6 Best RV Sewer Drain Flushes With Built-In Backflow Preventers That Pros Use
Discover the top 6 RV sewer flushers with built-in backflow preventers. Pros trust these essential tools for a safe, thorough tank cleaning.
Nothing ruins a beautiful campsite faster than the lingering smell of a poorly maintained RV black tank. You think you’ve done a thorough job emptying it, but then the tank sensors still read "full" and a faint odor starts creeping in. This is where a dedicated tank flusher becomes your best friend, transforming a dreaded chore into a simple, effective maintenance task. But not all flushers are created equal, and using one without proper backflow prevention is a rookie mistake that can have serious consequences.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Understanding RV Tank Flushers & Backflow Safety
An RV tank flusher is a device that sprays high-pressure water inside your holding tank. Its job is to dislodge stubborn waste and toilet paper that clings to the tank walls and, most importantly, to clean the sensors that tell you how full your tank is. Inaccurate sensors are one of the biggest frustrations in RVing, and a good flush is often the only cure.
The most critical feature of any tank flusher is its built-in backflow preventer, also known as a check valve or vacuum breaker. This is a simple one-way valve that ensures water can only flow into your black tank, never back out into your freshwater hose. Without it, you risk siphoning contaminated black water back into the campground’s water supply, creating a serious health hazard for everyone.
Never, ever use a tank rinser that doesn’t have a backflow preventer. The risk of contaminating your fresh water hose—and potentially the entire park’s water system—is just too high. All professional-grade tools build this safety feature in because it’s non-negotiable.
Camco Rhino Blaster: Powerful Jet Cleaning Action
Keep your RV waste tank clean and odor-free with a powerful water blast. Features a gate valve for controlled filling and a backflow preventer to protect your fresh water supply. The clear elbow lets you see when rinsing is complete.
The Camco Rhino Blaster is a workhorse you’ll see in the hands of seasoned RVers everywhere. It’s an external attachment that connects directly to your sewer outlet, between your tank valve and your sewer hose. This design allows it to use a powerful jet of water to reverse flush the tank, blasting debris away from the outlet and breaking up anything that’s settled at the bottom.
What makes the Rhino Blaster so effective is its direct, high-pressure action. It’s perfect for those times when you suspect you have the dreaded "pyramid plug" or when your built-in sprayer just isn’t cutting it. The force of the water shooting back up into the tank provides a level of cleaning that many factory-installed systems can’t match.
Its most practical feature is the clear elbow. This simple piece of plastic is incredibly valuable because it lets you see exactly what’s coming out of your tank. You can run the flusher, dump the contents, and repeat until you see clear water, giving you 100% confidence that the tank is actually clean. The built-in backflow preventer ensures the whole process is safe and contained.
Valterra Hydroflush Reverse Flush Valve Attachment
Easily clear clogged RV sewer tanks and pipes with the Valterra Flush King. Its 45-degree reverse flush valve attachment features a clear body to confirm when tanks are clean and a leak-proof bayonet connection for reliable use.
Think of the Valterra Hydroflush as the other heavyweight contender in the external flusher category. It operates on the same principle as the Rhino Blaster: attach it to your sewer outlet and use a dedicated hose to shoot a powerful stream of water back into the tank to dislodge waste. It’s a simple, robust tool that gets the job done reliably.
The Hydroflush features a clear 45-degree angled body, which makes it easy to see the water flow and can provide a better angle for your sewer hose, reducing strain on the connections. Like any quality flusher, it includes an integrated anti-siphon valve to prevent backflow, protecting your fresh water source from any possible contamination.
Choosing between the Hydroflush and the Rhino Blaster often comes down to brand loyalty or small ergonomic preferences. Both are excellent, pro-level tools for achieving a deep clean without modifying your RV. If you’re looking for a portable, powerful solution you can throw in a storage bay, either of these will serve you well for years.
Camco Swivel Stik: Reaches Deep Inside Your Tank
Effectively clean your RV's black tank with the Camco Swivel Stik Rinser. Its powerful rotary jet action and 34-inch flexible reach blast away waste, while the quarter-turn valve provides precise water control.
Sometimes the problem isn’t at the drain outlet; it’s on the far walls or in the corners of your tank. This is where the Camco Swivel Stik shines. Unlike external flushers, the Swivel Stik is a long wand that you insert directly down through your toilet bowl to get inside the black tank.
Its key advantage is precision. The end of the wand has a spinning, multi-directional nozzle that creates a powerful cleaning vortex, allowing you to aim the spray exactly where it’s needed. You can direct it at a faulty sensor or sweep it across the tank walls to break loose years of buildup. It’s an incredibly effective tool for targeted deep cleaning.
