The Best RV Sewer Hose and Kits in 2023

Comparison, Reviews, Buyers Guide

Campgrounds vary in how friendly they are to RV owners. Some let you drive up and connect your dark water tank as if you’re filling up the gas tank. Others require you to have several additional feet of water and sewer hose if you want to access the utilities. This is where RV sewer hoses come into play. However, there is no one best RV sewer hose, because of the diversity of RVs on the market and wide array of situations you may find yourself in. Let’s learn more about RV sewer hoses before we give you our list of recommended RV sewer hoses.

Top 3 Best Rated RV Sewer Hose Kits - Comparison


Here are Top 11 Best RV Sewer Hose Kit Full Reviews

After spending a lot of hours, We made a list of the best RV sewer hose kits from the current market. We also reviewed each of them one by one. Here, we tried to show what is the good and bad in and out. Hope, Our efforts help RV owners to choose the right sewer hose kits. So let's know which match with your needs_ 

01) Camco Brand Model 39742 RhinoFLEX 20 Foot RV Sewer Hose Kit

Editor Rating: 4.6 Out of 5

This package deal is better than average because it includes a swivel elbow for draining wastewater into the dump tank. Storage caps are included, too. This is the best rv sewer hose for people who just got an RV and lack all the drainage hardware.

This unit has two separate sewer hoses, each of which is 10 feet long. This makes it easy to dump wastewater whether the dump station is five feet or fifteen feet away. You aren’t dealing with an extra seven feet of hose during the process. 

However, this does mean you need to connect the two ends as well as the connecting piece for the two individual hoses, if the hose needs to stretch more than ten feet.

The plastic pipe can compress to just four feet long, making it simple to store in a cargo bay. The manufacturer says that if you remove the adapter, you can store it within the four inch square bumper storage area, too. Unfortunately, there are customer reports that this is not true.

Be careful with the wastewater flow.

If you twist things too tight during the connection process or go from zero to 100 percent flow too fast, the orange piece may even break off. That means it will spill wastewater onto the ground.

This unit comes with 3, 3.5 and 4 inch threaded ends. That means you can use it on almost any dump station.

One downside of this design is that the fittings on the ends are glued in place. That helps hold them in place. However, if you have a hole or crack in the hose, you can’t cut the hose short and reattach the fitting further down like you could with older Camco sewer hoses. And these hoses are prone to forming holes if dragged on the ground.

If the connectors themselves come loose, you can’t use it. There are occasional reports of the connectors on each end not being compatible with each other.

Pros
  • Fits almost every dump station and application
  • Easy to store
Cons
  • Orange end caps are a weak point
  • Sometimes the end connections don’t fit

02) TITAN Brand Model 17853 15-Foot Premium RV Sewer Hose Kit

Editor Rating: 4.5 Out of 5

We are recommending the model 17853 Titan RV sewer hose kit. It includes both the hose and the connectors. We consider this model a better deal than the 20 foot sewer hose by Titan.

One downside of this model is that it cannot collapse down to reduce the amount of space it takes up. With the pinch caps at the end, it won’t fit in the bumper storage area on many RVs.

The plastic in the connectors is not as thick as you expect. This makes it prone to cracks and breaks if it is dropped or hit. This can create problems when you’re trying to connect the dump floor fittings.

The material is prone to degradation if it is often out in the sun. Then it is likely to crack or form holes.

The threads are not always perfectly aligned. Then it is hard to connect to the dump station. The fittings don’t always stay in place, too. On the other hand, the kit does provide a ninety degree connector that connects to the dump station and prevents the gross mist or smell you get with other RV sewer hoses.

Note that this RV sewer hose goes with the sewer hose support at the start of this list.

Pros
  • Provides a good 90 degree dump station connector  
  • Single length of hose covers most applications
Cons
  • Difficult to store
  • Weak plastic connectors

03) Camco RhinoFLEX Model 39770 15 Foot RV Sewer Hose Kit

Editor Rating: 4.5 Out of 5

This is another fifteen foot long sewer hose kit. It is based around a single 15 foot sewer hose. Note that it can be connected to the five and ten foot long extension kits by the same manufacturer, though those are sold separately. (It won’t fit with hoses by other companies.) 

You get adapters at each end, endcaps to close off the hose when you’re done with it, and a 90 degree connector for pouring waste directly into the dump tank. This ensures you don’t have to come into physical contact with it.

You get three, three and a half and four inch threaded connectors. These fittings have middling quality, but the manufacturer offers decent support if they don’t fit. However, the twist-on applicators do leak sometimes, so be careful.

