Frequently Asked Questions - ELEY Garden Hose Reels

Scroll the FAQ list below or narrow your search by typing a keyword (i.e. dimensions, ratings, color, or capacity) into this search field.
What is the best garden hose reel for me?

ELEY offers five distinct commercial-duty garden hose reel styles to meet most applications for both home and business. Our 1) Wall-Mount, 2) Free-Standing, 3) Two-Wheel Cart, 4) Four-Wheel Wagon, and 5) Wood-Post hose reels are available with either 125-foot or 200-foot capacity of 5/8-inch garden hose. Visit What Style of Garden Hose Reel is Right for You? to see a brief description of each style or read our2-Wheel Cart vs. 4-Wheel Wagon Hose Reelfor a quick comparison.

What's included with each hose reel?

Each hose reel includes a

  • 6-1/2 foot polyurethane inlet/feeder hose
  • Detailed assembly & installation manual
  • Hex key wrench for easy assembly.

No other tools will be required for assembly. The water hose that will be rolled up onto the reel is not included, nor are any optional watering tools or accessories. If you already own a garden hose, no other item will be required to get your hose reel set up and ready to use.

If your garden hose could use replacing, check out our 5/8-inch Polyurethane Garden Hose.

Our commercial-duty Watering Tools are optional and can help improve your watering enjoyment and efficiency.

What is the hose capacity of ELEY reels?

All ELEY hose reels are packaged and shipped as standard capacity models with a recommended maximum capacity of 125 feet of 5/8-inch hose. However, all of our standard hose reel models can be modified with our Extra-Capacity Kit. This kit widens the drum by 4 inches and increases the reel's capacity from 125 feet to 200 feet of 5/8-inch hose.

  • Standard Reel 5/8" Capacity - 125 feet (38 meters)
  • 5/8" Capacity (with Extra-Capacity Kit) - 200 feet (61 meters)
  • Standard Reel 3/4" Capacity - 100 feet (30 meters)
  • 3/4" Capacity (with Extra-Capacity Kit) - 170 feet (52 meters)

Please note that hose capacities may vary depending on hose brand & style.

You can buy the Extra-Capacity Kit by itself, but you'll also have the option of purchasing it as a bundle with the standard capacity hose reel. If you select the extra-capacity option, you'll be shipped two items: 1) the hose reel and 2) the Extra-Capacity Kit. If you're unsure if you'll need the Extra-Capacity Kit, you can always purchase it later, as it can be retrofitted onto a previously assembled standard-capacity hose reel. However, keep in mind that the price of the Extra-Capacity Kit by itself would not qualify for our $75 threshold for free shipping.

Are ELEY hose reels drinking water safe?

The entire plumbing of all ELEY hose reels consists of just two components: 1) the inlet hose and 2) the brass-aluminum-copper swivel. The inlet hose is made of 100% virgin polyurethane approved for food contact and does not contain lead, phthalates, or BPA (bisphenol A). The fittings are made from lead-free brass, as is the brass in the swivel.  All materials that come in contact with water are made from drinking water-safe materials, including brass, rubber, seals, and assembly lubricants.

What are the hose reel specifications and dimensions?

The specs and dimensions for each model can be found on the individual product pages directly under the ADD to CART button.

What type of hose fittings can be used with the hose reels?

All fittings on ELEY hose reels are made from lead-free brass, machined with the standard 3/4-inch Garden Hose Threads (GHT), which is the universal threads used on the fittings of most garden hose and watering tools sold in the United States and Canada. Even though the inside diameter of any brand of garden hose might be 1/2, 5/8, or 3/4-inch, the fitting on the ends will always be 3/4-inch GHT.

No Aluminum Fittings! Avoid attaching any aluminum fitting to brass when possible due to galvanic corrosion. They will likely weld or fuse together over time, and you may not be able to separate them. We recommend brass, nickel-plated or stainless steel fittings. Lead-free brass delivers the best results.

GHT is not NPT.  Please note that GHT is not compatible with NPT (National Pipe Thread), which is typically found on most steel and brass pipe fittings. So remember, 3/4-inch GHT is not the same as 3/4-inch NPT.

Will ELEY reels accommodate any brand or size of garden hose?

