The Best RV Sewer Hose Gear
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OK, serious question: What is it about the subject of sewer systems that seems to bring out the 7-year-old in most of us? We are all adults, we all have or have had successful careers, are members of loving families and are upstanding citizens in the community. Yet when we talk about holding tanks and black water, our second-grade proclivity toward bathroom humor often can’t help but shine through. It certainly doesn’t help that there are countless movies, photos and YouTube videos that amp up the ick factor by embellishing what can really be a simple, everyday RV chore.
But when it comes down to it, RV sanitation really is no laughing matter. Having the right equipment for the job can be the difference between a quick and painless necessary evil and an embarrassing, foul-smelling and really messy task. And though many of us have made mistakes while emptying the holding tanks (thank goodness for gray-water hoses for cleanup), there is absolutely no reason why pulling the dump valves should be a harrowing experience.
There are literally dozens of sewer-related accessories on the market, but perhaps the most unsung heroes are the ones we’ve collected here for your perusal. These hoses, fittings and handy kits are designed to keep the offensive materials away from the user and into the drains, with nary a drop befouling one’s steady hands.
Blueline RV Sanitation
The company’s Prest-O-Fit is a popular line of sewer solutions, and its products are available at Camping World locations across the continent. The Blueline Ultimate Sewer Hose eliminates the need for clamps, tools and threading hoses together by utilizing the company’s Pushover Quick Connectors, which are preinstalled for simple push-on connections to Blueline fittings. Made of heavy-duty UV-protected vinyl, the Ultimate Sewer Hose is available in 5-, 10-, 17- and 25-foot lengths.
DuraForm Premium Sewer Hose
Blueline also offers the DuraForm Premium Sewer Hose that is designed to bend freely and retain its shape, making it easy to store in a standard 4-inch bumper. The hose is made of heavy-duty UV-protected polyolefin and reinforced with steel wire, while Pushover Quick Connectors are preinstalled for simple connections to Blueline fittings. The DuraForm is available in 5- and 10-foot lengths.
Blueline’s Ultimate Sewer Kit contains everything an RVer needs for a simple and secure hookup up to 20 feet. The kit includes two 10-foot Ultimate Sewer Hoses, complete with preinstalled Pushover Quick Connectors, which eliminates the need for clamps. A universal elbow securely fits most park sewer openings, while a hose adapter connects to waste-valve outlets. Also included are four sewer seals, which seal hoses and/or fittings for storage, and one hose coupler, which helps the system easily extend up to 20 feet.
If you don’t need that much hose, Blueline’s Quick Connect Sewer Kit is designed for 10-foot setups. It essentially contains the same parts as the Ultimate Sewer Kit, except with a single 10-foot hose and two sewer seals.
Blueline Termination Kit
For added convenience, Blueline offers every component of the aforementioned kits sold separately, from the hoses to the caps to the sewer seals.
The company also offers additional RV sanitation products such as the Blueline Pushover Termination Cap, which easily pushes on to Blueline Hose Adapters to cap off for travel and features a ¾-inch threaded hose outlet for gray water.
Blueline’s Termination Kit contains one Hose Adapter and one Pushover Termination Cap. The hose adapter has four bayonet hooks and an X-ring seal for a leak-free connection to most waste-valve outlets. The cap pushes on to the adapter for sealing and features a ¾-inch threaded hose outlet for gray water.
Blueline Hose Coupler Kit
The company’s Pushover Quick Connector converts standard sewer hoses for a push-on connection to Blueline fittings or standard sewer fittings. Simply insert into a hose and secure permanently with a clamp.
The Blueline Hose Coupler Kit makes for a quick link between standard sewer hoses. The kit contains two Pushover Quick Connectors, two clamps and one Hose Coupler. Pushovers are inserted into two standard hoses and secured with clamps. The Hose Coupler provides a secure push-on connection between pushovers.
Blueline RV Sanitation, a division of Prest-O-Fit
888-770-5849 | www.prestofit.com
Camco Manufacturing
Camco is known for offering a wide range of quality RV products, but perhaps some of its most recognizable are its sewer hoses and accessories.
RhinoFLEX RV Sewer Kit
The RhinoFLEX RV Sewer Kit with 15-foot RhinoFLEX Sewer Hose and Swivel Fittings is a ready-to-use kit made with what the company calls “the toughest hose you can buy.” The sturdy polyolefin is reinforced with steel wire for an ultratough hose. The hose is collapsible, meaning users need only expand the amount of hose needed. This kit features a bayonet fitting with four prongs for a more secure fit. The dump-station end features a translucent elbow with an easily detachable 4-in-1 adapter for connecting to 3-inch slip or 3-inch, 3½-inch and 4-inch NPT threaded sewer connections. The fittings swivel and feature reusable locking rings so that fittings can be moved to a new RhinoFLEX hose if needed. A storage cap for each end of the hose is included as well. Camco also offers a 20-foot sewer kit, which replaces the 15-foot hose with two 10-foot RhinoFLEX sewer hoses and all of the above.
