I'm too stubborn to admit that I made a $350 mistake, but would never buy it again if there is ever a new rig in our future.

Fred

Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I also did not like the vacuum that came with our unit . It was built in and having 2 long haired dogs that travel with us we bought a GE hepa upright that is excellent for the job. It is small and has the extended handle and fits well in the closet.
southwestjudy

Howard · Host

The "best" vacuum is very subjective. smile

We also have the Dirt Devil central vac which we also thought was great ... for awhile. But the bag is too small and the carpet beater brush broke almost immediately.

Earlier this year, we picked up a Hoover Nano-Lite at Wal-mart for about $50.

It weighs about 12 pounds and has a telescoping handle for easy storage.

Linda is very happy with it and there are 93 reviews as of today on the Wal-mart website with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5. It may not be the best, but it is certainly a great, inexpensive option for RVers. biggrin

jimdee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thank you Howard. I was doing a search on the forum then going through the journals, but I was looking at the beginning of LAST year, not this year. Time hasn't gone as fast as I thought it had. Thank you to all for the info. My friend thanks you too.

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have owned three in house Vacs. We just don't think their worth the price, we do like the kick plate for a quick small sweep up. We had a Dirt Devil (small bag) in our Cambridge, then a Eureka in the Landmark, and we now have a Dirt Devil in the Mobile Suites it does have a larger bag. The best Vac we have ever owned is the Dyson for the stick house it will take care of the Dog hair biggrin

. But it's heavy, we are looking and will take a look at the type Howard is using. GBY....

-- Edited by Delaine and Lindy on Tuesday 9th of June 2009 01:19:10 PM

Bigfish · RV-Dreams Community Member

Dirt Devil maked a 14.4 volt rechargeable extreme power vacuum. It is bagless and takes up little room and has a swivel head with roating brushes and NO CORD. It is not as powerful as many of the larger vacuums but it sure is convenient. It is a stand up model vacuum with a fold down handle for storage. We like it. We bought it at Walmart for $50.

450

-- Edited by Bigfish at 17:49, 2008-09-13

Donna162 · RV-Dreams Family Member

A very timely topic for me......our 5th wheel does not have the central vacuum. They are on sale at Camping World and I almost bought one last week for my birthday but instead got an iPhone (more information than you probably needed). Now, I'm kind of glad I didn't; but, I still have a vacuum problem. I kept my almost new Electrolux canister vacuum from my house. Great vacuum but my problem is one of storage. I do not have the closet that Howard and Linda have because I wanted the washer and dryer. I thought that a good place to store it would be under the bed; however, it is not handy there....too hard to get out. I've found, in just the couple of months we've lived in our new home, that under the bed is for stuff you don't use very much. So, I bought the Shark cordless vacuum that has a rotating brush with a handle. It works for small stuff and can be stuck in a corner OK. Again, not exactly what I want or think I need. I'm still trying to come up with a place to store my Electrolux that is convenient or a different vacuum. Not much help but I just wanted to share.....

hogans1947 · RV-Dreams Family Member

About a year ago we got an Intervac central vac and I love it. It's very small and we were able to put it in our entertainment center. It sits at the front of our MH and has a flex hose that will go 40' to the back. I even pull my car up to the door and use it to clean the car. I got the standard accessory kit but wasn't really happy with the carpet cleaner so ordered the power brush and it does a great job. It's not cheap but easy to install and can be moved so I figure we can take it with us whether it's to another motorhome someday or a "sticks and bricks". (Heaven forbid!) www.intervacdesign.com. Bags hold a lot !!
Brenda

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dee and Jim you have to try the Benford 2000 mighty gulp vacuum and harvester tool. This baby really sucks. You have to be real careful cause if you let go of the hose you could have some real problems on your hands. Sherri made that mistake the other day when she bent over to lift the bed spread from the bed and the hose got loose and sucked up half my sock drawer in one fail swoop. She was so taken back by this she fell back and the hose took the curtains down in the bedroom and emptied out one half of the closet. Hearing the screams from the bedroom brought me running and as I got to the door my shirt was taken from my body and had I not pulled the plug at that very moment I could have lost a lot more. Now if you want a vacuum that is really versatile this is the one. Please contact me for more information if you would like it. See ya on chat

Speedmister vacuum Specialist

-- Edited by Speedhitch at 21:06, 2008-09-16

RVDude · RV-Dreams Family Member

Speedhitch wrote:
my shirt was taken from my body
Speedmister vacuum Specialist

Hmmm.... I don't know if I should scream, run, or congratulate!

