Crawford-Lehigh RC40 40-Feet Retractable Clothesline

by Crawford-Lehigh

• Adjusts to any length up to 40 feet
• High-impact plastic housing will not rust
• Mounting hardware included
• Tangle-free cord
• Can be used indoors or outdoors

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

This 40-foot retractable clothesline allows you to save money and conserve energy. Hang wherever you need a clothesline: laundry room, bathroom, balcony--even an RV or boat. The line retracts automatically so it can be out of the way when not in use. The vinyl-covered clothesline and high-impact plastic housing will not rust.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

252 of 254 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Choice April 25, 2009

By Spudman TOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Size Name:40-Foot|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have three retractable clotheslines installed on the T poles I erected in the backyard. The clotheslines are similar in design but represent three different brands, Butts (in the rear), Sunline, and the Crawford-Lehigh RC40 40-Foot Retractable Clothesline. All are retractable 40-foot lines, but the Lehigh design differs from most other retractable lines I've seen or used, and I've gone through many of these things. The mounting bracket for the Lehigh is metal and swivels smoothly, a feature handy during installation and tightening of the line. I think that the Lehigh has a sturdier design because the body of the durable plastic case extends to give firm support for the mounting bracket. On other clotheslines only two thin pieces of plastic support the mounting bracket. Also note when choosing a retractable clothesline that the Lehigh uses a two pronged hook on which to fasten and anchor the line. Other models use a larger circular attachment on which to wrap and anchor the clothesline. I prefer the hook design.
To get a nice, taut clothesline, pull the clothesline tight with one hand while holding onto a short segment of line pulled out from the line reel. Wrap the taut rope one or two turns around the anchor hook. Then pull slightly on the other end of the line. Let go and it will retract tightly into its protective case.

Finally:
Of the three clothesline mounted on our clothesline pole, we like the Lehigh best of all. It maintains its tautness during and after use, is easy to install, and is fairly simple to tighten.
In less than a month the metal rivets at the pivoting points of the hinge are beginning to rust. Buyers may want to coat those points with spray oil, clear nail polish or a sealer.

88 of 90 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Cool idea but needs redesigned August 13, 2008

By k.mednis

Size Name:20-Foot|Amazon Verified Purchase

Everyone should have one of these. You can drill screws somewhere to hang this when you want it up and slide it off the screws to remove it for storage when you're not using it. A cool idea.

p.s. line tangled inside unit around wheel and could not be fixed without breaking it open. It should be designed so that you can open the unit and fix the placement of the line.

64 of 66 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sturdy product, quite large August 12, 2008

By dianasaurus rex

Size Name:40-Foot|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is the sturdiest clothesline we've ever purchased. The line is thick and strong, the tension holds (rather than droops, like some other clotheslines) and is easy to put away. It is, however, quite large. We live in an apartment, so it is quite visible on our 12-ft balcony. A better fit for a larger, outdoor space, I think. But still works great in a smaller space.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars There's a trick to tensioning the clothesline. October 27, 2008

By DB in CA

Size Name:40-Foot

A few reviewers have commented that you need to pull the clothesline out all the way or it sags. If you look on the bottom of the unit, there's a little knob that resembles the cleats to which you tie up boats on docks. Just wrap it around 3/4 of a turn and the clothesline will stay plenty tight. I have a feeling this also reduces the wear and tear on the spring inside the unit and that it might last longer as a result.

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Altered Design Inadequate March 5, 2010

By Maximzodal

Size Name:20-Foot|Amazon Verified Purchase

Update
I originally gave this product 5 stars.
I bought two more units for my son and a friend in Austria. Those units use a cord substantially smaller in diameter than the older units and the clasp, obviously designed for a larger diameter cord, would not work, slipping over and over with clothes dumped on the ground! I had to loop and twist the cord three times so as to pull against itself before it would hold. That should not be necessary. I would be reluctant to buy another one.

Original Review
Love this product and would buy again. This is the second one I've bought for the house from Amazon. We like that it is NOT a permanent line! The span is about 25 feet. The first one was left out all the time in Houston's horrid climate. After several seasons, the case was mildewed but the cord was fine. It lasted about 5 years before being retired.

This one has been up about 4 years. I put the hardware on the Garage corner with the screws loose enough we can slide the case off and bring it indoors when through. Looks new. The other end is in a large pecan tree. A fallen tree limb tore the bracket off the garage last year, but didn't damage the cord. After straightening the bracket, no mean feat, it was back in business.

You do have to stretch the line taut or it sags. That should be a no-brainer. It isn't steel. I just loop it around the catch underhand, pull taut so the cord pulls against itself. My wife doesn't do that. But it also doesn't bother her to have sheets hanging 6 inches above the lawn :-)

In cold weather, the vinyl is stiff and retracting requires both hands to feed it into the case. No surprise there.

Pros: Handy, totally out of sight if you want, strongly made, retracts every time. It just works!...

Cons: Vinyl covering on cord close to the case end has cracked after 4 years and is coming off. (probably because of my under looping it) It doesn't affect the use.

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29 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Rectractable Clothes Line December 7, 2007

By Michael Donovan

Size Name:20-Foot|Amazon Verified Purchase

Works great - easy to install and use. I have a small apartment with a small washer/dryer, plus I'm at the beach and have a wet suit. I can hang any clothes I need, then retract the cord when it's not needed. It's EXACTLY what I wanted.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars There's a trick to keeping the line taught. October 26, 2008

By DB in CA

Size Name:20-Foot

Great product. Another reviewer had mentioned that you need to pull the line out all the way to get it taught. Just be sure to wrap the line around the little "cleat"/knob on the bottom of the unit and it will stay plenty tight even if it's not pulled out all the way. Other comments -- it's well-made and unobtrusive when it's not in use.