Today’s gadget review is of the Dump Buddy. What’s a Dump Buddy? It’s essentially a plastic collar that goes around a sewer pipe in the ground and then another one that goes around your sewer hose elbow. You simply use the knob to tighten the collar around the sewer pipe and then flip up the second collar and tighten that around the sewer hose.
There is a rubbery material that helps everything stay in place, and the Dump Buddy’s locking knobs complete the process.
The idea of this gadget is to very securely hold your sewer hose in place when you’re getting rid of all those political promises you’ve created during your camping trip. That’s it.
In some ways, I think this looks sort of like that headgear some of us had to wear with braces, but it serves a very different purpose.
I wish I had thought of that
Every once in awhile someone will come up with something that is so game-changing, I think it should be in every RV. That’s not something I write lightly. But the Dump Buddy is simply one of those items that you. Must. Have.
I get a lot of gadgets in the mail from many companies who want me to share them with you. Some are so ridiculous that I just don’t write the story. I do tell people that if you’re going to send me something, expect me to be honest.
And, quite honestly, I would absolutely recommend this little gadget.
Why not a rock/foot/lid/anvil?
What I like about the actual Dump Buddy device itself is that it’s really light. It’s basically all plastic, although it’s durable enough that it should last a good while if you take care of it.
Instead of using something weighty to accomplish this task, this seems much more secure. Further, the likelihood that you’re going to have that rock slip off right when the black tank is at full force is a reality. Whether this happens depends on how many people are behind you at the dump station and how long they have to wait while you clean up that mess.
Ew.
I had my travel trailer weighed and I was way, way over weight, so the weight of anything that now gets added to my collection of gadgets in the trailer is important. This thing is light and it will go easily in the plastic tote with all the other dump supplies, including the 90° clear dump fitting, the gloves and all of that stuff.
A stand-up company
As mentioned, I got the original Dump Buddy to review a while back. Over the weekend I went to the post office box and saw that they had sent a new, revised version. Again. It seems that the locking mechanisms on the valves have been improved and they’re easier to operate. The overall product seems better, and it’s good to know that they’ve taken an already-good product and made it better.
How many times has something claimed to be new and improved and then simply been worse? In this case, it is improved. The new handles/locking mechanism is indeed better.
There’s more
The Dump Buddy comes with a mesh bag and a pretty fancy zippered case. Frankly, it’s never going to see the inside of that case ever again. Once my Dump Buddy encountered its first sewer pipe it gave up any hope of seeing that nice case, but the mesh bag will stay.
The Dump Buddy will accommodate sewer pipes from 3.9” to 5.75” in outside diameter.
There has always been a bit of anxiety when dumping because you’re over at the valves and the other end of the hose has every intention of replicating Old Facefull if there is the most remote chance that anybody’s watching. The longer the hose you’re using (I’ve used all three of my Rhino hoses together in some situations), the more likely there will be a reenactment of Mount Vesuvius with seemingly equal dire consequences.
The downside
Of course, no gadget is perfect. Know that if the sewer pipe is not extended above the ground, there will be nothing for the Dump Buddy to grab onto. I’ve been at more than one RV dump station where the place to put your sewer hose in is simply recessed completely in the ground. That’s when the old-fashioned rock or whatever other weighted thing is around comes into play.
Conclusions
This little plastic collar gadget honestly completely has eliminated that anxiety, and I think it’s a brilliant solution to a problem every RVer has.
As for the gross factor, this is all plastic so you can spritz it with a cleaner after using it if you choose to, or just rinse it off.
Whatever the case, I can’t imagine not having this now that I have it. I would absolutely add this to the list of “must-have” RV gadgets.
You can buy your own Dump Buddy here.
##RVT1139
I have a dump buddy she’s called Deb. But I might have to invest in that plastic one!!!
Yep, mine is called Maggie, works every time, at all types of dump stations.
Looks like it may be a great product for RVers but at $43 not so much.
$43? Ain’t happinin’.
From the article and the pictures it’s difficult to tell how the dump buddy works and if any additional items comes with it. It’s not cheap to buy.
My experience with dump stations has generally been recessed concave basin for easy clean up.
Thank you, Tony! Sounds interesting and effective. I use a set of sand-filled “saddlebags” that I bought from Amazon (https://a.co/d/dZYVrg1). We lack any weight restriction, given our typical travel gear, and it’s bought, paid for, and has worked flawlessly for 18 months. Safe travels!
Thank you so much for this comment. I wish I had thought of this sooner! The bags you linked to aren’t available right now, but if one searches “weighted bags to hold things down” on Amazon, many well-priced options appear. I just ordered a package of four bags. I’m sure the extra three will come in handy.
