Has any one found a better hose system then the original ones?
With the way that our hoses store behind the utility bay, only a hose that is very flexible (Walmart type) will slide into the housing. Also the fittings on the new type of hoses will not fit our dump outlet.
@Dick I invested in one of the more expensive Rhino hoses and it is way more durable but when I collapse it down it's twice a long as the Walmart cheap one. I think I'm going back to the cheap one and just replace as needed. They are cheap enough to be throw away.
see ya
ken
We have a Rhino that Steve cut a few inches off so it stores in the built-in tube. We use the white Thetford fitting that matches the coach (with the "sharkfin" filed down so it tucks all the way into the storage tube).
If you search the forum for Thetford and Valterra you'll find many previous threads that explain how to remove the OEM fitting and replace with Valterra-compatible fittings so you can use the pre-assembled hoses. (you don't have to use pre-assembled hoses; you can simply screw in the Thetford curved fitting and add a hose clamp for extra measure.)
Like Ken and Michelle said Rhino hose is the way to go!
When I added the third valve I switched to Valterra fittings, which are much more common. Yesterday I saw the third valve fitting I should have purchased - one that had a clear section between the valve and the fitting. Not going to change it now. Yes, I did get a clear section that fits onto the third valve, so now I take off the cap, put on the clear section, put on the hose, and dump. One more small step - big deal.
We have one of the red hoses (forget the brand name) that has fittings on both ends. Unfortunately that won't let the pump-out guy stick his nozzle up the hose, so I borrow a hose from the neighbor for that. When this hose gets a little more "age" on it I'll probably buy a Rhino.
I use a Polychute hose. It's expensive and requires its own tub that lives in the big storage bay. It has sight glasses at each end. It does not leak if I keep the gaskets clean, lubricated, and properly placed. It mates to Valterra fittings. I like it better than other "waste disposal accessories" that I have used.
I use a RhinoFlex hose. I attached the hose to the OEM with a Valterra adapter. I leave the hose attached to the coach OEM fitting all the time. The end of the hose has the RhinoFlex elbow with the elbow cap. That way the hose is sealed at both ends.
So, when I dump, I am not attaching or removing the hose at the coach. I simply stretch the hose and attach it to the sewer. After dumping, I compress the hose, install the elbow cap, and fold the hose in the utility bay.
This is the way it is done on all new Foretravels. Except the hose is not a RhinoFlex hose.
Larry
I wanted to make access to the sewer hose easy and sanitary. Took it out of an enclosed bay and hung it on the rear. See link for pics.
sewer hose storage (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=19025.msg132562#msg132562)
This takes the hose with all of the fitting attached.
Good luck,
I like the original Rhino hose and thought they'd improved it with the "ultra" model. Wrong! It's heavy duty but won't stay collapsed. When it wears out I'll go back to the original. I really like the storage idea pictured here. Gotta do that! ^.^d
As far as a storage location on our u300 on the driver side rear i have access to Battery Isolater and Iam not sure if Foretravel installed or the PO installed it. It is a 3 or 4 inch white PVC tube that is set at and angle pointing down and our hose fits in there. I will take a picture and post it when i get off work.
I have to put in my two cents on this one... I installed a Wastemaster 20' hose with cam-lock fittings (the same system used on fire hoses, tanker trucks, etc.). Currently, I just leave it attached to the dump outlet. I installed a third valve behind the utility bay wall and the hose has enough radius to exit the notch hatch or curve around back toward the bulkhead area. I can disconnect the hose and install a cam-lock cap on the outlet. The hose nozzle has a valve which seals water tight, but I made and extra cap that goes over the end of the nozzle as well. I just tuck the hose under the cord reel storage shelf, and I am done. I can store the whole hose under there if I want to "pretty it up" (even made a cover, but haven't used it yet). I am very happy with this set up after having used (and bought!) two other hose systems, including the Rhinoflex Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious model... that one leaked at the fitting out of the box (glad I tested it with grey water first!). Fixed it with some sealer, but it had the annoying habit of extending to its full length when used no matter what. Putting it away in a sealed plastic box was like reloading a jack-in-the-box. I eliminated the original sewer hose storage after I discovered that I would have to take off one of the valterra ends each and every time I wanted to use the hose. The first cheapy sewer hose was way worse than the Rhinoflex, because I constantly got stuck with the wire when installing the end. Talk about a design flaw!
