Why Do I Need Support For My RV Sewer Hose?
If you mostly boondock or dry camp like we do you maybe haven’t thought too much about getting an RV sewer hose support because you haven’t really needed one yet.
We were the same way for a long time until we stayed at an RV park that had a raised sewer hole.
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Emptying our trailers holding tanks was almost impossible and I had to resort to trying to make a quick homemade RV sewer hose support just so we could get the job done.
After that experience, we started to see how having an RV sewer hose support was not only going to help us for the occasional trailer park visit but also at dump stations.
We bought the Camco 15ft plastic Sidewinder RV sewer hose support and have since used it many times at different dump stations and RV parks.
Camco 15ft Sidewinder RV Sewer Hose Support
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Features
The Camco Sidewinder RV sewer hose support is made with durable, waterproof plastic that folds like an accordion into a small portable size.
It’s held together with a plastic grabber that also doubles as a carry handle.
The 15 foot version which is the most popular and the one we use on our own travel trailer weighs only 5 lbs and collapses into an uneven rectangle that is 10 inches long and 7.25 inches at the tallest point.
When folded out completely the Camco Sidewinder sewer hose support can be up to 15 feet long.
There are 10 and 20 foot versions available if you need more or less material to work with.
Because I’ve rarely needed to use more than 10 or 15 feet of sewer hose I went with the 15 foot support because it can be shorter than 15 feet and give your sewer hose a lot of support.
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The entire thing is angled to help your hose drain.
It starts out at 7.25 inches and each cradle slowly decreases in height and ends up being only 4 inches tall at the end.
It’s still plenty of height to clear the 90° sewer connection elbow you need to have at most RV parks and helps everything drain much faster.
My Review Of The Camco Sidewinder RV Sewer Hose Support
I was a little worried about buying a plastic RV sewer hose support because I’ve seen how they can fold back up or just not have enough weight to really hold up the sewer hose when it’s draining.
So far none of these things have been a problem with the Camco Sidewinder and I’ve been nothing but satisfied by how easy it is to set up and put away.
When dumping the trailer it holds up well to the weight of the running water even when stretched out to the full 15 feet.
I’ve used it way more than I thought I would and it beats trying to make my own support out of rocks and wheel chocks or having to lift the sewer hose up over and over again to get it to drain fully.
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It even comes in handy at dump stations that have the ledge you have to put the sewer hose over.
My travel trailer now dumps faster, better, and I don’t have to spend time lifting up the hose to work out the leftover wastewater.
We had it set up during a pretty gusty wind storm at an RV park and it hadn’t moved at all the next day. I was impressed with how well it held up to wind and it’s been fine in rain as well.
What I Like
- Lightweight
- Easy To Store
- Quick Set-Up & Put Away
- Durable
- Waterproof
- Securely Holds RV Sewer Hose
- Can Be Used At RV Dump Station As Well As Campgrounds
- Doesn’t Move In The Wind
What I Don’t Like
- Each Support Leg Has To Be Evenly Placed So Hose Won’t Fall Through
Just to elaborate a little bit on what I don’t like about the Camco Sidewinder RV sewer hose support.
It does a fantastic job of holding up the sewer hose and it’s every bit as good as any other brand in that respect.
It’s just that the main difference between a lightweight plastic one like this and a more heavy-duty aluminum one is that the legs do move a little easier.
If you have to snake the RV sewer hose support around to get it to reach the sewer perfectly as I did in the picture above you have to be careful to place the support legs just right so the hose doesn’t fall down around the corner when it’s full of wastewater.
When suddenly filled with a lot of water an RV sewer hose will expand and sometimes when there’s enough force on the support legs in a stressed area they will move a little bit so the hose will expand over and onto the ground.
You have to move them back which can be a bit annoying if you live in an RV park and dump your RV on a daily basis.
Related: How To Maintain RV Holding Tanks To Prevent Clogs & Odors
I think the plastic Camco Sidewinder is perfect for boondockers who only go to RV parks every now and again and weekend campers.
But for full-time RV park residents using a heavier aluminum RV sewer hose support like the one linked to down below or making a sturdy homemade sewer hose support might be a better option.
Durability
Even though it’s made of plastic the Camco Sidewinder RV sewer support still feels very durable and has enough material to withstand the weight of the sewer hose and the water running through it.
What I really like about the plastic is it’s completely waterproof and there’s no risk of rust.
Portability
Unlike other kinds of RV sewer hose stands Camco has gotten rid of any hard to use straps and bags and made a custom plastic handle that grabs around the collapsed stand and holds it in place.
It makes this sewer hose stand very easy to set up and put away.
It’s also very lightweight, and super easy to store making it very portable in my opinion.
Usability
While it may seem like just an extra cost getting an RV sewer hose support stand can actually be a pretty good investment.
If you stay at the occasional RV park you will be able to dump your RV much easier and some parks and campgrounds even have rules that say your sewer hose must be off the ground.
It’s also great at the kind of dump stations that have that annoying cement curb to protect the sewer opening.
You can use the stand to hold the hose up before the bump so no wastewater gets stuck while it’s flowing out of your RV holding tanks.
Because you can also use it at dump stations I would say the Camco Sidewinder RV sewer hose support is multifunctional and a very usable must-have RV product.
