Dealing with waste in an RV isn’t always the most fun part of RV ownership. Fortunately, it’s not an overly difficult process and the right considerations will keep you from literally winding up with feces on your hands.
While we recommend always wearing gloves when emptying your RV’s wastewater tanks, having the best RV sewer hose for your rig will further improve the sanitation level of your wastewater disposal process.
If you’re a relatively new RV owner, it’s important to understand that all camper sewage hoses aren’t created equal.
For starters, you need to choose an RV dump hose that’s compatible with the wastewater outlet on your RV and offers enough length to reach the disposal input at various dumpsites.
Speaking from experience, it’s not always best to go cheap on an RV sewer drain hose either.
You need to be confident that your sewer drain hose can handle your RV’s waste management needs without leaking or bursting, as you’ll only have an even messier problem on your hands (literally) if that occurs.
To help you make a better decision, I’ve reviewed five of the best sewer hoses for RV on the market today.
I’ve also compiled a comprehensive Buying Guide that will help you determine hose compatibility, appropriate length, and a host of other RV black water hose buying considerations.
At A Glance: Our Top Picks For The 5 Best RV Sewer Hoses Of 2023
5 Best RV Sewer Hoses Of 2023: Reviews & buying guide
Having a detachable septic hose is much easier than installing a permanent solution for wastewater removal, especially if you’re on the move.
I’ve reviewed five of the best RV sewer hose options and ascribed the best use to each of these hoses.
1. Best Overall: Camco 39658 Deluxe 20′ RV Sewer Hose Kit
If you’re looking for the best and most durable camper septic hose at a very affordable price, look no further than the Camco 39658 Deluxe RV sewer hose kit.
This rv septic hose kit actually comes with two 10-foot hoses that can be attached with a central connector to achieve a total length of 20 feet.
This gives you plenty of ability to stretch the hose to the disposal input.
The drain hose itself is made of super heavy-duty HTS vinyl with a total thickness of 18 millimeters.
The swivel fittings on either end come pre-attached so you don’t have to worry about whether you’ve installed them securely when it’s time to put this hose to the test.
Those swivel fittings themselves will really come in handy. They make it much easier to connect and disconnect either end of the hose, regardless of the exact external conditions you’re working with at a campground or dumpsite.
With its 4-in-1 adapter, this hose fits 3-inch slip connections, as well as NPT threaded connections with 3, 3.5, and 4-inch diameters.
I also like the fact that the entire 20 feet of sewer hose can collapse and fit into four-inch square bumpers on the rear of any rig with this bumper style.
I also appreciate that the manufacturer included a clear extender for one end of the hose that allows you to visually confirm whether your tanks are completely empty before removing the hose.
Things We Like
Things We Don’t Like
Those that know they can always park close to the input at dumping stations or RV campgrounds should check out the Thetford Titan 17853 sewer hose.
This is a 15-foot hose that’s compatible with all RV sewer outlets and most inputs at sewage dumping stations.
I really like that the output end of this RV septic hose has a 5-in-1 adapter that includes a small handle on it.
This can be the difference between touching something you don’t want to touch and easily setting up your sewer dump hose without disgust.
On the other end of things, the ExtendGrip fitting makes it easy to attach the hose to your RV’s sewer outlet without spilling or dripping any sewage.
The hose itself offers exceptional resistance to damage from abrasions or punctures.
But it also makes this hose perform better when used in extreme temperatures (both cold and hot).
The hose is literally uncrushable! It will regain its shape even after being run over by a car (yes, they tested!), which means you won’t have to worry about an unexpected hose leak angering your fellow campground visitors.
Things We Like
Things We Don’t Like
3. Leak-Proof Connection: Lippert Waste Master 20’ Extended RV Sewer Hose
If you really don’t want waste on your hands (or unexpectedly on the ground), the Lippert 359724 Waste Master is actually more than just a dump hose. This is an extended RV sewer hose management system.
The CAM lock connector on the input side of this hose is time-tested to provide a leak-proof connection to your RV’s sewer outlet.
The hose itself is 20 feet long so you can have ample reach at dumping stations and campground sites.
But when you’re done using it, the hose compresses down to a length of just 5.6 feet for easier storage.
Those that like to set up their septic hose and leave it up for extended periods will like this hose for its UV-protected feature.
While it shouldn’t be left out in the sun for months on end, this hose won’t break down if it receives daily sunlight.
One of the biggest problems with ridged sewer hoses is waste particles getting stuck inside the hose.
Lippert has found a way around this by making the inside of the hose smoother while still allowing the entire hose to collapse for storage purposes.
I also really like the clear viewport on this system that allows you to visually confirm whether your tanks are empty before uncoupling any of the connections.
