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Electra 225 · 03-03-2017, 09:17 PM

My Itasca Ellipse, like most DPs, has an air chuck up front behind the front shroud. I thought there might be an easier way to do things other than unroll and roll up air hose etc. So in the available space in the forward most bay on the driver side, I decided to install a hose reel. The bay looks like this:

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The hose reel I chose is an enclosed unit by Campbell Hausfeld. The space in the bay would allow just enough room to accommodate the reel. Here is the reel. You will see the "L" brackets I added to the top rear. Those will bolt to the rear metal wall of the bay to hold the reel in place.

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I removed the swingarm you would normally mount to your garage wall.

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My plan was to run a "jumper" hose from the air supply valve to the lead supply hose on the reel. On the coach, the air supply quick connect pointed straight out. I added an extension piece and an elbow to allow it to face this way:

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I went down to the hydraulic shop and had them make me a length of hose to serve as the "jumper" hose. One end is male quick connect, and the other is female threaded. In these pics you see the hose connected, and routed along frame heading back to the connection at hose reel lead.

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In my next installment, I'll show the reel mounted in the bay. Also, the routing of hose through back of bay, etc, and finished project.

Regards,
W.D.

**JohnRR** · 03-03-2017, 09:20 PM

Looking good, you'll enjoy it when it's finished.

Electra 225 · 03-03-2017, 10:17 PM

After getting the red "jumper" hose secured in place so it doesn't get pinched etc, I connected it to the hose reel lead hose. Here you see the reel bolted in place to the back wall of the bay.

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I drilled a hole in the back wall of the bay slightly bigger than the air hose lead. I then installed a rubber grommet, fed the hose through, and sealed on back side for good measure.

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I made this rack from the kitchen/closet rack stuff you find at Home Depot and the like. I used dowels to extend the legs' height. I wrapped the dowels in silver tape for looks, and put rubber feet on 'em and stuck 'em to the bay floor with my new favorite, Eternabond two sided seal tape. The air hose reel sits atop the rack, bolted to the back wall. I am left with additional storage under the reel/rack.

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The space here came in handy for my air fill nozzles/air gun/pressure gauge.

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Lastly the finished project. I have 50ft of air hose on the reel, and more tucked away elsewhere in case I need even more length. I will have ample convenient air for the coach and toad. This should make things easier, as I had planned and hoped. Thanks for viewing my thread!

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Regards,
W.D.

Electra 225 · 03-03-2017, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnRR

Looking good, you'll enjoy it when it's finished.

Many thanks John! I enjoy studying your mods as well, you sure got a ton of 'em! Haven't gotten near through all of them yet!

Best regards,
W.D.

guardrail53 · 03-03-2017, 11:46 PM

Great Job, WD!!

My air quick connect is in the rear motor compartment, so you have to raise Mona's skirt to get to it, and I have thought about relocating it to somewhere more in the middle! You have given me inspiration to do so!

I think i will put one on each side, in a middle compartment, and that way a shorter hose will work also! Rail!

Electra 225 · 03-04-2017, 01:18 AM

Hey thanks Rail! That's a good idea you have there, double the convenience. I've been messin' around with the bays on the other side putting in my pressure washer/deionizer and storage drawer mods. So, guess I'm out of room for now

. Next thing I'm working on is my tailgate kitchen redesign.
Here's my storage drawer mod, you might get a kick out of it

.

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f101/ell...od-328807.html

Still haven't made myself known over at the good morning thread, although I've been keeping up. I have talked to a few of you elsewhere and feel like I know some of you guys but I don't want to barge in. I don't want to intrude y' know?

Anyway, take care, and glad to hear the house remodel is going well!
Regards,
W.D.

guardrail53 · 03-04-2017, 02:28 AM

W.D., Great Mod.

!!!! Love it

!

Rail!

harrierncd · 03-04-2017, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electra 225

My Itasca Ellipse, like most DPs, has an air chuck up front behind the front shroud. I thought there might be an easier way to do things other than unroll and roll up air hose etc. So in the available space in the forward most bay on the driver side, I decided to install a hose reel. The bay looks like this:
Attachment 153790 Attachment 153791

The hose reel I chose is an enclosed unit by Campbell Hausfeld. The space in the bay would allow just enough room to accommodate the reel. Here is the reel. You will see the "L" brackets I added to the top rear. Those will bolt to the rear metal wall of the bay to hold the reel in place.
Attachment 153792

I removed the swingarm you would normally mount to your garage wall.
Attachment 153793

My plan was to run a "jumper" hose from the air supply valve to the lead supply hose on the reel. On the coach, the air supply quick connect pointed straight out. I added an extension piece and an elbow to allow it to face this way:
Attachment 153797

I went down to the hydraulic shop and had them make me a length of hose to serve as the "jumper" hose. One end is male quick connect, and the other is female threaded. In these pics you see the hose connected, and routed along frame heading back to the connection at hose reel lead.
Attachment 153802 Attachment 153803

In my next installment, I'll show the reel mounted in the bay. Also, the routing of hose through back of bay, etc, and finished project.

Regards,
W.D.

Wow! Great idea. Looks great, too! Thank you for sharing your idea and the pictures showing how you did it.

Triker56 · 03-04-2017, 06:36 AM

How many feet of hose is on the hose reel?

Electra 225 · 03-04-2017, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triker56

How many feet of hose is on the hose reel?

50ft

Gary737 · 03-04-2017, 10:08 AM

Very nice!

USA-RVNomads · 03-05-2017, 08:31 AM

I'm thinking about adding a hose reel inside the front access door of my rig.

I've also seen some who have mounted their water softener there as well, keeps it protected yet accessible to service it. No more taking it out and setting it up beside the coach. Simply run a hose from the wet bay to the front and a return line back to the inlet to the coach.