Strongway Parallel or Perpendicular Wall-Mount Garden Hose Reel - Holds 5/8in. x 150ft. Hose

This hose reel is very similar in design and function to the Eley Hose Reel. Differences: the Strongway reel is made of steel and carries a 7-year warranty, whereas the Eley reel is made of aluminum and carries a 10-year warranty. In the end, I chose the Strongway hose reel because it was about $15 cheaper, and shipping was free (compared to the Eley, which adds another $20 and change for shipping). The construction is heavy-duty - there's nothing "cheap" about this product. It's all steel (painted gray) with the exception of the leader hose, of course. The base is heavy, cast steel, and the reel is welded. Fittings are all-brass. There's no plastic, except for the handle. Being as the reel is heavy-gauge steel, I would expect it to last a long time. Over time, however, being steel with a painted finish and exposed to the elements, I would expect there to be some rust (which would not be the case with aluminum construction). Despite the fact that it's well-designed and well-built, the reel is manufactured in China (no surprise, these days). It arrived via UPS in a cardboard box. There was some damage to the box, which gave me reason for pause. It appeared that the box had been "dropped", and one of the flanges of the hose reel had sliced through the box side (the box is cheap, not reinforced, and there is very little packing to cushion the contents against impact). There was some slight damage to one of the flanges of the reel itself - the edge was bent, and the painted finish was damaged. I did provide this information in feedback to the seller, but have yet to hear from them. Since the reel was not functionally damaged, I decided not to pursue it, as I imagine the seller would implicate the shipper (UPS) for the damage, and if you've ever pursued a claim with UPS, you know it can be like getting blood out of the proverbial turnip. I installed the hose reel on a brick wall on the side of my house. Four lag screws are included, but no lag shields (?) So I had to buy the necessary hardware to install it. The hose reel weighs about 22 pounds (without hose), so I recommend that you attach it to a sturdy, vertical surface, either a brick wall or into studs in a non-brick wall, using the appropriate mounting hardware. The design of the "arm" that holds the reel itself is very clever. It's a 45-degree joint, and by removing the arm and rotating it 180-degrees, the orientation of the hose reel can easily be changed from parallel to vertical, relative to the wall (mounting surface). In winter, the hose reel (and hose) can be easily detached from the mounting base and taken inside for winter storage out of the elements. So... how does it work? In a word, "great". I bought this reel because at 69, it was getting harder for me to manhandle 75' of 5/8" hose. Now, I can easily pull the hose off of the reel, and just as easily rewind it onto the reel. No more heavy lifting and dragging the hose! So I'm very happy with this purchase, and would definitely recommend it. UPDATE - August 19, 2016 - I liked this product so much I ordered a second one (for the back of the house). However, as with the first, the product arrived with obvious damage to the packaging - the bottom of the box was literally "falling out" and the reel flanges had sliced through the box. The problem is that the product is made in and shipped all the way from China, and the packaging is completely inadequate for the size and weight of the contents. It's a typical box (cheap) like you often see products made in China shipped in. The box needs to be much sturdier and better quality, with double-thickness walls. Also, the reel needs to be packed in styrofoam sheets (1" or so) to cushion it against impacts and to prevent the flanges from slicing through the box walls. In short, the product itself is fine, but the packaging sux. And you'll be lucky if your order arrives without at least some minor damage. If you order this product, expect it to arrive as described above, and inspect it very carefully for damage, especially damage that would impact the function of the product.

I bought this hoze reel to replace a plastic model than broke after 1 year. My outside faucet is in my garage so the reel gets alot of use. I am impressed with the quality and sturdiness of this reel but cannot comment on the durability because I have only had it for a month. Installation was straight forward and easy and the directions were clear and easy to follow. I chose this hose reel because it is one of the few available that will mount parallel or perpendicular with a very easy conversion.

I like the construction. I remove the reel section every winter to help preserve it. I had a problem with the leader hose and the manufacturer replaced it. After a while I chose to connect the hose directly and found it works better. The supply hose also started to leak but it can be replaced easily with a small length of hose after some disassembly. The hose reel is good quality it’s only weakness are the hoses. But it’s worth replacing the supply and the leader hose because the hose reel has many years to it.

I recently purchased the Strongway hose reel. Impressed with the heavy duty reel and mounting bracket. Mounting was a snap once I found the studs in my exterior wall. I'd read other reviews that stated that this hose reel would sometimes unwind as there was no way to lock the reel once the hose was wound up onto the reel. If that was ever a problem it has been fixed as the reel I received has a simple spring loaded locking pin that can be pulled out twisted a quarter turn and it locks in the out position and the reel free wheels twist it back and it snaps in and the reel is locked. another reported problem was that the garden hose would "kink" where it attaches to the connector on the reel when it was wound onto the reel. Indeed my hose also kinked the first time I tried to wind it onto the reel. I found that as shipped the flexible connector tube had slipped forward creating an awkward angle for your hose when attached but if you just attach your hose and then push the connector tube as far back into the reel as possible the angle proves just perfect and no more kinking. Only issue I have with the reel is that the hose is completely exposed to the elements. So far very satisfied and expect it will last a long time. pj

I have tried the plastic reels that come in a box but they are generally flimsy and not that easy to use. This reel is very solid made of powder coated steel and when mounted chest-high on the side of the house it is very easy to use. It does not leak and it works so well that after I bought one for the back yard I bought a second one for the front of the house. It may cost more than the plastic ones but with this reel you get what you pay for.

After needing to change out the DIY quality hose reels about every five years I decided to spend the money to buy a heavy duty hose reel that would last. After using it for a few months I can report that it is extremely well built, operates very easily and it's so strong you almost feel the need to guy grunt when using it. After using other reels with hose guides I'm glad this one doesn't have one. The guides on the other units were nice, but were constantly getting stuck and needing me to stop and correct them before continuing. With the open face on this reel it's very easy to guide the hose back onto the reel with your hand.

Easy to install in either of the two positions! Keeps hose off the ground and makes it simple to store it out of the way. Reel has a lock on the side of it to keep it hose from unwinding when not in use. Seems to be sturdy and well built but time will tell.

Bought 2 of these. After another brand broke in me twice. I got this one. Good quality and still working great. Some rust after a few years ( on the screws) but still holding up well in Vancouver Canada

Well built and works nicely. Easily handles the 100’ hose we use it for.

Excellent quality product. The reel is all steel construction and all hose fitting are brass, no plastic to be seen! Mounts easily on the inside of garage floor and no leaks. A little expensive, but worth paying more for a product that should last for years.

Really like this product.Rugged! Easy installation. Rolls up 120 ft of hose no problem. Only problem is like other reviews. Packaging is not good. Box was torn and nuts and bolts package missing items

This reel will mount in either direction ie: parallel or away from the wall. It is a very well made unit and I would highly recommend it. In Canada it is a little expensive but if it lasts as good as it looks and works it will be well worth it.