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RV Sewer Hose Storage: Guide To The Best Solutions

(Camp Addict does NOT accept payment from any company to review or endorse their products.)

Kelly Headshot

By Kelly Beasley

You probably don't think much about where you should store your RV sewer hose, but it's something you must consider.

I mean, you're not going to throw it inside your RV living area! Gross!

In case you SOMEHOW didn't realize, it contains filthy water full of fecal matter, bacteria, and other pathogens.

Therefore you must have a dedicated place for your RV sewage hose where it won't touch any of your personal possessions.

RhinoFLEX hose coiled on grass

Yes, they are gross. But RV sewer hoses are a necessary evil when camping! (Marshall's Rhino sewer hose.)

Unless you have a composting toilet and intend not to put anything into your camper waste tank, you will have to dump. Likely at least once per trip.

You dump your tanks using a sewer hose at a dump station. You get your crap in there (literally!) using a dump hose. Therefore, you need a place to store that nasty hose, even after you've rinsed it with water!

There are quite a few options for your sewer hose storage. We are going to investigate different ideas here for you.

Where Should RV Sewer Hoses Be Stored?

There are a variety of places that RV sewer hoses could be stored. Probably one of the most common places to store hoses is the basement (or pass through) storage compartment.

Most RVers use this area for their RV sewer hose storage. Next is probably the RV bumper. SOME RV bumpers are made hollow for RV sewer hose storage.

Others throw their sewer hose into a bucket, which I think is pretty clever.

But there are also homemade solutions for RV sewer hose storage that some RVers create, such as using a garbage bag, fence posts, or hollow PVC pipes adhered to the underside of the RV.

These are decent ideas that are a good solution for where to put the 'stinky slinky.'

So it's up to you to figure out the best RV sewer hose storage for your particular setup.

Let's look at each option.

Family sitting at campsite next to 5th wheel RV

Sewer Hose In A Bucket

This works best if you have a compartment tall enough for the bucket to stand upright. Most sewer hoses will curl around inside a bucket perfectly.

However, it's probably not big enough for 2+ hoses. Be aware that you will need more than one RV hose to reach the sewer connection at many campgrounds.

Anyway, you wouldn't even need a lid for the bucket. Drop the hose in, store the bucket in the back of your pickup or in your bay area, and be on your way!

Built-In RV Sewer Hose Carrier

Some RVs come with a built-in compartment for your slinky. Both mine (Kelly's) and Marshall's RV have one. Marshall uses the built-in carrier for his Rhino sewer hose, whereas mine doesn't fit in this compartment.

Trailer sewer hose dedicated storage

Built-in RV sewer hose storage door

If you have the right style/size hose, USE this compartment! What a space saver! This method wastes no space.

Marshall had to saw off a couple of bumps on his end cap to get his to fit. If you need to do this to make yours fit, go for it! I believe this to be the best solution overall.

Save the space you would have used in your basement compartment for your water hose, gloves, and other dump accessories.

Sewer hose partially out of dedicated trailer storage

Built-in RV sewer hose storage

RV Bumper Hose Storage Solution

So this carrier is a little controversial. Most RV bumpers are made out of steel. Some RVers claim that putting 'a wet sewer hose' inside of it will cause it to rust out.

I can't entirely agree with this rationale. The simple act of drilling holes into the bumper and/or the end caps would allow any liquids inside to dry out as you travel to your next destination.

Additionally, I have never put away a soaking wet hose. Nor have I ever seen an RVer do a full soap and water cleanse of the outside of their hose at a dump station and then put it away. That's not practical.

We put them away with the INSIDE still a little wet from water, but not the outside. As long as you use an RV sewer cap on either end of your hose, the moisture inside will stay inside.

So, your bumper is not going to rust unless you consistently put a soaking wet hose in there and don't have holes in the end caps or somewhere else in the bumper to allow for air flow.

So, drill some holes in that storage area. Let any water drain out. So easy. It's a great storage space to store your hose!

Plastic Storage Box

This RV sewer hose storage is as simple as the bucket. And you can get a plastic storage box sized to fit more than one hose.

With this type of RV drain hose holder, if you WANTED to have a lid, you can easily have one.

However, I can tell you from experience that the sewer hose won't stink up your basement storage compartment, as long as you have the end caps installed to seal up the hose.

