If there are any products we need to trust to get the job done, an RV sewer hose tops our list. It’s one item we don’t mind spending a few extra bucks on to get the best product possible. It isn’t worth having a mess on your hands, literally and figuratively.
We’ve used several types of RV sewer hoses during our years of adventures and numerous RV dumping experiences. Some are just better than others. Today, we share some of the best sewer hoses you can trust and a few things you should consider. Let’s get started!
What Is an RV Sewer Hose?
An RV sewer hose is a rubber or vinyl hose that connects an RV sewage output to an available sewer dump. This hose allows RVers to dump their black and gray waste tanks while minimizing the mess risks.
The hose typically looks similar to the popular children’s Slinky toy and can expand and contract based on how much hose is necessary for a situation. Some RVers nickname this important piece of equipment their “Stinky Slinky.”
This is one essential item that every RVer will need if they plan to use the restroom or run water in their RV. Without an RV sewer hose, you’ll have full waste tanks and no way to dump them.
If you are buying an RV for the first time, we recommend making this one of your first purchases.
Why Do I Need an RV Sewer Hose?
An RV sewer hose is an essential piece of RVing equipment. Without it, you can’t dump your waste tanks in a sanitary manner. You don’t want to use your RV and fill up your waste tanks without having a way to empty them.
While we have seen some RV parks and dump stations occasionally provide an RV sewer hose for general use, this is definitely not the norm. Even if they do, they are usually in poor condition or miss some key features that clean you and the surrounding area clean.
Pro Tip: Dump your RV tanks with ease by using our guide on How to Dump RV Waste and Holding Tanks At Home.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an RV Sewer Hose
You should consider several things when selecting an RV sewer hose. Let’s look at a few crucial characteristics that make the best hose.
Length
You never know how much sewer hose you’ll need. Most RVers find that carrying 15 to 25 feet of hose is typically more than sufficient in most situations. You want enough hose to connect to the sewer connection if the hookup is not close enough to where you parked.
But you don’t want so much that you must carry more hose than you need. A couple of 10-foot sections can easily collapse and fit into an RV’s bumper or tube storage compartment.
Flexibility
An RV sewer hose needs to be flexible so you can adjust its position based on where you try to dump your tanks. No two dump stations or campsites are alike, so you’ll need a flexible hose to adapt to the various situations and hookups.
Flexibility can also come in handy in storage and to help protect it from damage while using it. Some hoses can withstand being driven over. However, we don’t recommend trying this with your hose, even if it stands up to the test.
Storage
Additionally, think about your storage options when selecting your RV sewer hose. As we mentioned, many RVs come with tubes mounted on the bumper or under the trailer that can hold your sewer hose when not in use.
However, you want to know how much hose your storage tubes can hold. Buying one so big that it doesn’t fit in the tube means you’ll need to store it elsewhere. RVs often lack storage, and you don’t want to waste any space.
Pro Tip: Use these 7 Best Ideas for Clean and Tidy RV Sewer Hose Storage to keep your RV mess free.
Flow
As gross as this is to imagine, you want the liquids to flow out of your RV’s dump tanks as efficiently as possible. Some hoses have ridges inside that slow down the flow.
These hoses can also allow particles and other remnants to get caught in the crevices, making it difficult to clean thoroughly. We recommend getting a sewer hose with a smooth interior to prevent any particles or remnants from getting left behind when dumping your tanks.
Price
When buying most RV gear, you want to consider the price of the sewer hose. If you only plan to use your hookups a handful of times each year, you don’t need to spend big bucks on the most expensive hose on the market. A standard one will likely last for several camping seasons since you don’t usually use it multiple times each week or get it in and out of storage regularly.
On the other hand, if you travel full-time in your rig, you might want to spend a few extra bucks on a high-quality sewer hose to avoid potential disasters. Plastic pieces can become brittle from sitting in the sun or undergoing extreme weather changes.
Sure, you can save a few bucks by buying a cheap sewer hose. However, if you have a “poopsie” at the dump station because of a low-quality product, you’ll likely never make that mistake again.
6 Best RV Sewer Hoses
If you are shopping for your next RV sewer hose, we have six of the best hoses that won’t let you down. Let’s look at what makes each one of these a great option.
1. RhinoFLEX 20’ RV Sewer Hose Kit
About: The RhinoFLEX 20’ RV sewer hose kit comes with two 10-foot RhinoFLEX sewer hoses and caps to prevent any messy liquids from getting out while in storage. RhinoFLEX is a product of Camco, one of the largest names in the camping gear industry.
