[arugula]

Has anyone used one of these over any length of time?



Are they any good? Do they lose their springy properties over time? Are they awkward to get around building corners?

[Lardman]

There was one here when I moved in. I assume it was just a cheap and cheerful example , but frankly it was worse than useless ! Imagine trying to water with a slinky, it regular got caught within itself, storage was also a pain.

[arugula]

storage was also a pain.

Really? That's interesting. The reason for asking is that the hosepipe here gets baked regularly, especially on a day like this  and the idea was that a curly hose might slink back and store quite neatly in an outdoor cupboard. When we moved here we had a storage trolley like this



and the relentless weather i.e. strong sun in the summer (yeah I know it is true ) soon killed it. We've never had a very good storage solution since then..

[Lardman]

I was left with 3-4 6ft length of coil which continually tangled itself, Im not sure if it was because it was C&C but it never returned to a nice coil.

Is it the plastic carrier or the hose which died ? I have some better quality cheap hose I leave out all weathers and it doesn't seem to degrade.

Have you thought of something like this


or Im pretty sure I've seen a metal framed carrier.

[Springlands]

I would second Lardman - I used to have one of those slinky hoses - it was always getting tied in knots. Maybe I have been lucky - I use an ordinary hose - it has been out in all weathers for 4/5 years and no problems. It even survived the really bad snow that we had in 2010.

[arugula]

Is it the plastic carrier or the hose which died ?

Both.  The carrier/trolley expired and since then we've had a length of hose kicking (replaced a few times) around - it has a hanging hook but someone doesn't always remember to coil it back and hang it up, so it gets baked in the sun and walked on - but not by me I hasten to add. These traumas make holes in it.

[Gwiz]

Lardmans hit the nail on the head.
Worse than useless.

[arugula]

That's a shame. One of those competely closed in cases probably would be a good idea but they're expensive!  I know from my location it probably seems funny but the sun really is relentless. That combined with the sea air I suppose causes the damage.

[Flatcat]

I have never had experience of a coiled hose before, but if anyone wants a recommendation of a good hose, well use the standard size 3/4"  'soft and flex' hose made by Tricoflex, and comes in a striking yellow colour

I've used many a hose, and I must say this one is the most incredible. Never ever gets kinked, its soft and flexibly, but perfectly strong and rigid at the same time. Rolls in beautifully as well.

I wouldn't use any other hose again

Our hose trolley is always stored in the shed, so it can be 'wheeled' out to use when needed. Storing it inside means that the metal trolley is protected from the elements, and also the little 'o' rings on the connectors to not get perished from the cold/heat
 

[muckshifter]

I had one of the coiled jobbies,what a pain,as Lardman so rightly says it was always getting tangled,the only way we found to store it tidily was to slide a piece of 2"X1" timber up through the middle of it,that and the fact that we could could never get the swivel connectors on the ends to be 100% water tight it wasn't long for this world.

[arugula]

I have never had experience of a coiled hose before, but if anyone wants a recommendation of a good hose, well use the standard size 3/4"  'soft and flex' hose made by Tricoflex, and comes in a striking yellow colour

I know the stuff you mean.

I had one of the coiled jobbies,what a pain,

Another no vote. Thanks for the info though.

[Plottered]

paid a tenner for one at Southport flower show....used it once and never again...waste of money.

[devonbarmygardener]

I had a 'slinky' type hose for a while and the amount of times I beheaded a plant as it decided not to stay where I pinned it down was ridiculous.
Then the sprayer kept coming off.
And it kinked and flew off the tap.

I wouldn't have another one.
I have 2 watering cans and a watering fitness programme!!

[allotmentann]

  I am with you on the watering fitness programme. I find hoses such a lot of messing about and trying not to damage crops as I pull. Plus just standing with a hose is so unutterably boring! I would rather make dozens of trips to the tap!

[stentman]

Self coiling hoses. The old guy next door got one for his birthday he used it twice then loaned it to me to see if could lose it, I tried it once then lost it for him inside my wheelie bin.