RV camping in winter is not for the timid. If you give it a try, it pays to have a quality heated RV water hose. But in order to keep the H20 flowing, here’s what you need to know about staying connected to your RV hookups. One of our top three top rated heated drinking water hoses for RVs can help you do that too.
Use Care with Full Hookups in Cold Weather
Hopefully your well-planned RV trip has secured you a full-hookup RV site when dangerously cold winter weather is coming. Winter is one of the most ideal times to find an RV campground with full-hookups. Even if you just have water and electric, it’s better than nothing.
Campground water connections are awesome when it’s freezing outside. Having a heated water hose for RV camping can allow you to keep your water flowing when the temperatures dip. Of course you’ll still need to take other precautions, like treating other parts of your RV plumbing system to prevent freezing. Study your RV’s plumbing schematics to find for potential trouble spots where water can collect and freeze.
If your chosen RV campground doesn’t have a sewer connection, you’ll survive without it. You don’t need sewer to stay warm. And keeping your graywater valve closed is recommended anways when cold temperatures are coming. That’s because if graywater liquids or solids get stuck in your RV sewer hose, the waste can freeze. The frozen “wastesicle” can clog your hose, and prevent you from dumping graywater and blackwater tank contents later.
Should You Disconnect a Heated Water Hose?
Despite all of your RV water hose precautions, you still might need to disconnect it from the water source. Or, you might have to.
Campground owners often insist that guests disconnect water hoses–even heated ones. It doesn’t matter if you have one of the best heated water hose for RVs, or just a standard RV drinking water hose. Neither can prevent the water spigot and exterior plumbing from freezing if the campground isn’t set up for cold winter RV camping.
Using any heated hose is conditional on the type of hydrant you are hooking up to and if it’s allowed in the campground. Many year-round campground hydrants drain back under the frost line when turned off, thus can be used in winter. Hooking up a hose, heated or not, leaves the standpipe full of water and subject to freezing
“Heated Water Hose,” iRV2 Forums member @BFlinn181
The Best Heated Water Hoses for RV Camping in Winter
Staying connected to water in freezing temperatures means you’re risking a bill to repair campground water utilities if the campground plumbing freezes. Be smart about how you use whatever heated water hose for RV use that you choose. Any of the following top rated heated water hoses for RV camping are sure to do the job.
AquaFresh Heated Water Hose for RVs
This heated water hose for RV use runs clean, potable water to your RV’s fresh-water plumbing when cold temperatures happen. It’s great for RVers who travel during the winter or in areas where the temperature could drop below freezing.
- Heating element automatically turns on and off to fit the conditions
- Heats up hose to prevent freezing as the temperature drops
- Includes a cable with built-in heating element to keep your water from icing up
- Turns off to prevent overheating as the temperature rises
- Zippered, insulated cuffs help protect the hose ends from freezing
- Power cord plug connects to your RV’s 120V GFCI electrical outlet
- Illuminates to confirm power is being received
- Non-toxic BPA-free material won’t contaminate or affect taste of drinking water
- High-pressure rating allows for faster water flow
- Durable vinyl construction resists wear and damage
- Flexible enough to easily wind and store in your RV
- Meets NSF/ANSI 372 and NSF/ANSI 61 standards
The No-Freeze Heated Water Hose
The No Freeze Water Hose is a military strength, self-regulated, insulated heated water hose for RV camping in winter.
- Proven to work at -30C/F
- Heavy duty hose core made of high purity LLDPE: A flexible, non-contaminating food grade material.
- Includes electrical heating cable for frost protection or temperature maintenance.
- Draws 1.5A per 25 foot hose length
- Power output is self-regulated in response to the hose temperature
- Remains flexible at -20° C to 80° C
- Resistant to most solvents and chemicals
- Fire resistant per FMVSS 302
- Ultraviolet resistant, Seals out light, air, dust and moisture
Camco Heated Drinking Water Hose
One of the most inexpensive heated water hoses for RV camping in winter, the Camco unit is affordable and works well. Like the others, it’s a winter-safe hose that is free of harmful chemicals in its materials, and safe for normal residential uses in winter.
We have a Camco heated hose. It claims to work to -20*. For us it only works to about 10*. Our hydrant is heated so there is not much risk of freezing. It is also covered with an insulated box. Down to 10* we use the hose as it works fine. Below that we shut off and disconnect the hose just in case, and use the fresh water tank. We have had the heated hose freeze a couple of times and it thawed without damage but we don’t take the chance any more.
iRV2 Forums member @BFlinn181
- Ideal for water line freeze protection down to -20°F (-28°C)
- Includes energy-saving thermostat. Only heats as needed, saving money on your electric bill
- Drinking water safe. Made with NSF-61 certified drinking water hose material
- Easy to Use: Includes female-to-male adapter to allow connection to the water supply on either end of hose—depending on the location of the electrical outlet
- Hose operates on 120VAC power source
- Durable exterior jacket: Protects water hose and electrical components from damage or exposure
The hoses recommended above are not inexpensive. . But along with heat tape wrapped around your water utility connection, these hoses can keep your water flowing. Some manufacturers claim their hoses work in sub-zero temperatures. And plenty of RVers back up those promises. If you purchase one and find that it works for your winter RV camping needs, be sure to let others know by commenting below or in the iRV2 Discussion Forums.
