Vacuum Cleaners

C&G in FL · 10-31-2014, 02:36 PM

I know many people keep small hand-held vacuum cleaners in their trailers. Is there anybody out there that has installed the Dirt Devil RV Central Vacuum System in their Escape. If so, does it do a good job? I would also like to hear from hand-held vacuum users as to what brand they own, and why they chose their particular unit. I have been using a small dustpan and brush to pick up sand/debris from the floor but think a vacuum may have advantages, and want to have it when I finally get my new trailer.

Patandlinda · 10-31-2014, 02:43 PM

Bissell 3in1 vac at Walmart about 20.00 . My brother has one I used it and was amazed . Fits nicely under bed .

Brian B-P · 10-31-2014, 02:57 PM

It's not in an Escape, but we have an RV built-in vacuum - I think it's the same Dirt Devil model. It doesn't work very well, and the bags are both hard to find and expensive, so in that RV (which is large) we carried a lightweight home vacuum. I wouldn't bother with this model of built-in, in any size of RV; in a small unit, the long bulky hose would be annoying.

We have a couple of Black&Decker hand-held cordless vacuums. The latest one is quite good, due to more power and a useful configuration of nozzles and dirt compartment; I don't remember the model, and it's a few years old so it probably isn't current anyway, but it looks about like this one:
14.4V Cordless Hand Vac - MODEL # CHV1410

**rbryan4** · 10-31-2014, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

I know many people keep small hand-held vacuum cleaners in their trailers. Is there anybody out there that has installed the Dirt Devil RV Central Vacuum System in their Escape. If so, does it do a good job? I would also like to hear from hand-held vacuum users as to what brand they own, and why they chose their particular unit. I have been using a small dustpan and brush to pick up sand/debris from the floor but think a vacuum may have advantages, and want to have it when I finally get my new trailer.

I would personally not waste my time installing a central vac in a unit the size of an Escape. We've owned homes with central vac systems, and our experience has been that they do not perform as well as standard vacs. As Brian has pointed out, the bags are a pain to find, are expensive, and the hoses are unwieldy. And considering the small space they have to clean, why go to the expense and hassle of installation?

We have a Shark Rocket Ultralite vacuum now and we love it. It's small enough that we can take it with us when we camp. Dual purpose -- I like that.

santacruzer · 10-31-2014, 03:08 PM

We bought the Bissell Cleanview at Camping World, and like it a lot. It's AC, so we wait to use it when there's power. Has a very long power cord. I've had a number of handheld 12 volt vacuums....none of which has every lasted very long.

CleanView Deluxe Corded Hand Vacuum - Bissell Homecare Inc 47R51 - Handheld & Stick Vacuums - Camping World

Patandlinda · 10-31-2014, 03:41 PM

Also the Bissell uses Ac too . Maybe why it works great .

C&G in FL · 10-31-2014, 03:50 PM

So far, all great answers. Thanks for the assessment of the Dirt Devil RV model Brian. As Robert stated, home built-ins seem to leave a bit to be desired, and you have confirmed that the RV model doesn't work well. And I don't want double duty as I will forget to bring it with me so I want something that works but I can dedicate it exclusively to the Escape. I will look into the Bissels and the Shark, but if someone else has other suggestions, please keep them coming.

FMLNM · 10-31-2014, 04:30 PM

We have the Black & Decker Flex Cordless Mini and love it! It works great and fits nicely in the bottom step storage along with the water hose and water hookup stuff! No bags to mess with, just dump the contents in the trash.
Black & Decker Flex Cordless Mini Canister Vacuu... : Target

**rbryan4** · 10-31-2014, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FMLNM

We have the Black & Decker Flex Cordless Mini and love it! It works great and fits nicely in the bottom step storage along with the water hose and water hookup stuff! No bags to mess with, just dump the contents in the trash.
Black & Decker Flex Cordless Mini Canister Vacuu... : Target

That looks like a very nice unit, and very compact so it's easy to store. I'm also liking it because it's a canister. In my experience they work better.

Chapitre · 10-31-2014, 05:27 PM

We had a couple of dirt devils, weren't ever really happy with them.
We currently have a "Eureka- easyclean" we really like it, has really good suction and it has an attached pull out wand that is great for vacuuming around the screen door- which is the hardest place to get the pebbles out of. It's also small and portable.

escape artist · 10-31-2014, 05:56 PM

Hi: All... We have a self cleaning trailer. If I want it cleaned I have to do it myself!!!
Actually we have a very compact single handle brush and dust pan. Clicks together and fits in a very narrow spot. The mats are shake and see. We only clean for company!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

Jim Bennett · 10-31-2014, 05:56 PM

We have a B&D 12V that works great. The thing is, we rarely use it, as the whisk does a great job. Once in a while it comes out to do between the screen track and the door.

**Donna D.** · 10-31-2014, 07:07 PM

This is a favorite topic on the CastiaForum. Mainly because that brand comes standard with floor carpet and there's carpet on the walls. I bookmarked the hands down favorite: Amazon.com - Eureka EasyClean Corded Hand-Held Vacuum, 71B - Household Handheld Vacuums

FMLNM · 10-31-2014, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna D.

This is a favorite topic on the CastiaForum. Mainly because that brand comes standard with floor carpet and there's carpet on the walls. I bookmarked the hands down favorite: Amazon.com - Eureka EasyClean Corded Hand-Held Vacuum, 71B - Household Handheld Vacuums

I have that one and the B&D Flex Mini and I much prefer the B&D Flex. Different strokes...

Dave&Kathie · 10-31-2014, 09:47 PM

We also have the Bissell featherweight (got it at Walmart for $20). FeatherWeight Vacuum - Bissell Homecare Inc 3106L - Handheld & Stick Vacuums - Camping World
Works great, fits in the closet. You can use it as a dust buster and I like the crevice tool (for those pesky corners between the screen and the outside door).

Kathie

alanmalk · 10-31-2014, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: All... We have a self cleaning trailer. ...

Wait a minute! No one told me it was necessary to clean a trailer!

I'm still a tent camper - for the remainder of this year anyway. When dirt gets into the tent all I need do is tip the tent 90 degrees and the dirt falls out the front door. Is there some reason I can't do the same with my upcoming 21'? Or am I missing the big picture...?

--
Alan

gbaglo · 10-31-2014, 10:36 PM

Where you gonna store the lawn mower?

alanmalk · 10-31-2014, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Where you gonna store the lawn mower?

That's easy. Same place I store the goat.

--
Alan

techfan · 10-31-2014, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Where you gonna store the lawn mower?

Or the leaf blower? Seriously, at the fall NOG in Silverfalls SP, Oregon, I couldn't figure out what the loud noise was next door. The gentleman next door had brought his leaf blower to blow the fir needles off his campsite.

LeonW · 10-31-2014, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Where you gonna store the lawn mower?

Years ago I was on a bicycle tour, camping at a county park near a small southern Indiana town. I am with a couple of friends, and we are sitting at the picnic table enjoying a cold beer after a hot day's ride. A fellow pulled up with a travel trailer pulled by a pickup. It takes them about 20 minutes to get the trailer positioned just right with many directions shouted between husband and wife. Then out from the pick-up comes a power lawn mower to mow what was (to us at least) a perfectly well mowed campsite with about 200 square feet of grass. This piece d resistance was the erection of a small wrought iron fence, probably 2 feet tall around the perimeter of said camp site. The fence was complete with a little front gate. One of my friends pulled another beer out of the six pack, and said, "Man, there is nothing like getting away from it all..."

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