This post contains affiliate links which earns us a small commission.
Buying an RV is about more than just owning one of the greatest road vehicles out there; it’s also about the right maintenance and care to keep your RV in great condition.
Sewer tank drainage (also called “black” or “dirty” water) is a necessary evil of RV ownership, recommended at least once per week to month depending on its size. A high-quality RV sewer hose is the first necessary tool.
Here’s our buying guide and FAQ to finding the best RV sewer hose – including our recommendations for the top 5 best RV sewer hoses available on the market and why they’re on this list.
RV Sewer Hose Buyer’s Guide
A sewer hose is usually one of the first “additional” items the owner of a new or used RV needs to buy. This is because even though most RV owners will need one, it’s not something that comes with the purchase of the vehicle. It’s not hard to see why a used RV sewer pipe isn’t the deal most consumers would take!
There are a handful of important factors to consider when buying a sewer hose for your RV.
Every sewer hose is different when it comes to elements like length & thickness, storage & portability, material & durability and flow.
Would you choose just any brand of gas to put in your car for the long haul? No responsible RV owner would! And it’s a good idea to look at purchasing an RV/Camper sewer hose in the same way.
Here are the essential elements that can tell you which sewer hose on our list suits your needs best.
- Tank Outlet Diameter: Always check the diameter for your gray and black water outlet tanks first. Standard sizes range from 1.5” to 3” – although there are exceptions to the rule. It saves a lot of time to check before making a purchase and realizing it was the wrong one.
- Durability: Sewer hoses should be bought with durability in mind. When looking at recommended options, check out product reviews for the hose you’d like to buy – and make sure that reviews report a high-quality product that lasts for a long time. The good news is that all 5 sewer hoses on this list rank highly in terms of their durability and overall quality.
- Length: Sewer hoses vary in length – and just like the outlet diameter of your RV tank, there are standards (15 to 20 ft) although also exceptions. Choose a sewer hose that has enough length to provide easy access, even when you’re parked further away from the outlet than normal. It’s better to have a longer sewer hose than a shorter one – and you can trust us on this.
- Thickness: Hose thickness matters, too; it’s also not necessarily related to your outlet diameter, but is likely to be slightly larger. Thickness matters for effective flow, and the thicker the hose, the more space to let liquids pass through – and often, the faster the drainage job is over and done with.
- Storage & Portability: Storage and portability are two things that matter to most RV owners; after all, they’ve got a house on wheels! These are also two factors that are going to matter for your RV sewer hose: Where do you store it when it’s not in use? Some hoses – most on this list – have special storage mounts that keep it portable and out of your way when not needed.
- Flow: Another important element for sewer hoses is flow. Not all sewer hoses are made the same – and ideally, you’re looking for a hose that provides unblocked, steady and fast flow all at once.
Check out our recommendations for the 5 best RV sewer hoses on the market – they’ve all been checked, and ranked high in terms of most of the factors mentioned here, including flow.
Our Reviews Of The Best RV Sewer Hose
Next, let’s look at our top 5 picks.
We selected these from a list of best-selling products on Amazon using a mixture of personal experience and the most important elements mentioned in our buyer’s guide. This guarantees you’re buying a good, solid sewer hose no matter which of the 5 options you choose – and all you have to do is find the right sewer hose to suit your needs.
Here are 5 great RV sewer hoses, starting with the Camco Rhinoflex Sewer Hose Kit as my personal favorite.
Camco Rhinoflex Sewer Hose Kit
Best Overall
The Camco Rhinoflex Sewer Hose Kit is one of the best sewer hose kits a new or seasoned RV owner can buy. It matches up to the most important criteria for what makes a good hose – and because it contains everything you could possibly need to do the job other than a pair of gloves, it gets the spot of “Best Overall”.
It’s made from polyolefin (a very durable type of plastic) and strengthened with steel wire throughout to ensure durability, flexibility and a no-leak guarantee.
It’s also created to fit several different outlet sizes, so it’s the perfect choice to have several model RV owners covered at once without the need to rush out for another fitting.
One more great feature? It’s available in either 15 or 20 ft lengths, making it suitable for anyone who would like to get the job done without having to fuss. Plus, a unique “swivel” feature means that you can even make it around corners.
Pros:
- It’s guaranteed to fit any sewer outlet connection with its “4-in-1” design and it makes your job a whole lot easier
- Made to move and bend, the RhinoFLEX has a “swivel” feature that means you can make it to hard-to-reach corners and angles – which a lot of other sewer hoses don’t allow for.
