Customer Reviews

Ames True Temper 2384575 Reel Easy Auto Track Deck & Patio Hose

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have had many lawns, gardens, and homes. The ever present question is (1) where to place the hose, (2) how to store the hose when not in use and (3) will the hose last, year in and year out? This hose storage device is PHENOMENAL. I have already bought another for both our side and back yards. The key here is the rolling device on the front of the box that automatically weaves your hose onto the spool while cranking the hose back into place. Traditional hose carriers have no such device, and as a result, the hose often gets tangled or bunched into on location on the hose spool. No such problem arises with this grand device. You simply turn the crank, and the hose finds its way onto the reel in an even and predictable and untangled manner. This is a no brainer device, the kind that can be enjoyed and relied upon by gardening veteran and small child alike. You cant beat the price, and even with a ... shipping add-on it is still going to beat Home Depot's best garden hose box because of the auto-spooler function. Well worth the wait, and well worth the money. Look no further for a garden hose storage device. (Oh yeah, one last thing is that this box-design with a permanent top is critical for keeping your hose out of the sun everyday, it's the sun, remember, that ultimately destroys all garden hoses)

I've had this hose reel for about 6 years. It has been outside the whole time - the plastic has faded, but not split or become brittle.
The Amazon review details quite fairly the pros and cons of this model, for example the handle is quite low - but the gearing is chain driven, making it reliable and easy to turn.
Last Summer I decided to finally take it apart, clean out all the dirt and bug cocoons, and grease the sprocket. I discovered that after 6 winters, the hose assembly finally sprung a leak.
I went online to the Ames website, found the part, and ordered it. Funny, it didn't ask for a credit card???. I called them up - this items wears out from normal use, so they replace them free! Kind of the opposite philosophy of most companies.
This simple act of service is what make me a repeat customer.

This is a sturdy, heavy duty hose reel that
has proved to be a bit cumbersome for my wife
to operate when she waters our small garden.
The reel is probably more suitable for larger
lawns and watering needs. For our modest needs,
I would have been better off with another
Ames 'bench' reel, which has worked well for us
in the past.
Also, the water assembly inside the reel started
leaking the first time I used the reel, so I had
to disassemble the reel to get at the hard-to-access
assembly and fix the leak.
Again, this is a strong
reel, made of sturdy plastic and is strong enough to
sit on or store bags of mulch, etc. on the top.

The Auto Track Guide was separated into two pieces right out of the box. I had to shave factory plastic filaments away from the connector tabs to get it to secure itself. Also, I had to bend the connector tabs out a bit to get them to lock. I pinched my fingers bloody doing it. Then I turned on the hose and found that the hose leading from the spicket was leaking at the Reel connection. I tried to tighten the hose clamp but it was stripped. After going to the hardware store and buying a new clamp the Reel works fine; but I don't like buying something brand new and having to fix it upon arrival. The Reel has a smooth operation, that's why I'm not giving it my worst rating.

I have two of these hose reels -- best on the market. The key to keeping them working smoothly is to oil the chain at least annually as instructed. Quite a work-saver!

Was excited after reading predominantly good reviews of this product. I really wanted a tidy box-type hose reel instead of the type on wheels so it would look neat on the porch. Oh well. My experience was that there were multiple issues, one a showstopper. The short hose in rear for connection to water source was very short, and was kinked from shipment and wouldn't unkink - cheap hose; clamp was cheap & hard to apply too. Had to buy a section of better quality hose from hardware store, plus a better quality clamp (use an auto hose type clamp you screw down with a screwdriver or nutdriver)... these were cheap investments and easy to replace. I installed my soft n supple good quality hose on the reel and connected it to water outlet. The hose was not the longest this hose reel can contain, but even so it walks around on the plain rough concrete it's standing on, so I have to put a foot on it while reeling the hose back in or pulling it out. After the 2nd or 3rd crank out or in of the hose, the hose leader gizmo (that rides on the cross-hatched front railing so the hose is fed evenly back into or out of the hose reel inside the box) failed... It developed a crack so it didn't fit snugly on the cross-hatched front railing it rides upon. So now the hose won't crank in onto the reel evenly distributed so it will end up jamming inside up against the hose reel box ceiling. So now the only thing this hose reel is good for is setting down groceries on the way into the house, or sitting casually upon. Otherwise it's a $60 useless investment. Guess I'll have to get the big ugly standup wheeled hose reels; the hardware store's garden department tells me that those are the only kind that stand up to regular use reliably. Very disappointed.

excellent, sturdy, works well.

i have own this for 3 years. it still works well and looks pretty good, not much sun fading

those other cheap brands like Suncast are very flimsy and dont work well in comparison to this one

i have a suncast product as well in the front yard. the ames is so much better and worth the higher price

This hose cart seems to be made very well. The hose winds up easily and evenly without much effort. It stored two 100' hoses with no problem. I would definitely recommend this product.

This was my 2nd reel, both exactly the same. The 1st lasted 8 years and then I accidentally left it with the house after relocating to a new state. The crank handle broke after 5-years, but the warranty covered the parts at no charge. The crank is the weakest link. Even with that, I think it maybe one of the best available reel.

Good unit, bought it as replacement to a same older one which finally broke down after about 4-5 yrs which I had obtained locally at the time for $40 dollars but no one carries it any longer. This design has two vulnerable spots, the hose guide and the portion you would thread the female end to the reel (be careful not to cross thread it or it will leak) I used the white silicon plumbers tape it lubricates the threading process and it is kinder to to plastic threads hand tighten only. I would recommend silicon lubrication on the hose bottom guide with spiral grooves and top one called (auto track) if you don't the guides will jam and eventually fail you as it will grind itself as it turns. Do not use any Vaseline or Petroleum for lubrication as it attracts dirt, use only silicon based lube as it is safe for rubber and plastic. The capacity advertised reads 225ft but at 100 you are pushing it, so 100 should be your limit if you have anything longer look for another unit. Ames is good at replacing parts. My only wish is that they made all moving parts out of a heavier more durable plastic gauge, the design is good but it calls for heavier material.Ames True Temper 2384575 Reel Easy Auto Track Deck & Patio Hose