Water Hose Storage

[Kernopelli]

I bought two of those cheap expandable hoses a couple of years ago and gave them to my wife to use in her flower beds. We were both tired of dragging a conventional hose around and having to coil it back up and then there's the storage issue. To my shock, I found the expandable hoses to be AWESOME! I have bought several variations since and they have all been durable, don't kink and are super light . They are also almost effortless to coil up when done and you can easily store 100' of hose in a 5 gal bucket. If you don't trust the expandables, I also bought ( and like) a Goodyear heavy duty flex hose....I still prefer the expandables over the flat style Goodyear but they have a lifetime warranty, are very light and easy to coil and store as well. The bottom line is, I quit fighting water hoses since I got rid of every old conventional hose I had.

 

[mercdv]

Thanks for the replies, I hadn't even considered one of those expandable hoses. My experience with one at my old place was not very good but that was when they first came out and the outside spigot wasn't behind a pressure regulator so there was 135 psi coming out of it. Let's just say the hose didn't hold all that pressure in very long once a nozzle was attached and the hose was pressurized. I'm sure they have come a long way since that time and my spigots are behind a pressure reducer in this house. I'll take a look because that might be the best option for her.

I'm also going to take a look at those hose reel carts from Northern Tool. I'll swing by there the next time I drive past. Sure would be a lot less time consuming to find one that works well without having to make one. I already have a second story deck on my urgent repair list at the house. Pretty sure my wife would throat punch me if I took on another project before I got to the deck.

 

[mark02tj]

I bought a couple of expandable hoses as well. Overall I like them, but they don't seem to put enough volume through them to really use a spray nozzle. If you look at the ball valve on the "exit end" of the hose, it's maybe 3/8". But they are super handy!!

 

[newbury]

Sorry for the delayed response, thanks for all the suggestion. I had seen that post on the other forums but those solutions seem too heavy for my wife and kids to cart up and down our hill side, especially if I had the weight of a cart to it. I had considered a Eley Reel because everyone seems to rave about them but they are really expensive. I considered buying the cheaper wall mount Eley version and make my own cart but I want the total cost to be less than $100 for what I make. I can't really use a fixed reel model because it needs to be used on all 4 sides of the home and travel with me to my parent's place. I don't know, maybe at this point I should just keep hauling the hose around for the wife and parents when they need it.

Or find a suitable sized laundry basket and store them like TS.

I store them in a garbage can coiled down. Easy in easy out.

Ron

I've a 12 gauge 100 foot electrical cord I've stored by coiling it in a CHEAP Target $2 laundry basket. Easy out, a little manual effort to get it in.

 

[thepumpguysc]

Around my neighborhood everybody drives/owns a golf cart..
The "rims" are a perfect size to mount just about anywhere..
One of my neighbors has 2 rims mounted on his side porch, painted a nice white, & strings his water hose between the 2 "little" rims..
It looks real nice..

 

[Wakey]

I have two of these the oldest one is about ten years old. Still works great with 250 feet of hose on each one.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200640135_200640135

That looks like a nice unit.

How is it on rough(ish) terrain? Do you push or pull it when moving it? On all 4 tires or tilting on 2?

They have this other model (backordered 30 days) that has a wagon style handle and the front axle turns. https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200660234_200660234?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Lawn%20%2B%20Garden%20%3E%20Garden%20Hoses%20%2B%20Reels&utm_campaign=Strongway&utm_content=49461&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2smX9LLi2wIVBrXACh1cXgxaEAQYASABEgJLJfD_BwE

Really curious what your thoughts are concerning maneuverability. I'm in good health but I just worry this unit would be a wrestling match and rattle my fillings going from one end of the yard to the other.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I have two of these the oldest one is about ten years old. Still works great with 250 feet of hose on each one.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200640135_200640135

Do you have any rust problems with them? I've looked at similar models by other brands that appear to be manufactured by the same Chinese company that make these and there have been rust issues with the similar looking ones. That is the reason I have tried to stay away from this type of reel but I do not know anyone personally to ask them about their experience with this type of reel. If you do have some rust is it just in certain spots that are easy to get to without disassembling the whole thing to remove the rust?

I have 2 of those as well, but with about 500' of hose on each. The main degrading issue on this type of cart is, as you suspect, internal rust from water that seeps into the tubes collects and eats the bottom tubes. On these carts the bottom tubes are not continuous. They join at the middle giving water a way out. Also since this makes the tubes shorter you can more easily pre-treat the inside by spraying in a wax based corrosion inhibiter.

Mine spend the spring and summer outside and after 5/6yrs are fine. The flat free tires are great because they are maintenance free. --- Also note that you can mount the reel pivots to the underside of the tubing to make the reel hang lower. Iv found no disadvantage to doing this.​

 

[randyjs]

They roll across the lawn easily, the tire are probably about ten inch diameter. I roll them about 300 feet to store in the barn for the winter, no problem.

 

[edhruz]

I had those white hose that had to be rolled up and would get twist in them. I recently read a review about Zero-G hoses and decided to give them a try. These are not one those hoses that expand when connected to the water but feels a lot like them. You can roll this hose up like you would a extension cord even in cold weather. Trailer Life rated the number one RV hose and it's rated for drinking water. I roll it up like i would a electric extension cord and put tall narrow plastic storage tub and carry a 25 and 50 footer. I would never go back to a stiff vinyl hose.

 

[Wakey]

Thanks Randy