Which Built-In Vacuum Is in My RV?
If your RV came with a built-in RV vacuum, better than nine in ten odds say we built it. But the unit goes into the wall at the factory, often with no badge you can see, so most owners have no idea whose it is or what parts fit. This page tells you how to work it out in about a minute.
The fastest test: look at the bag
Open the unit door and pull the dust bag. The RoadVac line uses two bags, and the difference is obvious once you know to look: count the openings.
| What you see | Bag | Your model is one of |
|---|---|---|
| One opening | Y10 (sold as Y10-5) | CS-6, CS-8, CS-8HW, Dometic CV1003 |
| Two openings | Y11 (sold as Y11-5) | CS-9, CS-10, CS-RM, CS-RM-RC, Dometic CV1004 |
These two bags are not interchangeable. They look nearly identical sitting on a shelf, and fitting the wrong one is the single most common mistake we see. Count the openings before you order.
If the label on your RV vacuum says Dometic
It is still one of ours. Dometic sells two RoadVac units under their own name, so the badge says Dometic and the hardware inside is InterVac:
- Dometic CV1003 is our CS-6 or CS-8. It takes the Y10-5 bag.
- Dometic CV1004 is our CS-RM, CS-9 or CS-10. It takes the Y11-5 bag.
The same is true of a few older names. SeaVac units are our RM. EquineVac units are our GarageVac. We no longer sell under either name, but we still support those systems and stock the parts.
The six RoadVac models
| Model | Inlets | How it switches on | Bag | Typically fitted in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS-6 | Single, built into the unit | Front switch, hardwired, with power management for 20A circuits | Y10 | RVs with limited power |
| CS-8 | Single, built into the unit | Manual front switch, 6 ft cord | Y10 | Compact RVs, boats, tiny homes |
| CS-9 | Dual, inlet valve included | Manual | Y11 | Coaches needing a second inlet |
| CS-10 | Dual | Automatic, circuit board | Y11 | Factory installs and premium towables |
| CS-RM | Dual, remote mounted | Automatic, circuit board | Y11 | Fifth wheels, Class A and C, luxury coaches |
| CS-RM-RC | Dual, remote mounted | Pistol grip remote on the hose | Y11 | Premium RVs |
Every RoadVac runs on 120V/60Hz, delivers 414 air watts, cleans up to 900 sq. ft., and ships with a 35+ ft stretch hose and an accessory kit. Units carry a 2 year warranty; accessories carry 30 days.
One thing worth knowing about the CS-RM-RC: the inlet valve will not switch the vacuum on or off. Use the pistol grip remote. A VacPort will start it if it has been wired correctly.
What fits every model
All of our tool kits fit all of our systems. Everything is 32mm, so there is no per-model kit to hunt for, and the same kits also fit 32mm inlet valves from other brands such as Beam and Husky. They do not fit 35mm systems like Shark, Dyson or Miele.
Only the bags and filters are model-specific. Every RoadVac CS uses the Y22 motor filter, and every 5-pack of bags ships with one, because the motor filter should be changed after every five bags.
RoadVac specifications
These figures are identical across every RoadVac model: CS-6, CS-8, CS-9, CS-10, CS-RM and CS-RM-RC.
| Air watts | 414 |
| Water lift, sealed | 92 in. |
| Water lift, working | 52 in. |
| Airflow, max | 107 CFM |
| Airflow, working load | 38 CFM |
| Motor | 1,200 watts |
| Current draw | 12A at 60Hz / 5.9A at 50Hz |
| Power source | 110V or 220V |
| Sound level | 74.6 dB |
| Bag capacity | 0.5 gallon |
| Filtration | HEPA type, sealed dust bag |
| Coverage | Up to 900 sq. ft. |
| Hose | 35+ ft stretch hose |
| Certifications | UL, CE and UKCA |
| Warranty | 2 years on the unit, 30 days on accessories |
Questions we get most
How do I know if my RV vacuum is an InterVac?
Check the inlet plate and the unit door for an InterVac or RoadVac mark, then pull the bag and count the openings. One opening means a CS-6 or CS-8, two means a CS-9, CS-10 or CS-RM. A Dometic CV1003 or CV1004 badge is also ours.
What bags fit my RV central vacuum?
The Y10-5 fits the CS-6, CS-8, CS-8HW and Dometic CV1003. The Y11-5 fits the CS-9, CS-10, CS-RM, CS-RM-RC and Dometic CV1004. Both packs include a replacement motor filter.
Can I use a Y10 bag in a unit that takes Y11?
No. The Y10 has a single opening and the Y11 has two. They are not interchangeable, and using non-genuine bags or filters voids the vacuum warranty.
Does the RoadVac have an exhaust filter?
No, and that is deliberate. The CS line offers an overboard exhaust instead, using the C-060-E exhaust funnel or the AS-61 exhaust kit, which vents outside the coach entirely. In an RV, boat or tiny home that beats filtering the exhaust and returning it to the room you are standing in.
Can I add a VacPort to my CS-8?
No. The CS-6 and CS-8 are self-contained, meaning the inlet is built into the unit itself, so a VacPort will not work with them. VacPorts work with the remote-mounted systems: the CS-9, CS-10, CS-RM, CS-RM-RC, InterVac Pro, H-120-E and RM.
How large an area will an RV central vacuum clean?
Up to 900 sq. ft., which covers tiny homes, kitchens, baths and effectively any RV floor plan on the road.
How often should I change the bag and the motor filter?
Change the bag when it is full. Change the motor filter after every five bags, which is why each 5-pack includes one.
Where do I find the manual for my model?
Every manual is at owner manuals. The RoadVac CS-6, CS-8 and CS-RM are all covered by manual M-10.
Still not sure what you have? Send us a photo of the unit and the inlet through our contact page and we will identify it. You can also browse the full RV central vacuum range, or read about who builds the central vacuum in your RV.