With the four-in-one adapter, you can connect your sewer hose to hookups that measure 3 to 4-inches in diameter. The RhinoFLEX hoses use polyolefin tubing reinforced with a steel wire, which makes it one of the toughest and most durable sewer hoses on the market.
- Kit Includes: Two 10-foot RhinoFLEX sewer Hoses with pre-attached...
- Fits A Variety Of Dump-Station Pipes: The transparent elbow...
- Swivel Fittings: For ease of connection
Why Choose It: This is a great option for anyone just starting out and needs everything to start cleaning their tanks. You’ll be ready to start emptying your tanks between the 20 feet of sewer attachments and hose caps.
Rating: 4.7/5
What RVers Are Saying: Jeff says, “The build quality is great, the clear elbow lets you know when the water is running clear during clean out, and it keeps the odors in while dumping.”
We’ve personally used the RhinoFlex products without issue. They lasted several years before the seems in the hose began to crack and leak. They were sturdy hoses with solid connectors that locked securely to the RV black tank pipe and to the dump station end for confident dumping.
2. Camco Deluxe 20′ Sewer Hose Kit
About: The Camco Deluxe 20’ sewer hose kit is another of the best options. This kit comes with everything necessary to get the job done.
The Wye connector works great for those with multiple bathrooms in their RV who don’t want to deal with having to switch their sewer hose back and forth between sewer connections. The hose uses HTS vinyl and has the standard swivel fittings with bayonet and lug attachments.
- The Deluxe kit includes two 10' 18 mil super heavy-duty HTS vinyl...
- Wye fitting allows two sewer hoses with lug fittings to connect...
- Included 4-in-1 adapter is compatible with 3" slip or 3", 3-1/2"...
Why Choose It: If you have multiple bathrooms or waste tank valves, you can easily connect multiple waste connections on your RV to the sewer hookup. This can save time and make it easy to not worry about transferring a single hose between the various sewer connections on your RV.
Rating: 4.7/5
What RVers Are Saying: This hose is built to last. Apollo says, “I have used this hose for four long seasons. Two of those years part-timing in Florida.” Furthermore, they have confidence in the hose and say, “This hose kit will hold up and is very flexible.”
We see Camco sewer hoses in campgrounds all the time, and people seem to like them very much. They are widely available at RV park stores and camping outlets. They are convenient to buy and come with plenty of attachments to keep your dumping experience tidy.
3. RhinoEXTREME 20’ Sewer Hose Kit
About: The RhinoEXTREME RV sewer hose kit comes with a clear 90-degree sewer attachment and the swivel Wye fitting for those with multiple sewer connections.
The RhinoEXTREME uses TPE technology, which makes it one of the toughest sewer hoses on the market. It’s abrasion and crush resistant. You don’t have to worry about damaging it should you step or drive over it.
The 20 feet of hose splits into two 10-foot sections, so you don’t have to worry about having more hose on the ground than necessary. You can pull out exactly what you need to get the job done.
- Ready-to-Use Kit: Complete kit has all the features that RVers...
- Includes: (2) 10-foot hose sections with pre-attached Rhino...
- Super Tough RV Sewer Hose: Sewer hose has TPE technology that...
Why Choose It: If looking for a sewer hose that can withstand the abuse that RVing and traveling can throw at it, consider the RhinoEXTREME. You don’t have to worry about babying this hose because it’s tough as nails.
Rating: 4.7/5
What RVers Are Saying: Keith knows that sometimes you get what you pay for. They said, “These aren’t cheap, but that is the point! You don’t want this type of product to leak! I haven’t regretted paying the extra money once.”
The extra attachments have definitely improved the dumping experience, in our opinion. The threaded sewer connection end holds the hose securely in place. We’ve found that the transparent sections allow us to keep an eye on our flow without disconnecting and potentially causing a mess.
4. Valterra Silverback 15’ RV Sewer Hose Kit
About: The Valterra Silverback 15-foot RV sewer hose kit comes with a 15-foot hose that can collapse to a meager 53 inches when in storage. The kit comes with a clear 90-degree sewer fitting that makes it easy for you to keep an eye on your tanks as they drain.
Additionally, the sewer fighting can accommodate six sizes and has a gas-tight seal. It has a leak-proof design, so you don’t have to worry about accidental leakage from the 24-mil thick hose material.
And the 100-mil protection beading helps ensure that the hose withstands any issues with being crushed.
- CAMPER SEWER HOSE KIT: The Silverback hose kit includes 1...
- COMPACT STORAGE: Hose collapses from 15 feet to 53 inches for...
- LEAK-PROOF: Pre-installed rotating fittings with bayonet hooks...
Why Choose It: With the gas-tight fitting, you don’t have to worry about smelling the contents of your tank as much when emptying them. Finally, the hose will remain flexible in temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can dump your tanks no matter the weather.
