Care of outside of camp inn

Kinda late to the discussion but we bought one of those Dyson Electric Vaccuums a few years ago for the house and fell in love with it then. With hardwoods and dogs, its so much easier to just sweep and then have a great vaccuum for all that dog hair. This thing even sucks the dirt out of the grooves between your hardwood floor planks that usually just sits there and stares at you Really powerful.

I admit it's odd to think it only stays charged for 20 minutes of use, and my husband was not convinced, but considering it's not meant to really be a full-on traditional vaccuum cleaner, the overall system really works. It's only lost its charge once on me while cleaning in over 2 years of use.

Anyhow, it carried over really well to the teardrop and the tow vehicles too after trips. With all the ways it breaks down to various sizes and different components. And of course being electric and wireless it's really convenient for quick clean ups (galley shelves, under the mattress, quick curtain touch ups). We haven't traveled with it (and doubt we will) but considering it just charges up, you could plug in once it dies and have it on hand for longer trips if needed.

If you're new to Dyson products, they do go on one sale a year for all vaccuums and additional accessories.

 

Dyson, heheh... yep got them both...

Have the "Big Ole Monster" Ball ( Animal Complete) one for condo, works great and really engineered well to keep it simple. Love it, but that's the big one..
Neither of them are cheap.

Also have the Smaller One DC34 like SNR posted but without the long extension.

Works great, but looses it's charge as posted a little too fast. Had problems on the battery connection to actually charge, but finally figured it out.

Works great, a little bulky, but nice to keep in the garage and needs to be on the recharger when not in use. Goes Dead quickly..

Not sure I'd take it on a trip. Might look for a smaller unit. Dust buster, red Devil etc... It's not really needed for big chores. But don't think they do much better on the charging issue...

Love Dyson's though, good product IMNSHO...

Hope that helps..

 

I was looking for something small and portable for mid-trip cleaning. I'll probably just stick with my folding army surplus shovel.

As far as home vacuums.... I would never disrespect anyone's choice, but several years ago I had an epiphany. My wife was a teacher and on a visit to her school, I noticed the custodians were wearing these backpack vacuums with reaaaaaally long extensions. I looked into it and got one. It has a 50 foot cord that locks on, HEPA filter, very light and a reaaaaaaly long extension. I can vacuum places that were way out of reach before. It's also quiet enough to use in schools, hospitals etc. No dragging or steering or pushing a big machine.

I've had it maybe 8 years without a hiccup. We live in a traditional log house (dusty), heat 100% with wood (dustier), I'm the resident sawyer (dustiest). We also seem to have been invaded by a pack of German Shepherds that are free-range. Turn on the ceiling fan and hairballs the size of tumbleweeds have been sighted. One of our cats went missing and I think it might be in the vacuum bag.

And here in Appalachia, we consider dirt in between the hardwood planks as grout. Otherwise, we'd be able to see the ground through the floor.

This thing is called a Nilfisk Advance Backpack XP.

 

I don’t actually take this camping, but based on this discussion I am considering it:

Ryobi 18 Volt One+™ Hand Vac.

It is small and it works. It uses Ryobi’s 18 Volt battery packs; I like this approach but others may not. It comes with a battery pack and I got another, one is always charging and the other is in the vacuum ready to go. The packs seem to last a long time.

 

Hey AsheWolf,
You all got chickens running around under those planks????
I vacuum the 2NA CAN when we get home from trips...not when we are tripping!!
Our home unit is a BEAM.
Sounds like the cat is in the safest place around!!!

 

Actually...yes. Our doormat reads,"Close the door so the chickens don't get in."

I'm going to hold off and see if we miss having a vacuum on the road.

 

Why not just stop by a car wash and use the vacuum there, then you don't have to carry another one with. I bought a 12 volt one nd took it a couple times but never used it so it now stays home. Ours really didn't get much dirt in it in the 2 months we were gone. A damp towel works great for cleaning.

 

Well with the look of some of the wild "Do's" you see out here in California she would be right in style.


Jim

 

As we say around here, "That's a do and a don't."

 

My guess on the desire for more frequent vacuuming : those that eat crackers in bed vs those that don't.

 

Small dog who sleeps in the camper with owner = frequent vacuuming.

 

Jenn,

We find dirt and "stuff" (like I said...6-year old) under the mattress. I will pull those out 1-2 times a year and do a quick vacuum of he wood. That is what I use it for. You could wipe it out too, but I just find he vacuum does a better job of getting it all out.

 

Joan,

Can you save time with a preemptive vacuum job on Bailey?

Cat's do it...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbAmd2h40os

 

Yes Thanks Joan. Two not so small dogs (120 lbs total) = much more frequent vacuuming or just don't turn the lights on and ignore your new extra hairy body

 

You found a 6-year old under your mattress??? Do you get to keep it? Don't tell my wife. She wants a grandchild so bad, she'll be out there looking under the mattress every day.

 

The problem with Bailey is not hair. He sheds very little. It is the stuff he picks up camping. Recently, he has taken to digging a hole in the dirt and lying in it. Despite my best efforts, he still tracks stuff into the camper. I clean it as best I can when we are camping but use the shop vac when I get home.

P.S. Evan, I use the shop vac in the camper, not on Bailey.