-- Edited by RVDude at 23:16, 2008-09-16

jimdee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Update on Vaccum:

I was mainly asking about the vaccum because of a friend, but wanted to learn more about what to get for myself. The update is my friend found the DYSON DC21

It's expensive but her comment was:
"I love my new Dyson DC21 vacuum. Boy does it pickup
great, and staches away in the bottom of my clothes closet."

Sounds like what Speedy was saying.

It's not cheap, but if it's worth it and lasts awhile, that's what matters.
Thank you to everyone that reponded and hope this helps for anyone looking for a good vacuum.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

We use a Dirt Devil Ultra corded hand vac since it also has a small hose and crevice tool. For simple stuff we also have a Black and Decker cordless Dustbuster. They are both small and we can find room for them.

Gerryann · RV-Dreams Community Member

Dyson DC21 vacuum...I took alook at it . It is cool and has a very good reviews. I am glad you found one you like . I the one I am using goes belly up If will look in to one like that.

-- Edited by Gerryann at 05:06, 2008-09-22

Niles and Deb · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm with you on the DYSON....I have one now and would replace it with another when it stops working. I don't care that it's more money, (or weights to much) then I should have spent, I would do it again.
That's my feelings and I'm sticking to it. biggrin

Aloha,
Deb Kalama-Robinson

TXRVr · RV-Dreams Family Member

It wasn't cheap and it's not compact, but we make room in the RV for a Hoover Z 700 because it works!

I don't do the vacuuming. Not because I'm a chauvinist, but because the bride doesn't like my standard. If I did do it, the I would opt for what most men would...a John Deere lawn tractor that also vacuums.

TheBobGuy · RV-Dreams Family Member

LOL TXRVr!!!

If John Deere made a vacuum, maybe Bob would run it!! :)

We also bought the Hoover Nano lite upright and liked it very well for the coach, when we had carpet.....however, since we just had all of the carpet removed, we're also shopping for a powerful and quiet canister that is small and lightweight.

Thanks to everyone for all the good info and suggestions!! It will be a big help!

Molly

[spoiler]

SoonToTravel · RV-Dreams Family Member

Molly , what did you replace your carpet with and how old was it? Ours is only 1 yr. old but I don't like it.

Lois

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We posted above that we have a Dyson DC17 for the Stick house and we just got a Dyson DC 25 for the Mobile Suites, it has the yellow ball which really gets around corners and yes it does a good job on pet hair. As said before they are expensive but so for we are very impressed. GBY...

Dachiegirl · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have a DC24 Dyson, the slim one that the handle folds down. It's perfect for getting the job done and small enough to not be in the way. Very light too! We also have a Bissell Quicksteamer carpet cleaner. Its the smallest of all the carpet cleaners and works fine. I store mine behind the couch. With kids and the pets I had to have something to clean the carpets, why they put beige carpets in an rv I'll never know. We have already ripped out the carpet in the living area and replaced it with some really nice flooring. The flooring I chose matches the colors in the RV better too! lol

FDchief · RV-Dreams Family Member

Delaine and Lindy wrote:

We posted above that we have a Dyson DC17 for the Stick house and we just got a Dyson DC 25 for the Mobile Suites, it has the yellow ball which really gets around corners and yes it does a good job on pet hair. As said before they are expensive but so for we are very impressed. GBY...

We too have the Dyson DC17 and love it. It works great, our golden retriever hair doesn't stand a chance! It is bigger, heavy, and expensive, but works like a vacuum should. We also have and like the Oreck XL. It is lighter, just as expensive. But it does not have a hose for cleaning furniture. We think right now that we will be strictly using the Dyson when we strike out onto the road. Good luck.

nwlambear · RV-Dreams Family Member

This is timely for me!! We were going to have a vacuum installed in our 5th Wheel....unless someone comes up with a really good one!....but now....maybe NOT! Thanks for the advice. We have a dog who really sheds...so I think we will check into the Dyson DC17. Hopefully we can find a spot to store it!

PamJimF · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hi - we are new to full-timing (sold house and waiting in delivery of new 5th wheel) and appreciate the recommendations. But I was surprised no one has bought a lightweight canister vacuum instead of the uprights mentioned. We are considering the a Eureka mighty Mite canister vacuum due to the ability to store it more easily. There is also a version for pet hair. Both have blower port which I would think might be handy for exterior cleaning. I like that they have bags because I personally have hated cleaning the filters in bagless uprights. I also found online an Oreck commercial canister that is either held or over shoulder with strap that has 5 lb canister. Anyone have experience with canisters on 5th wheels?