Rating: 4.7/5
What RVers Are Saying: There’s something comforting about a product that consistently gets the job done. One reviewer says, “This is probably the very best quality and single most user-friendly hose system on the market. I’ve been using Valterra hoses and accessories for over 20 years and never had a problem or leak with them.”
5. TITAN 15’ Premium RV Sewer Hose Kit
About: The Thetford Titan 15’ Premium RV Sewer Hose Kit comes with a 15-foot TPE hose, a five-in-one sewer adapter, and two end caps. The Titan hoses have an ergonomic design made from uncrushable TPE. And the end caps fit as snugly as possible to prevent any dripping while in storage. Add a 10-foot extension hose for a reach of up to 25 feet.
- 15-foot RV Sewer Hose Kit: Includes one 15-foot TPE hose with...
- Universal Bayonet Mount: The ergonomic Extend Grip Fitting can...
- 5-in-1 Sewer Adapter: Titan comes with the Revolve 5-in-1 sewer...
Why Choose It: The five-in-one adapter helps ensure you don’t have any issues connecting to sewer hookups, but it also has a handle to prevent anything from getting on your hands. You can connect and disconnect the adapter from the sewer connection easily and keep your hands as clean as possible.
Rating: 4.6/5
What RVers Are Saying: You don’t have to break the bank with this sewer hose, but you get much better quality than other brands. Joey learned the hard way by going with a cheaper brand. They say, “Purchased a cheap hose prior to this one, and it leaked the first time it was used. This kit is good quality and well worth the money.”
6. Lippert Waste Master 20’ RV Sewer Hose Management System
About: The Lippert Waste Master 20-foot RV sewer hose is a product of Lippert Components. This hose uses the leak-proof connection design with a CAM lock to keep it in place.
It has a helical coil on the outside but a smooth interior. This reduces any waste or materials from getting stuck inside the hose. It also has a 90-degree discharge port and an easy-grip handle with a shut-off valve.
- Comes complete with a time-tested CAM lock connector that ensures...
- Hose is designed with its helical coil on the outside, while the...
- UV-protected hose is 5'6" feet compressed and 20 feet extended...
Why Choose It: The Waste Master has puncture-resistant material tough enough to handle whatever conditions your adventure throws you.
Additionally, the shut-off valve on the handle allows you to turn off the flow when needed. And the tapered doughnut fitting ensures you’ll have no trouble connecting the nozzle to a sewer port, no matter the connection.
Rating: 4.4/5
What RVers Are Saying: Paul no longer wanted the plastic bayonet attachments that sometimes leak and can be hard to put on. They liked that the links on this product snap firmly into place and say, “This type of linkage is used widely by industry vehicles carrying liquids that off-load at commercial sites. So far, I have been extremely pleased with having made the switch.”
Do I Need Accessories for My RV Sewer Hose?
You need more than just an RV sewer hose to dump your tanks. A couple of accessories can make dumping your tanks as easy as possible.
For example, many RVers prefer to use a clear elbow that connects the hose to the sewer connection. This allows them to monitor the flow as they dump their RV tanks.
In addition, you want to ensure your hose doesn’t come out of the connection when emptying. Many RVers will use a sewer hose holder to weigh down the elbow where it connects to the sewer connection. This helps prevent the hose from disconnecting and causing a messy situation.
- Join hundreds of RVers that have adopted one of these cute little...
- The pig has a removable cap on the tail to allow the tank to be...
- Convenient and compact, tucks right into underneath compartment...
Depending on your location, you may be required to use RV sewer hose supports. These keep the hose off the ground.
Some campgrounds or areas require these when an RVer stays connected to the sewer connection. However, you’ll want to check the rules and regulations of where you camp.
Avoid Dumping Mishaps With a Quality RV Sewer Hose
It only takes one dumping mishap before you’ll realize the importance of having the right RV sewer hose. A “poopsie” is not something you want to experience during your adventures.
Having the right hose can help ensure you quickly and efficiently dump your tanks and get back to enjoying the less smelly parts of RVing. Don’t settle for a cheap RV sewer hose that you’ll have to replace every year or two; get one of the best.
Which RV sewer hose do you prefer? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Jim La Joie
Tuesday 18th of April 2023
I thought I loved the Valtera. The fittings did not leak - as some others had - But the Valtera developed pinhole Leakes, randomly, and became unusable and unrepairable. I like that the Valtera had external ribs. But these were not sufficient to protect the hose lining that developed two leaks. Now I am looking for something rugged, external ribs, and a strong lining. I have used pleated hoses in the past and none seem to last....