Waste Master hose in plastic container top view
Waste Master hose in plastic container side view

Yes, it may smell for an hour or so, but it quickly dissipates. So lid or no lid is up to you. But don't get one 'to stop the smell'.

This box-shaped storage should be easy to fit in with your other camping gear.

Just make sure to put it in a location in your camper that makes it easy to pull out at dump stations.

Understand that this takes up way more space than a 'straight' solution such as a gutter or PVC pipe.

Marshall can fit both of his hoses into this medium sized box, as seen below. (One 10-foot and one 15-foot stinky slinky.)

RhinoFLEX hose in plastic container top view

Both of Marshall's sewer hoses fit nicely into this plastic box yet Kelly's Waste Master barely fits (see above photo).

Gutter Rail Sewer Pipe Storage

I have used a gutter rail for my sewer hose storage for over six years.

It might not be the BEST solution out there, but I have been pleased with it. It takes up VERY little space.

It acts as a storage tube but with an open top. It sits in my basement storage compartment against the front wall.

It's effortless to slide the hose in and out of the gutter.

Gutter rail sewer hose storage

Kelly's Waste Master sewer hose storage in a gutter

Additionally, now I have a Lippert Waste Master RV sewer hose. This hose comes with a non-removable right-angle head.

This means it wouldn't fit inside, say, a bumper or a fence post. The gutter fits it perfectly.

This RV hose 'open tube' storage also allows any water on the outside of the hose to dry quickly. Bonus!

However, be aware that at least with MY setup, things can touch the stinky slinky. I just don't have anything that bothers me in there to touch it.

So, it works for me. It also might be excellent sewer hose storage setup for you.

Pre-Made PVC RV Sewage Hose Storage Tube

Some manufacturers make sewer hose storage containers.

The products they make are simple to DIY, but of course, some of us don't want to bother with fabricating this type of storage solution and would prefer to purchase a pre-made version.

Valterra hose carrier

Valterra sewer hose storage pipe

Shop Storage Tubes

Their RV dump hose storage products come complete with a tube, an end cap, and any hardware needed to mount the parts.

So instead of you going to the hardware store and buying PVC tubing along with any accessories you'd need to mount and all that, you can buy a ready-to-use RV sewer storage tube.

Christmas Wreath Box

This RV sewer hose storage container idea can work great for one hose.

However, the Christmas wreath box itself may not be shaped to fit well with the rest of your items in your storage bay or truck.

If you have plenty of room to store it, it may not be an issue. But some full-time campers might not find a good place to store this camper sewer hose storage solution.

Waste Master hose coiled on grass

RV sewer hoses easily coil. Hence, they easily coil around to store. 

Garbage Bag RV Hose Storage

Alright, using a garbage bag as an RV sewer hose storage bag certainly works. However, it's not one of the best hose storage ideas.

First, moisture trapped inside the bag can cause mold and keep your hose wet. This makes for a potentially messy AND stinky situation.

Second, the bag can easily rip. Now any length of your hose can contaminate whatever it touches inside your motorhome.

There is better RV drain hose storage if you ask me. But using a garbage bag is undoubtedly cheap and easy!

Plastic Fence Post

This one is also a gem! Using a plastic (PVC) fence post is a great option when you have limited exterior storage space.

This is especially true if your camper has a place to mount it underneath or on the back of the camper. Many people like to mount underneath their rig, making it an ideal travel trailer sewer hose storage option.

All you need are some drill holes, mounting hardware, and with the right size plastic fence post (cut it down if necessary), you have yourself a dedicated RV sewer hose storage tube!

A plastic fence post typically comes with an end cap. Buy an extra cap and glue it to the end you won't use to get the hose in and out, and your hose won't come out.

What an easy RV septic hose storage solution for many RVs!

Will An RV Sewer Hose Fit In A 4-Inch Pipe?

Yes, a typical RV sewer hose will fit inside of a 4-inch PVC tube or steel pipe. Best to use PVC pipe as it's lighter and cannot rust.

There are some hoses that have ends that are wider than 4 inches which means they won't fit into this sized pipe. Simply measure the diameter of each end of the hose to see if it will fit inside a 4-inch pipe.

