Many of us have seen the strange hose jutting out of the back of an RV or house and wondered what it was for. Well, these hoses are called retractable hose reels, and they’re a great way to keep your outdoor RV ready for use year-round. They’re also a really handy tool to have if you own an RV that spends its time outdoors but don’t want to go through the trouble of installing a hose reel on your property. Having a retractable garden hose reel lets you connect hoses to outside faucets and drains without worrying about digging an underground trench or hiring someone else to come to do it for you. It’s also much easier to store when not in use. Here we’ll talk about what they are, how they work, safety considerations, pros and cons, maintenance tips, potential drawbacks, and more so you can see if this is something that could be useful for your home or RV.
What is a hose reel?
Hose reels are used to wind up a hose so it’s out of sight. They’re like retractable clotheslines or extension cords, except that you don’t have to worry about cord breaking and electrocution. A hose reel has several spools that hold the hose in place. It can be manually wound up, or you can have a hose reel that automatically winds up the hose when you let go. Most hose reels come with a large capacity reel that holds many feet of hose. These hose reels also usually have a built-in pump that is used to push the hose through the reel. Some hose reels are designed to be placed on a deck or in a yard.
Safety considerations
You can use a hose reel to connect outside faucets and drains, but there are some things to keep in mind. First, you should never connect the hose reel to a drinking water source. Hose reels are also not safe to use if you don’t have access to a water source, like if you’re camping or boon docking. The hose reel can’t be used to supply water. Steam and hot water lines are also a serious hazard. You can definitely use a hose reel to connect to these, but you should always make sure to use a hose reel valve on the end of the hose and not just let the hose run out. Check your local city regulations before using a hose reel.
Maintenance tips
If you have a hose reel that will be constantly outdoors, be sure to seal any openings to prevent rain or splashing water from entering the reel’s interior. This will help keep the reel cleaner and extend its lifespan. For hose reels that are only outside occasionally, you can routinely wash them with a hose to keep them clean and prevent rusting. Make sure the reel is completely drained and unplugged before washing it, though. If you use a hose reel, be sure to regularly inspect the reel’s hose to make sure they haven’t fallen off. This will help prevent damage and extend their lifespan.
Final words
Outdoor use requires special considerations, so having a hose reel can help to make things a bit easier. You can let the water run for a longer period and not have to fill up a tank or find a nearby spigot. You can also connect hoses to outdoor fixtures without worrying about digging a trench or hiring someone to do it for you. Hose reels are a great way to extend the life of your outdoor equipment, especially when you have a yard or camping trips that require you to use your RV year-round. With a hose reel, you can be ready for any use without worrying about whether you have the water pressure to get the job done.
