How Long Should an RV Sewer Hose Be? (Helpful Guide)
It's a dirty job. But someone has to do it. Cleaning out your black water holding tank is not a job for those who have a weak stomach. Having the right length of sewer hose will save you a lot of embarrassing moments.
How Long Should an RV Sewer Hose Be? It may seem better to have a shorter hose. Shorter hoses store better and are also easier to handle. But a shorter hose won't help you in most circumstances. You would want to have a sewer hose no less than 20 feet long.
To get more facts on sewer hoses simply continue to read our article. It does not stop with just sewer hose lengths but gives you other important information about sewer hoses as well.
What Size RV Sewer Hose do I Need
For 90% of the black water holding tank dump station situations a 20 foot hose should be all you need. There will be those situations, the other 10%, where a 20 foot hose is not long enough.
Many RV users use a 20 foot hose and then carry another 10 foot hose when you arrive at a situation where you will need a longer hose. Other RV users carry 2 15 foot hoses to meet their dumping needs.
There will be those times when even those extra lengths won’t help. Some dump situations at a few campgrounds will require 45 feet of hose to dump efficiently.
What Diameter is an RV Sewer Hose
There is some good news on this topic. The different makers of RVs have a way of making the operational details of their RV different sizes. Sometimes no 2 RVs are the same.
This is not the case with sewer hose connections. In an almost unanimous decision, almost every brand, make and model of RVs use a 3 inch diameter hose. The only exception to this rule may be a few Airstream trailers which used Thetford fittings.
Are RV Sewer Hoses Universal
Yes, RV sewer hoses are universal. There are just a few exceptions as I mentioned above.
If you run into a connection fitting issue, there are adapters available that will solve your connection problem.
The top 3 Sewer Hoses
Just in case you are not up to speed n what is the best sewer hose to use, here is a brief review of the top 3:
#1. Thetford 1218.7853 Titan 15-Foot RV Sewer Hose Kit
This 15 foot hose is made from very durable TPE construction materials. This means that it is hard to crush even when some one steps on it. Then to help make your connection nice and tight, it has a 5 in 1 adapter.
The end caps are designed in such a way that it prevents leaks and breaking while you are using the sewer hose. Plus, the hose is able to withstand extreme hot and cold temperatures making sure you can dump your black water tank in any season.
#2. Lippert 359724 Waste Master 20’ Extended RV Sewer Hose Management System
This hose is long enough to handle almost all dumping situations you run into. Its 20 foot length is easy top handle. Then while it looks like a coil on the outside, the interior is nice and smooth. Nothing should get stuck during your dumping process.
On top of that, this sewer hose comes with a cam lock design making sure leaks do not happen as you empty your black water tank. Made from durable materials the hose also has a UV protective coating, keeping the hose in top shape.
#3. Valterra D04-0475 Gray 20′ Viper Sewer Hose Kit
Having flexibility is a good thing. This 20 foot hose actually comes apart in the middle. You can shorten it if your dump situation requires a shorter hose. Then a plastic elbow lets you keep an eye on the dumping process.
In addition to those features, swivel fittings help make sure your hose lies flat no matter where you are parked. Plus, its 4 pronged bayonet style connection make sure that leaks are a thing of the past. If stepped on, the durable TPE sewer pipe bounces back into shape and is ready to work again.
You and Your RV Sewer Hose
Some words of advice are needed as many sewer hoses are not as durable as they should be. When you buy your RV, the first upgrade you should make is replacing the sewer hose. This is because manufacturers cut costs and providing a cheaper sewer hose saves them money.
Then you should always carry at least two sewer hoses with you at all times. You will never know when you will need the extra length even though 90% of the time you can get by with only a 20 foot hose.
After you have dealt with that issue you should know that your RV uses about 5 different hoses. The secret to RV success is to not let those hoses meet. If any of those 4 other hoses meets up with the sewer hose, then you can put yourself at risk for unhealthy situations.
All 5 hoses are not interchangeable and should not touch one another at any time, ever. Even your flushing hose should not come in contact with the other hoses. To solve this problem, you can get an RV hose reel or hose carrier.
These handy tools make sure your hoses remain in top shape and away from each other.
Some Final Comments
Dumping your black water tank is a chore that has to be done. It pays to have the right hose on hand to make sure the job remains cleaner and easier to do. With the right hose, you can handle this chore for many years without replacing it. Even when it is stepped on.
The good thing about RV sewer hoses is that you do not have to worry about finding the right connection. The sewer hose connection on your RV is an industry wide 3 inches in diameter. All you have to do is find the right hose that you like and buy it.
Dumping your black water tank is not something to be feared. When you have the right equipment for the job, it becomes a simple task top perform.
