RV travel means freedom to roam where you want with all the comforts of home. That freedom is a peak experience like no other, but there are certain accessories you should never leave home without.
One of the most important RV accessories you need is a high quality drinking water hose.
You might think a regular garden hose would be sufficient, but you’d be wrong. Many hoses sold at garden centers actually contain highly toxic chemicals you don’t want contaminating your drinking water.
Moreover, they often do not come with the fittings and fixtures best suited for RV use. To make your RV life easier, we’ve put together a list of the best drinking water hoses for RVs.
We’ve also put together a buyer’s guide to help you pick the best one for your needs.
Check out what we’ve got for you.
COMPARISON CHART
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
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1. Camco (22853) 50ft Premium Drinking Water Hose
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2. Camco (22783) 25-ft TastePURE Drinking Water Hose
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3. Apex NeverKink, 8612-50 Boat & Camper Drinking Water Safe Hose
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4. Valterra AquaFresh High Pressure Drinking Water Hose for RV – 1/2″ x 10′, White
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5. Cesun 5 Feet Metal Garden Hose, (SS Female to Male)
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OUR TOP 5 PICKS
#1 Camco (22853) 50ft Premium Drinking Water Hose
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Specifications
| Length | 50-ft. |
| Internal Diameter | 5/8-inch |
| Weight | 5.95 lbs. |
| Certifications | NSF, CSA Low Lead Content, CA AB 1953, VT Act 193 Low Lead |
Features
- Phthalate, BPA and lead free.
- Tough exterior lining resists puncturing and cracking
- Brass/nickel machined fittings
- UV stabilized
The best and most popular choice by far, the Camco 22853 is a fantastic drinking water hose with plenty of top quality features. It’s built tough, yet it’s lightweight for such a lengthy hose. Best of all, with the extra thick outer shell and UV-stabilized coating, it’s an investment sure to last for years to come.
- WHAT WE LIKE
- WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- PROS/CONS OVERVIEW
My two favorite features are the stronger, UV-stabilized outer shell and the brass/nickel machined fittings. There is nothing worse than having a hose crack, split or get pinhole leaks after too much time in the sun over one summer. I expect to get my money’s worth, and if I’m buying a drinking water hose, it must last longer than a few months.
Additionally, brass fittings coated in nickel aren’t going to get stripped out by spigot threads or corrode easily, and both of those are must-have options. You connect and disconnect your drinking water hose a lot when you are out on the road. If the fittings can’t stand up to the heavy use, they aren’t doing their job.
The one drawback to this hose is how tough to uncoil and stretch out it is when you first get it. Granted, it’s made out of some tough material, but you should be aware of what you’re getting into the first time you break it out and hook it up.
Pros
- High durability
- Works with hose fittings for many applications
- Extra-thick outer shell
- Corrosion resistant fittings
- UV-resistance for a longer lifespan
Cons
- Tends to be a bit stiff until it’s been used for a while
Video
#2 Camco (22783) 25-ft TastePURE Drinking Water Hose
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Specifications
| Length | 25-ft. |
| Internal Diameter | 5/8-inch |
| Weight | 2.78 lbs. |
| Certifications | CSA Low Lead Content Certified to NSF/ANSI 372 |
Features
- Phthalate, BPA and lead free.
- Tough exterior lining resists puncturing and cracking
- Brass/nickel machined fittings
- UV stabilized
This offering from Camco is designed more specifically with RVs in mind, as opposed to its sister product, the Camco 22853. It’s about 25-feet shorter, but that only serves to make it more manageable when you pull up to an RV parking spot and need to refill the clean water tank. Additionally, half the length means half the weight, so you won’t find the TastePURE as difficult to lug around as the Camco All-Purpose 50-ft. Model.
- WHAT WE LIKE
- WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- PROS/CONS OVERVIEW
Love the brass/nickel machined fittings on this hose, and I prefer the white UV-stabilized PVC external layer to other colors. Not only does it make it cooler to handle in hot weather, but it keeps the water from heating up while it’s passing through the hose. Sure it’s a minor concern, but it’s the little things that make or break a good user experience.
Like the 50-foot Camco, this drinking water hose needs to be “broken in” a bit before it’s easy to maneuver. Be careful uncoiling this hose the first time so it doesn’t whip around and catch you unawares.
Pros
- High durability
- Easier to work with in close quarters
- Extra-thick outer shell
- Corrosion resistant fittings
- UV-resistance for a longer lifespan
Cons
- Tends to be a bit stiff until it’s been used for a while
#3 Apex NeverKink, 8612-50 Boat & Camper Drinking Water Safe Hose
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Specifications
| Length | 50-ft. |
| Internal Diameter | 5/8-inch |
| Weight | 7.8 lbs. |
| Certifications | Consumer Product Safety Act |
Features
- Easy-to-use, leak-proof coupler
- Constructed using FDA-certified drinking water safe materials
- Patented no-kink technology
- Rigid fitting sleeve over faucet connector
The only strong selling point for this hose is the anti-kink/tangle feature. Beyond that, it doesn’t have the same safe-drinking water certifications or meet the same standards as the hoses from Camco. It does have some popularity with the boar and RV crowd due to the anti-tangling feature and the “Thumb-Thing” coupler. More on those two in a moment.