The fittings may come off when you’re trying to screw in the connector, too, especially if they’re not twisted on tightly. These problems are actually worse when the hose is not fully extended.

How much does it compress down?

The kit is supposed to compress down to 56 inches, not including the removable end adapter. In theory, it can fit in a four inch square bumper storage area when you remove the adapters. However, the fit is tight and not recommended. Store it in the cargo area instead.

The company advertises it with a clear plastic elbow at the sewer dump end. In reality, it is translucent. However, this hardly matters. You can verify that the fluids are flowing or clogged through the semi-transparent fitting.

The wires inside the sewer hose to help it maintain its shape sometimes protrude into the pipe area. In rare cases, this pokes holes in the pipe. More often, it traps debris. This problem is more common near the connectors than in the middle of the hose.

Pros
  • Thread on adapters for almost every interface
  • Fits with a variety of products by the same manufacturer
  • Get everything you need in one kit
Cons
  • Sometimes leaks
  • Doesn’t really fit in RV bumpers

04) Camco Model 39634 20 Foot Revolution Swivel Sewer Hose Kit

Editor Rating: 4.4 Out of 5

We’re recommending the 20 foot swivel sewer hose kit by Camco. It is much more flexible than most other sewer hoses. It fits with the ten foot extension hoses by Camco. You can buy extra sewer elbows, lug fittings and Y fittings. 

The Revolution swivel sewer hose kit comes with four storage caps, a single swivel elbow fitting, an adapter to connect with dump stations and a twenty foot hose.

A favor point of this camco model

One point in favor of this sewer hose is how flexible it is. You don’t have to compress it to get it to fit in a storage bin. Simply fold it up and store it. Note that this means it won’t fit in your bumper storage area. The flexibility also makes it easy to snake to the other side of your RV if you find you’re parked the wrong way next to the drop hint.

Furthermore, the swivel fittings themselves rotate 360 degrees. This is the best sewer hose for rv owners who often find they’ve parked too far or at the wrong angle to reach the dump kit with their current hardware.

There are no clamps or tools required to assemble it. You won’t lose fixtures and connecting bands when working with this sewer hose.

This sewer kit has one issue

One issue with this sewer kit is that it has a two thread design. The older version had a four thread design that fit almost every sewer connection. That means it may not fit the dump station you want to screw it into.

At best, the incomplete seal will leak. At worst, you can’t connect it at all. This also means that the newer design by Camco may not plug and play with older Camco hardware, due to the differences in the screw thread.

The flexible hose is relatively fragile. Do not stretch it beyond the stated length. In fact, it may rip if you stretch it beyond its length when it is not under tension. Do not drive over it.

Avoid stepping on it. If you need a rugged sewer hose, the Rhino models by Camco are a better choice.

Pros
  • You can buy a wide array of related hardware from the manufacturer
  • Flexible
Cons
  • Two thread connector isn’t universal
  • Relatively fragile

05) Valterra Brand Black 20 Foot Kit, Model D04-0275, Dominator Sewer Hose Kit

Editor Rating: 4.3 Out of 5

This twenty foot RV sewer kit is made from two ten foot lengths of hose. This means you don’t have to deal with long stretches of sewer hose if they aren’t necessary.

This hose isn’t as flexible as the Camco Revolution model. It has straight sections and somewhat flexible sections, so it can’t coil up in a storage bin. However, you can make it snake around a ninety degree turn.

The hose can be collapsed to make it shorter, something intended to make it easier to store. It is also narrow enough to fit in the four inch wide storage slot in most RV bumpers.

The fittings are already attached. The sewer kit by Camco has four drip caps, two for each of the ten foot sections of pipe.

There is a single ninety degree “universal” sewer adapter. This sewer adapter is actually clear, whereas one of the other models we recommended is translucent.

What the manufacturer says?

The manufacturer says the 20 mil plus plastic is rugged. Yet there are reports of it splitting under heavy loads or pulled hard during use. It also tends to last a year at most with heavy usage. Expanding and compressing it regularly increases the odds of failure. For example, you may start to see little holes in the material where brown water can leak out.

This valterra sewer hose has an issue

One problem with this sewer hose is that these connections sometimes leak. The problem is worse with pressure. That means you’re more likely to get leaks when you’re emptying a brown water tank than a greywater tank.

