When it comes to life on the road in your RV, ensuring access to safe, clean drinking water is essential. A safe water system has more than one component, and a high-quality, potable water hose is chief among them. That’s why we’re dedicating this post to the best RV drinking water hoses for delivering fresh, clean water to your freshwater tank and your RV’s faucets and shower.
- 1) Why Do I Need a Dedicated RV Drinking Water Hose?
- 2) Key Features of the Best RV Drinking Water Hoses
- 3) Protection With a Pressure Regulator
- 4) Make Sure Your Water STAYS Safe To Drink
-
5)
8 of the Best RV Drinking Water Hoses
- 5.1) 25’ Teknor APEX NeverKink (½” Diameter)
- 5.2) 25’ APEX NeverKink (⅝” Diameter)
- 5.3) 25’ Teknor Apex Zero-G (⅝” Diameter)
- 5.4) 25’ Camco TastePURE Premium (⅝” Diameter)
- 5.5) 25’ Camco TastePURE (Basic Drinking Water Hose)
- 5.6) 50′ Valterra AquaFresh High-Pressure Hose
- 5.7) Flexzilla Garden Hose (Drinking Water-Safe)
- 5.8) Water Right 300 Coil Series Garden Hose
- 6) Free RVing Tips, Tricks, Reviews & Giveaways
Why Do I Need a Dedicated RV Drinking Water Hose?
An RV fresh water hose is designed to transport water from a potable water source to your RV’s fresh water tank and/or to your plumbing system without contaminating the water supply. Just about the last thing you want on an RV trip is to get sick from contaminated water, so you want the best RV water hose you can get.
Using a regular garden hose for your RV’s water supply is a common mistake many RV owners make. Garden hoses aren’t designed for drinking water, and they can introduce harmful chemicals and contaminants into your water supply. And yes – we’ve all taken a drink from a garden hose on a hot summer day and lived to tell about it. But we’re talking about a hose that consistently delivers the water you’ll drink, wash, cook, and shower with every time you use your RV.
Dedicated RV drinking water hoses are made from materials that are safe for potable water, ensuring you have access to clean, safe drinking water while on the road. (Wondering where to fill up? Check out our post on 5 reliable places to fill your RV fresh water tank.)
Ideally, you want a hose that’s BPA-free and phthalate-free, and one that’s UV-stabilized so it doesn’t degrade from sitting out in the sun when it’s connected to the water source at your campsite.
Let’s look at some important features to consider when shopping for your camper water hose.
Many RV drinking water hoses are white or blue; colors designed to signal that they’re drinking water-safe.
Key Features of the Best RV Drinking Water Hoses
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a hose that will be delivering water to your body.
Material
The material used in the construction of the hose is one of the most important factors to consider. Look for a heavy-duty hose made from materials approved by organizations like the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) or the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) for drinking water use.
The best choices use materials that are approved under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Reinforced PVC, polyurethane, and rubber are popular due to their safety and durability. But again, we want a dedicated drinking water hose that’s BPA-free and phthalate-free.
Length
RV water hoses come in various lengths, typically ranging from 10 to 50 feet, with some of the most popular sizes being 25 feet or 50 feet long.
You’ll want to choose a length of hose that allows you to comfortably connect to your water source without being too short to reach the water spigots at typical campsites, or excessive coiling (too long). Keep in mind that you’ll also need to have adequate storage space to accommodate a longer hose. This is likely a bigger consideration on smaller rigs, where storage space is at a premium.
Weight
When choosing the hose you want to carry on your RV, consider the weight of the hose and your physical ability to easily carry it. Some hoses are surprisingly heavy, so keep that in mind when shopping. The weight of the hose should be available in the product description.
If weight is a big factor for you, remember that a longer hose can be noticeably heavier than a shorter one when it’s filled with water.
Diameter
The hose diameter is a primary factor in the flow rate of the water it’s carrying. A larger diameter hose typically provides a higher water flow rate, reducing the time it takes to fill your RV’s freshwater tank. Most RV hoses have a 1/2″ diameter but you can also choose a hose with a 5/8″ diameter. (We’ll include links to various diameters and lengths below.)
Keep in mind that the diameter of your RV’s plumbing may also limit the water flow rate. So, buying a larger diameter hose won’t automatically increase flow. (You could opt for a fire hose for maximum flow rate, but your RV’s pipes simply can’t handle that large a volume of water, making your rig’s plumbing the limiting factor.)
