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An essential item that every RVer needs is a drinking water hose. Wherever the road takes you, you need fresh and clean water to drink. Although it might seem easy, picking the right drinking water hose can be quite challenging: it has to be approved by the government and safe for use. The water that comes out of it has to be free of contaminants and ready for consumption. We researched different hoses and completed this guide to help you find the best one for your needs.
Camco TastePure Drinking Water Hose
The Camco hose is one of the best choices and complies with all laws and regulations. It is free from contaminants and safe for use. It’s ideal for RV purposes, camping, gardening, and other applications.
Camco 22813 4-Foot Premium Drinking Water Hose
This heavy-duty water hose is 20 percent thicker than regular drinking water hoses. It has an anti-kink design and features strain-relief ends and machined fittings for extra durability. It is also UV stabilized.
Valterra AquaFresh Drinking Water Hose
This 4-foot high-pressure hose is designed for 160 PSI RV hookups. It is ideal for RVs, trailers, and campers. It is made with NSF-listed materials that conform to state and federal laws for drinking water fixtures.
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
These hoses are made of a safe material that complies with government regulations to certify that they’re free of lead. You can use them to transport drinking water to your RV. They’re typically made of a polyurethane material to provide a safe, clean, and manageable hose.
These hoses are an upgrade to your standard drinking water hose because it will heat the water as it transports it to your RV. This is especially useful if you plan to travel to colder climates. The heated hose will prevent the water from freezing in the hose, which can stop the flow of water and damage the hose.
If you’ve ever used a hose, you know the frustration that comes with a hose that constantly kinks. No-kink hoses are specially treated to make them less likely to kink. This makes them easier to use and store. They also have a longer useful life.
Camco RV Competitors was founded in 1966 and is located in Greensboro, N.C. Over 40 years later, the company has grown from one product offering to over 3,000 products and 130 patents. It specializes in manufacturing quality RV products that are reasonably priced. The Camco 25-foot TastePure Heated Drinking Water Hose is a perfect example of Camco’s commitment to quality products at an affordable price.
Founded in 1924, Teknor Apex is a research and science-based company that uses innovative technology to serve several markets. It focuses on developing products that use nylon, vinyl, bioplastics, and thermoplastics. Its specialty is manufacturing hoses for a variety of uses, including RV drinking water. Its headquarters is based in Pawtucket, R.I. The Zero-G RV and Marine Hose is one of its standout products and is manufactured with FDA approved materials.
The Valterra company has been a leading supplier of camper, pool, spa, and plumbing supplies since its inception in 1981. The company initially focused on plastic injection molding to product gate valves, plumbing fittings, and toilets. Today the company has over 160,000 square feet of production space and warehousing to house its family of brands, which are all leaders in their sector of the RV and camper market. If you need a high pressure drinking water hose, then the AquaFresh High Pressure Water Hose is a high-quality option.
The best RV fresh water hose will be compliant with FDA, federal, and state regulations for use with human consumption. This is a safety issue and should be a priority. This compliance is what makes these hoses safe to use for drinking water. It means that they are lead-free. Some hoses take this a step further and are BPA-free as well.
The best RV water hoses have high-quality materials that are resistant to the natural elements. This includes UV-resistant material that protects the hose from drying out, becoming brittle, and cracking. If you’re in a colder climate, then look for a hose with freeze protection. These hoses prevent the water from freezing in the hose.
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You can’t go wrong when choosing this hose because it complies with all legal regulations and is one of the best options in its category. The water is safe for drinking as the hose is free from contaminants. You can use this hose when camping, RVing, gardening, or any other activity when you need clean, fresh water. You can extend this hose to a length of 50 feet.
One advantage of this hose is that it’s 20 percent thicker than other hoses. You’ll find that it’s still flexible, however. The extra thickness also helps make it kink- and tangle-free. The durable materials make it resistant to UV exposure and other weather conditions. You won’t have to worry about leaks thanks to the machined fittings.
On the downside, the extra thickness of this hose makes it quite stiff, which can be difficult to handle and stow away. The material gets stiffer when temperatures drop, making it even harder to handle. You’ll also notice that it might kink slightly despite being extra thick.