Pros
  • Collapsible
  • Two separate lengths of pipe
  • Pre-assembled connectors and O-rings
Cons
  • Leakage issues at the seals on the connectors
  • Not as rugged as advertised

06) Camco RhinoEXTREME Brand 20 Foot RV Sewer Hose Kit, Model

Editor Rating: 4.3 Out of 5

This RV sewer hose is more crush-resistant than the others by Camco on our list. That makes this the best rv sewer hose for those who tend to step on, drop or even drive over the sewer hose. It is a matter of opinion as to whether or not the bright orange ribs reduce the risk of this happening.

The RV hose kit includes the hose, swivel fitting and dump tank fitting. This unit is compatible with five and ten foot hose extension kits by the same manufacturer.

It's also like other camco products

Like several other Camco products, the fittings are prone to leaking. This is especially true around the swivel joint. On the other hand, you don’t have to mount the fittings to the hose. They come already attached. This minimizes the tools required to start using it.

This hose doesn’t compress well. It often won’t fit in smaller storage areas. You can’t store it in the standard four inch RV bumper storage area, because the connectors are too big.

Pros
  • Crush-resistant
  • Connects with a wide array of hardware by the same manufacturer
Cons
  • Prone to leaks at the fittings
  • Doesn’t store well

07) Lippert Model 359724 Waste Master 20 Foot Extended RV Sewer Hose Management System

Editor Rating: 4.2 Out of 5

The Waste Master RV sewer hose is a single long piece. In this case, we’re recommending the twenty foot version. However, it compresses down to around six feet, making it easier to stow away.

The unit has a cam lock connector that isn’t prone to leaks like others on our list. The nozzle has a handle that makes it easy to hold in place. The discharge port has a ninety degree connector that fits on many dump tanks. Yet the connector may leak around the hose itself.

The coil is protected by a helical outer sleeve around the plastic hose. This reduces the risk of clogs and debris getting stuck in the ridges, a problem found in some ribbed plastic hoses. 

Unfortunately, it means you need to be careful of letting the fragile plastic hose drag on the ground, or else it will develop holes and start to leak. If the hose kinks, it may rip, too.

It has an issue 

The biggest problem with this model is that you often have to buy an additional attachment to connect it to your RV. The RV connection that comes with it may not connect to your vehicle. In these cases, you have to buy an accessory, but there’s little information on how to mix and match these components.

Lippert is a well-known brand, but these required pieces are not available at the average hardware store. And there isn’t much information on how to know which component you need to connect to your RV, unless you’re going through the RV dealer.

Pros
  • Secure cam lock connection
  • Single piece hose that doesn’t need assembly
Cons
  • Fragile hose
  • May need to buy another part to connect it to your RV

08) Camco 3 Foot 39768 Rhinoflex Tote Tank Hose Kit

Editor Rating: 4.3 Out of 5

This unit comes with a single length of hose, connectors on the end and a single RV dump tank connector. There are also two end caps to seal in the mess when you’re done with it.

In this kit, you get a single length of hose, a connector for the dump tank, a connector to the RV and end caps.

The hose is roughly three feet long. It compresses to less than two feet long. That makes it easy to store. It also means you better park right next to the dump tank or you must use one of the compatible Camco hose extensions to empty the wastewater tank. 

The connector for the dump tank is supposed to fit any lug sewer fitting. One point of frustration for users is that the dump tank connector is not the standard ninety degree (right angle) adapter that is normally stuck in the dump station.

This thing is better suited for emptying the greywater tank, but most RV owners want a hose that can be used for both the grey water and black water tanks.

It is like other Rhinoflex products

Like other Rhinoflex items, it is prone to leaking where the connector is connected to the hose. That is slightly better than leaking at the connection to the dump tank or RV. However, that means it may leak at both ends. And that’s assuming it isn’t missing an O-ring or other critical piece out of the box.

The hose itself is fairly rugged. It won’t break because you stepped on it. Nor can you step on it, since it is so short. For some, three feet is just too short. For many applications, you need at least a five foot long hose.

Pros
  • Easy to store
  • More durable hose than average
  • Can connect with other Camco products in the same class
Cons
  • Short
  • Prone to leaking

09) Camco Model 39631 20 Foot RV Sewer Hose

Editor Rating: 4.4 Out of 5

This is a long, rugged twenty foot sewer hose made out of plastic. It is unusual for being highly flexible despite being so tough. You can coil it up to store it. It can in theory compress down to three feet long. It isn’t going to develop holes as you drag it across the ground.

This plastic can be brittle. It becomes more likely to crack if exposed to the cold, and that can make it good for only a single season. 

A single hard strike can break it, too, such as when you drop a heavy item on it. Don’t drive over it. On the other hand, this pipe doesn’t require a stand to get it to drain fully, and it doesn’t degrade on exposure to sunlight.

