Best Tried & True Brand: Camco Heated Drinking Water Hose

Here at the home office in Colorado, we know that RVing isn’t just limited to the summer months. If you plan a winter trip with your RV, dealing with freezing temperatures is a concern. The solution for your water line is a heated RV water hose.

After surveying our readers for their favorites and talking with three RV experts who sell parts and do maintenance, we decided Camco is a good bet if you prefer a tried and true brand.  In a nutshell, it protects against freezing down to 20 degrees below zero. 

What We Liked

• Easy to use.

• Lightweight at 7 lbs.

• Also great for livestock, kennels.

• Works well in cold weather.

What Needs Work

• Pricey.

Best down to -45°F: REHOSEUP 15 FT Heated Water Hose for RV

Yes, there is cold weather and there is COLD weather. This hose is certified for use down to -45 degrees, which is about 25 more degrees than other hoses we researched for this article. And this hose was recommended by several of the RV experts we interviewed for its over quality and durability.

What We Liked

• Excellent quality.

• Flexible.

• Doesn’t leak.

What Needs Work

• Sometimes it can be too flexible and kink.

Best GFCI Circuit: Giraffe Tools 5/8-inches Heated Drinking Water Hose with GFCI

Yes, this is an excellent hose for use with an RV, but we also like using it in a garden in the winter (to keep a fountain running, for example) or on the farm (for a water supply to an out building).

What We Liked

• BPA free.

• Smart thermostat.

• Durable.

• Excellent construction quality.

• Includes Teflon tape.

What Needs Work

• Pricey.

Best Extra Length: 100FT Heated Drinking Water Hose for RV

Most heated hoses for RV’s are in the 15 to 30 foot range. But there’s nothing more frustrating than discovering what you really need is 100 feet. For that reason, we liked this extra long hose . . . yes, it is 100 feet in length. And it came recommended by one of the RV experts we interviewed for this article.

What We Liked

• Heats up fast.

• Great for winter camping.

• No flavor added to water.

What Needs Work

• Multiple fittings can be confusing to use.

About the Authors

Denise & Alan Fields are consumer advocates and best-selling authors. The Fields have authored 12 books with three million copies in print, including the best-selling guide to baby gear, Baby Bargains.

The Fields have been featured and quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times.

As consumer products experts, the Fields have been guests on the NBC Today Show, Good Morning America and ABC’s 20/20.

How We Pick Products To Recommend

We often turn to our readers (3 million strong!) to find products to recommend. We ask our parent readers for their favorites and consider their real-world experiences in our recommendations.

When we test a product, we always purchase it with our own monies. We do not take free samples, as we believe that compromises our independence.

We also fact check manufacturer information with our own measurements. If a maker claims a product weighs X pounds, we will weigh it to make sure. If the battery life is supposed to be six hours, we will see how it stands up in the real world.

In some cases, we will do interviews with experts in the field to get additional feedback on products.

To get hands-on time with products, we regularly meet one-on-one with gear companies and even tour manufacturing facilities. (When we do this, we pay our own travel expenses).

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

We make our living from affiliate commissions, but we always recommend what we think are the best bets for our readers (not the ones that are the most expensive). We are always looking for products that offer the best bang for the buck.

Our independence is a key reason why we have been doing this so long. As we mentioned above, when we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!