Community Forums

Stan&Jacquie · 01-09-2018, 05:18 AM

I'm looking to replace the drinking water hose on my automatic hose reel and would like a recommendation.

Is the factory hose 1/2" or 5/8"? Anyway I'm looking for durability, flexibility and odor free.

Finally, if I just splice it to the old hose to avoid taking the water bay apart, will I regret it?

RustyTools · 01-09-2018, 05:34 AM

I just went thru this a couple weeks ago. Might want to search for my posts.

I called the people that now make the reel, and they said they are using the 1/2" 'Flex-Tech' hose. I ordered the 50 ft version, as the reel holds about 40ft, and cut off the extra. Based on my report, bruceisla also bought one.

From the start, the water had a very 'chemically' smell/taste which we decided after a couple days was too nasty to keep using. Bruce found the same thing, and suggested soaking the inside with a vinegar solution.

I ended up buying the Valterra hose from Home Depot, while Bruce installed a charcoal filter and said it's fine now. I'll probably install a filter so I can go back to using the Flex-Tech hose, as it seems very rugged compared to the others I've seen.

You can sue 5/8", but it means less on the reel. You can splice into what's left on the reel, too, but that means you still have an old piece of hose being used. The joint may inhibit reeling too, maybe.

Hope this helps

Captjake1 · 01-09-2018, 08:42 AM

I ended up with 30' of 1/2" from rvfilterstore.com. I could have probably fit 40' on there. A little chemical smell and taste that went away. The taste and smell wasn't even close to that of the name brand hoses at the rv store. This was the 3rd hose in about 5 months. No smell or taste now, heavy duty with SS fitting. About $80 for 30'.

Oh, I started with 5/8" because I thought that is what it took. Could barely get the 25' hose on the reel.

Stan&Jacquie · 01-09-2018, 09:23 AM

CaptJake, did you have to cut off a fitting to secure. the hose to the reel? Also, what about this hose makes it worth he money?

Gentlemen, I appreciate both of your responses.....many Thank!

K7JV · 01-09-2018, 09:31 AM

Back in April of 2013, I ordered a replacement from Glendinning's Online Store. It included the spool with the hose attached.

The plusses, there were no fittings or modifications to hinder spooling in and out, it was a perfect match to what was in there before, and I ended up with a great installation, like new.

The minuses, it was $154.35, there was some work to get the old one out and the new one in (though less of a hassle than I thought it would be), and I needed to purchase a pretty large socket to get the old spool out of the rest of the assembly.

Since I replaced it, I have made it a practice to wrap one or two pieces of pipe foam insulation on the hose, as needed, if I am going to be parked for extended periods with the hose in the sun. Hopefully that will keep it in good shape for much longer. We spend between 40% and 45% of our time in our coach, so it is getting pretty steady use, and the replacement hose still looks like new. The original had become a bit brownish in color and stiff from the exposure to the sun.

K7JV · 01-09-2018, 09:34 AM

FYI - I just went to the website on my receipt, and it is still valid. It comes as an assembly with the reel and 35' of ½" hose. The price is $132.00 plus shipping. When I bought mine five years ago, it was $128.00 plus shipping. The web site is:

Store

Captjake1 · 01-09-2018, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stan&Jacquie

CaptJake, did you have to cut off a fitting to secure. the hose to the reel? Also, what about this hose makes it worth he money?

Gentlemen, I appreciate both of your responses.....many Thank!

You spec out the fittings you want or dont. I had the single female installed. The other end is clamped.
Worth it? After I spent nearly that same amount on the previous hoses I figured it was..... though if the flex tech performs like others say.....

l1v3fr33ord1 · 01-09-2018, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stan&Jacquie

Also, what about this hose makes it worth he money?

x2 for the hoses from rvwaterfilerstore.com. They are flexible, rugged and don't have a significant odor or taste.

I did not buy their hoses for non-potable water service.