The Lippert Sewer Hose management system also comes with an integrated shut-off valve at the sewer drain end.
This valve gives you the added ability to shut down the flow of waste directly from the drain end rather than having to go all the way back to the valves at your sewer outlet.
Things We Like
Things We Don’t Like
4. Best Budget-Friendly: Camco 39634 Revolution 360 Degree RV Septic Hose
For a very budget-friendly RV sewer hose option, let’s check out the Camco 39634 Revolution hose.
This sewage drain hose boasts a similar design to the Camco Deluxe hose we mentioned above, but it’s just a bit more affordable.
One reason that this is a budget-friendly sewer hose option is that it comes with everything you need to assemble and start using immediately.
This means you won’t have to purchase any additional parts, tools, or connectors to make this hose work with your RV.
The RV dump hose kit actually includes two 10-foot sections of Septic Hose that can be attached using an included central connector.
This creates a total hose length of 20 feet, which is plenty for compatibility with most sewage inputs at RV dumping stations.
It also has 360-degree swivel fittings that make it much easier to connect and disconnect the hose at either end.
Because this design actually uses two separate lengths of hose, it makes storing it a bit easier.
Each 10-foot section of hose collapses down to just two feet so they don’t take up a bunch of space under your RV.
This kit also includes a swivel translucent fitting with a 4-in-1 adapter, storage caps, and wire guards to protect your hands.
Things We Like
Things We Don’t Like
5. Best Hose Thickness: Valterra 20-Foot Universal sewer hose for RV
If you’ve suffered a punctured RV sewage drain hose in the past and you’re looking for a super thick option with better abrasion resistance, let’s review the Valterra 20-foot Dominator.
While this rv drain hose design also uses two separate sections of 10-foot hose with a central connector, the hose itself is 23 millimeters thick to improve durability and puncture resistance.
Those of you that have prematurely unhooked a sewer hose know how important it is to make sure everything is empty before disconnecting your hoses.
That’s why I like the fact that this hose comes with a clear view adapter. This adapter allows you to visually see that nothing else is flowing through the hose before you start disconnecting anything.
I also like that the fittings on either end of the 10-foot hose sections come pre-installed so you don’t have to worry about proper assembly.
This dump hose reduces places where sewage can leak and puts more of the responsibility of a leak-proof design on the manufacturer, which means less headaches for you.
The Valterra 20-foot Dominator is also durable enough to handle cold temperatures down to negative 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
It won’t crack or break when exposed to these temperatures, which also makes it a great option for full-time RVers living in colder climates.
Things We Like
Things We Don’t Like
How to Select a Quality RV Sewer Hose?
Now that we’ve reviewed five of the best RV sewer hose options on the market today, it’s time to decide which ONE is right for you. In our Buying Guide, we’ll cover
Storage Space Needed
All of these dump hoses are portable options. This means they shouldn’t stay connected to your RV’s sewer outlet indefinitely and it means you’ll need a place to store them when they’re disconnected.
If your rig has a four-inch square bumper, that’s usually the best place to store a camper dump hose because you won’t have to worry about it getting anything else dirty or contaminated.
But if this isn’t the case, you’ll need to store your hose in one of your RV’s underneath storage compartments.
Usually, it makes the most sense to store a sewer hose in the same compartment where your sewer outlet is.
This makes everything needed for disposing RV waste accessible in one compartment and it keeps the mess in one compartment as well.
Fortunately, most RVs have an external shower hose located near the sewer outlet, which allows you to clean up any accidental messes.
But before you settle on a specific RV Septic Hose, make sure you check to see how much the hose collapses so you can be sure you have enough space to store it under your RV.
Hose Thickness
The thickness of an RV sewer hose is typically measured in millimeters. Most hoses have a thickness in the range of 18 to 25 millimeters, although some fall outside of that range.
Let’s discuss a few ways to know how thick of a camper black water hose you need for your specific application.
In the simplest terms, hose thickness translates to durability. If you live or travel in an RV full-time, you should probably have a thicker sewer hose than someone who only uses their RV for two or three short trips every year.
If you’re constantly connecting, expanding, disconnecting, and collapsing your sewer hose because you move around a lot, that’s another cause for needing extra thickness.
All this activity just translates to more wear and tear on your sewer hose, and a thicker hose can handle more of that wear and tear without puncturing or breaking down.
Another reason to get a thicker dump hose is if you live in a climate that experiences extreme temperatures.
This is true for both hot and cold climates. Excessive heat and/or cold can have a degrading impact on your sewer hose.
So make sure you opt for a host on the thicker end if you live in a really hot or really cold place.
