Water hose reel

[turbo6justin]

So the weather is getting nicer and the car washing season is upon us. My question is who makes a decent hose reel for our garden hoses. I have done some reading on here and the discussion is focused on bigger and more hose. I have 2 hoses 1 in front 1 in back 75 feet each (oh and some shorter ones for the pool and garden I guess but nothing over 75'). I do not need a hose reel that costs $200 and holds 500 feet of hose. If I need water that far away it will be my neighbors or the fire departments issue to deal with. What I can't stand is the current one I have. It's a typical plastic, $25, goes wherever the hose is being pulled, doesn't wind for **** type. There has to be something out there at a reasonable price say less than $50 that works. In the spirit of making this good for all feel free to add some slightly more expensive options that really work.

If I found one that actually held up for more than a few years I would not mind mounting it to a frame or even to the concrete driveway, I don't think I want to hard mount it to the house though. I do use it almost every day. I was thinking about taking the mechanism if you can call it that out of the cheapie and building the rest out of metal but to be honest that sounds involved, time consuming, and in the end probably more expensive than my price point.

So what is everyone using? Let the discussion begin.

My conclusion to this is at the end.

 

[nehog]

That's great, I'd not limit myself to $50, so anyone having recommendations on something a bit more expensive (but good, no cheap plastic Chinese ****) would be helping me. I would rather metal, don't mind hand rewinding.

 

[bmwpower]

Do you want it to retract?

If no, RapidReel.
If yes, Coxreel or Reelcraft units in 3/4" (downside to 5/8" hose).

p.s. - I have a Coxreel manual reel that I'd sell, if you're interested (NIB).

 

[turbo6justin]

I have no problem and even expect to have to wind this by hand.

 

[trbomax]

Do you want it to retract?

If no, RapidReel.
If yes, Coxreel or Reelcraft units in 3/4" (downside to 5/8" hose).

p.s. - I have a Coxreel manual reel that I'd sell, if you're interested (NIB).

Do they have winders on them or do you have to distribute across the reel by hand?

 

[Rockerbox1]

I use to have one of them plastic cubes that you wind the hose up into, Junk, I hated it, the thing leaked worse than an excited puppy.
I just bought a small deal at Menards a couple weeks ago, can't remember brand name, but was made of steel tubing, holds (if I remember right) 150 foot of hose, has a handle and 4 wheels on it. will take pics tomorrow for you if I remember.
I got it for $39

 

[brownbagg]

I always used a old car rim welded to a post

 

[johnny]

I've had a Rapid Reel for 5 years and it doesn't leak a drop.

 

[VTHokie]

I went through a few plastic reels before finally getting a Rapid Reel (2 wheel cart that holds 100'). Yes it was on the expensive side, about $200, but after the plastic reels... I felt it was money well spent. I've had one for about 6-7 years, kept outside even during winter (I would try to drain it out the best I could when I wasn't using it) and its still works and looks great! I just bought a second one a few weeks ago. They come with a 10 year warranty, pretty heavy duty. Mine gets used very often and I'd highly recommend it if you can get over the initial investment!

 

[k-dawg]

I got my parents a Rapid Reel several years ago, and it has been great. I'll either be getting one for myself of mounting a wheel on a hub.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I was given a plastic one left at a house when it sold. It was missing the swivel connection. I used it to wind up the hose for the winter, discovered how much I liked having hose on a reel vs a roll on the ground, and bought the bigger, fancier version at Home Depot. It is made by Suncast, and is MADE IN USA. Was $40 and has a metal hose connections with O-rings, and best of all, you can order parts fairly cheap from the manufacturer. I plan to order the water in and out parts, about $12 total including shipping, for the old one and use it on another hose I have.

I wound 150 ft of Goodyear branded (name licensed by another company, not actually GY made, but USA made none-the-less) and it worked nicely. I think I'm in heaven being able to roll up the hose vs the rolled up hose on the ground (which always kinked when I pulled it off the pile).

Charles

 

[thammel]

Got a Rapid Reel last year. It is fantastic, USA made, and great quality.

 

[djjsr]

Another Rapid Reel owner here. Very good design and quality. Not cheap though, a little over $200 shipped.

 

[BHR4CE1]

I got the Reelcraft RC-D83075-OLP and it is really heavy duty. Winds up a 75' hose with no problems. Very smooth, great quality. Mounted right outside my garage, and it is white, so it hides against the house (behind the bushes) very well.

 

[turbo6justin]

Great so far, I would love to be able to do the $200 and never have to think about it again option but more realistically for me the Menards and HD ones sound pretty good. I am at Menards at least twice a week and didn't notice one like Rockerbox1 mentioned. Hopefully you will take a quick pic for us.

