Fresh water hose - keep it clean?

[Sierrapapa]

I am looking for ideas on what type of container to use to store my freshwater hose? Also, does someone have a good idea about keeping the male and female hose ends clean? I see guys dragging their hoses across dirty surfaces then rolling up the dirty hose against the ends of the hose. I would like to cover the ends while rolled up.

[nvestysly]

I hold the hose over a relatively clean (non-dirt) surface such as asphalt, concrete, picnic table. Then lift one end of the hose to drain all the water. Then coil the hose (it tends to coils somewhat on its own) and the attach the male end to the female end. That way it stays coiled, no water drips out and I can store it just about anywhere. Tighten the coil if needed to store it in confined spaces.

Lucius

[clancy_boy]

I have quick connects on the ends of my fresh water hose - it speeds up connections and lessens the time of exposure to possible trash. I attach a Y connection to the water source and attach my "Grey Water Hose" the one I will use around camp for general use to one side, then connect the trailer White fresh water hose connection and open the valve to flush the hose. Then I connect to the trailer. Before I do all this I have a small spray bottle with 10% bleach solution I spray on all connections before opening and handling. This hopefully will kill of germs in the connections and keep them out of the tanks. With everything in such close proximity at the service connection area (sewer and water), I don't want to get the stomach bug on a trip. Use gloves. Do the water connects first while connecting and disconnecting at the camp site.

Sorry about the run-on..........

[GreatPumpkin]

Originally Posted by Sierrapapa

I am looking for ideas on what type of container to use to store my freshwater hose? Also, does someone have a good idea about keeping the male and female hose ends clean? I see guys dragging their hoses across dirty surfaces then rolling up the dirty hose against the ends of the hose. I would like to cover the ends while rolled up.

I use the blue rubber caps that came with (IIRC) my "RV" freshwater hose. They fit over the ends of the hose so you don't lose them when you're using it. If they didn't come with it, they are available at your local Wal-mart.

[Sierrapapa]

Thanks Clancy Boy and Nvestysly and Pumpkin for these replies. All are very helpful.

[RDM16CCD]

I bought a couple of tote bags that zip closed and are water 'resistant' to store my hoses and water filter in - this keeps the water stuff clean, organized, and easy to get out and put away. I find that 'soft' storage bags are better for some things, since my small trailer has limited space. The hoses kind of get 'trained' into the size coil you need after awhile, and it is easy to coax them back into their bags.

[romap]

What Nvestysly says.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Never use a "garden water hose" for a travel trailer or motorhome.

That type hose adds a taste to the water, that is also possibly stored in the water tank.

Use only a "drinking water hose" and you won't have the bad taste problem.

Andy

[Sierrapapa]

Thanks to everyone for the ideas. I have taken some from each post. I am currently looking for some zip bags like RDM16CCD recommends, but in the meantime using all of the other ideas. Thanks again.

[BillTex]

Yes, never handle fresh and/or dump hoses, fixtures, etc at the same time. Make a distinct effort to take care of your fresh hookup first. Do not store them in close proximity to each other, use seperate compartments.

I also keep a spray bottle of H20/Bleach right next to my fresh hose. I spray the hookup ,and my hose connections, every time I hookup.
You never know what happened there before you arrived!

Bill

[Pahaska]

I use a self-coiling "curly" hose from Camping World. It doesn't kink like the white hoses and is a lot easier to handle. I drain it and join the hose ends when it is stored.

My hose is not white, but it is labeled as drinking-water safe and introduces no taste to the water.

[myboyburt]

Originally Posted by BillTex

I also keep a spray bottle of H20/Bleach right next to my fresh hose. I spray the hookup ,and my hose connections, every time I hookup.
You never know what happened there before you arrived!

Bill

Great idea Bill! I'm going to do the same from now on. Thanks.

[moosetags]

We use the curly blue hose with quick connects for drinking water. I don't do anything the cover the ends.

[Poprivet]

Generally, I don't consume pottable water from my tank or shore connection without boiling it first, I do a lot of boondocking so I have a spray bottle of pure water for brushing teeth ect. I also carry five gallon bottles of store bought distilled water to service my batteries and myself as needed. Ya just don't know man!

[richinny]

i have more questions. would capping the ends promote growth from the damp/wet inside of the hose? should the hose be filled with a mild bleach solution to disinfect it for a half hour before use, and then flushed?

i was told by an RV service tech to avoid leaving the white hose in the sun as it promotes mold growth.

ok experts, teach me! :-)

[Poprivet]

If you use water that has been treated with CL, and you hook up frequently, Just normal sanitary precautions should be ok. If the hose has not been used for some time, then dump some CL (bleach, Clorox ) into the hose and flush it before you hook up.

The best advice so far is not to mix up the handling of sewage hoses and fresh water hoses. Wear desposable gloves and wash handa often. The thing about these bugs - if you think they are there, they probally are.