Stupid question, do I need to carry a 2nd water hose?

New England Weekender

Advanced Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2024
Messages
71
Location
New England region
Have seen people say they always carry 2 or more hoses. I saw a YT video where the guy recommends coming from the pedestal with a hose splitter before your potable clean hose to the rig. Later on he mentions keeping a 5 gal bucket with you at all times for putting out camp firepit fires, etc. The bucket stays upside down and covers the tongue jack to keep it dry. The safety chains clip on to hold it down. If I have a bucket handy and a water splitter handy, AND two separate ports for my quick connect coiled water hose at the front and rear by the outdoor kitchen, do I really need to have a 2nd hose with me as well?

My thinking is the only time it would be needed is to flush the black tank at the connection port. Does this normally get done in the campgrounds or once you're home at local dump stations? Correct me if I'm off here. I have no plans to use the blue clean hose on the black tank port, just wondering if I need the hose at all on the road. Space is most definitely a premium here. Thank you.

ETA: I should also mention 90% of our adventures will be 2 night or 3 night weekend trips and an occasional 7 night trip when we can make it work.
 
We're fulltimers and just now starting to try boondocking. Our water system is a bit more elaborate than most because of that. I carry several lengths of white hose for filling the fresh water tank. I carry another length of hose for flushing the tanks, washing the trailer, etc.

There are times when the water connection is some distance from the RV, and one hose isn't long enough. Several years ago we were at a Habitat For Humanity RV Care-A-Vanner build where there was only one water faucet for everyone. We had to borrow hoses from each other to fill our tanks.

As to your questions, I'd suggest you rinse the black tank whenever you dump. Since home is where we park it, I generally dump and fill when we arrive at a campground. Why? The fresh water tank is the one farthest forward on our trailer, and we're heavy on the tongue, so having that tank less full helps. The black tank is well shaken up when we land, so it gets cleaner to start with, and then I rinse it.

You don't need a second hose until you do. If you are okay with understanding that someday you will have to run into town to buy another hose and sanitize it before you can fill your tank, you don't have to carry another hose. Otherwise, I'd suggest you get a second hose, sanitize it, then keep it coiled up (ends together) until you need it.

BTW, the only stupid question is the one not asked.
 


To clean the tank at home you need access to a sewer to dump in. Without that it will get stinky around the house real quick.We usually clean the black tank at the campground. We do carry a splitter and extra hose, makes watering and cleaning the dog dish easier. I find those coiled hoses to be cumbersom and short, never kept one in the trailer for that reason. Having the hose we don't see the need for a bucket to douse the fire but we also usuall keep a square 7 gallon water jug with a spout for outside hand washing (we have no outside kitchen on the trailer) that can be used for putting out fires
 


To clean the tank at home you need access to a sewer to dump in. Without that it will get stinky around the house real quick.We usually clean the black tank at the campground. We do carry a splitter and extra hose, makes watering and cleaning the dog dish easier. I find those coiled hoses to be cumbersom and short, never kept one in the trailer for that reason. Having the hose we don't see the need for a bucket to douse the fire but we also usuall keep a square 7 gallon water jug with a spout for outside hand washing (we have no outside kitchen on the trailer) that can be used for putting out fires

We bought the trailer last month so our break in trip hasn't happened yet, but my expectation is this little coiled hose GD gives free with purchase does seem on the cheaper side but maybe it'll be fine to use on occasion. I like the 7 gal jug idea. Smart!
 
Weve been able to use our Camco 50' hose at every CG so far without issue for past 4 yrs. But, some CG's can get "unique" with their utility hook ups.

Agree with others that atleast 50'+ of hose is a good start for most CGs.
 
I carry several different lengths of drinking water hoses. I have been at campgrounds that I need all of them. I also carry a 50' garden hose for flushing my black tank. I use a "Y" to connect the hoses to. My water pressure regulator go to the drinking water hoses.
 
[MENTION=60544]New England Weekender[/MENTION]

"My thinking is the only time it would be needed is to flush the black tank at the connection port. Does this normally get done in the campgrounds or once you're home at local dump stations? Correct me if I'm off here. I have no plans to use the blue clean hose on the black tank port, just wondering if I need the hose at all on the road. Space is most definitely a premium here."

We flush out our black tank several times after each dump... especially when we have full hookups at a campground. I use a water meter on the black tank flush and put around 35 gallons in it with the dump valve shut then open it up and let it rip. You MUST keep an eye on the meter and not get distracted when filling up the black tank with the valve shut, otherwise you could end up with what I call a $hitastrophy, lol! I do this a minimum of 2 times, maybe more if we're heading home or getting ready to winterize. As far as how many hoses or what lengths of hoses you carry depends on your camping style. We travel with friends and have stayed at State Parks where the water spigots might be a couple of hundred feet away... having enough hoses to put together is a game changer when you want to refill your fresh water tank. I carry two 25' x 5/8" Blue water hoses for my primary usage and have a 50' & 75' x 1/2" white hoses in a Rubbermaid container for times when needed. I also have about a 15' piece of green 3/4" garden hose for the black tank flush that gets hooked to one side of the hose splitter before my Watts pressure regulator. Also, there is no problem with cross contamination by hooking up to the black tank flush port with a fresh water hose on your GD RV. There's a check valve located high up in that pex line, usually behind the shower wall that won't allow any back flow. Water goes up to around shower faucet height and then back down to the flush port in the black tank. Any water that comes back out of the flush port connection point when disconnecting it is just fresh water from the one way check valve back down.

