What makes a good hose?

[vwrocks]

I'm going to be moving into my own house soon and look forward to many afternoons cleaning the car in the comfort of my own garage. However, I'll need a hose for the weekly wash and was intrigued by those "flat" hoses that promise not to kink and roll up easily.

My question to my fellow autopians is whether or not these are just gimimcks or the real deal. Am I better off just going to my local hardware store and buying whatever I see for $10? Any good recommendations out there?

Kory

[thevolvoguy]

vwr- Well I prefer a hose that carries water.

[cvcaelen]

Look what I've found :

http://www.autopia-carport.com/forum...highlight=hose

many more where that came from

[Lost Pup]

I found that the "Quick-Disconnects Fittings" added some value to my own hose change last year. I picked them up at Walmart along with the hose. Added them at both ends of the hose and they actually work with no leaks. Added a quick connection to the multiple spray nozzle and all the kid's toys. I need to unwind all of the hose to reach the truck out front so I use a static hose rack high up on the garage wall just inside the door. Kids are driving bikes and such over the hose so the flat ones were out of the question. The commercial hose from Walmart has survived so far and I do not remember it costing that much. Normally the ends of my old hose would leak and I would be forced to crank the connections down to keep from leaking. Really tough to connect the kids water toys.
Now I shut the water off and remove the nozzle and rope up the hose at the garage end letting it drain. The nozzle does not get beat up as the hose is dragged back and hung up.
I would say that the Quick Connect's added alot to the "whole".
The commercial hose from Walmat has worked fine and when it go's I will just buy another and transfer the connections over.

[Chris S]

I agree, quick disconnect fittings and the like are critical, as is obviously a good nozzle of some sort. I prefer the "gun-like" trigger style ones with differest spray settings.

Most critical though to me, is a good wallmount hose "holder", one that can be easily wound back up. These make for easy pulling and retracting of the hose. Just be sure to mount it strategically.

I'm not familiar with the flat type hoses. I would just say get a good quality hose that will last. Don't get the cheapest one, b/c chances are it won't hold up well to pressure, kinks, etc...and you'll end up having to replace it shortly thereafter.

[laynlow]

I buy only 100% pure rubber hoses. They stay flexible at cold temperatures, have no kink memory, and are easy to coil up and put away. They are also very durable.

[swhtech]

Originally posted by Lost Pup
I found that the "Quick-Disconnects Fittings" added some value to my own hose change last year.

I bought a brass quick disconnect set, and it leaked like crazy when I connected it to the hose......I wanted to be able to remove the nozzle without having to walk back to the shutoff, turn off the water, remove nozzle, and turn it back on to rinse the car with a nice stream of water......did you buy a plastic disconnect or brass?? Do you know the brand, etc??

[bgruver]

A solution to the leaking disconnects or hose ends for that matter is Teflon tape. Just stick a layer around the threads of the hardware and screw them together.

[blkZ28Conv]

Originally posted by laynlow
I buy only 100% pure rubber hoses. They stay flexible at cold temperatures, have no kink memory, and are easy to coil up and put away. They are also very durable.

I totally agree with rubber and laynlow.
I brought my hose from Sears in the Craftman line. They are rather expensive ($60-$100) but has a lifetime warranty. Pay once and have a excellent hose for life.
A $10 hose is just not worth the time and effort required to unkink and the fixtures are of poor quality ( plastic ) which leads to leaks and water wastage.

[turnipgreen]

I go with the Craftsman as well (black kind). I've got two, both have lasted a long time. I think I was told that if anything every happened to them all I needed was one end that had an indication of its length, and it would be replaced.

[blkZ28Conv]

Originally posted by turnipgreen
I go with the Craftsman as well (black kind). I've got two, both have lasted a long time. I think I was told that if anything every happened to them all I needed was one end that had an indication of its length, and it would be replaced.

That's the one. Black with brass fittings and Craftman written along its length.
Lifetime warranty!!.

[swhtech]

Originally posted by blkZ28Conv


That's the one. Black with brass fittings and Craftman written along its length.
Lifetime warranty!!.

Yup....I have the same one....I got the longest one they have.....it's great......definitely worth the extra $$$