Suncast CPLSTA125B 125' Wall-Mounted Side Tracker Garden Hose Reel for 5/8" Hose

Appears to be reasonably well constructed with good hose chafe guard.

This hose reel works pretty well if the hose is to be outreeled and returned PARALLEL to the surface onto which it is mounted. Not so much if the hose is to be pulled perpendicular to the mounting surface! The reel WILL HOLD 125' of hose, HOWEVER, if the hose is full of water when reeled in, the plastic sides of the reel will bend with the weight. Best to lay the hose out straight and drain completely before reeling in a long hose. After long use, the black plastic inlet and outlet fittings can leak. Replacements are available from Suncast, but it can be "a challenge" to remove the old fittings. Indeed, we discovered that the sides of the reel itself had worn through at the hub - so we replaced the entire assembly. Again, we believe that the added weight of water filling the full 125' of hose was the principal factor in deterioration and wear of this hose reel. We have a sturdier metal reel, used where hose is to be pulled "straight away, perpendicular" to the mounting wall, but this metal reel is unsuitable for the application of the SUNCAST "sidewinder" reel, which has provided "Satisfactory" service.

So far so good but wonder if there's away to take the front piece of the wheel part off. It is very difficult to get your hands or a wrench in to tighten/loosen the hose. I think there must be away but is not mentioned in the instructions and I don't want to force it and risk breaking it.

This hose reel works as advertised. It's a little flimsy compared to the hose reel I purchased 20 years ago, but just about everything made today is not as well made as 20 years ago. Addressing some of the other reviewers concerns: 1. yes, the leader hose kinks slightly where it connects to the reel but that did not impede the water flow for me. 2. yes, the reel leaks where the main hose is attached to the reel, but that problem was solved by used pipe thread tape on the fitting attaching the hose. Summary: this hose reel works well for me. It is a decent value for the price.

Went on with no problems, works as it should but the handle crank is way too short. After cranking the hose on the reel my knuckles were scraped. Seems like a good reel for the price but make the handle on the reel a little longer.