A downside of this camco model

One problem with this hose is that it doesn’t quite fit three inch fittings. It is slightly narrower than the standard three inch hose. That means you can hold it over the dump station hole, but you cannot tightly connect it to the connector.

You may have to stretch it and force it to fit over the standard fitting, but that’s more work than most people want to do. Stretching it increases the risk of pin holes forming in the plastic.

Screw on connectors and adapters are far better in this regard. It is difficult to attach the coupler and drain pieces to this pipe.

Pros
  • Long
  • Flexible
Cons
  • Difficult to assemble
  • Hard to connect if you don’t put the connectors on

10) Camco Model 39863 RhinoEXTREME 10' Sewer Hose Extension Kit with Swivel Fitting

Editor Rating: 4.2 Out of 5

The model 39863 sewer hose extension kit by Camco is arguably the ideal length. At ten feet long, it is long enough for nearly every application. And this sewer hose extension kit can combine with other Rhino Extreme hoses when you do need those extra few feet. 

This is the best rv sewer hose for those who don't want to deal with multiple lengths of hose. Like other Camco Rhino models, it has a tendency to leak not at the connection to the dump tank or RV but where the connector meets the hose skin.

It is moderately durable. It won’t develop holes because you dragged it across the grass. However, it will not survive you driving over it.

What does the manufacturer says?

The manufacturer says it can be collapsed to simplify storage. However, this model does not collapse as well as other Rhino Flex hoses by Camco. That makes it more difficult to store than even other models by the same manufacturer.

More importantly, it becomes less flexible and harder to collapse over time. With the end connectors on it, it won’t fit in the storage space in the RV bumper. And you can’t remove the connectors, since they’re essentially glued to the unit.

On the other hand, that means you don’t have to get clips and bands to hold the connectors to the hoses.

Pros
  • Optimal length
  • Connectors securely mounted to the hose
Cons
  • Prone to leaks around the connectors
  • Not easy to store

11) Camco Brand Model 43041 15 Foot Sidewinder RV Sewer Support

Editor Rating: 4.6 Out of 5

This isn’t a sewer hose. However, it may be the best support or holder for your sewer hose on the market today.

The manufacturer says the sewer hose won’t “creep” closed if laid in this set of sewer supports. The wastewater hose will stay where you put it, unless there’s a massive surge in pressure – and it may even stay in place then.

Because the supports hold the pipe above the ground, it won’t be damaged by rocks or glass on the ground. And they’ll hold the sewage hose where you want it, so it can’t kink or twist on you. That’s a common cause of blockages.

The design automatically provides angled drainage. The tallest one is 7.25 inches, while the lowest one is 4 inches. Note that there is no sewer hose or adapter port for the sewer hose included. 

The downside of this design is that it only really works when there is level ground between the wastewater outlet and the dump tank. And it only works well with 15 foot hoses. Fortunately, we will recommend several 15 foot RV sewer hoses later on in this article.

Is it ready to use straight out?

It is ready to use straight out of the box. No assembly is required, though you’ll have to set it up before you can lay sewer hoses on it. This model is unusual for having a sewer hose support and storage handle to make it easy to stow the hose supports.

The plastic supports won’t rust. They can be hosed down or cleaned with chemicals if you spill sewage on them. Unfortunately, they’re somewhat fragile. If you drop them, they may break. If you step on them, they might break. If you drive over them, they will break.

What are the downsides?

This RV sewer support only provides proper support and drainage for a 15 foot long hose. Put a longer hose on it, and it may kink where it drops off the end. Nor does it provide adequate support for very heavy hoses. It is only suitable for a garden hose or wastewater hose up to three inches across. If the 3 inch hose is heavily full or the hose is wider than the sewer supports, the hoses will spread out and could actually be more likely to clog.

Pros
  • Easy to use
  • Easy to stow
  • Protects hoses from the ground
Cons
  • Doesn’t work on uneven ground
  • Can’t support four inch hoses

What is the Best RV Sewer Hose?

An RV sewer hose is a hose that connects to the RV’s wastewater and black water tanks. The hose is then held over or placed in a wastewater tank for emptying. This is a manual process that many RV owners despise, but it is necessary if you want to be able to flush the toilets and take showers.

RV sewer hoses could come with a variety of features. You want a tough hose, since you don’t want the hose to be ruined when dragged on the ground or driven over when you’re backing up the vehicle.

In most cases, sewer hose supports are unnecessary. A built-in exoskeleton that protects the hose from damage is a bonus. These are features you don’t find in the standard garden hose that some try to use to empty their RV tanks.