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Similar RV Sewer Hose Supports
Camco Aluminum RV Sewer Hose Support
The aluminum RV sewer hose supports are perfect for those who spend 90% of their time camping in RV parks or places with full hookups.
They keep your sewer hose really secure and it won’t move around as much as the plastic kind when dumping your RV.
The aluminum means it’s very lightweight and super portable. Even this larger 15 foot version can fold to only 11.5 inches long and 7 inches at the tallest point.
The 15 foot version has rubber handles on each end to make it easier to pull apart and expand. When collapsed the RV sewer hose support is held together with a strap.
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The support has a U shape to cradle the sewer hose but there is also a strap kit included to strap the RV sewer hose onto the support making it more secure and worry free when dumping your RV.
The only downside is it can only be expanded into a straight line and can’t do any turns.
The Camco Aluminum RV Sewer Hose Support is one of the best sewer hose supports on the market today and it’s perfect for people who need to use one all the time.
I don’t recommend this kind for people who mostly boondock because it’s a little high end if you only need one once a month or less, but for regular use, this is a fantastic option
Camco Adjustable RV Sewer Hose Support
The Camco adjustable RV sewer hose support looks a lot like the popular homemade version I’ll talk about later on in this article.
The RV sewer hose is held up by plastic “troughs” that are 30 inches long each. There are 6 included in a pack, which will work on sewer hose lengths up to 20 feet.
What’s great about this style of RV sewer hose support is it works over very uneven ground and can act as a bridge across large holes and bumps like curbs.
On each “trough” there are 4 metal stakes that can be adjusted up to 12 inches tall.
They can be used to secure each trough into the ground and to make the entire support system more level with a gradual decline toward the sewer hole.
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For easy storage, the troughs can be stacked on top of each other and there is a storage bag for the stakes. You can also use the troughs to make turns and snake around obstacles.
The Camco Adjustable RV Sewer Hose Support is the perfect option for people who have full hookups for a trailer on uneven terrain and need something more permanent that will hold the sewer hose securely.
It’s not the most portable option but it’s one of the best solutions for those who stay in RV parks or campgrounds for months at a time.
Best Homemade RV Sewer Hose Supports
The Rain Gutter
A very common sight in RV parks and campgrounds with long term RV living options is the rain gutter RV sewer hose support.
It’s a rain gutter cut to size and held up with a stool or block of some sort on the high end near the RV sewer outlet and then angled down towards the sewer hole.
This is an excellent option for long term RV park stays and when the sewer isn’t too far away from the RV sewer outlet.
4 Inch PVC Pipe
Because the standard size for RV sewer hose is 3 inches a 4 inch PVC pipe cut in half holds them perfectly.
PVC is a very stiff material and can usually take the weight of the sewer hose and the wastewater without needing any kind of support legs but if you need to cover a lot of distance and add a few turns and curves you can make legs out of 2x4s or PVC fittings.
If you have leftover 4 inch PVC pipe and are handy with a skill saw you can cut legs out of that as well.
PVC pipe may be more readily available than rain gutter pieces and can be easier to cut and store.
Rocks, Logs, Or Leveling Blocks
If you are in a pinch and really need to make an RV sewer hose support quickly using rocks, wood, and even RV leveling blocks like these (click to view on Amazon) will be better than nothing.
When you open the sewer valve the hose will start to expand and possibly fall off of your homemade support so make sure you bungee it to it or make support that cradles the hose enough to stop it from falling off.
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Frequently Asked Questions About RV Sewer Hose Support
What size is an RV sewer hose?
A standard RV sewer hose is 3 inches in diameter with fittings that can range from 4 inches in diameter to 4 1/2 inches.
How long should an RV sewer hose be?
A single length of RV sewer hose is normally 10 feet long.
No matter what kind of RVer you are whether it’s a weekend camper or full-timer you should always have two 10 foot sewer hoses (20 feet total).
You never know how far the sewer connection will be from your trailer or RV and stretching an RV sewer hose too far may end up being a costly mistake.
Where can I store my RV sewer hose?
The most common RV sewer hose storage location is in the RV or travel trailer bumper.
If you store it in the bumper make sure you use vented end caps like the Camco Squeeze Grip Caps (click to view on Amazon).
Water and metal are a bad combination and not allowing good airflow to dry out the inside of the bumper may cause it to rust out.
Another option for those who don’t want to store their sewer hose in the bumper or don’t have a bumper for storage is an RV sewer hose carrier like the Valterra EZ Adjustable Hose Carrier (click to view on Amazon).
This is a large external tube you can mount under your RV or travel trailer to store your RV sewer hose in. It’s made of plastic so there’s no risk for any rust.
Where can I dump RV sewage?
There are lots of towns that have RV dump stations where you can dump your RV sewage.
RV parks and campgrounds will even allow you to come in and dump your RV for a fee.
For more information on how to find RV dump stations and even potable water check out this post here.
Do new RVs come with a sewer hose?
Usually, when you buy a new RV from a dealer they will have a package that includes all of the essentials like a water hose, an RV sewer hose, batteries, propane tanks, and more.
Sometimes the dealer will charge extra for this package or include it in the price of the RV.
Make sure you ask before you buy so you know what you are getting and paying for.
Have any more questions about RV sewer hose support or RV sewer hoses? Leave a comment below.
