Your RV’s sewer hose isn’t the most glamorous camping topic. Yet this essential piece of equipment demands proper attention and timely replacement to avoid messy disasters. So how often should you replace your RV sewer hose?
A good rule of thumb is to replace your RV sewer hose every 2 to 4 years. But for full-time RV living, it is best to replace it every 2 years. But for infrequent use, replacing it once every 4 years is sufficient.
Smart RV owners know that a failing sewer hose can quickly ruin any camping trip.
Most new RVers learn about sewer hose maintenance the hard way. Whether you’re connecting to a septic system at a campground or emptying tanks at a dump station, your sewer connection needs to be reliable. The peace of mind that comes with a properly functioning hose makes replacement costs worth every penny.
Even the best RV sewer hose kits eventually wear out from exposure to direct sunlight, regular use, and storage in the rear bumper. Understanding when to replace your hose helps prevent leaks and unpleasant odors.
Let’s explore how to recognize the signs of wear and determine the right replacement schedule for your camping style.
How do you know when to replace an RV sewer hose?
If you notice that your RV sewer hose is cracked or leaking, you should replace the hose. You can visually inspect the hose for damage. Make sure to look along the full length of the hose and at the fittings of the hose too.
Sometimes, if the RV sewer hose is damaged, you will be able to smell the raw sewage outside of your RV. This is rare and is usually a result of the RV sewer hose not being fitted correctly and sewage leaking out.
There are many instances of RV sewer hoses leaking at the connection to the trailer. This is not always the fault of the one that installed the sewer hose. If you have been driving for a long time in your RV, sometimes the small vibrations of the road can cause the sewer hose fittings of your RV sewer hose to come a little loose.
Generally speaking, you should replace your RV sewer hose after every few hundred days of camping.
The amount of sewage in the hose does not really matter. Your RV sewer hose is designed to carry raw sewage and not get damaged by it. What causes damage to your RV hose is when you step on it, knock it, or drive over it. Sometimes your RV hose can get damaged by UV rays.
This is because RV sewer hoses are made of polymers. Sometimes these polymers can have chemicals added to them to make them more resistant to UV rays. However, in the case of RV sewer hoses, this is rarely the case.
Sometimes you will get a smell of sewage from outside of your RV.
Before replacing the hose, check to see if your RV has rubber gaskets at the ends of the sewage line. The rubber gaskets can rub and twist against each other and start to leak. This is more of a problem with older RVs.
What goes inside the hose does not matter. If you damage the hose by stepping on it, driving on it, folding it, or something, change it. Also, if UV rays damage the hose, change it. And finally, if you have traditional rubber gaskets, they twist against each other and will start to leak.
How do you clean an RV sewer hose?
When cleaning your RV sewer hose, you should go to an RV dump station. A dump station is a place where you can get rid of your old RV sewage. To do this, you are going to need a connection called a clear elbow.
A clear elbow is basically a rigid, 90-degree pipe that is see-through. You attach your sewage hose to the pipe. The benefit of the hose being see-through is that you can see whether your sewage is blocked as you are trying to empty the pipes.
There are some RV parks that have something known as full hookups. This is where an RV site has fresh water, electricity, and its own sewage system. This means you don’t have to store all of your raw sewage onboard your RV, which is great. RVs usually have two septic tanks.
One is a black tank (for toilet water), and the other is a gray water tank (for all other drains).
It is a good idea to start off by flushing the black water tank. The sewage in this tank will come out of the black water hose. We start off with the black hose, as it contains the dirtiest raw sewage.
Now that you have emptied your RV sewage, you should now clean the hose using bleach. What you do is connect either end of the hose together. This will make a circle with the hose. After that, you have to fill the hose with some bleach and then a few gallons of water. Join the ends of the hose together.
This will trap the bleach and water inside the hose.
Leave the bleach to rest inside the hose for a few hours to kill the germs. When you open the hose again, make sure you wear safety goggles. Sometimes, if you have put too much bleach in there, pressure can build up.
So, you get some splashes of bleach and water spit out when you release the pressure by opening the hose. After that, leave the hose open to air dry outdoors for a couple of days.
How do you clean the fittings of your RV sewer hose?
