Sewer hose size

[geode]

I purchased a Camco clear 45 degree elbow thinking it would be good to know when stuff stopped coming out of the tanks.  (It also swivels, but I don't know when I would use that.)  The elbo is too small to connect to my Rv's outlet.  I used the old hose that came with the RV when I bought it and emptied the tanks and flushed the black water tank.  I would like to get new hose, I do not know how old the existing hose is.  I also think it is a good idea to at least be able to see what is coming out of the tanks and when it is just clear water from the flush.  I am concerned that, because my RV was built in 1997, it might have a different size sewer connection that what is standard now.

So, what should I know about sewer hose connectors and sizes?

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

The 1997 standard was the same as current. The [almost] universal RV end fitting is a 3" bayonet connection. What make/model is your 1997 RV?

The sewer inlet in the ground on the site may be 3" or 4", but the RV side has been 3" hose with a 3" bayonet-type (twist & lock) fitting for perhaps 35 years now.

The bayonet conectors (male & female) look like this style:
http://www.amazon.com/Camco-39543-Twist-Connect-Fitting/dp/B000BQR8TE/ref=pd_sbs_263_4

 

[geode]

My RV is a 1997 Airstream Land Yacht 33.  The elbow that I tried to use is: http://www.amazon.com/Camco-39847-RhinoFLEX-Degree-Fitting/dp/B006OQ35GU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1442791681&sr=8-5&keywords=camco+elbow

It is roughly 3/8 of an inch too small.  I am going to a dump station in Elkhart, IN Monday or Tuesday and will stop at an RV supplies store to see what I can find.  I am happy to hear that the fittings are standard.  Thanks for the info.

 

[mypursuit]

Try your local WallyWorld, they should have everything you need.

 

[Rene T]

I don't know but it may be that your fitting is a RhinoFLEX and you may need a hose made by them also. What Gary was talking about is for the standard RV sewer hose  which is what you may have and the Rhino may not be compatible. I don't really know though.  You may need one of these instead of the Rhino Clear Elbow.  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NCS7GE/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_3?pf_rd_p=1944687662&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B006OQ35GU&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0719GZXC40598WHS8HS0

I also installed one of these valves between the RV sewer pipe and the clear elbow. If you have a valve that is leaking a little, this valve will hold the fluid until you dump the next time. Leave the valve, the elbow and a solid cap installed on the end of the elbow all the time.  http://www.amazon.com/Valterra-T58-Twist-On-Waste-Valve/dp/B000BGHYJS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442796544&sr=8-1&keywords=rv+waste+valves

The cap is like this with a hose connection just in case you have a blockage and you'll need to pressurize the sewer piping to unclog the blockage.  http://www.amazon.com/Valterra-T1020-1-Black-Waste-Valve/dp/B0006N5RYK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1442796839&sr=8-3&keywords=rv+sewer+cap

 

[legrandnormand]

My RV is a 1997 Airstream Land Yacht 33.  The elbow that I tried to use is: http://www.amazon.com/Camco-39847-RhinoFLEX-Degree-Fitting/dp/B006OQ35GU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1442791681&sr=8-5&keywords=camco+elbow

It is roughly 3/8 of an inch too small.  I am going to a dump station in Elkhart, IN Monday or Tuesday and will stop at an RV supplies store to see what I can find.  I am happy to hear that the fittings are standard.  Thanks for the info.

It does'nt matter if you own an Airstream or any other make, any sewer pipe or connection on a rv is 3 inches... just figure out the proper one to use with your 1997 !

 

[geode]

I don't have any leaking valves, but it is good to know there is a solution for that problem.  The Rhinoflex did not fit the sewer connection on the RV, so I assumed it did not fit the hose either.  Thanks for looking these up and giving me the links.  I will find out what is up tomorrow.

 

[PJ Stough]

It does'nt matter if you own an Airstream or any other make, any sewer pipe or connection on a rv is 3 inches... just figure out the proper one to use with your 1997 !

Something doesnt make sense to me.  If all valves are the same size, how could one be 3/8 inch off?

 

[legrandnormand]

Something doesnt make sense to me.  If all valves are the same size, how could one be 3/8 inch off?

Wrong measurements maybee !

 

[John From Detroit]

That Rinoflex Elbow is the standard size. There should be only one size. IF it's the wrong size something major is wrong with your RV.. Are you sure it's too small?

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Yes, the Rhinoflex uses standard 3" bayonet connectors, so that cannot be the problem. I find two Camco elbows and both should fit:

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-39432-Degree-Adapter-Fitting/dp/B000EDSSEI
http://www.amazon.com/Camco-39847-RhinoFLEX-Degree-Fitting/dp/B006OQ35GU

My best guess is that the elbow he bought does not have the bayonet connector, i.e. is a slip-type fitting intended to join two hoses, or to connect the the campsite sewer inlet (which may be 3" or 4" and may be threaded or plain (no bayonet).

geode: can you post a picture of your sewer connector, or even the elbow you bought? We are just guessing here... Either a photo or a link to a web site that shows what Camco elbow you have.

 

[Rene T]

My RV is a 1997 Airstream Land Yacht 33.  The elbow that I tried to use is: http://www.amazon.com/Camco-39847-RhinoFLEX-Degree-Fitting/dp/B006OQ35GU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1442791681&sr=8-5&keywords=camco+elbow

Gary, this is the one they purchased. It looks like it should work but I didn't know if there was something different about it which required the use of a Rhino hose.

 

[Alfa38User]

Gary, this is the one they purchased. It looks like it should work but I didn't know if there was something different about it which required the use of a Rhino hose.

Don't know about different, but it looks like it does require another bayonet type fitting on the slinky itself, similar to that on the left hand end of the elbow..

 

[geode]

Fond out on an Airstream trailer forum that Airstream used Thetford fittings for a while.  Maybe they still do.  The Thetford fittings use a three inch hose, but the connectors are a little larger.  Valterra, among others, makes an adapter.  I will try one of those and see what happens.

Just FYI, Theatford support people do not know anything about this.  The Airstream people do.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I found this adapter:
http://www.amazon.com/Valterra-T05-2285VP-Thetford-Universal-Adapter/dp/B0006N5S6C

Have not come across this before and always thought Thetford and Valterra were interchangeable. Live & learn!!! Hang around RVs long enough and you will see most every imaginable (and foolish) variation on things.

 

[Lou Schneider]

Actually, Thetford was the first to market a standardized sewer hose fitting  back in the 1960s and if you had an RV of that vintage with a toilet you had a Thetford fitting.  Valterra came out with their sewer hose fitting almost a decade later. 

Since Thetford's always been a major supplier of toilets, etc. it's pretty amazing that the industry standardized on the Valterra fittings instead. I think the old (pre-Thor) Airstream was the last Thetford holdout.

 

[geode]

I received the adapters today and that solves the problem of attaching "modern" sewer fittings to the older Thetford connectors.  The real issue is why an entire industry would make such a nonsensical error.  The difference in size of the connectors is very small.  The change from two locking lugs to four makes great sense.  That multiple manufacturers can produce the same product is good for competition and for product improvement.  The size difference is a disservice to all RV owners.

 

[lone_star_dsl]

It does'nt matter if you own an Airstream or any other make, any sewer pipe or connection on a rv is 3 inches... just figure out the proper one to use with your 1997 !

I believe that's why he's posting the question on this forum...