How to Connect to Full Hookup Sewer at a Campsite: Step-by-Step Guide

The Gear You Need

Full hookup sewer connection requires a few pieces of equipment that every RVer should have:

• Sewer hose: Most RVs come with a basic hose; a quality replacement (Camco RhinoFlex, Valterra Dominator) is more durable and leak-resistant. Have at least 15 feet — some sites have a long distance from the outlet to the pedestal.
• Hose support (slinky): A plastic accordion support that keeps the hose sloped downward from RV to pedestal. Required for gravity drainage; without it, the hose sags and waste can back up.
• Bayonet (4-in-1) fitting: A fitting that connects the hose to the pedestal — accommodates different inlet sizes. Most pedestals in North America use a standard fitting, but the 4-in-1 covers the edge cases.
• Elbow adapter: Attaches to the RV's sewer outlet. This is what the hose connects to on the RV side.
• Rubber gloves: Non-negotiable. Always wear gloves when handling sewer connections.
• Disposable wipes or paper towels: For cleanup after disconnection.

Connection Steps

1. Position the hose support from under the RV's drain outlet to the pedestal. Ensure it runs downhill the entire way — any sag creates a pool of waste.
2. Connect the elbow adapter to the RV's drain outlet (bayonet or threaded, depending on your RV).
3. Run the hose from the elbow adapter to the pedestal inlet. Use hose extensions if the distance is more than 10 feet — don't stretch a single hose tight.
4. Connect at the pedestal using the appropriate fitting. Push in and twist to lock (bayonet fittings), or thread clockwise (threaded).
5. Verify the slope — hose should run continuously downhill. Adjust the support if needed.
6. Keep the gray valve open (if you're on full hookup for multiple days) to allow continuous gray drainage. Keep the black valve closed except when dumping — leaving black open allows liquids to drain away and leaves solids that build up.

Disconnection Steps

1. Close the gray valve if it's been open
2. Disconnect at the pedestal end first
3. Drain the hose: elevate the pedestal end of the hose and walk toward the RV, letting gravity drain residual liquid back toward the pedestal end into the sewer
4. Disconnect from the RV elbow
5. Cap the hose ends — most hoses come with end caps for storage
6. Store the hose in a dedicated compartment, separate from water hoses and food storage

Common Mistakes

Leaving the black tank valve open continuously: The most common sewer setup error. This allows liquids to drain continuously but leaves solids that dry into a "poop pyramid" that's difficult to remove. Keep black valve closed; open it only to dump when the tank is 2/3 to 3/4 full so enough liquid is present to flush solids effectively.

No hose support: Without a slinky or hose support, the hose droops and creates standing pools. Over time, this causes backup issues and shortens hose life.

No gloves: Seems obvious, but first-timers sometimes skip this. Sewer hose fittings occasionally drip or leak at disconnection. Gloves are required PPE for this job.

Related: Black tank dump guide  ·  Dump station finder guide  ·  RV campsite setup guide

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