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?

[Veebyes]

One more thing to find a place to store it.

Don't dump if you don't need to. We can go a week no problem but usually dump every 3 or 4 days or depending on availability of a dump.

No big deal to hold the hose up & let gravity do it's thing.

[Cptnvideo]

I bought a 10' length of gutter (about $6) at a local hardware and had them cut it into 4' and 6' sections. I lay one or the other or both on the ground if a puncture might occur. And I put a block of some sort under one end if I need to create a ramp.

[Sjm9911]

I always use mine when set up , makes it easier. Hows that saying go, #%@! Flows downhill? The support makes it so. Also, easier to clean when done. I also have had to walk mine when they have the really high conections, not exactly an ideal task. Much easier to have gravity do the work for me.

[dave54]

Carry one. Seldom use it. Only if the ground is uneven or gravel (low spots and gravel poking holes in the hose). I have run across a few campgrounds that require them.

One time the hookup was so far back behind the site I had to go buy a second support to reach.
Another time the site was so uneven the in-ground sewer drain was above the rig drain port. Had to repeatedly walk the hose to the drain.

[pbeverly]

I'll walk my slinky when done draining. Takes a whopping 10 seconds if even that. As long as the trailer discharge is a little higher that the sewer connection gravity will work, even if it has to go up a bit at the sewer. The initial gush of grey water should push what is left of the black water on thru. I have never had the experience of a sewer connection being higher than my camper.

I once watched a guy spend 2 hours plus getting his slinky and supports PERFECT. No exaggeration. Maybe if I was staying somewhere LONG term, but he was only there for a couple days. Probably didn't use his tanks out all.

I wonder how many people who use supports are trying to skip using their tanks.

[mdcamping]

Bobbo wrote:

mdcamping wrote:
only boondocked once or twice, my trailer has a low sewer connection, been multiple times where my accordion sewer hose supports has come in handy on full hook up sites.

Mike

How did they come in handy above just laying the stinky slinky on the ground?

Just noticed this thread and yeah I know this is a 2yr old reply, I have come across sewer connections where they were 6" or 8" above ground, combine that with the connection area being in a ditch I end up with water having to flow uphill. The slinky came in handy to bridge the ditch area.

I may not need it as much with my new trailer as I have a higher sewer connection, but if i need it I'll use it.

Mike

[valhalla360]

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 the fittings are loose on the connection, they will leak whether you use a support or not.

If we will be in place for more than 4-5 days, we will use it, so we can just pull the valve to drain the next time.

If it's less than 4-5 days, we will just hook up the hose and drain before leaving...no point in messing about with the support.

PS: you still want to flush with straight water as the ribbed design of the hose will hold debris otherwise.

[Campinghoss]

way2roll wrote:
Little surprised at the answers. I have a set and use them just about every time I am at a site with full hookups. I don't use them at a dump station of course, but I find that at a site the port is always a few inches tall and the supports help overcome the hump. Also, without any support, I find the sudden rush of opening the valve really pulls on the connection point of the hose to the RV and keeps the hose from getting a little squirrely. It also keeps the hose off the ground and getting muddy etc. Only takes a minute to set them up and provide the easiest way for a straight shot. To each his own. I just never realized so many people were against them.

I use mine as well. As far as being surprised, there are a lot of things talked about in this forum that surprise me :E

[Cocky_Camper]

The only that that we have used one is if the rv outlet is lower higher than the ground drain, but the ground would run uphill. And 2, sometime is the hose if to long for the area, it just helps to keep it in place that that it want snake all over the ground.

[way2roll]

Little surprised at the answers. I have a set and use them just about every time I am at a site with full hookups. I don't use them at a dump station of course, but I find that at a site the port is always a few inches tall and the supports help overcome the hump. Also, without any support, I find the sudden rush of opening the valve really pulls on the connection point of the hose to the RV and keeps the hose from getting a little squirrely. It also keeps the hose off the ground and getting muddy etc. Only takes a minute to set them up and provide the easiest way for a straight shot. To each his own. I just never realized so many people were against them.

[Alan_Hepburn]

There are some municipal codes that require the sewer hoses to be elevated off the ground, so it's wise to at least carry a "stinky slinky" for those times where the campground requires it...

[dcmac214]

No, not necessary. We use one whenever the hose isn't all-downhill from RV to sewer pipe, which is probably +90% of the time.

[Lantley]

Sewer Supports are not necessary in my book. It's easier to just pick up the hose and drain everything out at the end vs. getting out, setting up, and putting away another gadget

[ford_truck_guy]

As the old saying goes - -

" Sh!t don't flow uphill "

When the dump tube is above ground level, I got tired of Grabbing the "Sewer Hose" and creating a cr@p slide into the dump to empty the sewer hose.... the support keeps a constant angle for flow.....

For OUR camping, I prefer to use one, BUT to each their own..

[Herryy]

We've been using this sewer hose support CamCo for a few years and we're frequent travelers (60-70 nights a year) and normally only stay at a campground for a day or 2 before moving on, so it gets set up and taken down a lot. I was also thrilled to see this product offers the ability to contour around potential obstacles, it ensures you can avoid any rocks and sticks capable of causing structural issues like punctures.


As anyone who RV's knows when you empty the tanks at the end of your vacation it isn't much fun having to lift the hose up to ensure that all the matter inside has drained out or worse yet thinking the hose is empty then moving it only to end up with shoes covered in nasties. This sewer hose support CamCo will see an end to those worries.

I have had this Sewer Hose Support CamCo over a year and it is still very durable, very much needed for anyone who has an RV or travel trailer. It is very easy to use. You simply pull out the sidewinder and place your hose on top and your hose will snap in place. You can also adjust the sidewinder for a longer length or a shorter length and it stays in place fairly well.