Lastly, UV exposure is one of the primary culprits responsible for RV black water hoses breaking down and becoming more susceptible to punctures.
While you shouldn’t leave your hose out in direct sunlight for extended durations, a thicker drain hose will be able to handle the effects of prolonged UV exposure without degrading as quickly as thinner hoses.
Hose Flexibility
Flexibility is really important in a sewer hose because you simply can’t be sure what you’ll arrive to when you pull into a new campground or dumping station.
Some of these configurations will force you to get creative with setting up your sewer dump hose without compromising the integrity of the system.
It is in these situations that a flexible hose comes in handy. Most of the best RV sewer drain hose models can be flexed and adjusted to provide a relatively smooth path for your waste to follow from your RV to the sewer input.
It should be mentioned here that you should always try to give waste as straight of a path as possible when setting up your RV black water hose.
But we know this isn’t always possible. That being said, more kinks and turns in your sewer hose can lead to more waste particles getting stuck or lodged in the house before they can make it to the sewer input.
Lucky for you, all of the hoses I reviewed above are flexible enough to suit almost any situation you encounter in your RV. But it’s always good to make sure you don’t get a hose that’s too stiff.
Another great recommendation for improving the flow of waste through your sewer hose is to invest in a sewer hose support.
This will help you maintain a downward slope from your RV’s sewer outlet to the dumpsite’s sewage input.
When looking for these supports, just make sure you find one that has the same length as your sewer hose.
Fitting Type
There are three common fitting types you’ll see when researching RV black water hoses. They are the slip fitting, bayonet hook fitting, and the CAM-lock connector. We’ll provide some advantages and disadvantages of each here.
Slip Fitting
Slip fittings are almost a thing of the past at this point, but they used to be standard on a lot of RV sewer dump hoses.
This type of fitting is simple enough. You slip the sewer hose over your RV’s sewer outlet and tighten it down using some form of clamp or locking mechanism.
Many of these locking mechanisms were similar to hose clamps used in many plumbing applications.
The main problem with this type of fitting is that the clamps didn’t always retain their strength and provide a waterproof seal.
When it’s just water we’re talking about, that might not be the biggest deal. But when a loose clamp results in sewage leaking into your RV or onto you, you can easily see why many sewer drain hose manufacturers have gone away from this fitting type.
Bayonet Hook Fitting
Bayonet hook fittings are arguably the most common type of fitting used in RV sewer hoses today.
Many of these hoses are outfitted with a rigid plastic piece on the end of the hose that have two or four small hooks around the rim.
On the other end, sewer outlet pipes are now manufactured with small buttons on the outside of the pipe.
The hooks on the sewer dump hose then twist and secure onto those buttons to provide a more watertight seal.
There’s really no downside to this type of fitting, other than the fact that it’s usually made of plastic and could be more likely to break if not handled with care.
CAM-Lock Connector
The CAM-lock connector fitting is used on higher end sewer hoses to provide a nearly-guaranteed leak proof seal.
Industrial grade CAM locks have long been a staple of the liquid transportation industry.
Companies like Lippert have simply taken that type of CAM lock and applied it to their sewer hose applications. This type of connection can be labeled as a compression fitting.
It includes a seal ring that is compressed using two locking mechanisms on either side of the hose. This compression is what’s responsible for creating a watertight seal.
It’s very unlikely that you’ll experience a sewage leak if you opt for a hose with a CAM-lock connector on the sewer outlet end.
In fact, if leaks are your primary concern, you should most certainly opt for a sewer drain hose with a CAM-lock connector.
But the downside of this type of fitting is that it’s often only found on sewer hoses that are more expensive than most of the competition.
RV Length
One other consideration that should be mentioned briefly is the length of your RV. Generally speaking, longer RVs will require longer septic hoses.
This is mainly because you might not be able to position your RV’s sewer outlet right next to the dumping stations sewer input every time.
How close you can get will be due to a number of other factors, including the size of the dumping station or RV site, positioning of the sewer drain, other traffic in the area, and much more.
So just be aware that you’ll probably want to err on the side of choosing a longer sewer hose if you own a longer RV or travel trailer.
The 5 Best RV Septic Hoses Compared
The right sewer hose for you RV really depends on your preference and budget. But I wanted to take some time here to make a few concrete suggestions on who should look more closely at each of the five sewer hoses I’ve reviewed above.
Those in search of a high quality RV septic hose at a very affordable price will be satisfied with the Camco 39658 Deluxe.
This is a 20-foot hose that can actually be broken down into two separate 10-foot sections when you’re able to park a bit closer to the sewer input.
If you’re looking for a one-piece sewer hose with a 15-foot length, our friends at Thetford bring you the Titan 17853 sewer hose kit.