Rhino Blaster Pro Tank Rinser
Keeping the RV’s tanks clean is another important aspect of sewer maintenance, so Camco’s Rhino Blaster Pro Tank Rinser is designed to create a high-flow blast of water into the sewage pipe to help clean the tank. The 45-degree angle allows water to flow through the pipes and directly to the tank; the gate valve collects water, allowing for a more thorough rinse of the black- and gray-water tanks. The Rhino Blaster Pro attaches to the outside of the RV, so there’s no need for sanitation equipment to be brought inside.
RhinoFLEX Sewer Cleanout Plug Wrench
Camco also offers a pair of wrenches to make using the sewer hoses even easier. The RhinoFLEX Sewer Cleanout Plug Wrench allows users to loosen and remove any cleanout plug with ease. It works with most 3- and 4-inch sewer plugs and any Camco 4-in-1 adapter. Disconnect sewer fittings with ease with the RhinoFLEX Sewer Fitting Wrench Set. It’s compatible with any Rhino, Revolution or Easy Slip bayonet or lug fitting. Simply attach the wrench to the fitting and turn to loosen or connect.
Another popular Camco product line is the Revolution. The Revolution SWIVEL RV Sewer Hose Kit 6 is a complete hose kit featuring new preattached fittings that rotate 360 degrees for increased versatility. The kit also includes two 10-foot heavy-duty vinyl sewer hoses with preattached swivel lug and swivel bayonet fittings and four storage caps. Other features include a translucent elbow and wire guards to protect your hands. A 10-foot extension with preattached swivel lug and swivel bayonet fittings is also available. MSRP: $40.46; 10-foot extension
The Revolution SWIVEL Fittings can also be added to any RV hose, offering a 360-degree swivel for increased convenience. The swivel fittings are compatible with bayonet and lug fittings, and include a Twist-It clamp for securing the fitting to the hose.
Revolution SWIVEL RV Sewer Hose Kit
Camco’s Sidewinder Sewer Hose Support is designed to go around any obstacle and allow proper drainage for RV sewer hoses. The Sidewinder is constructed with sturdy, lightweight plastic with durable snap-fit hinges and has deep cradles to hold the sewer hose in place without straps. Camco claims the Sidewinder will stay put and won’t creep closed. Available in 10-, 15-, 20- and 30-foot lengths.
Camco Sidewinder Sewer Hose Support
Camco’s sanitation accessories include the RhinoFLEX Sewer Hose Storage Caps, which comes in a set of two – one each for bayonet and elbow fittings – and its RV Sewer Hose Fitting Gaskets, which provide an odor-tight connection and are designed to work with all Camco elbow and bayonet fittings. The package includes two bayonet and two elbow gaskets.
Camco | 800-334-2004 | www.camco.net
Lippert Components Inc.
The company’s Waste Master system provides a clean, quick and easy RV-sewer management solution. Unlike traditional hose coils that may trap debris, the tough Waste Master hose is designed with its helical coil on the outside, resulting in a smooth interior that prevents waste from getting trapped inside. The hose connects to the RV sewer outlet utilizing CAM-lock technology to ensure a leakproof connection, and is designed to remain connected to the RV’s termination pipe, eliminating the need to hook up and unhook at every stop. The nozzle features an easy-grip handle, integrated shut-off valve and a clear-view port that allows the user to see when waste has completely evacuated, helping ensure the tanks and hose are clean. The Waste Master’s hose is puncture-resistant and UV-treated for improved durability. It stretches to an impressive 18 feet when needed, but can be compressed to a compact 5 feet for easy storage.
The Lippert Waste Master All-in-One Sewer Management System hose and nozzle (shown with the Flow Down adjustable drain support).
For those who rely on good old-fashioned gravity to dump their RV’s tanks, Lippert also offers the Flow Down adjustable RV drain support system. The Flow Down is designed to keep the drain hose up off the ground and easily adjusts to nearly any slope, preventing sewage from getting trapped in the hose and helping to eliminate odor by preventing waste buildup. The smooth, 30-inch half-pipe support actually helps protect the hose from damage. The legs of each section can be simply adjusted using the knobs, and the kit can also be set to safely pivot the hose around obstructions. One kit extends to more than 10 feet and it can be easily expanded to 20 feet by adding a second kit. The compact kit comes with a storage bag for easy transporting.
Lippert’s 360 Siphon RV holding-tank vent cap exhausts odors out the roof vent.