20230415_082106.jpg

20230415_082125.jpg
 
Last edited:
[MENTION=60544]New England Weekender[/MENTION]
........ Also, there is no problem with cross contamination by hooking up to the black tank flush port with a fresh water hose on your GD RV. There's a check valve located high up in that pex line, usually behind the shower wall that won't allow any back flow. Water goes up to around shower faucet height and then back down to the flush port in the black tank. Any water that comes back out of the flush port connection point when disconnecting it is just fresh water from the one way check valve back down.

View attachment 50509

View attachment 50510

Good point!
 
I put a splitter (Y with shutoff on each leg) at the inlet to my water filter. One leg to the water filter and the other leg to the Black Tank Flush.
Recent trip we need two hoses for connection to the water supply. Distance was over 50'.
 
The hose question....a lengthy subject or should I say...not long enough. Here is my current set-up but first my camping style.

If we can 3 services is nice. State/Provincial parks are generally 2 services but not necessarily water on your site but nearby. Often just electricity. Some dry camping.

I have a spare water pump and two 5gal jugs that I can fill and refill my water tank if I run dry. Can be a lot of work.

I have a portable dump tank that I can transfer waste to and bring to dump station. Convenient when needed but heavy to move around. Thinking of getting a macerator and independent hose to fill waste tank in bed of truck and dumping from there. Less lifting. Also for grey water I have two tanks. I can always open both valves with black tank closed of course and equilibrate the levels. Never tried yet but should work as long as I haven't cracked open the black tank valve.

Now for 2 or 3 services. I have two 25ft camco cheap hoses and last year added a 50ft collapsible hose (blue) as I could have used it at a 1 service site to refill from nearby water supply. On the supplied water spigot I do use a splitter and regulator on RV water side. One hose or two connects to RV where I fill the water tank after some pre-filtration using cheap camco filter 20 micron. Always have water in tank as some sites I have been to have had power failures so nice to be independent.

I can use one of the 25ft hoses as an accessory hose if required.

For a 3 service site or at a dump station I have purchased a 10ft+ grey colored hose. I use this one strictly for black tank flush, portable tank flush, and hose clean-up at dump stations.

On the list for purchases are a collapsible water bladder (no more 5 gallon tanks), a macerator, and a better water filtration system for drinking water.

Hope this helps out.
 
That 'little coiled hose GD gives free' is actually for the outside spray port.

Yep. I have a port by the front compartment where the fresh water comes in and another by the outside kitchen, opposite side to the rear. Pretty handy to have one on each side. I only mentioned the coil hose in response to another commenter talking about them. The only coil hose I have currently is the spray port free one. Hopefully it lasts a long time!
 
Have seen people say they always carry 2 or more hoses. I saw a YT video where the guy recommends coming from the pedestal with a hose splitter before your potable clean hose to the rig. Later on he mentions keeping a 5 gal bucket with you at all times for putting out camp firepit fires, etc. The bucket stays upside down and covers the tongue jack to keep it dry. The safety chains clip on to hold it down. If I have a bucket handy and a water splitter handy, AND two separate ports for my quick connect coiled water hose at the front and rear by the outdoor kitchen, do I really need to have a 2nd hose with me as well?

My thinking is the only time it would be needed is to flush the black tank at the connection port. Does this normally get done in the campgrounds or once you're home at local dump stations? Correct me if I'm off here. I have no plans to use the blue clean hose on the black tank port, just wondering if I need the hose at all on the road. Space is most definitely a premium here. Thank you.

ETA: I should also mention 90% of our adventures will be 2 night or 3 night weekend trips and an occasional 7 night trip when we can make it work.

Question.
Are you sure those quick disconnect ports are for city water pressure going into the RV?
We have two quick disconnects as well, but they are for the outside “shower” function.
A regular water hose is used for the city water hookup.
Rich
 
As to whether you 'NEED' a second hose? Usually not. Carrying one long hose will usually suffice. But...stuff happens and having spare bits can often make your weekend or longer journey a less stressful time. Water is an important one.
I always carry a spare hose. Have never needed it but several campers throughout the years have been very appreciative of it being available. Last year my hose came back coiled up with a couple beers. Pay it forward. Someday I might be the one asking for something to save my weekend.
 
I have had a hose split on my once and having a spare saved a lot of water transport to fill the tank. I carry an extra collapsible drinking water safe hose as it doesn't take up much space. I saw someone earlier mention putting the ends together. I don't recommend that as it is a great way to get mold to grow inside your hose (keeping a sealed wet/warm environment). If you are concerned about bugs or dirt getting in your hose, just flush it with water before you hook it to the trailer and clear it out.
 
I keep a spare drinking water hose & splitter + hose for black tank/emergency etc. We've had spots where the water faucet for some reason is a long way from "normal "
 
I carry two fresh water hoses. Have had a couple of instances where the fresh water tap was further than the 25 ft hose. I also carry two hoses for the black tank flush as well. Same reason. Often the extra hose is never taken out of the basement but when I need it, it is nice to have it available.
 
Yep. I have a port by the front compartment where the fresh water comes in and another by the outside kitchen, opposite side to the rear. Pretty handy to have one on each side. I only mentioned the coil hose in response to another commenter talking about them. The only coil hose I have currently is the spray port free one. Hopefully it lasts a long time!

Those ports are not ‘where the fresh water comes in’ you connect the coiled hose (with a suitable nozzle installed) to them to use as an outside shower.
 

New posts

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top Bottom