The Swivel Stik features a comfortable grip with an easy-to-use quarter-turn pressure-sealed valve, giving you full control over the water flow. Critically, it has a built-in backflow preventer right at the hose connection, so you can clean with confidence. For RVs without a built-in tank flush or for those needing a more surgical cleaning approach, this tool is an essential piece of kit.
Thetford SmartTote2 Tank Rinser for Portables
If you use a portable waste tank, or "blue boy," you know they can get just as foul as your RV’s main tank. Cleaning one out with a regular hose is a messy, splash-prone affair. Thetford, a leader in RV sanitation, created the SmartTote2 Tank Rinser specifically to solve this problem.
This device connects directly to the tote’s inlet or air vent opening. Once attached, you connect a dedicated water hose, and it sprays water inside the portable tank, rinsing the walls and bottom clean after you’ve emptied it at the dump station. It turns a disgusting job into a quick, hands-off process.
It’s a specialty tool, but an invaluable one for its purpose. The integrated vacuum breaker (backflow preventer) is crucial, ensuring you don’t cross-contaminate your water source while cleaning the tote. For anyone who relies on a portable tank for boondocking or at parks without full hookups, this rinser is a must-have for sanitary and hassle-free maintenance.
Valterra No-Fuss Flush: A Permanent Solution
Easily flush your RV's waste system with the Valterra A71 Flush Accessory Kit. This durable yellow accessory simplifies maintenance, ensuring a clean and efficient operation.
For RVers who want the convenience of a built-in sprayer without buying a new rig, the Valterra No-Fuss Flush is the go-to permanent solution. This is an aftermarket kit that allows you to install a rinser directly into your holding tank. It requires drilling a hole in the side of your tank, but the result is factory-level convenience.
The kit includes a sprayer nozzle that gets permanently installed on the tank, an exterior hookup port, and all the necessary tubing. The most important component is the check valve/vacuum breaker, which must be installed in the water line at a point higher than the top of the tank to function correctly. This installation detail is critical for safety.
Once installed, you simply connect a hose to the outside port and let the sprayer do its work. It’s the ultimate "set it and forget it" option for keeping your tanks clean. This is a popular upgrade for full-timers and those who value streamlined processes at the dump station.
Camco Tornado Rotary Rinser with Check Valve
Clean your RV holding tank effortlessly with the Camco Tornado Rotary Tank Rinser. Its 360-degree rotating head and high-pressure nozzles dislodge stubborn waste and odors, while the 6-foot hose ensures mess-free exterior access.
If you’re going to go through the trouble of installing a permanent tank flusher, you might as well install the best. The Camco Tornado Rotary Rinser is another permanent, drill-in option, but with a significant upgrade: a rotating, 10-nozzle spray head.
Instead of a simple static spray, the Tornado’s head spins from the water pressure, creating a powerful, circular washing action that hits every interior surface of the tank. This 360-degree cleaning is exceptionally effective at clearing stubborn waste and keeping sensors functioning perfectly. It’s one of the most thorough hands-free cleaning systems you can install.
Like the No-Fuss Flush, the Tornado kit comes with a required check valve to prevent backflow. Proper installation is key, but the payoff is a tank that gets a powerful, comprehensive cleaning every time you dump. For those who demand the highest level of cleanliness and convenience, the Tornado is the professional’s choice for a permanent upgrade.
Choosing the Right RV Sewer Flush Connection Type
The right flusher for you depends entirely on your RV, your budget, and how much work you’re willing to do. There is no single "best" option, only the best fit for your situation. Let’s break down the choices.
For maximum power with zero installation, an external gate valve attachment like the Rhino Blaster or Valterra Hydroflush is your best bet. They are simple, effective, and portable. The trade-off is that you have to connect and disconnect them every time you dump. This is the perfect choice for most RVers, especially those who don’t have a built-in system or find theirs to be underpowered.
If you need to target specific problem spots or want a deep-cleaning tool to supplement your existing system, the toilet wand style of the Swivel Stik is ideal. It offers unparalleled control but requires a more hands-on approach. For the ultimate in convenience, a permanent installation like the No-Fuss Flush or Tornado is the clear winner, but it requires a one-time DIY project that includes drilling into your holding tank.
Finally, don’t forget specialty rinsers for equipment like portable tote tanks. Trying to use the wrong tool for the job is a recipe for frustration and mess. Assess your needs honestly: Do you want quick and powerful, precise and manual, or convenient and permanent? Your answer will point you to the right tool.
Ultimately, keeping your RV’s sanitation system clean is about more than just avoiding bad smells; it’s about maintaining your equipment and ensuring a healthy environment. Investing in a quality tank flusher with a built-in backflow preventer is one of the smartest, safest upgrades you can make. It protects you, your gear, and your fellow campers, making every trip just a little bit more pleasant.
