Fresh water hose diameter

[BSalinger]

This probably isn't the right forum for this question but I figured someone here would know the answer.

Fresh water hoses are available in either 1/2" or 5/8" diameter. Does one have an advantage over the other for RV use?

[dznf0g]

Hmmmm, I think mine are 1/2". So is the internal plumbing in the AS, so I don't think a 5/8" would gain you anything.

[AlumFalcon]

I went with 1/2 inch. Lighter, packs smaller and doesn't affect water pressure. I bought this one on amazon. It doesn't kink and I like the green, blends in and doesn't look as messy when everything is hooked up.

Amazon.com: Water Right PSH-025-MG-6PKRS 25-Foot x 1/2-Inch Polyurethane Lead Safe Ultra Light Slim Garden Hose - Olive Green: Patio, Lawn & Garden

[BSalinger]

The 1/2" does make sense. Thanks to both of you for your input.

[mojo]

I don't think size makes much difference as the does being the no-taste white hose for drinking water.

[RUMSHIP]

Size makes all the difference. Opps. No pun intended. If you group camp and chain more than 2 rigs together off one water source, 5/8 is needed to keep pressure up for everyone. Good example is the Hobo Rally in California. Water source is at the front of the line. 10 or more rigs hook up in a chain for water and electric. Also a couple high flow y connectors are good to have with the tool box in the rig. Depends on the camping style.

[switz]

On 25' or shorter hoses, 1/2" would work. But as the length of hose increases, so does the internal resistance to the flow of water. A larger diameter allows a larger stream of water to flow away from the inner "friction skin" of the hose.

[AWCHIEF]

I have both sizes of hose. I can not tell any differance once either one is hooked up. So my opinion is it does not matter which size is used.

[Jammer]

I have a short 5/8" and a longer 1/2".

In some cases the 5/8" hose will fill the freshwater tank somewhat more quickly, if there is enough flow available at the source.

I notice no difference when using them to connect the city water inlet.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by AlumFalcon

I bought this one on amazon. It doesn't kink and I like the green, blends in and doesn't look as messy when everything is hooked up.

Amazon.com: Water Right PSH-025-MG-6PKRS 25-Foot x 1/2-Inch Polyurethane Lead Safe Ultra Light Slim Garden Hose - Olive Green: Patio, Lawn & Garden

Don't use green water hose for freshwater service. It may be "lead safe" but it will still leach volatile hydrocarbon compounds from the plastic into the water over time.

White water hose with a blue stripe is colored that way for a reason. That color combination was actually chosen by the American Bureau of Shipping for potable water hoses aboard ships, and is a way to quickly identify that the hose is made from a "food grade" plastic compound that has been tested by ANSI (American National Standards Institute) as being safe to come into contact with food and water meant for human consumption. Green plastic hose, even if it's marketed as "lead safe" is not "food grade" plastic.

So, ditch your green plastic hose, and get a white hose with a blue stripe. And caps for the ends for when you store it; it's only going to stay good for potable water use as long as you never get any dirt inside of it.

[dznf0g]

What Protagonist said. White only for potable water. I screw the ends of the hose together to keep clean, but do cap the other components of my water system. I also hook up these hoses and components to the outlet spigot on the AS when draining the highly chlorinated water from the fresh tank when doing my spring sanitizing.

[AlumFalcon]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Green plastic hose, even if it's marketed as "lead safe" is not "food grade" plastic.

Thank you, this is good info but I check on their site before buying. This is what they say:

Polyurethane 100% lead free, contains no phthalates, drinking water safe
Made from FDA & NSF Grade Polyurethane

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by AlumFalcon

Thank you, this is good info but I check on their site before buying. This is what they say:

Polyurethane 100% lead free, contains no phthalates, drinking water safe
Made from FDA & NSF Grade Polyurethane

Hmmm, strange they wouldn't make it white then. First one I've ever seen for drinking water that isn't.

[10Smiles]

I also have a green hose that is made for drinking water use (not the same one listed above). It is a heavier duty and higher quality hose than the white ones with blue stripe. The inside is actually white plastic. Been using it for many years.

Maybe it's a Washington State thing... We like our green!!

[perryg114]

What about the heavy duty black rubber hoses? I have been using some made by Goodyear around the house and they don't seem to have any taste issues or plastic smell.

Perry

[dznf0g]

Perry, There are still some nasty chemicals that leach out of non-potable approved hoses into the water.

[Bluto]

Maybe the white hoses are on the way out?
I have recently purchased an all blue drinking water hose made by Camco. It's a no/kink design and thicker than the average drinking water hose. Might be more difficult to roll up when cold, we'll see.
I don't know if it's better or not but it sure looks special.

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by Bluto

Maybe the white hoses are on the way out?
I have recently purchased an all blue drinking water hose made by Camco. It's a no/kink design and thicker than the average drinking water hose. Might be more difficult to roll up when cold, we'll see.
I don't know if it's better or not but it sure looks special.

I have a couple of the blue hoses, and they are good, except for your concern....they are a real PITA to roll up when cold. Stiffer than.....well, you know.

[Bluto]

There is a side benifit of owning the blue hoses.
It's the upper body strength exercise we'll get rolling those things up.

Ya, it took me a long time to think of that one.

[SteveH]

About rolling up hoses, I tried some of the green Flex-AbleHose, like in some of the pop-up adds here, the one that expands with pressure from a small size, and they worked well, no problems, except they gave the water a bad taste. No telling what kind of chemicals they were putting in the water.