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

A Oreck and a mini Craftsmen wet-or-dry Vac; Works for me in the Class-C!

Hdrider · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'll put my 2 cents in after trying a couple. We ended up with a Shark Upright. I know it's not the smallest one on the market but it sure as heck works well. And we can break it down and use it as a shop vac to clean the Jeep as well.
When we brought it home we vacuumed right away knowing that we had just vacuumed with our old one and I was embarrassed to see how much more it picked up. Well embarrassed AND darn happy.

waltben · RV-Dreams Family Member

Totally agree that the built in ones only suck (for real!) and aren't worth the space they take up. Best we've found for the money is a hand held corded Shark - serious suction and beater bar, removable hose with brush, and we can destroy at least five before getting to the price of a Dyson. Since we've not a whole lot of carpet and a lot is under other things, having to get down on knees to vacuum isn't a big deal. It's also very compact and takes minimum space.

-- Edited by waltben on Thursday 13th of March 2014 01:31:30 PM

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

We had a Dyson canister vacuum and after about maybe a year, we gave it away to family and bought a Shark upright. The canister did not have the strength in the "beater bar" or in suction to do a good job.

Terry

Dave Buck · RV-Dreams Family Member

We had an Oreck in our S&B and we brought it with us. We bought our RV used and it came with the built in vacuum but wife doesn't like it except for the dust pan thing by the door.

PNV · RV-Dreams Community Member

hogans1947 wrote:
About a year ago we got an Intervac central vac and I love it. It's very small and we were able to put it in our entertainment center. It sits at the front of our MH and has a flex hose that will go 40' to the back. I even pull my car up to the door and use it to clean the car. I got the standard accessory kit but wasn't really happy with the carpet cleaner so ordered the power brush and it does a great job. It's not cheap but easy to install and can be moved so I figure we can take it with us whether it's to another motorhome someday or a "sticks and bricks". (Heaven forbid!) www.intervacdesign.com. Bags hold a lot !!
Brenda

We put an Intervac in our past motorhome ourselves and loved it. When we purchased our present MH it already had a Dirt Devil installed. It's OK but does not compare to the Intervac.

The Intervac is more powerful, has a larger bag and much better accessories. I presently use the Intervac in our garage at home but am thinking about swapping the Dirt Devil out, if I don't sell the Intervac before I get around to it. biggrin

JackKim · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have my Miele canister cause I already had it and I love it. I lives on the shower floor and has to be moved to the bedroom when showering, but it is worth it. I vac every other day it seems, but the cord is long enough for being plugged in one place and reaching the whole trailer (like that is any surprise 😉), but it really picks up. I personally like vacs with bags because they do not let dust escape. It has a great hose/head that gets under the table without moving the chairs much. Also the end head comes off for great edge cleaning. And then it is wonderful for vaccing my carpet outside the door and the truck too. I sound like a commercial I know, but I clean houses for a living and this is my vac that I carry there too. A little spendy also, but worth it. A closet would be nice, but just do not have it. Might even consider just letting it ride in the backseat of the truck. Kim

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have the rechargeable Dyson bagless stick vac that was built in (charger installed in closet and vac rides there). The model number is not on it, sorry. We love it as it gets in corners, edges and picks up pet hair like a champ. Not long battery life on MAX but enough to vacuum rig and upholstery. We had a great stick Vac in our Jamboree that loving friends gave us that also worked great but I can't remember the name. PJ?

Sherry

natewebco · RV-Dreams Community Member

We've had pretty good luck with the Eureka Rapid Clean Step. It has good suction, it is small and portable, it has a hose and attachments, and it has a carpet brush. The only downside is the carpet brush gets tangled with hair after a while, but that happens with most carpet brushes.

HighwayRanger · RV-Dreams Family Member

We just got a Shark Rocket at Costco. So far, it has been great. It is corded (which gives you power in exchange for having a damn cord) but is has strong suction and is easy to dump (bagless.) We have a German Shedder, and because this vacuum is bagless, it is economical for us to suck up and dump his fur snow drifts into the trash.

We got the built-in vacuum in the fiver knowing full well that it would only be used for the toe-kick in the kitchen (wisk broom the floor over to the toe kick and voila, it disappears) and perhaps to use as a shop vac in the basement.

Roy

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

The one we have sucks.

Second Chance · RV-Dreams Family Member

WestWardHo wrote:
We have the rechargeable Dyson bagless stick vac that was built in (charger installed in closet and vac rides there). The model number is not on it, sorry. We love it as it gets in corners, edges and picks up pet hair like a champ. Not long battery life on MAX but enough to vacuum rig and upholstery. We had a great stick Vac in our Jamboree that loving friends gave us that also worked great but I can't remember the name. PJ?