Kink Resistance
Look for hoses designed to prevent kinking, because kinks can impede water flow and can also be frustrating to work with. Quality hoses with durable construction tend to be less prone to kinking.
UV Resistance
UV rays from the sun can degrade the material of your hose over time, leading to cracks and leaks. Opt for hoses with UV resistance to ensure longevity.
Fittings
High-quality hose fittings enhance durability and resist corrosion. For good ergonomics, you may also want to note the design of the fittings. Are they knurled or shaped for better grip and easy tightening/loosening? If this is an important feature for you (maybe you have arthritis or other problems with gripping), be sure to note the style of fitting when hose shopping.
Heat / Freeze Protection
If you enjoy winter camping or find yourself moochdocking in sub-freezing temps when visiting family or friends, you may want to look into a water hose that’s heated. If so, we suggest checking out our post on heated RV water hoses. We cover DIY heated water hose options, as well as professionally-produced models, like the NoFreezeWaterHose that we use in the winter.
Protection With a Pressure Regulator
No matter which drinking water hose you choose, we cannot stress enough how important it is to use a quality water pressure regulator. Some campground & RV park water systems can be under very high pressure.
The damage that a burst hose or pipe can cause would be a major self-inflicted wound, both in terms of the difficulty involved in accessing behind the walls to repair the burst plumbing, as well as flood/water damage.
We never connect our RV to any water source without our pressure regulator in line (at the spigot side of our fresh water hose, not the RV side… so our hose it protected, too). Never. Ever. Period. It’s about the cheapest insurance we carry.
- WATER REGULATOR: Versatile water regulator is compatible with standard campers, RV's, trailers, and more
- IDEAL PRESSURE: Regulates water pressure to your preference with pressure gauge
Make Sure Your Water STAYS Safe To Drink
Before we list the best drinking water hoses below, we need to mention another important factor in keeping your RV’s water supply safe to drink. That’s the need to make sure that water stored in the fresh tank is safe to drink, even after sitting for some time. That either requires sanitizing the RV’s fresh water system, or, better yet, purifying the water when it comes out of the faucet.
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Show Less8 of the Best RV Drinking Water Hoses
25’ Teknor APEX NeverKink (½” Diameter)
We’ve used Teknor APEX NeverKink water hoses for years and love them. They’re durable and flexible, have quality connections that won’t crack or break, and are generally well-priced.
APEX NeverKink drinking water hoses are manufactured with FDA-approved materials and are, of course, drinking water-safe. They have a patented anti-kink technology that prevents kinks, twists, and tangles, as well as a soft sleeve to prevent kinking at the faucet.
NeverKink drinking water hoses are lead-safe, have a leak-proof coupling, are made in the USA, and have a lifetime guarantee.
- No matter the destination, it’s along for the ride.
- Drinking Water Safe - Manufactured with FDA sanctioned materials
25’ APEX NeverKink (⅝” Diameter)
If you’re looking for a slightly larger diameter, a step up to the 5/8″ version of the NeverKink hose might be your best choice.
- Constructed with NTS Reflex Mesh patented technology eliminates kinks, twists and tangles
- Lead-free, complies with Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act for lead content
25’ Teknor Apex Zero-G (⅝” Diameter)
While we don’t personally have experience with the Zero-G model, this version of the Teknor APEX hose is 50% lighter weight than their regular models of the same length. These may be particularly good for people who have difficulty carrying heavier hoses. The Zero-G models are available in 5/8″ or 3/4″ diameters in various hose lengths.
- 50% More Lightweight - Assures effortless handling
- Kink Resistant - Provides an uninterrupted flow
Camco is a well-known name in the RV world, and their TastePURE drinking water hose is a popular choice. It’s made of NSF-certified materials, features a durable construction, and is available in various lengths and diameters.
This is Camco’s Premium version of the TastePURE hose. It’s lead-free, BPA-free, and phthalate-free and has machined fittings for extra strength. It’s also a heavy-duty hose that’s 20% thicker than standard drinking water hoses.
This is a 25′ version with a 5/8″ diameter.