To clean the fittings of your RV sewer hose, simply remove them from the sewer hose. After that, you need to spray the fittings clean using a regular hose and water. If you want, you can prepare a bleach solution in a bucket and put the fittings in the bleach to soak.
Leave the fittings in the bucket for a few hours.
Then remove them, rinse them with the hose again, and leave them to air dry. This method can be used for bayonet fittings and cam lock connectors. With bayonet-style fittings, you have to make sure the thin rubber seal is firmly in place.
If the rubber seal is not fitted correctly, then you risk leaks and contamination at your RV site. You should clean the fittings of your sewer hose on a regular basis.
Some people wonder if you can put bleach in the holding tanks of your RV.
This recent article on my site explains just that. I talk about whether it is a good idea to put bleach in the freshwater or wastewater tanks of your RV. I cover what ratio starts to risk damaging your components. But I also get into safer alternatives.
Just click that link to read it on my site.
How do I protect my RV sewer hose?
To protect your RV sewer hose, avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures. If you use your RV in the desert, then the heat will cause the plastic of the hose to expand and shrink at night. This constant expanding and shrinking can cause the seals of the hose to become loose.
This leads to dreaded sewage leaks. Also, don’t buy a cheap hose, to begin with. They are often made of poor-quality materials that will get cracked, bent, and will certainly leak.
A practical tip to protect your RV sewer hose is to make sure the RV sewer hose is well fitted. If the fitting is loose, then it can come off while you are driving. Some RV owners have damaged their sewer hoses because it was dragging on the ground while they were driving.
When you are not using your RV sewer hose, it is important that you store it correctly. There are a few ways you can store your RV sewer hose to protect it:
- Use a sewer hose bin – this is an easy storage solution. It is basically just a big plastic box that you put the sewage hose in. The good thing is that the box is rigid and protects the hose. The bad thing is that the box takes up a lot of space in your RV.
- Bumper storage – Some RVs have tubes welded to the bottom of their bumpers. You can put your hose in here. This is good because you don’t have to put the hose on board.
- Sewer bag – sewer bags are just fabric bags that you can put your hose in. They are not as protective as RV sewer bins, but they can be folded and stored easily when you are not using them. These bags can be bought at an affordable price.
- DIY storage – some RV owners choose to make their own storage system. They make their own tubes and boxes and weld them to their RV. This is great if you don’t have much storage space on your RV and want a custom storage option.
How do you replace an RV sewer hose?
Replacing an RV sewer hose is gross, but it does not have to be a dirty job. If it’s your first time doing this job, make sure to follow these instructions.
First, remove the old sewer hose. Do this by following the instructions I mentioned earlier in this article about how to clean the sewer hose.
Once you have done that, get your new hose and a clear elbow. You need to screw the clear elbow into the new hose. This can be difficult. What I suggest is that you pour some warm water on the end of the new hose.
The warm water will loosen up the plastic a little, making it less rigid. It will then be easier for you to screw the clear elbow into the hose.
Once you have done that, attach the hose back to your RV exactly the same way your old hose was fitted.
How long should my RV sewer hose be?
Standard RV sewer hoses are between 15 and 20 feet long. However, you can get 10-foot hoses if you have a smaller RV. When deciding on the length of your sewer hose, think about how far you are going to be from the sewer system of the RV park.
If you are going to be a few feet away from the sewage connection, then you can have a shorter hose.
If you are going to be a little further away, or if you have an RV that is high off the ground, you will need a longer hose. This is so that you can reach the sewer outlet.
Also, think about storage space. If you don’t have the space to store a 20-foot hose using the storage methods I mentioned earlier in this article, then don’t get one. 20-foot kits have long hoses and are only really useful if you have an RV that is high off the ground.
You need to check how large your hose needs to be. The last thing you want is to spend all that money on one of the shorter hoses that won’t do the job.
If you want, you can look for collapsible sewer hoses. There are some RV sewer hoses that can shrink to about 3 feet in length. This makes them great for storage and transportation.
If you are going to be staying at a particular RV park for a long time, consider getting a PVC pipe for your sewage system. It will be a lot more durable than a normal, flexible RV sewer hose.
What is the best RV sewer hose?