The most common sizes of garden hoses are 1/2, 5/8, and 3/4-inch ID hoses.  ELEY can accommodate almost any brand or size of garden hose since virtually all garden hoses sold in the USA and Canada are equipped with the standard 3/4-inch Garden Hose Threads (GHT).  However, there are two very important exceptions:

  1. NEVER attach a garden hose that is equipped with aluminum fittings to the brass fittings on an ELEY hose reel, as galvanic corrosion (fusing) will occur.
  2. We do not recommend putting an "expandable" or "flex" hose on an ELEY hose reel, as no tests have been conducted to determine compatibility. 
What are the hose reel flow, pressure, and temperature ratings?

We cannot provide accurate figures regarding the flow rate (GPM) and pressure (PSI) that you'll experience at the end of your garden hose, as several factors contribute to this calculation. These include the length of the hose, the size of the plumbing feeding your faucet, the incoming pressure of your city of well supply, as well as the inside diameter of your garden hose and watering tools. However, refer to the following list for specifications regarding ELEY hose reels.

  • Center Drum Bend Radius - 6 inches (15.25 cm)
  • 3/4" Brass Swivel Inside Diameter (ID) - 0.75-inch (19.05 mm)
  • 5/8" Inlet Hose Inside Diameter (ID) - 0.625-inch (16 mm)
  • Maximum Temperature - 140°F (60°C)
  • Maximum Pressure - 150 PSI (10 bar)

To convert any ELEY hose reel to a full 3/4-inch flow, replace the reel's standard 5/8-inch inlet hose with a 3/4-inch hose of your choosing. See Inlet Hoses - Everything You Need To Know for more details.

Can I get a different length or size of inlet hose?

All ELEY hose reels are prepackaged with a 6-1/2 feet x 5/8-inch ID polyurethane inlet hose (also called a feeder, jumper, or supply hose). We are not able to substitute it for a different size or length of hose. See Inlet Hoses - Everything You Need To Know for more details.

Can ELEY hose reels be configured for either left or right-hand rewinding?
All ELEY garden hose reels can be set up for left or right-hand rewinding. ELEY is one of the only reels on the market that allows for this kind of versatility due to our innovative hose attachment method. Regardless of which rewinding method you choose, the hose will be pulled off and reeled back onto the reel from the top of the wrap, not the bottom. For wall mount hose reels, either rewinding method can be set up for both the parallel and perpendicular configurations. This video demonstrates how to set up an ELEY garden hose reel for either right-hand or left-hand rewinding.
What material are the hose reels made of?

ELEY hose reels are the most durable and weather-resistant water hose reels on the market. The main components and body of the hose reels are made of a rust-proof aluminum alloy material and coated with a high-grade powder coat paint, giving it a hard, smooth, and durable finish. All screws, nuts, and mounting hardware are made of high-grade stainless steel. There is nothing on the reel that will rust or corrode.

Are ELEY hose reels available in different paint colors?

ELEY hose reels are only available in our powder-coat Spartan bronze color. After extensive research, we selected this color because its earth-tone shade not only looks great with our tan polyurethane garden hose but also blends well with most home exteriors, including siding, brick, stone, concrete, stucco, or wood.

How will the hose reels hold up in extreme heat and UV rays in the Southwest?

Many are accustomed to plastic hose reels and parts drying out and disintegrating in the intense summer heat, often found in the desert Southwest.  This kind of deterioration is not something you will experience with ELEY hose reels.  Other than a few extreme-duty poly components, the entire hose reel is made from aluminum, brass, and stainless steel.  With regards to the few poly components we use (crank handle, axle bushings, cam-lever brake), we've sold tens of thousands of them in these high-heat climates for over 30 years without one failure due to exposure to the sun's UV rays and heat.  Color fading is about the only effect you'll ever experience on an ELEY hose reel from exposure to the sun.

How will the hose reels hold up in coastal salt-air conditions?

ELEY hose reels hold up exceptionally well under salt-air conditions.  Unlike steel, our aluminum construction will not rust.  If the powder-coat finish on aluminum components stays intact, oxidation will not occur.  For this reason, we recommend that any hose reel located less than 1000 feet from a saltwater shoreline be systematically freshwater rinsed so as to prevent the accumulation of salt deposits.  If portions of the paint do come off, the aluminum will gradually start to experience some oxidation.  Aluminum Oxide is a chemical compound of aluminum and oxygen.  Metallic aluminum is very reactive with atmospheric oxygen, and a thin passivation (white) layer of aluminum oxide forms on any exposed aluminum surface. This layer protects the metal from further oxidation.  Oxidation on an aluminum surface will not affect the performance of our hose reels; however, they just won't look as nice.

