FAQ 3

Can I join hoses together to reach longer distances?

Yes — our system ismodular. If you’re close to the tap, use a short hose; mid-way, use your longer hose; further away, join them with a brass joiner. The modular system also makes it easy to add inline water filter to keep tanks clean and water fresh.

How do I clean or season my drink water hose?

• Soak & brush: Connect both ends with a joiner to seal, dunk in soapy water, and use a soft brush to remove dirt/grit. Build-up can make the hose stiffer and affect winding.
• Self-spray: Leave the hose on the tap, put a nozzle on the other end, and spray the hose clean from the inside out.

My brass has some green corrosion — what can I do?

A green patina on brass is normal. It’s just oxidation that forms a protective layer and shouldn’t affect performance. If it does:

• Disassemble the snap fitting, apply a little food-grade silicone lubricant, and reassemble.
• For cleaning, use a soft brush with a mild vinegar–water solution, then rinse and dry thoroughly.

Is it compatible for use in the USA?

Yes — with the right fittings. If you’ve added our thread converter, you’ll likely only need one additional locally available part from a US hardware store.

Can I use the drink water hose for suction (e.g. from a creek)?

No. The hose will collapse under negative pressure. If creek-pumping, use a submersion pump at the water source, or a regular hose on the suction side, the Flat out hose is find on the positive pressuire side of a pump.

Can I buy a hose only, without a Multi-Reel?

Hoses without a Multi-Reel are usually $30.00 less than the bundled option. Please contact us directly, these aren’t stocked in the warehouse and will be shipped from our Port Macquarie office.

My brass has some green corrosion — what can I do?

A green patina on brass is normal. It’s just oxidation that forms a protective layer and shouldn’t affect performance. If it does:

• Disassemble the snap fitting, apply a little food-grade silicone lubricant, and reassemble.
• For cleaning, use a soft brush with a mild vinegar–water solution, then rinse and dry thoroughly.

Can I use the drink water hose for car washing?

Yes. Straighten the hose first and allow it to fill and pressurise before using the trigger sprayer. Once full, the pressure helps it keep a rounded shape while moving around. It will flow like a pressure washer as it doesn't restrict flow like a 12mm hose would, and it won't kink once the water is in it unless the supply pressure is very low.

Can I use the drink water hose in freezing conditions?

The hose will not be damaged by internal freezing (e.g., overnight), though we recommend draining and storing it after use. While we have tested this ourselves, independent third-party verification is unavailable.

If the water inside freezes solid, allow the hose to defrost by loosely bundling it in a warm area, such as a shower, before winding it.

While heated hoses are used in countries with extreme snow conditions, there is currently insufficient demand in Australia for Flat Out to manufacture a similar product.

Can I use the drink water hose for car washing?

Yes. Straighten the hose first and allow it to fill and pressurise before using the trigger sprayer. Once full, the pressure helps it keep a rounded shape while moving around. It will flow like a pressure washer as it doesn't restrict flow like a 12mm hose would, and it won't kink once the water is in it unless the supply pressure is very low.

Which is the right sullage hose size for my van?

• 25mm suits camper trailers, motorhomes and caravans with basic showers, sinks or grey water tanks.
• 32mm is best for higher-flow setups, such as those with a washing machine, full bathroom or multiple outlets without a grey-water tank to buffer the flow. If you have a washing machine and no grey water tank, or if you plan to bypass your grey water tank, a 32mm hose is required.

See our Sullage Hose Selection Guide

My sullage hose isn't working, how can I make it flow better?

99% of the time we can resolve it with small changes to the way it is set up.
See our Sullage Setup Page for instructions and videos.

Do you have to take the whole hose out to use it?

The sullage hose comes in sections, so you only need to gegt out and use the length required. The rest of the hose stays clean and dry inside the multi-reel and goes back into storage.

Use the shortest suitable section to reach the drain, and if there is a little surplus, use wide curves rather than tight bends.

The straighter the run, the better the flow. That is why we supply the hose in sections with a joiner.

Can I extend my sullage hose to make it longer?

Yes, our system is modular and designed to be extended.

• 6m Kit: 2x 3m [25mm]
• 9m Kit: 1x 6m + 1x 3m [25mm | 32mm]
• Add extra 3m sections (available in 25mm or 32mm) to go longer.
  We only offer 3m as spare lengths. Modular sections help avoid excess slack that can reduce flow.
• Or, if distance needs are vast, add extra 6 or 9m kits. Just rememver to also add another joiner to your order for each add-on unit.

Do I have to use the same size sullage hose as my caravan grey water outlet?

No. You do not need to choose your sullage hose size based on the outlet size on your caravan.

There is no standard sullage outlet size or fitting used across Australian caravans and RVs, so we have a range of adaptors and connection options to suit different setups. These include threaded outlets, camlocks, barbed fittings, raw pipe outlets and more.

Choose your sullage hose based on the space you have, the length you need and the amount of flow you want, then match the connection to your van. (Scroll down on the sullage page for common options.)

If you’re not sure what fitting you have, measure the outlet or send us a photo with dimensions and we can help work out the right connection.

Can I store my sullage hose in the same bag as my drinking water hose?

Yes. We personally do.

The sullage hose has a smooth inner liner that is easy to flush clean, and as it winds flat it squeezes out most of the remaining water and air. The end caps then help contain any residual moisture and odours. The drink water hose is also antimicrobial.

The main thing is not to store either hose in a completely airtight container. Let them breathe so any leftover moisture can evaporate while they’re packed away. That’s why our padded storage bags include a mesh section for ventilation.

If you want a little extra separation, you can also store the sullage hose underneath the drink water hose in the bag.

Does the 32 mm sullage hose fit on the smaller Compact Multi-Reel?

No. The Compact Multi-Reel we use for the 6 m 25 mm sullage option isn’t deep enough to hold the flattened 32 mm hose.

That’s why the 32 mm sullage hose kit is only available as a 9 m setup on the deeper Original Multi-Reel. It needs that extra depth to sit flat and wind properly.

If you want a shorter length of 32 mm hose, the option is a 3 m hand-rolled extension, S10, and multiple sections can be joined together as needed. This can be a good option if storage space is your main concern or you prefer carrying several shorter lengths.

Just keep in mind that the Multi-Reel version is much more convenient when it comes to packing up, as it winds the hose flat, tidy and ready to store.

I accidentally bought 25 mm instead of 32 mm (or vice versa). Can I adapt the van connection?

Yes. You can usually adapt the connection rather than replacing the whole setup.

Purchase a barbed adaptor and a section of short hose sleeve in the size you didn’t originally purchase. This gives you a short section in the alternate size so you can connect to fittings designed for that diameter.

If the hose hasn’t been used, we can also exchange it for the other size. You would just pay or receive the price difference, and the customer is responsible for any postage costs.