Best RV Sewer Hose Extensions

Buying guide for best rv sewer hose extensions

Written by Michael

Updated December 2021

The RV life can be a great life, but the quality of your mechanical devices can affect your quality of life. It’s important to have your RV sewer system in working order, and for many folks, an RV sewer hose extension is needed.

When you arrive at an RV park, one of your important tasks is to locate the dump station. Sometimes, the dump station is in the wrong place. Perhaps it’s on the wrong side of your RV; perhaps it’s too far away for your regular hose to reach it. In any case, you need an extension to keep your system running smoothly.

It’s not always a simple matter to decide which extension is for you. One of your most important considerations is length. How much length do you need to add? This is a question you’ll have to answer based on past experiences. If your hose usually comes up a few feet short, a 10-foot extension would probably be fine. If you’ve had problems in larger RV parks where there is a greater distance to the dump station, you might need something longer.

Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through the facts you need to consider before purchasing a sewer hose extension for your RV.

RVs should have three tanks: a fresh water tank, a grey water tank for used kitchen and shower water, and a black water tank for toilet water. Don’t attach your sewer hoses to the fresh water tank. Believe us, you wouldn’t like the results!

Key considerations

Flexibility

Each RV park has a unique layout. Occasionally, you may have to wind your sewer hose in and around walls, light poles, or other obstacles. A hose that is too stiff might be durable, but it will pose a problem in crowded areas. A more flexible hose is the solution, and it will also be easier to store.

Frequency of use

If you only take your RV out once a year, you can probably get by with a less-expensive extension hose. If you live the RV life 24/7 — or anything more than a few weeks a year — it will be worth it to you to purchase a more costly (but also more durable) hose.

Storage

RVs have enough built-in storage for the normal hose that comes with them. However, there may not be enough onboard storage for the extension. A more flexible hose is easier to store if you have to cram it into a space that’s not really made for it. Because you might be storing your extension in an unusual place, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got some good end caps to prevent leakage.

Features

Durability

Durability is perhaps the most important feature to look for in an RV sewer extension hose. When preparing to empty a full tank of waste, nobody wants to discover that the hose has ruptured … especially if it’s on a weekend or at another time when all nearby stores are closed!

RV sewer hoses aren’t meant to be pretty, so don’t worry about appearance. Get one that will last. Spending a little extra upfront money for a quality hose could end up saving you a lot of cash and anguish.

Crush resistance

Closely related to durability is crush resistance. Accidents happen, and sooner or later, someone is going to step on the hose when it’s on the ground. If it squashes flat, you’ve got a problem, and you’re not going to be traveling anywhere until you get it fixed. Again, spending more upfront saves you in the long run.

UV-treated

UV rays from the sun take a toll on plastics of all kinds, and sewer hoses are no exception. If you’re going to be parked somewhere for weeks at a time, your hoses will be lying out in the open the whole time. Make sure you get something that’s UV resistant.

Remains extended

Some RV sewer hoses have an unfortunate tendency to contract on their own, putting pressure on the fittings. Aim to get an RV sewer hose extension that will remain extended when you pull it out.

Smooth interior

The smoother the inside of the sewer hose, the less likely you are to encounter clumps and clogs. Hoses that utilize wire to hold their shape will always have ridges and valleys inside them. These work and can be rinsed out, but smooth hoses are easier to use, maintain, and clean.

Accessories

Elbow fitting: Camco RhinoFLEX RV Bayonet Elbow Fitting with 4-in-1 Adapter
This RV elbow fitting connect fits snugly into the connection on four different dump stations and keeps your hose straight on the ground. The clear plastic elbow lets you see when your tank has finished draining.
 

Hose connector replacements: Camco Twist Connect Kit Sewer Fitting
When your existing hose connectors wear out or start to slip, replace them with this twist connect kit. It fits three-inch hoses. The kit includes two metal hose clamps and two ABS sewer hose connectors.
 

Sewer hose cap: Camco Durable Sewer Cap with Hose Connection
This is a three-pack of sewer caps with a built-in connection for a garden hose or other drain hose for emergency use when your tank is full and you need to drain off some grey water.
 

Sewer hose end cap: Titan RV Sewer Hose End Caps
Eliminate smelly leaks! These are press-on end caps to prevent leakage from your hose(s) during storage. They are versatile and fit a wide range of hoses.
 

Disposable latex gloves: MedPride Powder-Free Nitrile Exam GlovesHygiene is important when you’re emptying the waste out of your RV. Make sure you’re protected by wearing disposable latex gloves that can be thrown away after each use. MedPride’s blue gloves are available in several sizes, from small to XL. They are sold in quantities of 100 or 1,000.
 

Flushing hose: Camco Clean Out Hose
A flushing hose should only be used for sewer cleaning purposes. This hose is bright orange, so you’ll never mistake it for anything else. Use it to rinse out the sewer hose and extension after you empty your waste.
 

Sewer hose support: Camco Sidewinder RV Sewer Hose Support
When you’re parked in one place for an extended period of time, supports for your sewer hose will ensure that everything keeps flowing the way it should. Each support in incrementally smaller than the one before it to foster this. Camco’s hose support comes in several lengths and includes a convenient carrying handle.

RV sewer hose extension prices

From $10 to $20 is the low price range for a bare sewer hose with no end connectors or inexpensive hoses for short trips. If you’re looking to spend the minimum, this is the type of product you are likely to find.

Between $20 and $40, you will find the vast majority of extension hoses. Anything in this price range would be sufficient for the needs of most consumers.

If you spend $40 on an RV hose extension, you are spending in the top price range. That’s not the maximum price you could pay, however; you could even pay over $100 or a high-end hose extension. Here, you will find name brand hoses of high quality and durability.

Tips

• When you’re emptying your waste tank, make sure your RV is level or, better yet, tilted slightly toward the dump station. Otherwise, you won’t empty it completely, and it will fill up quicker than it should.
• Don’t be in a hurry when you’re connecting the hoses. If you go too fast, you could make mistakes that lead to smelly spills.
• Connect the hose to the dump station before you connect it to the sewer line on your RV. That way, you won’t accidentally open the tank before the hose is in the dump station.

Once you’ve emptied the tanks on your RV, use the fresh water hose at the dump station to flush out your sewer hoses.

FAQ

Q. Is the fresh water at the dump station safe for drinking?
A. No. “Fresh” doesn’t always mean potable. In fact, it’s usually not.

Q. After the extension is washed out, do I still need to cap it for storage?A. Yes. You can’t see inside the sewer hose(s), so there’s no way to be 100% sure everything was flushed out. Always cap it before storage.

Q. How often should I empty my waste tanks?
A. Every situation is different; it depends on how many people are in your RV. If your tanks have meters on them, however, empty them when they are two-thirds full.