A RV sewer hose has connections

However, ever RV sewer hose has connections that allow it to connect to the wastewater drain on the RV. The best RV sewer hose is one that fits your RV’s connection points perfectly every time. You’ll find more variation in the design of the end of the hose intended to connect or drain into the dump station tank. This could be anything from a complex adapter that lets you connect to any commonly available wastewater pipe to a flare on the end of the sewer hose.

How does the Best RV Sewer Hose work?


The RV sewer hose is hooked up to the drain for the wastewater tank of your RV. On the RV end of the hose, there is a bayonet fitting or similar fitting that snuggly attaches to the RV’s wastewater connection.

The best RV sewer hose makes the hookup easy in a tight compartment without any special tools. The dump-station end at a minimum is open hose that lets the wastewater drain into the dump station tank. 

In some cases, it has a funnel, nozzle or length of pipe to minimize spray and splatter. This is useful if you’re emptying the waste into a septic tank or toilet instead of a dump tank.

What is in fancier models?

In fancier models, you’ll get detachable adapters like 3 inch and 4 inch threaded pipe. Then you just screw that into the wastewater pipe and let the sewage flow. The biggest benefit of this approach is that it minimizes leaks and the potential for large messes.

Some units have caps on the end of the threaded fitting or pipe to keep the traces of wastewater securely inside the hose when you’re done. That minimizes spilled sewage inside your storage compartment and the associated smells.

Note that the hose should be periodically cleaned, whether or not it has such secured end caps.

Keep it in storage when not in use

The sewer hose is going to be put in storage when it is not in use. It may sit inside a storage compartment on the outside of the RV. In some cases, it is stored in the storage area next to the RV bumper.

However, that space is usually reserved for the water tank. You can by hose carriers that are mounted to the outside of the RV or inside storage compartments. A few people store the sewer hose under the sink in the RV. That’s only practical if the hose is small.

Furthermore, you either rinse it out thoroughly or have tight seals on both ends that prevent sewage from leaking into the living area or simply making the RV stink.

It has not macerators or grinders

Sewer hoses do not have macerators or grinders to allow you to send waste down garden hoses without clogging. On the other hand, sewer hoses are three to four inches in diameter, so they’re less likely to clog when you send dirty water containing human waste through them.

What are the Benefits of An RV Sewer Hose?


Storing a sewer hose means taking up limited space and carrying extra weight. Furthermore, you’re dealing with a hose that’s prone to being stinky, so you definitely don’t want to store it in the living area such as stowing it under the sink. However, there are many benefits of having an RV sewer hose that make it worth the effort.

01. Practical

When you have a long sewer hose, you don’t have to worry about parking the RV right next to the water and sewer connections. If your RV is a few feet too far forward, you can simply use the hose to make up the difference. This is why we’d recommend an RV sewer hose that is at least five feet long.

However, longer may be better in some cases. Yet a sewer hose that is much too long is impractical, too. For example, it is difficult to properly drain an RV wastewater tank with a twenty foot hose if the dump tank is only three feet away.

02. Affordable

You can find basic sewer hoses that are simple lengths of plastic hose. And you could find complicated RV sewer hoses that coil up into a tight spiral when not in use. That feature is intended to make the sewer hose easy to stow in a small compartment without worrying about it tangling up. The best RV sewer hose is easy to use and fool-proof but doesn’t cost a fortune.

03. Good for Hygiene

It is simply a matter of personal safety to have separate sewer and water hoses that never even get stored near one another. You don’t want to try to clean a twenty foot sewer hose and hope that it is safe to run your water supply through.

Always have a separate water hose and RV sewer hose, and store them well away from each other. That’s often solved by the fact most RVs only let you store one hose in the bumper.

04. Easy to Use

Sewer lines are not anything you want to make a mistake with. A bad connection could spill sewage on the ground or on you. And that’s a nasty mess to clean up. The best RV sewer hoses are easy to connect, easy to use as you drain the waste and easy to disconnect. They don’t require you to go through complex procedures or mess with hard-to-use connecting hardware.

It should be so simple that almost anyone can do it. Then you don’t have to worry about making a mistake when you pull up to a campsite late at night and just want to connect the utilities and go to bed.

05. Reliable

An easy-to-use sewer hose is great the first time you use it. However, it needs to work perfectly every time. You don’t want to worry about kinks in the hose that cause backflow into the RV or leaks.

You don’t want to use a hose that eventually leaks at the seals or where it has worn thin when drug on the ground. The best RV sewer hoses can be bent or twisted and won’t kink, clog or break.

