RV Sewer Hose Tips

While staying at an RV park or campground with sewer hookups, there are do’s and don’ts many RVers don’t do. Here’s some advice and a photo to illustrate the tips so your RVing will be fun, not frustrating!

1. In the photo, you will see the sloping accordion-style support I use to keep the sewer hose off the ground and provide a gradual slope to the drain. Many states have a law or ordinance against sewer hoses laying on the ground, and the gradual slope helps prevent the drain end from popping out of the campground drain if a surge of “stuff” rushes out when opening the drain valve. (I’ve had that happen)
2. That stand should be placed in a “C” or “S” shape to help prevent the wind from blowing it over and unknowingly popping the end of the hose out of the outlet. (I learned that the hard way)
3. Use a good sewer hose, here is the hose I use, and create a “P” trap in the hose just after the RV outlet to create a hydro-lock to not allow sewer gasses and “critters” from coming up into your RV. Many black tank smells are coming from the campground’s sewer system, not your RV holding tank. As long as the RV outlet is higher than the end of the hose connected to the campground drain, it will always flow without a problem. (Trust me, I been to kollege)
4. Just prior to connecting your sewer hose to your RV, take a quick look at the hose end to ensure the black “O” ring is in place. (if unsure, scroll down for a photo) Without this “O” ring, your hose can connect, but will leak, and you don’t want your neighbor knocking on your door telling you your sewer is leaking (yep, that’s happened to me… embarrassing). Here is a link to extra “O” rings to have on hand in case yours becomes missing.
5. At the other end of the hose, the campground drain end, always use a clear elbow. When you are flushing your black tank, you can see through it ensuring your flushing water runs clear so you can tell you have flushed your tank well enough. (watching the “stuff” go down the drain is gross, but you’ll get used to it)
6. At that same campground drain end, most of the white PVC drains have internal threads so your drain hose clear elbow end can thread into their drain to hold it more securely. Give it at least a 180-degree twist to lock your elbow to the campground drain pipe, then give it a tug to ensure it’s locked into place. (Then maybe put a rock on it like I did in the photo for extra safety)
7. When all hooked up, flush a little gray water down the drain to make sure it is all hooked up correctly. (Trust me, even the best of us can do something wrong, and gray water is better to leak out and you’re there to close the valve quickly, than poopy black water)
8. A great suggestion is to have a slide gate valve on the end of the sewer connection of your RV, I suggest this one by Valterra and leave it on, with a cap mentioned below. This will prevent that inevitable little bit of stinky “stuff” coming out of your RV drain just as you remove your cap, and hook up your sewer hose. (that always happened to me until I put one on)
9. And lastly, when leaving the campground, always put the cap on your RV drain outlet. Many states require a cap and may fine you if one is not in place. Here is a link to a replacement cap, and a different style I like with a garden hose connection, to help you not get a fine. (Just ask the Texas Highway Patrol, but don’t ask how I know)