- Fittings have a swivel design, which makes them easier to connect – but also ensures that fittings can’t “slip off” when the connection is opened.
Cons:
- The 20” hose is in fact two separate 10” hoses – this can be a drawback, and make it a little harder to connect when you need the added length.
- Even though this has been made for “any” outlet length, some vintage RV models might very well be the exception. As we’ve said before, always check the individual specifications for your RV first.
- Don’t assume that superior connections make for flawless ones. Always make sure that everything is properly fastened before opening the connection – sometimes, you can’t blame the product!
Lippert Waste Master Sewer Hose
The Lippert Waste Master Sewer Hose is a very close second on our list.
Available in several different lengths and meant to be durable and UV protected, the Lipper Waste Master has been trusted by many RV owners for years – and unless you get a bad model off the production line (which is rare), then you should have no issues connecting or operating the hose.
It’s good quality, it’s made from durable materials and it has been made with a specialized CAM connection in mind that guarantees no slips, no leaks and an easy process. (It’s the same type of connection reliably used in a lot of liquid transportation, including but not limited to waste disposal.)
As a bonus, the Lippert Waste Master is also created to fit several different outlet sizes. Unless you have an older or larger type of RV, this should fit yours.
Pros:
- The Lippert Waste Master Sewer Hose has its own answer to a proper connecting seal in the form of the guaranteed CAM-lock that ensures a leak-free connection.
- The Lippert Waste Master Sewer Hose is created with added UV protection.
- Other than the added UV protection feature that many other hoses don’t have, this one has been guaranteed as puncture resistant – and it’s available in several different lengths as a bonus.
Cons:
- Some users have reported that they have issues with the Libbert hose and durability; if this happens to you, contact the manufacturer – you might have gotten a flawed hose off the production line. It’s rare, but sometimes happens.
- A flawed hose can also include “kinks” that might trap waste. Double-check your hose to make sure, and follow the same advice as above: Contact the manufacturer if there’s a kink in your purchase.
- This hose isn’t designed for larger or much older RV models, but instead for “general” RV models.
Valterra Viper Dump Hose
Valterra is a high-quality, reliable brand that many RV owners are already familiar with – and newer ones might still get to know with time.
The Valterra Viper Dump Hose is a hose kit instead of just a hose; you’ll find connectors, fittings and drip caps that make the entire process easier from start to finish. There’s no need to fuss – and no need to buy anything else for the majority of RV owners.
It’s been made to connect to a variety of different outlet sizes.
It’s also been made to be extremely easy to use.
What makes the Valterra Viper especially great, though, is the fact that it’s completely collapsible to 50” from its full-length. Most RV owners love portability, and if that’s your thing, you’ll prefer this one.
Pros:
- The Valterra Viper Dump Hose is easy to use – but more than this, it’s a complete hose kit that contains all the possible fittings and attachments you could need, including a universal outlet adapter and four drip caps.
- The Valterra Viper Dump Hose has been made from super-durable materials that resist punctures, general wear and UV rays; for added protection, it’s also reinforced.
- It’s great for portability and can be collapsed to only 50” from its full length to store.
Cons:
- The 20” hose is two separate 10” hoses instead of one.
- The designed connector isn’t perfect: Always, always and always double-check. Accidents can happen with any model, including this one.
- The Viper Dump Hose, like many other products from Valterra, carries a warranty of one year. Most RV owners would like a guarantee on hoses that lasts longer, but this doesn’t seem to be available.
Thetford Titan Premium RV KIT
The Thetford Titan Premium RV kit is one of the best RV sewer hose kits a newcomer can buy.
It includes everything you need, including two 10 foot hoses to make up the total 20” length, the 5-in-1 connection adapter and 4 end caps. Of course, the Thetford Titan is also available as a 15 ft option for anyone who doesn’t need it.
It’s made from a material called Thermal Plastic Elastomer (TEP) that proves to be more durable and longer-lasting than other poly-plastics. It’s puncture-proof for the most part, and can withstand bends around weird corners – which sometimes, is the only way to do it.
Pros:
- The superior connectivity adapter (“5-in-1”) means that the Thetford Titan Premium RV Kit fits most RV outlets without a problem.
- Many hoses don’t get up to 20 ft for users who need a little extra length.
- The Thetford Titan is made from a more durable, high-quality material that’s known to last far longer than cheaper plastics.
Cons:
- With some production line models, users have reported issues with the caps not sealing. Report this to the manufacturer for a refund.
- The Thetford Titan is not collapsible for storage like other hose models mentioned in this article, which is an issue for many RV owners.
