Mission Automotive 2-Pack Hose Bender for Racing Fuel Tanks & Gas Cans - Black Petroleum-Resistant Plastic - Kink Preventer & Fuel Jug Elbow - Compatible with VP, Sportsman & Rural King

A simple fix for a messy job

Balancing a five-gallon utility jug in one hand and trying to coax a clear vinyl hose into the right angle with the other is a familiar recipe for spills. I’ve tried various spouts, vents, and no-spill gadgets over the years, but the Mission Automotive hose bender has been one of the few additions that actually changed the way I refuel. It’s a small, shaped piece of petroleum-resistant plastic that clips over your hose and holds it at a working angle. That’s it—and it’s surprisingly effective.

What it is and how it works

The hose bender is essentially a rigid guide that forces a repeatable bend in a flexible spout hose, giving you a stable elbow for pouring. The kit includes two identical pieces. You can run one for a gentle bend or stack both for a more pronounced angle. On my VP-style utility jugs, a single bender was enough for filling mowers, ATVs, and a dirt bike. For a compact tractor and a generator with top-mounted tanks, using both created a cleaner approach without contorting the hose or my back.

Because the bender stabilizes the hose, I don’t have to white-knuckle the spout or fight kinks mid-pour. It also lets me brace the hose lightly on the tank opening while I support the jug, which makes the whole operation feel less like a forearm workout and more like a controlled pour.

Setup and compatibility

Installation is straightforward once you know the trick: soften the hose a little and don’t rush. Here’s what worked best for me:

• Slide the bender onto a straight section of clean, dry hose.
• If the hose is cold or stiff, warm it in hot water for a minute. A drop of dish soap helps the bender slide without pinching.
• Position the bender so the elbow lands right at the tank opening during a normal pour.
• For a steeper angle, add the second bender downstream, leaving a small gap so the hose can flex between them.

On clear PVC spouts typically found on racing and utility jugs (VP, LC2, Sportsman, Rural King), the fit was snug but manageable. It’s less ideal for very thick or highly reinforced hoses; you’ll need enough flexibility for the bender to create an arc rather than a flat spot. I didn’t use it on CARB-compliant consumer spouts with integrated valves, and I wouldn’t expect good results there—it’s really meant for straight, flexible tubing.

In use: less fuss, fewer spills

After a few weeks of fueling a zero-turn mower, a compact tractor, a dirt bike, and a backup generator, the change in flow control was obvious. The hose tracks straight to the tank every time, which cuts out the weird wrist angles and half-closed shutoffs that usually cause burps and splashes. Starting and stopping the pour is more predictable, too, because the hose isn’t collapsing or twisting when you tip the jug.

Spill reduction is the headline benefit. With the bender holding the hose near the right plane, I can focus on the jug’s balance and the venting, and leave the spout alone. On tall tanks, particularly shoulder-height fills, the stability it adds is the difference between filling smoothly and dribbling fuel down the side of the machine.

There’s also a subtle ergonomic bonus: resting the bender’s “elbow” on the tank lip gives you a reference point and a bit of leverage. You’re still bearing the weight of the jug, but it feels less wobbly, and that confidence matters when you’re pouring above waist height.

Build quality and durability

The plastic is thicker and denser than it looks. Mine have been splashed with gasoline and diesel and show no softening or swelling, even after sitting on a hose that lives in a hot garage. They’ve picked up scuffs from tank rims and trailer tie-downs, but they haven’t cracked or warped. The tension they apply to the hose has stayed consistent, which is key; if they loosen, the bend can migrate and defeat the purpose.

A small note: on very soft hoses, the bender can leave a gentle imprint if you leave it parked in the same spot for months. It doesn’t affect performance, but if you care about your hoses looking pristine, move the bender an inch or two every so often.

Flow and kinks

The main technical question I had going in was whether forcing a bend would restrict flow or cause kinks. On clear 3/4-inch vinyl spouts, I saw no measurable slowdown with one bender and only the slightest, acceptable reduction using both. The cross-section stays round enough that fuel flows freely. The bender essentially acts like a mandrel, preventing the hose from flattening. If your hose already has memory from being coiled tight, warming it before installing the bender helps reset the shape and eliminate flat spots.

One side effect: a few tablespoons of fuel can remain in the low part of the elbow after you right the jug. It’s easy to manage—just keep the hose tip elevated for a second or crack the vent and let it drain back into the jug before you stow it.

Safety and cleanliness

Anything that reduces spills also reduces fumes on your clothes and the risk of slip hazards. That’s the real safety win here. Still, basic precautions apply:

• Shut down engines and let hot components cool before refueling.
• Work in a ventilated area and keep ignition sources away.
• Wipe the bender occasionally; dried fuel can make it slippery.

The bender’s smooth surface cleans up with a rag and a bit of soapy water. It doesn’t seem to hold onto fuel odors the way some rubber pieces do.

Who benefits most

• Homeowners and grounds crews topping off mowers, generators, and pressure washers.
• Riders and racers using VP-style jugs to fuel dirt bikes, ATVs, and UTVs.
• Property owners fueling tractors or compact equipment with top-fill tanks.
• Boaters transferring fuel dockside without contorting a hose in chop.

If you’re using a small, soft-spout consumer can with an auto-shutoff nozzle, you won’t get much out of this. The bender shines with clear, straight utility-jug hoses where you control the flow.

Downsides and considerations

• Installation can pinch a stiff hose if you force it dry and cold. Warm the hose and take your time.
• On very short spouts, the bender can crowd your hand. Plan your bend location before you commit.
• Cost-conscious users might question paying for what is, effectively, a shaped plastic guide. You can improvise with clamps or DIY bends, but this is cleaner, repeatable, and kinder to the hose.
• Not universal: thick-walled or fabric-reinforced spouts may resist forming a smooth elbow.

Tips to get the most out of it

• Use one bender for general-purpose fueling; add the second only for high or awkward fills.
• Mark your “sweet spot” on the hose with a paint pen so you can reposition consistently after cleaning.
• If your hose creeps during transport, a small piece of friction tape under the bender keeps it put.
• For cold-weather use, store the hose and bender indoors or warm them briefly before pouring.

Value

There’s not much to “feature” here beyond the material choice and the shape, and that’s the point. It’s a simple tool that solves a specific problem with minimal fuss. For me, the value is in the time saved and the fuel I’m not wiping off tanks and floors. Two pieces in the pack cover different scenarios, and both have held up well.

Recommendation

I recommend the Mission Automotive hose bender for anyone who regularly pours from racing/utility jugs with clear vinyl spouts and is tired of wrestling the hose into position. It reduces spills, improves control, and takes some strain out of awkward fills, particularly on taller tanks. Installation requires a light touch, and compatibility is best with standard flexible tubing, but once set, it becomes one of those “why didn’t I do this sooner?” additions. If your fueling routine involves utility jugs and flexible spouts, this small, durable guide earns its place in the kit. If you’re using auto-shutoff consumer cans or rigid spouts, look elsewhere—the benefits won’t justify the buy.