You are very welcome, Tsippi! 🙂 I am glad that the information was helpful. 🙂 Have a great weekend, safe travels, and safe stays 🙂
Thanks again, Tony. The saddle bags I use are $15 and the Dump Buddy is $43. Both are Amazon prices. 🙂
My standard issue wife stands there and holds it down with her foot, on travel day shes’ got nothing else to do anyway.
I’m disappointed with Dump Buddy, but not for the product itself. I bought one in early 2023 (not sure if it’s original or new). But I’ve never actually used it, even though I tried. But the places I wanted to use it, the sewer pipe either did not rise at all above the ground, (like the concave basin mentioned), or it barely stuck out of the ground, not enough room to get it on the top of the pipe. Another cmpgrnd we stayed at for 6 nights, had a good, threaded pipe that my adapter went on securely, so no need there either. I know you mentioned this in the article. But I keep it in the RV, maybe one day there will be a sewer pipe that is unthreaded AND has enough height to use Dump Buddy.
When I first saw a Dump Buddy advertised, with 20+ years rving experience I could not imagine why anyone would need it. Then I bought a Rhino brand clear elbow … terrible design!! And now I see where a Dump Buddy could be useful, but for the price, frankly I will look for more reasonable solution
Update … I found my problem (and cheaper solution) with the rhino clear elbow was user error. It does have a lock feature that keeps it from coming apart. I just wasn’t seeing it.
I bought one a couple of years ago and there were so few sewer connections that did not have threads or were sticking up far enough to use it that I only used it three times in 2 years. The third time I used it the plastic strap broke where the bolt went through it. I assume I had the original version. I didn’t replace it.
For less than half the price, I use this hose end. It works when there is no collar (like many public dump stations). If there are no threads in the dump pipe (rare on a RV site dump point but common at public dump stations) make sure you are not over extending the slinky hose. Never had this end pop out on its own. And the handle makes for a more sanitary extraction when done.
Good review, just needs to be a lot shorter.
Easy. Just read half of it. Bam.
“Easy, just read half of it. Bam.” Are you serious? Tony, check your ego. Your review was flawed, and your comments were defensive. Which half of this comment are you going to read?
Ah, c’mon, Greg. He was being facetious. Tony is one of the least egotistical, and funniest, and most caring, people I’ve ever known. And I’m not sure how his review was “flawed,” or how his “comments were defensive,” but you’re entitled to your opinion, of course. Have a good evening/night. 🙂 –Diane at RVtravel.com
The “Dump Buddy” seems to be a great product that everyone can use. However, in my opinion it is overpriced and many will not buy it because of that. They could sell to everyone if they cut the price in half. I imagine the unit cost of producing is around $5 or less. Even considering transportation, retailing, insurance, etc., the sell price of around $45 seems exorbitant for a plastic device in a bag. And like you mentioned, Who needs the bag?
My point about this very useful product is that the manufacturer could make the same overall profit by lowering the price which will increase the demand and increase the quantities sold. If it sold for $23, every RV enthusiast would buy one.
If you recall the manufacturer welcomed comments. After my purchased, I wrote basically the same comments to them. I received a lengthy response explaining this costs of developement required such a price. Also the bag and case were to protect the product from breakage while in transit from rv park to rv park while in storage holes. The bottom line of their response was you purchased it for $45.00 sucker.
So how can I tell if the one on Amazon is the old version or the new version?
I would imagine the gent who invented this has worked with Amazon to make sure it’s just the latest and greatest version. I’m guessing that he waited until the old supply had sold out before inviting us to share information about this newer version.
Thanks for the reply. So I guess my question really was: just looking at the old and the new versions, there’s nothing that stands out as obviously different between the two?
I would say if you already have the older version just keep it. But this article details what’s new.
I’m sorry Tony but you’re still not understanding my question. Let me try again. If I look at the pictures in your review, of the NEW version, and look at the pictures on Amazon, and IF the Amazon device was still the OLD version, what specific piece or part of the unit should I look at that will look different between the two versions, so I can confirm that the Amazon one I will get is indeed the new version? For example: if the printing on the adjustment knobs were different, then I could look at the adjustment knobs on the Amazon images, and be absolutely certain which version Amazon is selling. Does that make sense?