The Camco RV 20′ Rhino Flex sewer hose is an excellent choice. It is a 20-foot hose, so it’s the perfect hose length for a large RV, such as a class A motor home. It has durable 23mm thick walls. It can also be collapsed to a small size and comes with a 90-degree clear elbow.
CLICK HERE to check the current price on Amazon.
It can be crushed if you accidentally run over it though. It also comes with the old-style bayonet fittings that can be hard to connect and disconnect.
The sewer hose extension fits a wide variety of dump station drains and the transparent elbow connects to the 4-in-1 adapter, which fits a 3-inch slip or 3, 3-1/2, and 4-inch threaded dump station pipes.
Comes in two 10′ sections, and each 10-foot section compresses to 39 inches with fittings for storage.
CLICK HERE to check the current price on Amazon.
Conclusion
Taking care of your RV tanks starts with maintaining proper sewer hose equipment. Full-time RVers might need replacements twice a year, while occasional campers can often get several seasons from a quality hose. The key is regular inspection and proper storage.
Keep your sewer hose supports and extension hoses in good condition too. A dedicated storage compartment protects your equipment better than the rear bumper, especially in cold temperatures. Remember to separate your sewer hookup equipment from potable water hoses to maintain sanitation.
The good news is that RV stores carry plenty of options when you need a new sewer hose. Whether you need a basic 25 ft hose or a thicker hose for heavy use, investing in quality equipment pays off. Consider keeping a second hose as backup for those times when you need extra feet of hose.
Your camping experience depends on well-maintained equipment. When in doubt, replace your sewer hose early rather than learning the hard way on your next trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you connect 2 RV sewer hoses together?
Yes, you can connect two RV sewer hoses together using a sewer hose coupler. This comes in handy when you need extra length to reach distant dump stations. Just make sure both hoses are the same diameter for a proper seal.
However, remember that longer connections increase the risk of sagging and improper drainage. Support your extended hose with a sloped hose support to maintain good flow. The connection point should be tight and secure to prevent any unpleasant leaks.
Always test the connection with a small amount of gray water before dumping black water.
What size is the sewer pipe in an RV?
Most RVs use a 3-inch diameter sewer pipe for the main drain line and black tank outlet. The gray water tank might use a smaller 1.5-inch pipe that connects to the main line. Your sewer hose should match these dimensions for proper fit and function.
The 3-inch size isn’t random – it’s designed to handle solid waste and toilet paper while preventing clogs. Some larger RVs might have bigger pipes, but 3-inch is the standard across most recreational vehicles.
When buying replacement parts or new sewer hoses, always check for this standard size to ensure compatibility with your RV’s system.
Do I need an RV sewer hose support?
Yes, a sewer hose support is crucial for proper waste tank drainage. Without support, your hose can sag and create low spots where waste gets trapped, leading to clogs and slow drainage. Think of it like a slide – waste flows best when going downhill.
The support elevates your sewer hose and creates a gentle slope from your RV to the dump station. Some campgrounds even require them to prevent hoses from dragging on the ground. Plus, they protect your hose from damage and extend its life.
Consider it an essential investment for hassle-free dumping and campground compliance.
Do RV sewer hoses freeze?
Yes, RV sewer hoses can freeze in cold weather, especially when temperatures drop below 32°F. Frozen waste in your hose creates a messy and potentially expensive problem. The ice can damage or split the hose beyond repair.
Never leave your sewer hose connected during freezing weather unless you’re actively using it. Empty and store your hose indoors when temps drop. Some winter campers wrap their hoses in heat tape or pipe insulation for temporary protection.
The safest approach is to dump your tanks completely and disconnect the hose before freezing weather hits or drip your faucets (and occasionally flush the toilet) inside the RV the same way you would in your home.
Photos which requires attribution:
Still frame taken from video RV Life | Sewer Solution | Game Changer | Macerator Pump by Liz Amazing is licensed under CC2.0 and was cropped, edited, and had a text overlay added.
RV Sewer Dump Valve by Dave Bezaire is licensed under CC2.0 and was edited, and had a text overlay added.
Still frame taken from Before you replace your entire RV sewer hose WATCH THIS! 💰 Money saver! 💰 by PLanFree is licensed under CC2.0 and was cropped
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