Lippert Components Inc. | 574-535-1125 | www.lci1.com
Thetford
Thetford’s Sani-Con offers a convenient way to empty holding tanks without all the fuss. The Sani-Con utilizes a heavy-duty transfer and macerating pump to grind up and liquefy black-water waste (think garbage disposal), then pump it through an extra-heavy-duty 1-inch-diameter discharge hose. The discharge hose stretches up to 21 feet, and can be retracted to just 7 feet for easy travel. The end of the hose features an easy-to-use threaded nozzle designed to be compatible with a variety of dump station inlets. The nozzle has a screw-on cap that keeps the entire operation easy and clean. The Sani-Con is available in permanently installed and portable models.
Thetford’s Sani-Con System uses a transfer and macerating pump, which grinds and liquefies black-water waste and then pumps it through an extra-heavy-duty 1-inch-diameter discharge hose.
The SmartDrain Premium Sewer System offers RVers an easy way to dump holding tanks: Let the SmartDrain do the work. The system features a 15-foot UV-resistant Premium SmartHose constructed of durable, pliable material and a polymer coil that won’t crack, leak or result in rust-induced pin-hole leaks, according to Thetford. SureLock Fittings provide reliable, leakproof connections on each end of the hose, and the RV Valve Adapter – a quad-slot dial that seals tight – can be permanently affixed to the sewer outlet to speed evacuation process and eliminate the need to handle the sewer hose. The universal sewer fitting is stepped to fit and secure into virtually every dump port, and features a handle for easy, well, handling. The 90-degree translucent nozzle fitting with handle offers a quick, easy and clean way to maneuver the SmartHose. The hose compresses to 60 inches to fit bumpers and storage tubes, while its ends lock for a sealed and clean storage option.
Thetford SureLock Fittings
Thetford Corp. | 800-543-1219 | www.thetford.com
Valterra
Valterra offers a wide array of plumbing products, many of which have been geared toward RVs for more than 30 years.
Valterra Viper
The company’s Viper 5 line of products includes 10- to 15-foot hoses featuring tough 26-mil TPE material for superior leak protection. Viper hoses offer a spring-back crush feature and are UV- and puncture-resistant. Viper rotating fittings help prevent kinks and, along with the TPE hoses, keep things flexible down to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Two Viper kits are available: The 20-foot kit includes two 10-foot hoses with rotating fittings and a 90-degree universal sewer adapter; the 15-foot kit includes a hose with rotating fittings and a 90-degree universal sewer adapter. The 15-foot hose collapses to a compact 72 inches, while the 10-foot hose shrinks down to 50 inches. A 10-foot extension and 2-foot compartment hose are also available.
Valterra Dominator
Valterra’s Dominator series hoses feature UV-stabilized poly construction for improved leak protection. The 10- or 15-foot hoses are designed to hold position for superior drainage, and collapse to 39 and 57 inches, respectively. Rotating fittings help keep the hose unkinked and obstruction-free. The 20-foot kit includes two 10-foot hoses with rotating fittings and a 90-degree universal sewer adapter, while the 15-foot kit includes a single 15-foot hose with rotating fittings and a 90-degree universal sewer adapter. Plus, 5- and 10-foot extension hoses are offered, as is a 2-foot compartment hose.
Valterra EZ Coupler Quick Drain Hoses
Valterra also offers the popular EZ Coupler Quick Drain Hoses available in 10-, 15- and 20-foot lengths. Heavy-duty construction is available in all three sizes (standard construction in 10- and 20-foot lengths), and the 15-foot length includes sizing rings. The 20-foot standard hose is also available with a preattached hose adapter for ease of use.
EZ Flush Premium RV Drain Hoses are available in a variety of configurations depending on the terrain and your budget. The Triple Wrap hose is made with a thick 21-mil vinyl cover; the Super Heavy Duty hose offers 18-mil vinyl covering; the Heavy Duty boasts a 15-mil vinyl cover; and the Standard is made of 12-mil vinyl. The standard also features what Valterra says is a smoother interior than other standard hoses, reducing waste hang-ups. All levels of EZ Flush Premium hoses are available in 10- and 20-foot lengths, with and without hose adapters.
For even more compatibility, RVers can select from Valterra’s supply of bayonet-fitting hose kits and extensions. The hoses are made with 18-mil vinyl cover with UV protection. The 10-foot kit includes a hose with rotating fittings and a 90-degree universal sewer adapter, while the 20-foot kit offers the same with two 10-foot hoses. The 10-foot hose collapses to 25 inches for easy storage. Five- and 10-foot extensions are also available.
Valterra Products | 818-898-1671 | www.valterra.com
Kristopher Bunker
Kristopher Bunker is the Managing Editor of RV Magazine and an avid RVer. He's one of the most knowledgeable journalists in the industry.