- Some hoses have been reported to ship with kinks or weak points. Check yours.
Camco Revolution Swivel Hose Kit
Best Value
The Camco Revolution Swivel Hose Kit gets our recommendation as the best value pick for your RV sewer hose needs.
This is perfect for new RV owners, or any other RV enthusiasts who spent the bulk of their budget on the RV itself and might need to make a few alterations to their budget.
It matches all of the most important criteria for what an RV sewer hose should be: Easy-to-use, made from durable materials, created to fit several different sizes.
It’s also got one extra feature that the other hoses on this list does not; Two simultaneous hose connection points.
This is great for making tank drainage an easy job – and this way, the gray and black tanks can be drained at once to save you the time.
Pros:
- The Camco Hose Kit is made from very durable materials, and it can reach around corners without compromising flow.
- Many “budget” hoses are prone to flaws; this one isn’t, and that’s why it’s our best budget choice!
- For storage reasons, the Camco Kit is great: It collapses to only 2 ft from 10 – and when it comes to easy storage, this is the most portable on the list.
Cons:
- While advertised with a “translucent” fitting, not all models ship with this – and most are reported as shipping with yellow fittings instead.
- Not all models lock as well as others. The manufacturer is happy to issue a refund when it’s a factory fault, but this can still waste time in returns and shipping.
- It’s made well, but it’s not indestructible. Always check it for punctures when it’s been in storage for a while.
RV Sewer Hoses: FAQ's
Time to talk about the most frequently asked questions when it comes to RV sewer hoses and waste disposal.
Here’s the question-and-answer section covering the most important things you’ll need to know.
Where can I find the RV sewer hose connection?
The sewer hose connection that leads to the RV’s gray and black water tanks is usually (though not always) located on the driver’s side; look around until you spot these connections – although for the best results (and the quickest answer to this question) check the manual for your specific RV model to find the answer.
Where can I find the manufacturer’s manual for my model RV?
Many RV models are bought-and-sold without essentials they initially came with, such as the manual. See this link for a list of where to find RV owner manuals online.
What size RV sewer hose do I need?
This one is going to be dependent on which type of RV model you have. Most of the models on this list have adaptable connectors that should fit most types of RV models – and this means that size matters less than it used to, at least when it comes to RV hoses.
How do you connect an RV waste hose?
An RV waste hose is best connected directly – and best fastened carefully. Some fasten with clasps or connectors, but it’s important to remember that these should always be double-checked to ensure they’re connected. For more help, see this handy YouTube guide from Camco (the best budget option on this list) on basic RV hose tips.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXWymQ-yyQA
What RV sewer hose accessories should I get?
If you’ve bought a model other than those we’ve listed here, you might have to buy items such as connectors and seals separately. Luckily, most of the models we’ve mentioned fall into the category of kits containing everything you need.
How do you dump your RV holding tanks?
Dumping RV holding tanks (called gray and black water tanks) properly is pretty easy – and it doesn’t take years of know-how to figure out. We’ve broken it down into 3 easy steps.
Step 1: Park Near or Next to a Dumping Station
Step one is to park next to an official RV waste dumping station. This can take a little bit of planning and preparation – first to find out where the closest dumping station near you is located and then to figure out where to park your RV for enough reach.
As a note, official dumping stations are there to make dumping easier – and to keep it legal. Dump waste anywhere else and it’s a crime that could mean serious trouble.
Step 2: Connecting the Sewer Hose to Both Sides
Once you’ve found the appropriate connection on your RV (refer to the manual!), the sewer hose has to be adequately connected – and properly secured. Check and double-check that your connection is made according to the manufacturer’s recommendations before proceeding to the next step.
Step 3: Check and Open the Valves
The next and final step is to open the valves: The way to do this should be found on the RV tank itself. If your connections are properly made – and the other end of your hose is leading to the right outlet – the flow should be initiated and the waste should be a’draining. From there, it’s always a good idea to flush tanks with water before going back on the road. Ensure valves are closed when you’re done, and you’re all set.
So, What's Best For Your RV Waste Needs?
Every RV owner just wants the very best for their RV. This means always using the best parts – especially when working with sensitive and potentially biohazardous jobs like RV waste disposal where properly working tools ensure the safety of the RV itself.
Buying an RV sewer hose should be done with almost as much care as purchasing the RV itself!
The Camco RhinoFLEX was chosen as our best overall RV/Camper sewer hose for simplicity, durability and matching all other buyer’s guide factors perfectly – but shop around between the other models to find the one that matches up with your needs best.