06. Length

RV sewer hoses can be found in 2, 5, 10, 15 and even 20 foot lengths. The ideal RV sewer hose length is one that lets you drain the wastewater tank at every campsite you visit but isn’t much longer than that.

Types of RV Sewer Hose

01. The Standard Sewer Hose

This is the best RV sewer hose for most RVers. You get a three to four inch diameter hose that won’t clog on the food debris from the sink and human waste from the toilet. These hoses are generally flexible enough to coil up and throw in storage. It isn’t hard to find RV sewer hoses with existing connectors and adapters to make connecting to the RV wastewater spigot quick and easy.

The dump-station end of the hose could have anything from an open hole to a nozzle to minimize splashes to a screw on connection that minimizes the mess and smell.

How is The standard RV sewer hose?

The standard RV sewer hose is thinner, lighter and more flexible than heavy duty models. This makes them the best choice for full-time RVers. You may choose a sewer hose that has connectors specifically made for your RV model. The lighter, flexible hose is easy to roll up and store on a hanger if you don’t want to throw it in a storage bay.

They’re also cheaper than heavy duty sewer hoses. You can choose to buy two lengths of sewer hose so that you always have a convenient length available, and in a worst case scenario, you want an adapter to connect the two hoses to get an ultra-long length of sewer hose.

02. The Heavy Duty Sewer Hose

What makes a sewer hose heavy-duty? In general, they’re much thicker and tougher than the standard sewer hose. They are much heavier than the typical sewer hose, too. The vinyl or other plastic material used to make the sewer hose is 15 mils or thicker. These hoses tend to be made to expand and compress to make them easier to store.

The heavy duty sewer hose may be the best RV sewer hose for your application if you regularly drive over the sewer hose. The hoses in this category may or may not have built-in connectors. Attaching the connectors to those that don’t can take a lot of time.

Note that even these hoses can become brittle with time. The risk of this goes up with age, exposure to sunlight, and depending on the material, exposure to cold temperatures.

We consider heavy duty hoses ideal for part-time RVers and inexperienced campers, assuming you can connect the hose.

03. Garden Hose

In theory, a garden hose can be used to drain an RV wastewater tank. However, garden hoses range in diameter from half an inch to one inch in diameter. This is why RV sewage kits that say they are compatible with garden hoses usually have a mechanical grinder built into them. That actually raises the cost of the kit to well over what you’d pay over the cost of a real RV sewer hose.

Do not use a garden hose with an RV sewage port without some sort of grinder to prevent clogs. And never use the garden hose for clean water delivery, once it has been used as a sewer hose.

What to Consider before Buying the Perfect RV Sewer Hose?


01. Length and Size

What is the ideal length of RV sewer hose? The answer is: it depends. You need to consider the type of places you camp. If you’re often parking in campgrounds with easy to access wastewater tanks or sewer lines right next to the water and power connections, a two to five foot hose may be enough. (We’d recommend a little extra length for the other occasions.) If you often park in dry camping spots, a twenty foot hose may be necessary to drain the tank without having to move the RV.

This is also ideal if you’re typically draining the wastewater tank at various stations away from convenient campgrounds. If you’re living in an RV on property with a septic tank, a 20 foot hose may be reasonable.

What is one workaround?

One workaround is to buy two RV sewer hoses of different lengths you can easily connect to each other. Then you can choose which hose is the right length for that day, and you can connect them to create an even longer hose when necessary. This may or may not be cheaper than owning a single, twenty foot sewer hose.

02. How easy it is to use?

Let’s be honest. Emptying the sewer tank is one of the most unpleasant aspects of owning an RV. And no one wants to get splattered with sewage, much less when they’re not going to easily be able to take a shower to clean up.

The best RV sewer hose connects to the RV in a literally snap or twist of the wrist. It has a tight connection that won’t leak or accidentally come off. The drainage or dump station end is easy to put in place, and it won’t wander as it drains the wastewater into the tank. Some units connect to the drainage station the same way the RV end does. 

In this case, you may want to have an adapter set so you can connect the sewer pipe securely to whatever drainage connection is available. This minimizes the risk of messy splatter and the smell that comes with wastewater drainage.

03. How easy to store?

It doesn’t matter if you have a rugged, reliable and easy to use RV sewer hose if it is impossible to securely store. Some hoses can be stored in a small storage compartment or even under the sink in the RV.

Others can be rolled up and held in place by a separate storage arm similar to garden hose holders used in the average home’s garden. Ease of storage matters more if you’re constantly changing campsites.