Anyway, the Wastemaster hose is similar to the Polychute mentioned previously, but uses a cam lock instead of a Valterra style fitting. What I like most about it, is that I lay out as much as I need to reach the sewer inlet and the hose stays put, unless you open the tank valves without opening the nozzle valve first. The Wastemaster system has a clear section at the nozzle, the Polychute has one at either end. The Polychute would have stuck out too far to close the compartment hatch because of the clear section at the coach end of the hose. Also, the new version of the Wastemaster hose has 5 to 1 compression ratio, IOW, the 20' hose compresses to 4', not including the fittings. I also bought the 20' extension (which came in handy at one at one poorly designed campground, and fittings to attach to a Valterra style hose if I ever have the need.
Expensive? Yes, but what I have saved in aggravation has already paid for the hose many times over!
Don
Andy,
I have the same storage tube in the same place as yours behind the battery isolator. I believe it's a standard item on the Grand Villas. The tube should also have a strap that snaps down over the opening also.
Jerry
I have the same setup as Don's. I like it very much. Keeps my hands clean and easy to use. You can use the valve on the end as a third valve to back flush the black tank if you want with gray water.
Mark
Jerry I posted a couple of pictures of what is on ours, I would like to have what Don has but don't have the extra room. Nice set up Don
w
Your setup is what inspired me to tackle mine Mark! ^.^d After seeing pictures of yours, I knew that the camlock wouldn't keep the compartment door from shutting while the hose was connected.
Don
Ditto. However, I did not like the storage tub that came with the hose. I purchased a ziplock tub that has a nice seal on the top that keeps the hose completely enclosed in an air tight container. David
You might look at the drainmaster system that Foretravel are installing on the coaches. I had it on my 2009 and I have modified the installation on our 2015 so you can disconnect the hose and add a 20 foot extension if needed. I realize that some have a tight storage place but call drainmaster and let them tell you how they can be configured. They do not leak and last for a long time and have the clear sight area. Jim 2015 IH
It was great to see you at the GV Jim. I will be looking into a drainmaster shortly.
The good quality stiff hose that came with my coach that fit in the tube accessed in the water compartment originally fit nice, but over the years it has grown in length, and could not put it all back in and close the small door, so I removed about 24" from it, now it stows nice again.
Seems the same length as when new.
For the sake of clarity, Drainmaster is Wastemaster. Polychute is a different company that used to utilize the same hose & nozzle assembly, but with a different coach connection that was like a Valterra. Dainmaster/Wastmaster has started using a new hose which features a 5 to 1 compression vs the 4 to 1 of the older hose that Polychute still uses. The older hose is still in a different class altogether compared Camco, etc. The new Foretravels typically have the coach connection in a not easily accessed location, making it difficult to add an extension. I don't know what kind of connection FOT uses at the coach end these days...
Don
That is interesting. Drainmaster (on their web site) under the product listing is selling Polychute products.
Larry
I have talked to each of the company's owners when I was trying to decide what to buy. They know each other and apparently cooperated on the original products. I liked the guy's attitude at Drainmaster... I chose the Drainmaster mainly because I like the cam lock system way better, and the Polychute would have needed an additional Valterra style 45ยบ elbow to exit the coach, if I wanted to be able to close the compartment. As it was, I trimmed the Camlock fitting about 3/4" so that the hose would be able to make the bend without abusing it. It was a very tight fit, especially when I put the third valve behind the utility bay wall after the waste tank assembly. When I bought it the stuff for the installation, there was a 3 week delay while they tooled up for the new hose... I was happy to get the 20' which fit in the same space as the previous 16'.
Don