Does the sharp bend in the brass swivel restrict water flow?

The sharp bend in the shape of the garden hose swivel gooseneck does have a theoretical impact on water flow, but it is so minimal that our digital flow meter with a resolution of 0.01 gallons per minute (GPM) and our pressure drop gauges cannot detect it.

Do ELEY reels require assembly?

Yes, however, don't let that scare you away.  Quick and easy assembly was one of our R&D team's primary objectives when designing the durable ELEY hose reels.  We provide excellent assembly manuals with every hose reel as well as full step-by-step video demonstrations of the assembly and installation process on this website.  Please visit our Assembly Instructions page if you'd like to preview the manuals and videos.

What maintenance and care is recommended?

ELEY water hose reels are completely maintenance-free. However, if you live in a winter climate, be sure to winterize the reel to protect it from freeze damage. See our article on Preparing Your Hose Reel for Freezing Temperatures.

Does ELEY make any other types of hose reels?

The only hose reels we design, manufacture, and sell at this time are the water reels found on this website. Specifically, we DO NOT produce or sell:

  • Pressure Washer Hose Reels (Discontinued in 2017)
  • Assisted rewind hose reels (spring or electric rewind, etc.)
  • Swinging or pivoting hose reels
  • Air Hose Reels (Discontinued in 2005)
  • Oxy-acetylene hose Reels (Discontinued in 2005)

For products we don't produce, unfortunately, we're not in a position to recommend other brands.

What features are available on the hose reels?

Features can be found on the individual product pages. At this time, we do not offer the following features on ELEY hose reels:

  • Level-Wind
  • Pivoting Action
  • Tool Trays
  • Food-grade or Stainless-Steel Construction

Customer feedback is given serious consideration at Eley Corporation. If you'd like to see any of the above features available on ELEY hose reels or have a suggestion for a new product or a product improvement, we'd love to hear from you. Use the following link to submit your feedback. Submit Product Suggestion

Will the hose reel work with metal garden hoses? 

We are unable to answer this question as we have not put a metal hose on our reels. The threads and fittings will be compatible, but we don't know how well it would wrap onto the reel or what impact it would have on the reel's powder coat finish.

Where are ELEY hose reels made?

Bringing premium-quality ELEY outdoor watering products to market involves much more than just the fabrication process. It also includes product research and development, packaging, marketing, transportation, warehousing & fulfillment, and the ever-important customer support.

Our USA-based design team develops products specifically for the North American market and consumers. We then search the globe for contract manufacturers who can fabricate the components to our strict material and design tolerances at a reasonable price. This process allows us to:

        1. Design innovative products based on customer needs instead of on equipment we own.
        2. Manufacture the highest quality products in our category
        3. Sell these premium products at fair and reasonable prices
        4. Back them with unparalleled warranties and customer support

    Following is a breakdown of our current organizational operations and locations:

        Product Design (100% in-house)
        • United States (Nebraska & Nevada)
          Fabrication & Packaging
          • United States - Garden Hose (Reno, NV)
          • China - Hose Reels & Watering Tools
            Warehousing & Shipping
            • United States (Utah & Tennessee)
              Marketing Operations
              • United States (Texas & Nevada)
                Transportation
                • United States.  Includes a variety of USA based ocean, rail, truck, and parcel courier services.
                  Customer Service (100% in-house)
                  • United States (Nebraska, Texas & Nevada)

                    As you can see, even though hose reel and watering tool fabrication takes place overseas, your purchase of ELEY products supports both American families and the American economy across a wide range of industries.

                    For those that seek to buy only 100% USA-made products (whether it be hose reels, TVs, cell phones, toys, autos, computers, shoes, kitchen appliances, clothing, etc.), we understand if you don't choose ELEY.  However, for those who want to own the highest-quality, most durable & reliable outdoor watering products on the market, backed by the best warranty and Midwestern support team, then ELEY is the right choice.

                    For more detailed information about our operations and history, please visit History & Overview of ELEY Manufacturing.

                    I don't see my "general" hose reel question in this list.

                    For questions about specific hose reel models, please visit the FAQ section on the product page for each model.

                    For general hose reel questions not found in this list, you can Contact Us.