04. Flexibility

Flexibility is an underappreciated aspect of RV sewer hoses. A flexible hose allows you to snake it around obstacles and reach the dump station on the other side of the RV. Flexibility matters more when you are rarely able to park right above or next to the dump station.

05. Flow Consistency

Flow consistency is important. A sewer hose that has poor flow is liable to clog. If it doesn’t clog, it may still have irregular flow that increases the odds it jerks or shifts from where you put it.

In a worst case scenario, it flops around like a water hose while spraying sewage instead of water. In daily usage, you may need to shake it and otherwise supervise it to keep the wastewater flowing. And no one wants to do that.

06. Price

Price shouldn’t be the first factor you use to choose between sewer hoses. A cheap hose that requires constant supervision or repairs isn’t worth the hassle.

Note that most people don’t need the additional hose supports that may be sold next to the sewer hose. Those are advertised as giving the hose elevation to ensure complete drainage. This isn’t practical unless you’re going to stay at the same campsite for days and drain into the same dump tank. If you do choose to buy hose supports, know that this needs to fit the diameter of your sewer hose if you want it to work. 

A 3 inch diameter sewer hose support will restrict a 4 inch diameter hose as badly as if it were kinked. A three inch hose in a four inch support may not have the ideal level of drainage because the pipe can settle into an oval shape.

07. Thickness

Thicker sewer hoses are less likely to leak or break. However, they are heavier, and that can make them harder to put in place or put into storage.

Note that thicker hoses are not necessarily better. And you might be able to get one with an exoskeleton that makes the hose as sturdy as a thick hose but retains the flexibility of a thinner plastic sewer hose.

RV Sewer Hose FAQ's 

01. How many sizes are there in RV sewer hoses?

Sewer hoses are found in three, five, ten, fifteen and twenty foot lengths. The adapters or connectors for the dump stations may be three, three and a half or four inches in diameter. The rv sewer hose kits give you adapters that will work on every dump station you may find.

Many RV owners carry two different lengths of sewer hose. For example, two ten foot lengths allow you to handle up to a twenty foot distance, but you don’t have to deal with ten extra feet of hose if it isn’t necessary. It also means that you can empty the tanks with one section of hose even if the other develops a leak.

Another popular choice is a five foot and fifteen foot RV sewer hose combination. Note that this only works if the sewer hoses are compatible with each other, having the same internal dimensions and compatible connectors.

02. What are the best brands for RV sewer hoses?

Camco is popular because it offers a variety of rugged sewer hoses, many of which are compatible with each other. Not all of their models connect tightly with dump stations, so do your research.

Lippert is better known for their awnings and other RV hardware, but they offer decent RV sewer hoses. Valterra’s products are reliable, but they have a more limited selection.

03. How long will the best RV sewer hose last?

Regardless of how well you maintain an RV’s hoses, the fact remains that they need to be replaced. And the sewer hose is going to be the one you replace the most often. Cheaper hoses are generally of poorer quality. That means the connectors might leak or break after just a few uses. The o-rings or seals in RV sewer hoses may wear out, too.

The best RV sewer hoses last three years of irregular use and one or two years of heavy use. Yet they are always at risk of failure, whether you drove over it or poke a hole in it with a tool trying to tighten it.

Don’t let waste freeze inside the RV hose, or it may crack.

04. How to maintain an RV sewer hose?

RV sewer hoses need to be cleaned periodically. The outside of the sewer hose should be cleaned as well as the inside to minimize the number of holes that may form. We address that as a separate topic later in this FAQ. Protect the RV sewer hose.

Don’t drive over it. Try not to step on it. Some people put the sewer hose in a supporting cradle to help protect it from rough ground and casual impact.

If you are camping during the winter, you could wrap the sewer hose in insulation or heat tape. This prevents the material inside the hose from freezing. Freezing can cause the pipe to split or just clog.

You can reduce the risk of damage during the winter by cleaning the hose and then storing it in a heated compartment. That would mean not leaving the sewer hose permanently connected to the dump tank.

05. Do Rvers always need an RV sewer hose?

The answer is yes. In fact, RVs are built to use a variety of hoses. These include a water hose, propane hose, the sewer hose, a flushing hose for the grey and black water tanks and, in some cases, an exterior shower hose.

The clean water and shower hose can be swapped. You can use a single sewer hose for emptying the grey and black water tanks. You should never use the sewer hose to run propane or clean water through.

Unfortunately, too many RVers buy the vehicle and know nothing about the hoses on which their family’s comfort and safety depends. After all, you don’t want to make a mistake with a sewer hose and get sick from the germs spread upon contact with liquid human waste.

