Are RV sewer hose supports necessary?

[GravelRider]

We just got our travel trailer a couple months ago and have only been out a few times. Thus far, we've only ever boondocked or dry camped, and plan to continue camping this way for probably 90+% of our camping. In a couple of weeks we're leaving for an 11 day trip where we'll be staying in a full hookup spot two nights (not consecutive). Realistically, I will probably empty the grey water tank a time or two (long showers by my wife), and might empty the black once right before we leave. The hose supports seem like an unnecessary expense and packing bulk for only occasional use. Is this really necessary at most campgrounds?

[pianotuna]

6door74 wrote:
Just rented a travel trailer for a few days and noticed almost everyone had these but me. I found myself walking the hose to empty it and not sure if it's related, but found that the hose leaked it i didn't squat down and hold it against the outlet. I watched my neighbor dump his tanks while doing other things to break down, meanwhile i was stuck holding the hose.

While we don't own a trailer yet, i think I'll purchase these supports so i have them in future for rentals and eventually ownership.

If you plan on buying from a dealer have them "throw one in" to seal the deal.

If you buy privately--the owner may already have one.

[6door74]

Just rented a travel trailer for a few days and noticed almost everyone had these but me. I found myself walking the hose to empty it and not sure if it's related, but found that the hose leaked it i didn't squat down and hold it against the outlet. I watched my neighbor dump his tanks while doing other things to break down, meanwhile i was stuck holding the hose.

While we don't own a trailer yet, i think I'll purchase these supports so i have them in future for rentals and eventually ownership.

[pitch]

We have a set and use them probably 30% of the time. Our Hybrid is low and we don't get that powered gravity slam that most,(taller), get.
While not critical for the price why not?

[Powertour]

In 20 years I can probably count on 1 hand the times I've had to or would've been nice to use one if I'd had one with me.

We carry a standard camco (or whatever brand it is) expandable one with us nowadays but it rarely gets pulled out of the storage compartment.

[spoon059]

Like others, I don't use the traditional supports. I have a 10'section of plastic gutter that I cut into a 6' and 4' piece. If I need to control the angle of my sewer hose, I lay it in the gutter and use blocks to control the angle. The traditional supports allow the hose to sag between supports and don't really work if the ground isn't even.

[dave54]

Used to use them. Seldom do now. Most sites are level enough they are not needed. A few places had signs stating supports were required by local code. Supports do keep the hose off sharp rocks that could poke a hole.
Had one site so sloped the sewer was above my outlet. That made dumping my tanks a challenge but I figured out a workaround.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

Is it necessary? In 40+ years of camping and 24 states I have never used them.

So for me; it's not necessary.

[dodge_guy]

Wishbone51 wrote:

dodge guy wrote:
Although I’m not sure I would want to see “stuff” flowing down the gutter into the drain!

You're joking, right?

Make a visual and you will see I’m joking!!!!! Or am I!:E

[Edd505]

schlep1967 wrote:
I bought a fifthwheel for the convenience of having my own services in my unit. When we camp for a weekend and have full hook-ups we use them. We take normal long hot showers (sometimes 2 a day) and will drain the grey water Saturday afternoon. I use a plastic expanding hose support for the stinky slinky. Once I am set up I don't need to handle the poop pipe again until I break down Sunday after lunch. I just pull a handle and walk away for a few minutes. No need to pick up the stinky slinky and walk it to the drain.

Do you need one? Based on your example of the kind of camping you do, probably not.

3/4 time and do the same, keeps it clean in rain also. Gray open all the time & closed a day or so before leaving to flush the hose to dump & leave. Olds saying, poop runs down hill.

[jarata1]

A lot of parks state hose must be off ground

[Wishbone51]

dodge guy wrote:
Although I’m not sure I would want to see “stuff” flowing down the gutter into the drain!

You're joking, right?

[camperdave]

dodge guy wrote:
Yes they are! The only time I don’t use ours is when the connection is even with the ground. Only one campground we go to is like that and it’s lower than the RV so there is a natural slope. Any other time I use the support. Or as people have said PVC gutter. Although I’m not sure I would want to see “stuff” flowing down the gutter into the drain!

lol, the gutter supports the hose, doesn't replace it.

I have one of the accordion support things, honestly I've carried it for years but never used it. I've debated many times leaving it at home, but I know the one time I do will be the one time I really need it for some reason!

[dodge_guy]

Yes they are! The only time I don’t use ours is when the connection is even with the ground. Only one campground we go to is like that and it’s lower than the RV so there is a natural slope. Any other time I use the support. Or as people have said PVC gutter. Although I’m not sure I would want to see “stuff” flowing down the gutter into the drain!

[2_Retired]

We have one and use it often. DH says it makes the whole process of unhooking much easier, and as others have said, more and more CGs have raised the sewer piping. It's very simple to use and have never had a problem. It takes up so little room don't know why it would be trouble to have.

[aftermath]

I use a 10ft section of vinyl rain gutter cut into 6 and 4 ft sections. I purchased this at a second had building supply store for about $5. Cost? Next to nothing.

These stack together nicely and fit in the back of my tundra without an issue. I take along a few scrap boards and use them to level up the "poop shute" as the wife calls it. It does take a few extra minutes to set up but when it comes time to leave, the hose drains easily and when I rinse it out before storing it, it rinses quickly and cleanly.
Lay it on the ground if you want. I personally don't want to mess with the clean up at the end. I am more concerned about the hose becoming disconnected to the sewer dump fixture than anything. If I were lifting and walking the hose all the time I fear that I might disconnect things at the worst possible time. With my system I don't touch it (the connection) until after everything is dumped and rinsed out .