Camco makes many hoses for drinking water, but this is one of its very best. It is an RV drinking water hose that is free of phthalates, lead, and BPA. One of its best features is that it is built to be extra tough and can be used for camping and around the house. It is 20 percent thicker than other drinking water hoses and resists leaks and pin holes. And unlike most water hoses, it is UV-stabilized for enhanced durability. The machined fittings on its ends also prolong its lifespan.
The drinking water hose is 4 feet long and has an inner diameter of 5/8 inch. It comes in a variety of lengths for your convenience: 10 feet, 25 feet, 35 feet, and 50 feet. The water hose complies with all federal and state laws on low lead levels. It is NSF/ANSI 372 certified. You'll be pleased with the fact that it doesn't add any plastic taste to water. Camco prioritizes your safety and has made this water hose with materials that won't affect your drinking water.
However, a few things don't please us. If you leave it out in the sun every day, it will discolor. It is also much stiffer than other rubber hoses and doesn't last very long.
Enjoy quicker water flow to your RV's plumbing with this freshwater hose with a rating of 160 psi. It is made with NSF-listed materials and makes your drinking water safe. Its non-toxic materials won't contaminate your drinking water or affect its taste or smell. You’ll never have to worry about rust and corrosion as the hose’s threaded brass fittings resist rust and corrosion. It also comes with a hose gripper that makes it easy to install on your RV.
To set it up, simply connect it to your RV's city water inlet. You can also use it to fill the freshwater tank in your RV. It comes with seals you can install onto fittings to prevent leakage. The hose and its attachments are well-built. It’s made of vinyl which is highly resistant to wear and damage. Its NSF-listed materials comply with state and federal laws for drinking water fixtures. The hose is very flexible and you can easily wind and store it in your RV.
The Swan Products RV and Marine Water Hose is a multipurpose product that will delight any RV owner for various reasons. It has a powerful projection strength of 300 PSI and features aircraft-grade aluminum couplings. Its armor prevents kinking at the spigot, making it easy to use at the campsite or marina. It’s durable and completely safe to drink from.
When you buy this product, you not only get a high-quality hose you can drink from, but also one that lasts. It complies with California's strict standards on phthalate content and the lead-free standard of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. You can safely use it as a portable water supply line.
So if you’re looking for an easy-to-use water hose that gets the job done, this is it. It’s a frustration-free hose made by a manufacturer that has a pristine reputation for making quality products. It’s lightweight, flexible, and easy to store. But it does have a few shortcomings. It kinks very easily, and some users reported it doesn’t work well as a general-purpose garden hose. Some also said it adds a plastic taste to water.
The only heated hose on our list, the Camco TastePure water hose has a multitude of features that are very beneficial to RVers. For starters, it produces heated water, so you’ll never have to worry about showering with cold water. Its energy-saving thermostat ensures cold water never blasts you in the face during the winter. The hose features a female-to-male adapter that allows for connection to the water supply on either end.
Camco has used heating technology to help prevent the hose from freezing during the winter. You’ll always have access to water whether it’s freezing outside or not. Also, you’ll never have to worry about the safety of your drinking water because the hose is NSF-61 certified. Its materials are FDA-approved and free from harmful chemicals that can pose a danger to your health.
This Camco hose doesn’t add an awful plastic taste to your water. It’s also very versatile and can be used in many applications—from farming to boating. However, there have been complaints that it freezes on very cold days. The heating cable may also short-circuit and put a hole in the hose.
The main difference is in the materials used for their construction. RV drinking water hoses don't have any materials that could contaminate water and make it unsafe for human consumption. Garden hoses are just the opposite and are designed only for outdoor use. They usually contain lead or other toxic elements.
In most cases, you'll be able to use it for hot water. However, not all drinking water hoses are made to withstand high temperatures. You should double-check this before you buy a particular product. If the one you want to get is not safe to use with hot water, you can opt for a specially designed hose called a heated hose. This one is perfect for use with hot water and will keep the water clean for consumption as well.
The hose won't freeze if you protect it properly. You can wrap it up in foam pipe and heat tape. Still, if you're planning to expose it to harsh weather conditions, this safety measure might not be enough. A better alternative would be getting a specially designed hose that can withstand extremely low temperatures.
Our top pick is the Camco Premium Drinking Water Hose, one of the safest and most durable hoses in the category.
For those who need a more affordable option, the same company offers the Camco 22813 4-foot Premium Drinking Water Hose.
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