Sherry

We also have the latest version of the Dyson cordless (now re-branded the "V6"). One of the things Dyson does best is marketing (to their advantage, of course - not ours). We got the model that has two heads - one for carpet and one with soft, velvety spiral sweeper thingies for hard floors. Beaufloor who made the hard flooring in our unit recommends not using a bristle brush on the Beaufloor surfaces. The V6 Absolute is doing a good job for us. As Sherry wrote, it hangs on the charger in whatever closet is convenient (in our case, the front closet in the bedroom).

Rob

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

MarkS wrote:
The one we have sucks.

Well, since vacuums are supposed to suck, does your use of that word imply your opinion of the vacuum or its actual capability?

Jo likes our new Shark Rocket. She has found it to be very strong with its suction, and I just used it this evening in the "handheld" mode to clean the back of our Ford Expedition after our camping trip. We had to break camp in the rain and couldn't get the tent into its bag, so it sat in the back of the vehicle getting pine needles and stuff on the carpet. Trust me, pine needles absolutely love carpet because they stick pretty good to the carpet.

Terry

ChefMom · RV-Dreams Family Member

I wish they made a stick or upright version of the handheld rechargeable that I have. It is the Shark Petcare and it would probably suck any loose hair off of our animals as they were running away from it! I have had many vaccuums and none have stepped up to the job. This handheld is the best thing I ever purchased. I have even done things the hard way and cleaned the rugs and floor of our entire tt with this handheld even though it killed my back to do so. The result was so worth it. It made the knap of our rugs stand at attention and the amount of hair and whatnot that was emptied out after vaccuuming what seemed to be a relatively dirt free floor was amazing. Don't think I'd do it again strictly because I had to take Aleve the next day after crawling around on hands and knees under the dinette. I wonder if any other Shark is as good.

-- Edited by ChefMom on Friday 28th of August 2015 07:26:05 AM

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Karen,

If you check out the link I put in my "just previous" post, you will see that the Shark Rocket will convert from stand-up model to hand-held. The only thing is that it is powered by an electrical cord and is not cordless.

Terry

PD CFK · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry, we just purchased the Shark Rocket, (it says "true pet" on the side and the color is dark red/burgundy) which I think is the one you're referring to. I agonized over the Dyson and was put off by the price and the complaints of the battery not lasting long. Boy! am I glad that we went to Bed Bath and Beyond and carefully examined and tried out the ones that were connected to electricity. In my opinion the Rocket is the greatest! Like someone said, it makes the knap on the carpet sit up and take notice! I wouldn't have believed there was that much "stuff" in my carpet. I've used it 3 times already. I can't believe how much it picks up! That darned Dirt "Devil", is just that. I wouldn't give 2 cents for it!
By the way, don't forget to take a 20% off coupon when you go to Bed Bath and Beyond.(we get them in the mail...if you don't you probably have a friend or relative that does)

Pat K

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

PD CFK: We get Bed Bath and Beyond coupons via text messages. We have unlimited text messages.

PD CFK · RV-Dreams Family Member

My goodness, Bill! I didn't know about that and have been missing out. Will have to investigate. pk

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

bjoyce wrote:
PD CFK: We get Bed Bath and Beyond coupons via text messages. We have unlimited text messages.

PD CFK wrote:
My goodness, Bill! I didn't know about that and have been missing out. Will have to investigate. pk

Coupons? They are a curse that leads one to buying more "stuff" that we are really trying to avoid. Jo's only coupons come via text from Joann's Fabrics, and with those, most of the items she makes end up going to others as gifts, so they don't stay in the RV for very long.

Even with that, I think I'm losing control of our "space." Here's a picture of what Jo's sewing center takes up in the rear of the coach. The two "stools" that are pulled out at the base of the storage unit to the left are for additional seating. Behind those stools, you can see a white object that is a fold up table that she puts up when she wants two machines to work with, and if she wants even more space, she takes over the dining table and kitchen counter spaces.

Any day now, I expect to move into the basement.

Terry

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yesterday I went to replace the belt of our Dirt Devil hand vac and we found it had a hole in it. Off to Wal-Mart to get a Shark Rocket Handvac to replace it. Wow, that thing sucks! Which is a good thing for a vacuum. It is larger than the Dirt Devil, so it barely fit in the storage location.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry: Diane is a quilter, so I do not want her to see the photo you posted.

manycats · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry, all I can say is WOW.