 

[DaleJR88Fan]

I like the 10 year no leak guarantee for the RapidReel, but I have been looking at the Legacy L8344 for hot/cold water in my garage and driveway for washing vehicles

Levelwind™ Technology- 20 Years In The Making
•Automatically layers hose back and forth across the reel
•Ensures that the hose is coiled smoothly and easily- every time

Adjustable Hose Stopper
•Increase or decrease the hose that remains when fully retracted

Seven Position Locking Bracket
•Reel swivels freely on a mounting bracket up to 135°
•Reel can be locked into place using the locking brace
•Up to 7 different locked angles can be utilized

Latching Mode Switch
•Choose from latching every 3 feet for extended use
•Switch to free run for immediate automatic rewinding

Extra Large Swivel And Free Standing Base
•3/4 inch swivel inlet reduces flow restrictions
•Built-in handle for portability; or mount on wall, ceiling, etc.

Durable Construction For Garden Hose Use
•Made in America from UV stabilized polypropylene; hose is PVC
•Maximum pressure: 140 PSI
•Temperature range: 40° to 140°
•Includes 5' lead-in hose with female connectors on both ends

http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/Legacy-L8344/p1971.html

Anybody have any experience with Legacy water hose reels in general and this model in particular?

 

[iatros]

Has anyone seen a hose-reel that doubles as a bench?

Living in a townhouse with the water spigot by the front door is annoying, but it would make for a nice spot for a small bench!

 

[jeffj78]

Rapid Reel here - no complaints. Probably should've bought 'em years ago after spending the same amount (collectively) on the plastic ones.

 

[antinym]

I have the Reel King auto winder. After 2 years it doesn't wind the last 6 feet of hose, but other than that it's been pretty good.

 

[BirdRacer]

I have a cheap, plastic one similar to this that has never given me any problems.

But, for $10, this one is GUARANTEED TO NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER LEAK!!!

 

[Dadstoy]

I have this one by the driveway.

 

[kmcc927]

Another happy Rapid Reel user/owner.

 

[White 99]

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200466749_200466749

Hopfully the link works but if not Northerntool and grounds maintence, Well Built Hose Cart. I think the one I got was a different name but probably the samething.

I got this one last summer or fall. It works well. Doesn't fall over when reeling out. But it does need to be aimed in the direction you need to go. Same thing reeling in. Reels in flat if hose pulled straight out. Not too bad to move to another faucet. Holds all the hose I would need. I would probably buy another one before I start moving overland the 100 feet up and down between the house and garage.

Materials do seem cheep and my concern is how long it will last. This winter it was retired to the inside the garage and so far no rust. I will have to see how many years it will last. Made in China of course. I think I remember some bad reviews on the site about rust. I probably should shoot Fluid Film or someting down the inside of the frame tubing.

Price on sale I think was $79.

 

[bchee]

If I could figure out how to convert this for water I would get it
http://www.harborfreight.com/100-ft-steel-air-hose-reel-46342.html

I found a coupon for it for $13.

 

[graffix000]

another vote for the rapid wheel. Great device for the hose, although it is a little pricey. I just got tired of having cheap hose holders and bucked up for one that will last.

 

[JeremyFXDWG]

I bought a metal one with all brass fittings for $70 bucks at lowes (on sale). It has 4 pneumatic wheels and will hold 200ft or so. It is great. Stays put.... if it leaks it can be fixed with o-rings.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_284620-2448...+reel&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=hose+reel

 

[Wardrum]

I bought a metal one with all brass fittings for $70 bucks at lowes (on sale). It has 4 pneumatic wheels and will hold 200ft or so. It is great. Stays put.... if it leaks it can be fixed with o-rings.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_284620-2448...+reel&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=hose+reel

I have 3 hose carts like this one that I bought from Lowes. Solid, stable and easily repairable. Powder-coated to minimize rust. Normally about $90 but frequently on sale. Nice units...

 

[Danbo56]

Suncast.... lifetime replacement parts free....

 

[johnny]

But leaks from day 1.

Suncast.... lifetime replacement parts free....

 

[Addrock]

I saw this on another thread, haven't ordered one yet. Made in USA.
http://www.rapidreel.com/Category/1/Garden-Hoses-and-Reels.aspx

 

[Rockerbox1]

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200466749_200466749

Hopfully the link works but if not Northerntool and grounds maintence, Well Built Hose Cart. I think the one I got was a different name but probably the samething.

I got this one last summer or fall. It works well. Doesn't fall over when reeling out. But it does need to be aimed in the direction you need to go. Same thing reeling in. Reels in flat if hose pulled straight out. Not too bad to move to another faucet. Holds all the hose I would need. I would probably buy another one before I start moving overland the 100 feet up and down between the house and garage.

