RV Fresh Water Hose

What Is an RV Fresh Water Hose?

An RV fresh water hose connects your camper, motorhome or boat to a campground spigot, marina dock or other community water supply. It looks similar to a garden hose, but it is built very differently. A true fresh water hose is made from materials intended for potable water, so what flows into your freshwater system doesn't pick up the rubbery, plasticky taste or unwanted contaminants that a standard garden hose can introduce.

Why the Right Hose Matters

Your water hose is the first link in your RV or boat's plumbing. A hose that isn't rated for drinking water can leach chemicals into the water you cook with, brush your teeth with and drink. A hose that kinks, cracks or leaks can restrict flow, waste water and leave you with a soggy campsite or dock. Choosing a purpose-built hose protects your health and your freshwater plumbing, and makes every hookup quicker and less frustrating.

Key Considerations When Shopping

• Drinking-water-safe construction: Look for hoses made with FDA-sanctioned materials and labeled lead-safe or lead-free in compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.
• Diameter: A 1/2 inch hose is lighter and easier to store, while a 5/8 inch hose moves more water, which helps when filling tanks or running multiple fixtures.
• Length: Shorter hoses of around 15 to 25 feet suit most campsites and slips, while 50 feet or more gives you extra reach when the spigot is far from your rig. Carrying one longer hose or a couple of shorter ones can cover most situations.
• Kink resistance: Kinks interrupt flow and stress the hose wall. Reinforced and anti-kink designs make setup and tear-down much easier.
• Weight and flexibility: Lighter hoses that coil neatly are easier to stow in tight RV bays and boat lockers, and flexible materials are easier to handle in cooler weather.
• Couplings: Ergonomic, easy-grip fittings make attaching to a faucet simpler and help prevent leaks at the connection. Crush-resistant metal couplings add durability against accidental drops and being driven over.
• Heated or non-heated: Standard hoses are fine for most trips, but cold-weather campers may want to consider freeze protection for their setup.

Brands to Know

Teknor Apex is a well-known name in hose manufacturing, and its drinking-water-safe RV and marine hoses are made in the USA. The company's NeverKink line uses anti-kink technology paired with a leak-resistant coupling, while its Zero-G hybrid hose focuses on light weight, flexibility in cool temperatures and durable brass couplings.

Aqua-Pro offers lead-free fresh water hoses designed for RVs and boats, in lengths and diameters that suit everything from short hookups to longer runs. Its hoses are built with material from APEX, feature a Twist-Tite hose gripper coupling for easier faucet attachment, and are intended to deliver better-tasting water than a typical garden hose.

Care Tips

To get the most life from your hose, drain it after each trip, store it out of direct sunlight and keep the ends capped or coiled so dirt and insects stay out. Sanitizing your hose periodically and replacing it if it becomes cracked, stiff or discolored helps keep your fresh water supply clean and your hookups trouble-free.