You know what? A hose sounds boring. Until it ruins a weekend. I’ve had leaks, weird taste, and one crunchy freeze. So I tried three hoses on real trips and kept notes like a nerd. It helped. If you're sorting through the wider market, this discussion on the best drinking water hoses among RV enthusiasts puts my three picks into a broader context.
For the full blow-by-blow on why each hose made (or missed) the cut, you can skim my more granular RV hose test notes.
What I used on the road
- Camco TastePURE, 25 ft (white)
- Camco EvoFlex, 50 ft (blue)
- zero-G RV/Marine, 25 ft (gray fabric)
I used them over one season. Spots: a windy week in Moab, a damp KOA near Nashville, two salty nights in the Keys, and one cold snap in Colorado.
Another perfect proving ground was the riverside hookups at Riverhouse Acres, where the consistent pressure let me focus entirely on taste and flow.
Setup that never let me down
I hook up the same way each time. Spigot, brass Y-valve, pressure regulator set near 45–50 psi, inline filter, then the hose, then the RV. All 3 hoses fit the usual 3/4-inch garden threads.
If you’re convinced the hose isn’t the whole story and suspect your on-board tank might be adding its own flavor, here’s what unfolded when I replaced my RV water tank.
Quick-connects made life easy. I use lead-free brass ones. Snap, done. No wet shoes. If you camp a lot, add those. Trust me.
Taste and smell: does the water taste weird?
- Camco TastePURE: Clean enough, but I got a faint “plastic” note on the first day in heat. It faded after a full flush. In the Keys, it was fine by day two.
- Camco EvoFlex: Best taste out of the box. No smell. I even did coffee straight from it in Moab. No regrets. (For gear-head details, this comprehensive review of the Camco EvoFlex RV water hose breaks down its materials and flow tests.)
- zero-G RV/Marine: Also clean-tasting, but let it run for a minute. First burst felt warm and stale in the sun.
I still use an inline filter. It helps with taste and grit. Plus, campground water can be… moody. Pairing those hoses with a modern pull-down setup really elevated the kitchen side of things—here’s the scoop on swapping my RV kitchen faucet.
Pressure and flow: can you shower like a human?
All three kept up with my little water heater. When I finally upgraded to a tankless model, flow became even more critical—this is what I learned from installing a tankless RV water heater. With the regulator set near 45–50 psi, the EvoFlex and zero-G felt a touch stronger at the shower head. The white Camco did fine, but it kinks easier, and that drops flow.
Funny note: I used to think hose length didn’t matter. Then I hit Site 42 in Nashville, where the spigot sat way across the pad. My 25 ft hose laughed at me. The 50 ft EvoFlex saved the night.
Kinks, coils, and storage
Untangling hose kinks all season got me thinking: not every kink needs to be fixed—some are fun to explore once the rig door is shut. If you’re curious about the other kind of kinks, the community on Kinkd makes it easy to meet like-minded adults and compare notes, turning those curiosities into connections.
If your itinerary ever swings through western Kentucky, Paducah is worth an overnight not just for its riverfront murals but for its lively adult scene—check out this detailed USA sex guide to Paducah to scout the best lounges, clubs, and discreet meet-ups in town, ensuring your layover is equal parts fun and friction-free.
- Camco TastePURE (white): Stiff when cold. Strong coil memory. It kinks if you twist it. I had to lay it flat in the sun to calm it down.
- Camco EvoFlex (blue): Best at not kinking. Coils nice. Easy to wrangle. My hands were thankful.
- zero-G RV/Marine (gray fabric): Super light and flexible. It won’t kink hard, but it can pinch under the RV tire. Don’t run it under wheels.
I roll hoses on a cheap plastic reel. Keeps grit off. My past self tossed hoses in the pass-through. My current self hates past me.
Cold snaps and heat waves
In Colorado, it dipped to 28°F one night. The white Camco got stiff like a stick. The EvoFlex stayed bendy and didn’t crack. The zero-G went a little crunchy, but it bounced back at noon. I learned to disconnect and drain at night when it’s near freezing. A tiny heat tape works too if you stay longer.
In summer sun, any hose heats water fast. I now run the first gallon on the ground. Then I fill bottles.
Durability after a season
- Camco TastePURE: No cracks. Some scuffs. The washer at the female end flattened, so I swapped it. Easy fix.
- Camco EvoFlex: Looks almost new. Still flexible. No leaks. This one feels like the keeper.
- zero-G RV/Marine: No leaks, but the fabric snagged on a metal step. It didn’t tear, but it made me pause. I now route it along the edge and use one plastic clamp.
I also clean hoses at the start of the season. A mild bleach mix, then a long flush. It keeps funk away.
Real moments that sold me
- Moab dust storm: The EvoFlex didn’t kink while I was half-blind in blowing sand. I got hooked up fast and hid inside. Small win.
- Nashville KOA, Site 42: The 50 ft length saved me. Without it, I’d be hauling jugs. Hard pass.
- Florida Keys heat: The zero-G felt light and easy after a sweaty drive. My shoulders thanked me.
- Cold Colorado morning: I watched the white hose turn stiff while the blue one stayed soft. That decided my “main” hose.
All of this tinkering really kicked off after my old unit croaked mid-trip—here’s the whole hot-water-heater saga if you’re curious.
What I liked
- EvoFlex: Best balance—flexible, clean taste, no drama. My daily driver.
- zero-G: So light. Great for quick stops or when you’re tired and cranky.
- Camco TastePURE: Cheap, common, and safe. A solid backup.
What bugged me
- Camco TastePURE: Kinks and coil memory. A little plastic taste at first in heat.
- zero-G: Fabric can snag. Don’t drag it over sharp edges.
- All hoses: If you forget a fresh washer, you’ll get that slow, smug drip. Keep spares.
Small tips that make big difference
- Keep spare rubber washers and one screen washer.
- Use a pressure regulator. Your plumbing will live longer.
- Quick-connects save time and attitudes.
- Don’t use your black tank rinse with the same hose. Keep a separate, bright-colored one for that job.
- Flush the hose when it’s been in the sun. That first burst is hot and stale.
So, which one should you get?
- Full-time or cold weather? Camco EvoFlex, 50 ft. It just works.
- Weekend trips or you hate heavy gear? zero-G RV/Marine, 25 ft.
- Tight budget or backup hose? Camco TastePURE, 25 ft.
Honestly, I carry two. A 50 ft EvoFlex for reach, and the 25 ft zero-G for quick setups. It covers every site I’ve hit. And when a hose saves your morning coffee from tasting weird, you remember it.