This is why you shouldn’t store the sewer hose in the same place as your water hose or any other clean water hose. This is why you should consider an RV sewer hose reel or carrying case instead of trying to store it under the sink or in the same storage bay as your other gear.

06. How to adjust an RV sewer hose?

If you have a short length of hose, making an adjustment may mean connecting a second length of RV sewer hose. Never do this while there is sewage flowing through the hoses. And wear gloves while you’re assembling or disassembling these hoses.

Suppose the RV sewer hose is long enough to work. Adjusting the connectors might equal tightening it down or screwing it in farther.

What if the problem is the location of the adapters? You may take off the bands or clips that hold the sewer hose adapter in place, move it, and then reattach it.

If the hose is fine but you don’t like its location, pick it up that section while wearing gloves and move it. Don’t kick it or drag it on the ground. It may develop fine holes from the friction.

07. How to clean an RV sewer hose like a pro?

You want to have end caps installed on the RV sewer hose when you are done emptying the tanks. This prevents grey or black water residue spilling on the ground or dripping into your RV’s storage compartment.

Install the cap as soon as you’ve drained the RV hose and lifted the hose to make sure it is as empty as possible. However, this does leave some residue inside the pipe.

Some people minimize the gunk building up inside the RV sewer hose by flushing the black water tank first followed by the grey water tank. Yet the RV sewer hose still needs to be cleaned periodically.

1st Step

The first step is flushing the sewer hose with clean water. Note that you should do this when it is plugged into a dump tank. Do not pour water polluted with human waste onto the ground. And you absolutely shouldn’t do this near the clean water supply for your RV.

Once you’ve cleaned the inside of the hose, rinse the outside and the connectors. This is a minimum. And it means you should always wear gloves while emptying the sewer hose and cleaning it that you discard after cleaning.

Next Step

The next level up is cleaning the sewer hose with soapy water. The problem is that most designs aren’t easy to pour soapy water through. We don’t think you need to run a power washer through the RV sewer hose unless it is clogging. That is generally done with a power hose connection that sends the water blasting down all sides of the pipe.

Be Alert!

Avoid running bleach and other harsh cleaners through the hose, because that can damage the plastic. However, dish soap mixed with water is fine. And you can rinse the tank with enzymatic cleaner as well as liquid soap and run that liquid through the wastewater hose twice, cleaning it rather thoroughly.

Know that you will never get the sewer hose clean enough to safety use as a fresh water connection. And water hoses should not be used as sewer hoses.

08. How to close an RV sewer hose?

Suppose you’ve pumped the black water and gray water through the RV sewer pipe. Now it is time to close it. First, close the drainage port on the RV. Shake the sewer hose it a little or lifted the hose to help it drain. Then you can close it.

Disconnect the sewer hose from the dump tank. Pick up the end caps that came with the sewer hose. Screw one into the end of the sewer hose. Disconnect the RV sewer hose from the RV.

Attach the second cap to the RV end of the sewer hose. Now you can put it away.

09. How to repair an RV sewer hose?

RV sewer hoses are difficult to repair. Duct tape doesn’t work well when you’re dealing with liquids. Glues are of limited benefit, as well.

If the problem is holes or cracks around one end, you could use cutters to cut off the end of the hose and then reconnect the adapter or connector on that end. If the hose has a built-in wire support frame, you’ll have to trim that with wire cutters.

What if the problem is the adapter or connector itself?

If the adapter or connector is glued to the hose, you can’t replace it. However, you could add glue or sealant to try to seal the leak.

If the adapter or connector is loose, you might be able to seal the leak by clamping the connector on tighter or using additional bands to hold it in place. 

If the connector is damaged, you can replace it if the connector can be removed from the RV sewer hose.

The assumption here is that you can get a replacement connector of the same size.

Final Verdict

RV sewer hoses are an essential piece of equipment. You must select the right model for your application to be able to use it at all so that you avoid the horror stories that are a staple of conversation among RV owners. 

That is why we shared our curated list of the eleven best RV sewer hoses on the market along with the criteria for determining which one is best for you based on your wants and needs.

And our advice on how to maintain the RV hoses will ensure that you get the most out of your purchase. Then you don't have to worry about unexpected problems and can enjoy your trip.

John S.
 

Hello guys! I'm a 37-years-old author, traveler, writer, blogger, and a camper. I enjoy life as much as I can and love to visit beautiful places in my RV. That's why while traveling I have decided to dedicate some time to share my experiences with everyone that might be interested in traveling, camping, and RVs.

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