This hose utilizes Thetford’s proprietary Thermal Plastic Elastomer (TPE) material to provide industry-leading abrasion and puncture resistance.
If you don’t mind paying a little extra for a sewer hose that’s truly leak-proof, look no further than the Lippert 359724 Waste Master sewer hose management system.
The CAM-lock connector that connects to your sewer outlet guarantees no leaks and the hose’s smooth interior reduces the likelihood of waste particles getting stuck inside the hose.
The Camco 39634 Revolution is the most budget-friendly sewer hose on our list, but it comes with everything you need to connect it to your sewer outlet.
This means you won’t have to eat any additional costs of parts or accessories that you might have to buy after buying other sewer hoses.
In the interest of giving anyone who has experienced an RV sewage leak a great option to eliminate the possibility of that ever happening again, we’ve included the Valterra 20-Foot Dominator sewer hose on our list.
This kit comes with a 23-millimeter thick hose, which is one of the thickest and most durable options on the market today.
Frequently Asked Questions
While I must admit it’s somewhat of a dirty subject, it’s important to leave no stone (or sewer cap, in this case) unturned.
So let’s finish up by answering some of the most frequently asked questions about RV sewer hoses and their use.
What is the typical diameter of an RV sewer hose?
The industry standard for the diameter of an RV sewer hose is three inches. Because the thickness of the hose is typically measured in millimeters, it is essentially accepted that the diameter of the hose is the same on the inside as it is on the outside.
But if we’re splitting hairs, the outside obviously has a larger diameter, but it’s only by a matter of millimeters.
This three-inch standard diameter is accepted as enough for most RV waste to pass through without issue.
However, RV macerator pumps are designed to break down waste into even smaller particles so that it can pass through something the size of a garden hose.
How long should my RV sewer hose be?
Most of the best RV septic hose options come in lengths of 15 or 20 feet. While there are certainly 10 foot options out there, you might be surprised to find out how far that doesn’t go when you need to connect to a sewer input at a campground or dumping station.
We recommend looking for a RV rv septic hose with a minimum length of 15 feet. However, most companies sell hose extenders in 10-foot lengths.
As long as you also purchase the appropriate connectors and adapters, you can continue to add 10-foot sections to your sewer hose until you’ve achieved your desired length.
Are all sewer hoses universal?
For the most part, yes. Most RV’s have a standard three-inch sewer outlet that these hoses are specifically designed to fit.
It’s important to understand that your RV has two tanks: one for grey water and one for black water.
Because it has the potential for larger debris, most RV black water tanks use a three-inch outlet pipe.
On the other hand, grey water tanks are typically outfitted with a 1.5-inch outlet pipe.
That being said, these two pipes join before terminating at your RV’s sewer outlet, which should be a standard three inches in diameter.
What’s the best type of sewer hose fitting?
For your money, sewer hoses with bayonet hook fittings are probably the best bet. But if you’re willing to spend a little more, something like a CAM-lock connector can be employed to further reduce the likelihood of leaks.
The least expensive option is the slip connection, which simply slips the sewer hose over your outlet pipe and secures with some type of clamp.
As you can probably tell just from the explanation, this type of fitting has failed on countless RVers, which always results in more of a mess than you probably want to deal with.
How do I clean my RV sewer hose?
Making sure excess waste particles don’t sit in your sewer hose is the best way to extend its longevity.
After every dump (and only after you’ve confirmed that your tanks are empty), disconnect the input end of your sewer hose from your RV’s sewer outlet.
Run water through the hose for several minutes before you disconnect it from the sewer input at the dumping station or campground.
This is the best practice for ensuring that your RV septic hose is as clean as possible before you store it back underneath your RV.
Conclusion
Even if you already have a decent sewer hose for your RV, it’s never a bad idea to have a backup on hand.
You really can’t predict when your existing sewer hose might break down or suffer a puncture that causes it to leak. If your septic hose fails, you’ll know it with your nose before anything else.
The good thing about these hoses is they’re not super expensive. So it won’t hurt to pick up a backup so you have it when the need becomes more urgent in the future.
All of these RV sewer hoses are great options for part-time and full-time RV owners.
We hope you’ve found the reviews and information in this article useful and we wish you the best of luck on your upcoming RV adventures.
1 Comment
Dalton
2 years agoI have owned four RV’s and probably five different sewer hose sets. The best RV sewer hose that I used was the Camco RhinoFLEX 20-foot RV Sewer Hose Kit. I love that they extend and contract but hold that shape by popping into place instead of just stretching. I like the clear end so I can tell when the takes are rinsed thoroughly. They collapse down to a size small enough to fit into a small tote for storage.