Hi, Don. I’ve been comparing the pictures on Amazon with the pictures in Tony’s current post as well as his previous post. It looks to me like the printing on the knob is slightly different (which may help differentiate between the two versions). But like Tony mentioned, they are probably only selling the new, improved version. Sorry I can’t be of more help. Have a good afternoon/evening. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
It looks like the knob shape is different too, so it makes me think the one Amazon is selling is the old version, and If I’m going to put out that much money for one of these, then I just want it to be the “new & Improved” one. Guess I’ll just keep my eye on it at Amazon and see if anything changes. I’ll quit hassling Tony (grin)
Sorry, Don. Even reading their website, or the info on Amazon, it doesn’t explain the improvement. So I’m just as confused as you are. However, I don’t have an RV so won’t be buying one anytime soon (or ever).😉 Have a good night. 😀 –Diane
Amazon has had the latest version since late 2022. If you purchased one and are in doubt, reach out to us at sales@dumpbuddy.com.
Send us a picture of your Dump Buddy and we will make sure you have the latest. You can send it to sales@dumpbuddy.com. If you don’t have the latest, we will ship one out right away to you. thanks.
Hello all,
If you purchased a Dump Buddy after 12/20/22 you probably have the latest version. However, because Amazon has stock at many different warehouses, you could have a previous version. If you take a picture of your Dump Buddy and send it to sales@dumpbuddy.com, we will send you a complimentary upgrade if it is not the latest. If you know of anyone who may have purchased the first version, please pass on this information. We did significant advertising and e-mails to all we knew had the first version offering the complimentary upgrade but unfortunately, Amazon does not allow us to contact end users. We want to make sure you have the most current version.
Thanks for the response. I have not purchased one yet, but will be shortly, and I just wanted to make sure that I get the latest version. From what I’ve gathered, the “old” version has knobs that are “not smooth” whereas the latest has smooth knobs. Once I receive it, if I have any questions I’ll contact you. Thanks.
Purchased one of these for security of the dump connection. Just a note, it will not work on dump pipes that have the steel flip over cover. The hinge and lift tab make it too big for the device to fit over. as long as it is a fairly straight wall pipe it’s good. Luckily there are not many with the flip over cover out there that I have run across.
I definitely will be purchasing a dump buddy. My thought exactly as you say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” I haven’t seen it or tried this but I wonder if you get to that dump station where the sewer pipe isn’t extended above the ground to attach the dump buddy to, could you have some extension of your own that would maybe gradually taper down, in size, allowing you to place it inside the sewer drain. The same as some of our attachments do to account for the different sizes of pipes. Just a thought.
This tapered extension could possibly eliminate the issue of those sewer pipes that have attached lids.
The fact that RV Travel continues to advertise this product makes me question the integrity of RV Travel. I have personal experience with this product and I can attest to its deficiencies. Admittedly, my hands-on experience was with the original version, but nothing in this review tells me that the seller has addressed the product’s real limitations. In fact, the current reviewer, in “The downside” paragraph admits that this product will not work in situations where “the sewer pipe is not extended above the ground”. I am a full-time RV’er and sewer pipes that don’t extend above the ground is the norm. In addition, this reviewer does not address the fact that this product is cheaply made.
Our 90 is threaded and screws into most flush waste pipes. Not sure what all the excitement is about.
It’s a nonstarter on another cheap RV gimmick.
I’m glad I read all the comments, as I realize this is not going to work for me. I mostly dump at dump stations which either have no raised pipe or, if they have a raised pipe, have a hinged cover which will prevent using a Dump Buddy. Thanks to one of the commenters, I just ordered a small sand bag (the kind photographers use). I wish I had thought of that long ago!
I purchased Dump Buddy, and I often dump the tanks without the assistance of my husband who often does not travel with me. Dump Buddy has taken the anxiety out of dumping–it’s like having an extra foot to secure what might be a precarious hookup. I really appreciated being able to read the review, and based on it, giving it a real-world try. I highly recommend the product!
It still is way too expensive!
I bought V.01 of this product. It broke on the second use (where the band is slotted). I will not waste any more money helping to beta test it, it DOES not work more than once.
I rate it less than 1 star, just can’t change the stars showing.
Dump Buddy for $43.00 and only works when the pipe is raised enough to clamp and the area around the pipe opening has enough room to fit.
Camco Adapter for $9.00 and only requires the sewer pipe isn’t missing pieces. It fits inside the dump pipe so it doesn’t matter if the pipe is collared, cramped or recessed and the type of cap doesn’t matter.
If you want to spend $40 for an adapter that works, buy 4 Camco Adapters and give 3 to your friends.
Hey TONY. UPDATE! There is now a new model that is much better than this one, and will work on raised or FLUSH dumps. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-Rhino-RV-Sewer-Hose-Elbow-with-Drain-Lock-Adapter-Orange-39730/13173464693
Here’s the updated version! https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-Rhino-RV-Sewer-Hose-Elbow-with-Drain-Lock-Adapter-Orange-39730/13173464693?classType=VARIANT&athbdg=L1100&from=/search
My foot has worked swell for the past 40 years, and it’s original equipment. I’ll keep using it.