Flat Hose Reel

Product Information

When it comes to the hose itself, the manufacturing is of noticeably good quality; the 25 m hose pipe consists of 3 wear-resistant layers which help protect it from the elements and high water pressure. We tested 26 different hose reels in a range of styles and sizes, in the rooftop garden of our lab in Des, Moines, Iowa. We first set up each hose reel according to the manufacturer's instructions and recorded the time and assembly process. We then evaluated each reel’s design: For those that were simply reels, we connected a hose to the couplings and wound the hose around the reels, noting how much effort it took to do so. For the other styles, we simply coiled a hose into the pots or hangers, recording how easy this deceptively ornery process can be. Next, we tested the products' usability and practiced fully unwinding the hoses from the reel or taking the hoses out of the pots. We noted whether the hose unwound smoothly or was difficult to remove and whether the container tipped over during the process or needed a hand or two to steady it. We repeated this process with two different hoses of varying lengths and styles. A sense of freedom and independence, the morning sun rays falling through the skylight, birds singing and the beautiful blue sky reflecting in the smooth surface of the water. Sounds familiar? Everyone who is a fan of traveling with a camper or caravan knows this feeling. This is the journey where the history of Flat Out International begins. Beautiful views, evening bonfires, thousands of miles travelled, spontaneous stops wherever we dream, and starry skies - this is the beautiful side of traveling with a camper or caravan. The other side is meticulous preparation for the trip from the technical side, taking care of every detail so that the trip could be trouble-free and provide only positive experiences. One issue frustrated Peter and Lena on their journey - they couldn't find a way to store the water and sullage hoses so that they wouldn't get tangled, dirty and wouldn't take up a lot of space. After many conversations with fellow travellers, testing various products and solutions, Peter and Lanie designed and in 2001 launched their proprietary, innovative Flat Out reels and hoses system. After 20 years on the market… It’s worth noting that this is a large hose reel that does take up quite a bit of space – certainly something to bear in mind when considering if it’s the right product for your garden. The reel casing measures 27 x 66 x 55.5 cm, which is bigger than some other models.

Of course, non-drip connectors are a must-have when it comes to garden hoses – keeping water bills down and generally making watering jobs easier. The Alfresia hose reel and hose have all brass fitting; on the spray gun, hose end and tap connector. These are robust and durable, much like the spray gun itself which is also made from metal.We’ve covered the best expandable garden hoses extensively on DIY Garden, and there are some great options on the market. One of the main advantages of expandable hoses is that they can be longer than hoses in reels, whilst taking up less storage space. Another thing to consider is the size of the reel unit itself. You should make sure you have enough wall space to mount the hose reel that you want to buy, as some of them are quite large.

Installation can also be a bit of a challenge; at 16.4 kg it’s not the lightest of units and it needs to be fixed to a solid wall to make sure it stays in securely. It comes with both a spray nozzle and spray gun, leaving you with plenty of options. Whether you’re washing the car, watering the plants, or even cleaning your dog, there’s a spray setting for the job. In fact, there are 9 to choose from, including flat, centre, cone, full, fog and jet.Weighing 8.1 kg, installation is relatively straight forward; however, the included pieces of mounting hardware are only just up to the job. To avoid any future disasters, it might be an idea to use stronger bolts. If so, we’re happy you found us. Flat Out is an Aussie family business (est. 2001) dedicated to manufacturing 'tangle prevention products' of the highest quality, designed to make life easier. Our collections by our couriers are happening as usual. As it stands, delivery times are not being affected too much. Please be aware though that Royal Mail and other couriers are sometimes prioritising essential items so please bear with us if your delivery takes slightly longer than expected. The hose is 20 m long, which accounts for the smaller unit, yet still offers sufficient reach for small gardens and medium spaces. Less force is required to pull out the hose than with longer models, and it extends smoothly. It retracts neatly into the drum after use, although you may need to coax the hose slightly as it begins to fill up the casing. We found reeling and unreeling the hose seamless with each type of hose we tested. Although this wagon can accommodate both large and small hoses, it is heavier than others we tested and definitely more than you would need for a smaller space. We also noted that during assembly we weren’t able to tighten one of the screws and all of them seemed a bit loose, although that didn't affect the wagon's performance during testing at all.