Materials do seem cheep and my concern is how long it will last. This winter it was retired to the inside the garage and so far no rust. I will have to see how many years it will last. Made in China of course. I think I remember some bad reviews on the site about rust. I probably should shoot Fluid Film or someting down the inside of the frame tubing.

Price on sale I think was $79.

That is identical to the one I got at Menards for $40

 

[M Fan]

Got a Rapid Reel last year. It is fantastic, USA made, and great quality.

Rapid Reels used to be made in the USA...about 2 years ago. Now they have gone the way of many American companies and they are produced in China. The one I bought last summer as well as the one I bought last month say clearly on the box "Made in China". Nice reels but not American made! If your reel is one that can be configured for either parrallel or perpindicular, its imported.

 

[diggerrick]

I bought my wife this Suncast a couple years on sale at Menards for about $50.

It leaked like crazy at first - because I only hand tightened the inner hose connection. I snugged it up a little with channelocks and it's been great ever since. It has the smart winder that winds back and forth across the reel automatically, holds 225ft of hose (I put 150ft on it), and has a tool bin that my wife keeps gloves and small gardening tools in.

I never heard of the free parts warranty.

 

[Addrock]

Sorry, TOTALLY wrong, not USA made.

 

[Thomarann]

I got one of these - don't know where it is made and don't really care as it is really good and does not leak.

Marc

 

[turbo6justin]

To wrap this one up. Though I do wish I could spend the money on a more expensive one Here is what I went with. If anyone else is in my boat maybe it will help. I ended up getting a metal cart style from Menards (midwest HD/Lowes) as recommended near the start of this. I am in Menards at least twice a week and last Saturday was the first time I saw this at my store, it may be a new item. I have been regularily checking since last summer. Is it the best built? No but it will serve its purpose just fune. Rubber wheels, steel frame and reel, and I am very impressed with the swivel/hose attachment point, All brass. We'll see what the test of time tells me. Here are a few pics. Sorry for the dust I was cutting lumber today.

Yes it was $39.99.

 

[z28toz06]

I had one of those cheaper wheeled carts and the problem was when you got cranking the hose on it when it was empty it bounced all over the place. Got tired of chasing it around the yard. Bought one of those suncast or ace hardware equivalents and it lasted a few years but first the plastic handle broke off and I rigged it with a homemade 1/2" copper pipe rig. Then the connector broke off that goes to the spigot and I got fed up.
Here's the old one:

my homemade handle:

I ordered a rapid reel and just installed it today. Happy with the construction but the one issue I have, is it said holds 150 feet of 5/8" hose. I have 100 feet of 3/4" and it was all I could do to get it on there. I would have figured it would hold the 100 feet of 3/4" easily, but I guess that 1/8" makes a lot of difference. I guess if it bugs me I can buy the extender kit. It's not wound on there perfectly or as tight as it probably should be, but screw it, it works. It's a LOT sturdier than those little plastic $hit reels.

this is the small unit on back of house. I will get another rapid reel when I get tired of this leaky POS.

 

[djm999]

Could this be the same reel that is sold under the Griots label?

 

[Carl B]

Hello turbo6justin
Thanks for starting this discussion.

I like the apparent quality and user friendly features of the RapidReel.... but... I really wish they had the mounting bracket that has seven selectable angles like the Legacy LevelWind, or the swing out mount of the Wall Mount Swivel Hose Reel from Lee Valley.com

I really like the fact that the "Wall Mount Swivel Hose Reel" from Lee Valley.com can be easily lifted off its mount - so the hose and reel can be stored inside. - - too bad it doesn't have the "hose break" that the RapidReel has..

Most of the time in the driveway, my hose is used {pulled out and put back} - at about a 45% angle from the wall. With the RapidReel - the hose will always be reeled back up over the sides of the reel.. instead of directly back onto the drum.


<a href=http://www.rapidreel.com/?gclid=CLHjrNbJz6kCFYjD7QodQiMjMg>RapidReel</a>
and
<a href=http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/images.php?products_id=1971>Legacy Level Wind</a>
and
<a href=http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=59464&cat=2,2280,33160>Lee Valley</a>

Because of its mounting arrangement - I'm leaning toward the Lee Valley Wall Mount Swivel Hose Reel. Unless I can come up with an easy way to make an angle mount to put the RapidReel on...

FWIW,
Carl B.

 

[shopnut]

I use Reelcraft for all my spring rewinds, but I'm giving another vote for Rapid Reel if you want a manual type that doesn't break the budget. The quality is decent and I've had one in service now for 5 years without trouble. And it's cast aluminum parts means corrosion won't be an issue in the future.