If you want to make your camper sewer hose holder, it's pretty easy. Some use a 4-inch pipe, while others use a hollow vinyl fence post (as mentioned above), which comes with an end cap.

Add some mounting modifications, and you're set!

Where Should My RV Sewer Hose Be Kept?

When it comes to where you should keep your RV sewer hose, there are several very good options. Each camper is different, so your RV sewer hose storage should be in a place that works for your particular setup.

If you have room in your basement or pass through storage compartment, put it there. If you have room for a tube in the back of your truck, put it there.

A plastic fence post works for you under your RV? Great!

It doesn't matter where you decide to put a sewer hose holder for your RV. It only matters that it's out of contact with your other items.

 It should be easy to get to as well. Don't forget to wear gloves when you are handling it.

Waste Master hose in use

Kelly's Waste Master sewer hose in use

How Do You Make An RV Sewer Hose Holder?

Making an RV sewer hose holder is a straightforward process to piece together your own.

You can either get a gutter, a fence post, or PVC pipe to make your own sewer hose carrier.

Cut it to the length that fits your area (and hose length) and mount it if needed. PVC pipes come with end caps.

Make sure to put the end cap facing the end where you will your stinky slinky in and out.

Fence posts also have end caps you can buy if you want to enclose the hose.

There are many different ways to make your container or containers suitable for your situation.

RV waste hose storage isn't rocket science by miles. Use your head, and you can mount RV sewer hose storage tubes just about anywhere on your RV!

There are many DIY tutorials on the internet for you to copy if necessary.

Conclusion

Now you know the answer to the question of "where do you store your RV sewer hose?"

RV sewage hose storage isn't the most difficult RVing problem you will have to overcome. You can buy an RV sewer hose container from a manufacturer or make one on your own.

It can be as 'complicated' as making your own out of a few parts or as simple as laying down a gutter inside your basement and putting the hose inside it.

It's up to you to figure out your RV sewer hose carrier. It only needs to be easily accessible, easy to dry out, and away from contaminating any of your other stuff.

Get out there and dump away!

  • If you found this information useful, check out what else we have regarding how to setup your recreational vehicle here on Camp Addict.
Kelly Headshot

I dedicated myself to living the full-time RV life for over 6.5 years, immersing myself in the unique quirks and joys of the boondocking lifestyle and gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience along the way. In December 2020, my business partner and I made the transition to part-time RVing, but in January 2023, we hit the road once again, this time in our trusty vans. My mission is to help others embrace the RVing lifestyle with confidence and excitement, armed with the knowledge and resources needed to make the most of their adventures. I believe that the more you know, the more you can truly appreciate and enjoy the freedom and flexibility of the open road.

  • I think one of the best methods is to get a 6” PVC pipe and a “conduit carrier kit” (search on your favorite search engine or online store). It’s designed for electricians and plumbers to carry pipe and tubing on the top of a truck, but it makes a great stinky slinky carrier when mounted beneath your RV. Just cut the PVC pipe to your desired length, glue or screw on the end cap and lockable cover, and drill a few holes to mount it. I also drilled a few holes in the bottom of the pipe to allow residual liquids to escape. It’s much more durable and roomy than those ready-made hose carriers.

    • Yep, this is a great idea! I should have done this with my old travel trailer just to keep the hose out of my basement. But I had a gutter length that I sat it in. Worked alright. But NOT being inside my bay area would have been even better. Great tip, thank you!

  • A pretty comprehensive article. I have the Rhino with the non removable right angle. I currently coil it in a plastic tote. I’m looking to make a 4″ pvc tube container with an end that’s large enough for the right angle. I was hoping to find that here. Still, a great article, so thank you.

    • Hi Richard,

      Glad you liked the article!

      I have the exact same sewer hose and essentially have what you are looking to create. However, my storage tube came built-in to my Lance trailer. Not sure the exact diameter of the tube, but it is a bit of a tight fit. I actually had to trim two of the sides of the 90-degree end’s cap so that I could fit the hose into the tube with the cap installed. You should be able to avoid having to do this since you are able to choose the size of PVC tubing.

      Yeah, we don’t go into that method of storing in this article. We hit some of the more popular options, but there are certainly a number of other ways one can store a sewer hose. Limited to one’s imagination!

      Thanks for visiting Camp Addict!

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