- The Ideal Size Hose: 25-foot hose with a 5/8-inch internal diameter
- Drinking Water Safe: Made of NSF certified FWH hose. Certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 for drinking water
25’ Camco TastePURE (Basic Drinking Water Hose)
This is an inexpensive basic drinking water hose from Camco that is lead, BPA, and phthalate-free.
- PREMIUM GRADE DRINKING WATER HOSE: Camco's premium-grade RV fresh water hose is constructed with NSF/ANSI 61 certified hose for drinking water. Lead,...
- CERTIFIED LEAD-FREE: Enjoy Camco's CSA lead-free certified RV hose It meets the highest standards, is CSA lead-free content certified to NSF/ANSI 372,...
50′ Valterra AquaFresh High-Pressure Hose
This hose is made from FDA-approved materials and can handle high water pressure for quicker tank filling as it’s engineered for high-pressure RV hookups. It has high-lo fittings and comes with a 10-year warranty.
This is the 50′ version with a 5/8″ diameter, but it’s also available in shorter versions with a 1/2″ or 5/8″ diameter through this link.
NOTE: Even though this hose is specifically designed to handle higher pressures, that doesn’t mean your RV can! Again, always use a pressure regulator.
- Engineered for high pressure RV hookups
- Engineered for high pressure RV hookups
Flexzilla Garden Hose (Drinking Water-Safe)
While not marketed as an RV hose, the Flexzilla garden hose is made from lead-free materials and has an inner material that’s drinking water-safe. The exterior is made of a hybrid polymer so it’s flexible and kink-resistant. At 7.8 pounds it’s also lighter than traditional garden hoses, making it a convenient choice.
This 5/8″ diameter hose is available in a variety of lengths up to 100′.
- EXTREMELY FLEXIBLE - All weather flexibility
- EXTREMELY DURABLE - Abrasion resistant outer cover and crush resistant anodized aircraft aluminum fittings
Water Right 300 Coil Series Garden Hose
It’s not as easy to find drink-safe coiled hoses, but this is one. It’s made in the USA and is free from harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates. Its coil design makes it compact for storage, and it’s available in various lengths.
Made of 100% lead-free, UV-stabilized FDA & NSF grade polyurethane, this coil hose has solid chrome-plated machined brass fittings.
Although it has a 3/8″ diameter, we looked through some user reviews and several noted that the smaller-than-normal diameter hasn’t been reported to be an issue. Your mileage may vary, but if you have limited storage space and like the idea of a coiled drinking water-safe hose, this is worth considering.
- With 20 years of experience in the manufacturing of Polyurethane garden hose, we produce the finest quality, self-storing, coil garden hose ever made;...
- Manufactured in the United States using Lead-Free Brass and top quality polyurethane that is UV stabilized
Choosing the best RV drinking water hose is an important task for any RV owner looking to ensure a clean and safe water supply while on the road. Investing in a high-quality RV drinking water hose, in combination with other actions such as using RV water filters, will protect your health by ensuring that you’re drinking, cooking with, and showering in safe, clean water.
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Bruce Montgomery
Monday 20th of November 2023
We used to connect the pressure regulator on our trailer and then the hose until one day we blew out our hose. We now connect the pressure regulator at the spigot and then the hose to the trailer.
TheRVgeeks
Monday 20th of November 2023
Thanks for the reminder about that, Bruce. We're like you, and NEVER connect our hose without putting the pressure regulator on the spigot first! We've added a note about that to the content in this post, too... in case there's anyone else out there putting it on the RV end of their hose instead of the spigot side.
Safe travels!
Michel
Sunday 19th of November 2023
NSF is more than your definition ( NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) NSF’s mission is to improve human and planet health. Businesses, regulators and consumers look to us to facilitate the development of public health standards and to provide services that help protect food, water, consumer products and the environment.
Greg
Sunday 19th of November 2023
Might want to look at Eley hoses and their product line. Certified under NSF 61 for drinking water. NSF/ANSI 61 is the only American National Standard addressing the human health effects of drinking water system components. Can order custom lengths if needed.
Lyn Greenhill
Sunday 19th of November 2023
We have a 50' Zero-G drinking water hose that works very well. Very light and collapses to a surprisingly small volume. Be careful when coiling it to not introduce excessive twist, it doesn't stow nicely when heavily twisted.
TheRVgeeks
Monday 20th of November 2023
Thanks for sharing your experience, Lyn! All good info to know!