- WHAT WE LIKE
- WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- PROS/CONS OVERVIEW
The no-kink/tangle technology works well for the most part. Nothing is tangle-proof, but this model is much easier to coil and uncoil than most we’ve reviewed. It also has brass fittings that are corrosion resistant and retain their threading better than stainless steel.
I’m not thrilled about the plastic sleeve around the faucet end or the “Thumb-Thing” coupler. Plastic cracks and wears out, and so far as I can tell the plastic fittings and this hose aren’t UV-stabilized. For me, those two facts mean I’m probably going to be buying a new hose sooner rather than later.
Pros
- Tangle-free technology
- 50-ft. Length
- Rigid sleeve and coupler
Cons
- Not-UV Stabilized
- Plastic parts can break too easily
Video
#4 Valterra AquaFresh High Pressure Drinking Water Hose for RV – 1/2″ x 10′, White
Specifications
| Length | 10-ft. |
| Internal Diameter | 1/2-inch |
| Weight | 14.4-oz |
| Certifications | Consumer Product Safety Act, NSF Certified |
Features
- Purpose-built for RV use
- High flow brass fittings
- Hose-gripper tool included
- Lightweight and flexible
The Valterra AquaFresh 10-ft Drinking Water Hose is ideal for anyone who spends most of their time at RV Parks with connections close to your vehicle. It’s tough, easy to use, and even includes a hose gripper for faster hookups on arrival. For an all-purpose drinking water or filler hose, it’s a great value.
- WHAT WE LIKE
- WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- PROS/CONS OVERVIEW
I prefer hoses with more flexibility, and the Valterra AquaFresh is much easier to use than most of the drinking water hoses we’ve tested. While it may have plastic covers on the fittings, they are still corrosion resistant machined brass.
If you are used to having some room to stretch or you want to use hookups that aren’t at an RV park, this may not be the best hose for you. Ten feet is fairly short for anything not directly next to your RV. Additionally, if you plan to stay in one place for months at a time, it’s worth noting this hose is not UV-stabilized. That means it’s a less than optimal choice for extended outdoor use.
Pros
- Multiple drinking water certifications
- Flexible
- Easy to use
- Included hose gripper
Cons
- Short length
- Not UV-stabilized
Video
#5 Cesun 5 Feet Metal Garden Hose, (SS Female to Male)
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Specifications
| Length | 5-ft. |
| Internal Diameter | 1/2-inch |
| Weight | 14.4-oz |
| Certifications | Consumer Product Safety Act, NSF Certified |
Features
- Leak-proof & puncture proof
- Easy to coil
- 304-stainless steel construction
- Kink & tangle free
The Cesun is a metal garden hose that’s rated as drinking water safe. You can use it, and it is incredibly durable, lightweight and strong. I’d recommend getting at least the ten foot version though, as five feet seems a bit too short for easy connection to RV park hookups.
- WHAT WE LIKE
- WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- PROS/CONS OVERVIEW
If you can kink, cut or tangle this hose without power tools, I would be seriously impressed.
This specific model is too short for my preference. Additionally, a metal hose comes with its own set of problems. For example, if the hose gets run over or crushed, it’s useless. Once the pieces are fused, there’s no going back and you have to replace it.
Pros
- Leak-proof & puncture proof
- Toughest of all hoses reviewed
- Lightweight and easy to store
Cons
- Five feet is probably too short for most RV use
- If the hose is crushed or run over, it’s unusable
BUYER’S GUIDE
What is an RV Drinking Water Hose?
RVs can connect to standard garden hose faucets or specialized high pressure fresh water hookups at RV parks. The drinking water hose is what connects them to refill the fresh water tank.
What is the difference between a drinking water hose and a garden hose?
Garden hoses don’t have to meet drinking water regulations, so they may contain toxic chemicals and metals like phthalates or lead that contaminate drinking water.
Can I use a drinking water hose as a garden hose?
For sure! Most of the hoses reviewed are intended to be multipurpose hoses.
Can you use a regular water hose on an RV?
You cannot use a regular water hose for potable water. They can leech chemicals into your water supply that can be bad for your health.
Can you use a drinking water hose with hot water?
No, there are specialized hoses for use with hot water hookups at RV parks and destinations. Drinking water hoses are not designed for hot water transfer.
Can I use the drinking water hose to drain my water heater?
IF the water has cooled, you could do that. However, you’d be exposing your drinking water hose to any rust or other contaminants in the hot water heater. It’s best to use your drinking water hose just for drinking water.
What is the water pressure (PSI) rating of an RV water hose?
Most RV water hoses are rated for 160-PSI or higher. That’s the industry standard.
Are drinking water hoses lead & BPA-free?
To get the safe-for-drinking water certification, drinking water hoses have to be lead-free and BPA-free. Otherwise, they cannot be listed, advertised or sold as drinking water hoses.
What is the RV water hose made of?
Most are constructed out of some type of PVC (it varies by manufacturer), but there are options that have tough metal exteriors for superior durability.
CONCLUSION
Out of all the hoses reviewed, my pick is definitely the Camco 22853 50-foot hose. It’s durable, has the most safe-drinking-water certifications, and the outer lining is UV-stabilized so it will last longer.
I also like this hose best because it can pull double duty around the house as a garden hose or when I’m on the road and I need to wash the RV. Pick one up for your RV and stow it away. Even if it’s not your primary drinking water hose, it’s still a fantastic value.
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