Unwinding RV Hose Facts

RV hose selection is crucial to your RV enjoyment. Rule #1: Always use a clean white RV/Marine hose for your fresh water supply. Rule #2: Never use your clean white RV/Marine hose for any other purpose. Rule #3 Always use a different color hose for everything else. Why is this important? Water entering your RV should be as clean as possible. If you use just any old hose you'll introduce bacteria into your water system. If you faithfully use this color distinction method on your RV you'll save yourself a lot of misery. You don't want to stick your white hose down the toilet to wash it out then hook it back up to your fresh water system. (I know that was gross, but it brings home the point). Store your white hose away from sewer hoses and connectors. When you roll it up it's a good idea to screw the two opposing ends together. This prevents water left in the hose from leaking out and keeps the hose ends clean. You can choose from several varieties of hoses at your local RV store or WalMart. I use the NeverKink self-straightening hose. These hoses cost more but last longer and they kink less than other brands. They aren't "kink-free" only "less kinky" overall. I also prefer the 5/8 inch diameter and carry a 50 foot and two 25 foot lengths. I also carry a short 10 foot hose for close-in hook-ups. Many times I've needed to hook up several lengths of hose to reach the RV. I've never used the flat type hoses because everyone I've asked didn't like them. If you've used these flat type hoses, double click on the blue "comments" section below and tell us about your experience with them. It could be they are victims of a bad rap. When I wind up a hose for storage I use a bungee with a knob and roll them hand-over-hand and fasten the coil with another bungee. If you want to spend some money you can invest in an automatic hose reel that will keep your hose nice and tidy. It's important to inspect your hose from time to time to ensure the washer is flexible and not cracked. If the washer looks warn, replace it. It's also a good idea to periodically run a bleach/water mixture through your fresh water hoses to kill any bacteria. This is especially important if you have not used your hoses for a long period of time. Many RVers carry a spray bottle with a bleach/water mixture to spray on the new campsite faucet prior to hooking up the fresh water hose. You never know when Fido has been there before you. Keeping it reel - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing and Road Scholar