Choosing a Caravan Sullage Hose for Touring

A caravan sullage hose is one of those accessories you barely think about until you pull onto a site and the drain point is just out of reach, uphill, or fitted differently to the last park. Get the right setup sorted before you leave home and managing sink and shower water becomes a simple part of camp life rather than a damp, frustrating job at pack-up time.

For most caravanners and motorhome travellers, a good sullage system is about three things: reaching the approved disposal point, keeping grey water contained, and packing away cleanly without taking over the storage compartment. The best choice depends on your vehicle outlets, the way you travel and the parks you tend to use.

What a caravan sullage hose does

Your sullage hose carries grey water from the caravan or motorhome to the designated sullage point. Grey water generally comes from the sink, shower and hand basin. It is not the same as toilet waste, which must always be managed through the vehicle’s toilet cassette or holding-tank system and disposed of only at an approved dump point.

It can be tempting to let water run onto the ground when you are away from a formal campsite, particularly if it appears harmless. That is not the right approach. Detergent, food particles, grease and other residue can affect the site and nearby waterways. Many caravan parks, showgrounds and campgrounds require a hose to be connected to the sullage drain, so carrying one helps you meet site rules and keeps shared camping areas pleasant for everyone.

Choose the right caravan sullage hose length

Length is usually the first decision, and longer is not always better. A hose that is too short leaves you unable to connect on an awkward site. One that is far longer than you need can be bulkier to store, harder to rinse and more likely to sag or kink.

For regular caravan-park travel, a practical hose length will reach from your outlet to a drain point positioned near the rear or side of the site. However, layouts vary widely. Older parks can have drains in unexpected locations, while some newer sites place them close to the services pedestal. Travellers who often stay in a mix of holiday parks, regional showgrounds and bush camps with facilities may prefer the flexibility of an extension section rather than carrying one oversized hose every day.

Before buying, measure from your vehicle’s waste outlet to the ground and consider where that outlet sits. A caravan with outlets at the rear may need a different routing arrangement to a motorhome with a side outlet. Allow enough hose to run neatly along the edge of your site without creating a trip hazard or crossing the neighbouring annexe area.

Allow for gravity, not just distance

A sullage hose needs a gradual downhill run. Water does not travel happily through a hose that rises, dips repeatedly or loops around obstacles. Even with enough length, poor placement can leave water sitting in low spots and create unpleasant odours when it is time to disconnect.

Set the hose out with as few bends as possible, keeping it clear of wheels, walkways and doors. If the drain point sits slightly higher than your outlet, you may need to reposition the van where permitted, use a suitable hose support arrangement, or speak with park staff about the best connection point. Never force the issue by allowing grey water to escape onto the ground.

Hose material and design matter on the road

A caravan sullage hose has a tough, unglamorous job. It is dragged over gravel, exposed to sun, compressed into lockers and handled when you would rather be enjoying a cuppa. Durability and ease of cleaning count more than fancy features.

Flexible, corrugated hoses are popular because they compress for storage and are easy to handle. They suit travellers who want a compact solution and a straightforward connection at each stop. The trade-off is that the internal ribs can hold a little more residue if the hose is not rinsed well.

Smoother-bore hose designs can make drainage and cleaning easier, but may be less compact or need a more considered storage solution. There is no single best style for every rig. If storage space is tight, a collapsible hose and purpose-made reel can be a sensible choice. If you spend long periods on powered sites and value a tidy permanent-style setup, a more structured hose arrangement may suit you better.

Whatever design you choose, look for material made for the job. A thin, general-purpose hose can split, flatten or kink when exposed to touring conditions. Australian-made options are well worth considering, particularly when they are designed around the realities of rough access roads, summer heat and frequent setup.

Check fittings before you leave

The hose itself is only part of the system. Your caravan’s outlet and the campground drain may use different connection styles, so compatible fittings and adaptors are just as important as the hose length.

Start at the vehicle. Check the diameter and style of your existing waste outlet, then confirm what fitting is required to attach the hose securely. A loose connection can leak as soon as the sink is emptied, turning a small oversight into an unpleasant clean-up.

At the other end, campground sullage points are not always identical. Some accept a hose directly, while others are a capped pipe, grated inlet or recessed drain. Carrying the appropriate adaptor can save a lot of improvising. It is also wise to have a cap or plug for the hose end during transport, particularly if the hose is stored in an external locker with other gear.

Do a trial fit at home. Connect the hose to the van, run a small amount of clean water through it and make sure the fittings hold without strain. This simple check is much easier in the driveway than after arriving late at a busy park.

Storage is where a reel earns its keep

A wet hose loosely coiled into a compartment is an easy way to create smells, mess and cross-contamination with other touring equipment. A dedicated sullage hose reel or storage bag keeps the hose contained and makes setup quicker at each stop.

Reels are especially useful for longer hoses because they prevent tangles and give you a controlled way to pay out only the length required. FlatOut Multireels are one example of Australian-made storage equipment designed to keep practical touring gear organised. The right reel should fit the hose diameter you choose and suit the space available in your boot, tunnel boot or rear storage area.

Keep sullage gear separate from anything used for fresh water. Your drinking-water hose, filter fittings and filling attachments should have their own clean storage arrangement. Clear labelling avoids mistakes, particularly when more than one person is setting up camp.

A simple routine for cleaner pack-ups

Looking after a sullage hose does not need to be complicated, but a little routine makes a real difference. Before leaving a site, let the last of the water drain through the hose. If practical, rinse it with clean water from a non-drinking-water source or according to the park’s facilities and guidelines.

Disconnect carefully, keeping the ends raised where possible to minimise spills. Drain the remaining water away at the approved point, cap the ends and wind or coil the hose into its dedicated storage. If you notice grease, food residue or a persistent smell, give it a more thorough clean once you are home.

Avoid putting large food scraps, coffee grounds and cooking grease down the sink in the first place. A sink strainer and a quick wipe of frying pans before washing up can reduce what enters the grey-water system. Your hose will drain better, and so will your vehicle plumbing.

Match the setup to how you travel

Weekend travellers who mainly use established caravan parks may only need a compact hose, reliable fittings and a neat storage reel. Long-term travellers often benefit from extra reach, a spare adaptor and a backup plan if the main hose is damaged. Families may value a system that is especially quick to deploy when showers, dishes and washing up put more water through the van each day.

For off-grid travel, remember that a sullage hose is not permission to discharge water wherever you stop. Check local conditions and regulations, use designated facilities where available, and plan your water use around responsible disposal. Self-sufficiency includes leaving a campsite as clean as you found it.

A well-chosen sullage hose will not be the most exciting item in your touring kit, but it is one of the small practical details that makes life on the road more comfortable. Set it up properly, keep it clean and carry the fittings you need, and you can spend less time dealing with drainage and more time enjoying the spot you travelled to see.