iBy Cheri Sicard
In the video below, Jared Gillis of All About RVs puts an RV sewer hose to the test to see if it can live up to its advertisement claims. The advertising made it seem like it was indestructible, so he wanted to see for himself if it could pass the test.
If you have a story of an RV sewer hose failure, you know how important it is to have one that you know will last and work well for you. Therefore, Jared also gives his recommendations on the RV sewer hoses he has used and liked.
Testing the RhinoEXTREME
Jared was inspired to test the RhinoEXTREME. It started after watching a video about RV products, and one caught his eye. It showed a sewer hose that seemed indestructible. Then it was dragged behind a car, stepped on, and driven over. So, could it live up to the hype? Jared wanted to know, so he put it to the test.
The first test was the “Hulk Test”. Could the hose be torn? Jared tried to tear the hose with reasonable force. Surprisingly, it didn’t tear. It passed the tear test.
Next, the hose faced the “Drive-Over Test.” It was run over with a truck on pavement. The result? Minimal damage. The exoskeleton had a small crease, but bounced back. There were no punctures. A quick inspection found no problems. Water could be added to check for leaks later, if needed.
The final challenge was the “Drag Test.” The hose was dragged behind a truck on asphalt. This went on for about two miles. The hose rode on its exoskeleton as intended. The damage was minimal. The end of the hose showed the most wear. Eventually, the plastic could wear through with enough dragging. But overall, the hose held up well.
Overall assessment
Overall, the RhinoEXTREME performed better than Jared expected, passing all the tests. Its resilience was surprising.
What makes this RV sewer hose so tough? The RhinoEXTREME is made of 24 mil TPE material. This is unlike standard steel wire hoses. This material makes it crush-resistant. It can withstand being stepped on or driven over. Plus, it has a rubbery consistency.
The hose holds its form and shape well. This means users only need to pull out the necessary length. It has swiveling connections. The “exoskeleton” design provides extra protection. It seemed pre-flattened from packaging, but bounced back. Also, it is made in the USA.
The hierarchy of RV sewer hoses
Here’s a breakdown of RV sewer hoses, from worst to best, based on Jared’s personal experience and preferences.
• Junk: Avoid the really cheap hoses. These are made of thin, flimsy plastic. These can easily rip and tear, which can lead to a messy situation.
• Manageable: The Revolution hose is a decent low-end option. It doesn’t hold its shape. But it can last for several months of full-time use.
• Good: The standard RhinoFLEX hose is a great choice. It may not be “extreme,” but it’s reliable. It holds its shape well. The smaller, more compact heads are a plus.
• Best: The RhinoEXTREME passed all the tests. It’s super-durable. It would be a good pick if someone is very concerned about the hose failing.
When choosing an RV sewer hose, weigh the options.
• Durability vs. convenience: Is extreme durability necessary? Or is shape retention more important?
• Usage habits: Consider your RVing style. Are there risks of driving over or dragging the hose?
• Personal preferences: Do you prefer smaller connectors? Or larger, easier-to-grip ones?
Here is a link to the RhinoEXTREME and to the basic RhinoFLEX.
Do you have an RV sewer hose you love? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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RVDT2883
Just like trailer tires, I am of the firm belief that the sun is a sewer hose’s worst enemy. If we are seasonally stationary I try to run my hose in the shadow under our trailer and shield whatever portions are exposed.
Yep. UV and heat damage is what matters with a sewer hose. Keep it out of the sun as much as possible.
We’re not full timers or long timers sitting at a site. Ten days is about as long as we’re in one spot. I don’t hook the hose up and let it lay out in the sun. Over that ten days I’ll dump tanks on day 5 and when we leave. The hose is capped off and laying under the MH for quick hookup as needed. We’ve had the cheap blue hoses last many years doing this. I also have a couple RhinoFlex with about 6 years on them. The plastic is getting very stiff in the folds.
When we first got our RV in the fall of 2024, we bought the RhinoFLEX sewer hose. On our 3rd or 4th trip it developed some pin size holes, probably for getting dragged on gravel. I bit the bullet and bought the RhinoEXTREME. We haven’t had any issues with it.
Viper sewer hose is the best one. Read about it on Amazon. It is pricey, but may be the only one you’ll ever need !
Does it fare better when in the Florida sun for months? This is our issue.
We don’t drive over our hose, drag it behind our rig or do any of the other ridiculous things a YouTube influencer might do to “test” a sponsored hose.
Nope, we just use it.
No harsh chemicals, no using it as a wheel chock or tow rope or museum piece. We just use it to drain from Point A to Point B and stow until next use.
It’s been my experience that the RhinoExtreme fails just like our RhinoFlex, Valterra and Duraflex hoses fail. They get pin holes in the expansion pleats. Maybe it’s UV damage, cold damage or sand incursion agitated by vibration but the results are the same. A drip where there should be none.
Maybe an RVTravel poll topic?
Regarding sewer hoses, I read the article. U should have tested a drainmaster hose. Best I have ever seen, in my opinion. It’s durable easy to use.