Let’s talk about dreaded waste disposal. Your RV may have a traditional toilet, a cassette toilet, a portable toilet, or a composting toilet. Regardless of the set up, if you have a black water tank (septic tank), it will need to be emptied on a regular basis.
This can be a messy job. Sewage spills are common, and can be nasty. We’ve heard many horror stories of disposal gone wrong. Beginners might be intimidated, but with the right tools and systems, there’s nothing to fear.
One thing that helps is to keep your equipment clean, have a dedicated storage space, and provide drainage holes and ventilation so it dries quickly. All these tips will help avoid spills and smells.
RV Sewage Storage Kits
What’s the best way to hide an RV sewer hose (aka the stinky slinky) and connectors? Well it starts with having a quality sewer hose. If yours could do with a replacement, check out our guide to, well, the best RV sewage hose.
We’ve seen all kinds of solutions. Maybe the simplest is to keep your sewer hose in a bucket with a lid on top. Some people cover the ends of the hose with zip lock bags and rubber bands to prevent odors. (Whether you have a black water or gray water tank it will carry some fumes.)
But we’re looking for a long term solution to RV sewage hose storage.
One option is a storage/duffel bag to hold the hose when not in use.
Not the ideal solution. After every use you’ll want to rinse and dry the hose if possible. But rarely do you have the leisure time or the conditions to let the hose dry in the sun. That’s why we don’t like the storage bag as a solution. Many times the tube has moisture (and aromas) that don’t do well in a closed bag.
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Another option is a caddy or carrier. Handy, but there is not much utility here and they don’t solve the problems.
[amazon box=”B01NADIGFD” description=”Description” template=”vertical”]
A better solution is a permanently mounted storage kit. These are easy to buy online.
The kits are available in a range of lengths so you should be able to find space to mount one out of sight.
They come with brackets and end caps and install easily with screws. If you have space to fit this under your RV it’s a great way to hide the hose and still have easy access.
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Build Your Own – DIY Sewage Hose Storage
RV Hose storage kits are not complicated. If you like simple projects you can build your own hose storage and even add some convenient features. Check out this video that shows just how easy it is to install a permanent RV hose storage system.
How To Build and Mount a Sewer Hose Storage System
What will I need?
- 8’ 5″x5” hollow plastic fence post
- 2 5″x5” plastic fence post caps
- 10’ 4.5” half round plastic rain gutter
- 2 4.5” half round plastic rain gutter cap
- 2 1″x1” hinges
- 2.5” draw latch
- 1¼” wide foam rubber weatherstrip
- 6’ 1⅜x0.075” plated steel slotted metal bar
- 4 #8 x ¾” self-tapping exterior sheet metal screws
- Drill
- Pencil and tape measure
- Saw
- Pliers
- Rivet gun and aluminum rivets
How To?
Refer to the video above so you can visualize the project.
Look for frame rails underneath your RV, and find an empty space with nothing protruding. This is where you will mount your fence post.
Using your tape measure, measure the distance across the width of your RV. If you have mounting locations near both ends of the fence post, it does not need to reach across the whole width.
If it is too long, cut the fence post down to size.
Add a post cap to one end of the fence post. Using your drill, make 2 rivet holes on opposite sides of the cap. Install the rivets into the holes you have made.
Switch to the other end of your fence post. Choose the direction you would like the door to open on, and slide on the cap until it is just under halfway on.
Mark where you want your hinges to go, and then remove the caps. Drill rivet holes at your markings and install the hinges to the fence post.
Place the cap on the hinges and check the door opens and closes properly. Attach this cap with rivets and your drill.
Attach the latch to the opposite side of the cap.
Take your rain gutter and screw a cap onto one end using 3 rivets. You should attach one to each side, and one at the top. The smooth edge of the rivets should be on the exterior of the rain gutter.
Insert the guttering into the fence post and push until it reaches the fixed end cap. Make a marking inside the fence post, around ½ inch from the end.
Take the guttering out and cut the gutter using the mark you just made as a guide.
Add a cap to the open end of the rain gutter. Add the second cap a little further along the guttering to hold the hose adaptor in place.
Cut your metal into 2 20 inch strips. Align with the center of the base of the tube. Mark where the sides are. Bend the metal into a square U shape that is slightly wider than the fence post using your pliers.
This will allow you to fit weather stripping.
Lie the metal on the post and mark the top. Bend the metal at these markings to create an ‘ear’ slightly under the top of the post. This will ensure the post fits snugly against your Rv’s frame.
Cut your weatherstrip so that it fits perfectly inside the brackets and attach.
Measure the distance from the end of the post to your RV mounting posts. Slide the brackets over the post and hold them in place.
Mark the hole locations in the bracket on your frame. Attach the post with the self-tapping screws.
For additional drainage, you can drill a hole or two on the underside of the fence post.
Related Information
Managing waste requires some planning and attention. Here is a guide to dump stations that shows what to expect with a map showing dump station locations. And if you are just back from boon-docking you may want to dump your waste at home.
Summary
There are many kits pre-made to make your life easier. You can buy these online and install them yourself. But there is nothing special about their construction and you can easily build one yourself.
As long as you have some basic tools this will save money. The example above includes hinges, end caps, weather stripping and drainage holes. We wanted to show what is possible with a little creativity.
But, if you have the space you can make a simpler version with just PVC pipe and some brackets.
We hope you feel confident with RV sewage hose storage.