Expandable, compact hoses that don't leak?

It's easy to discount a few negative reviews. But so many, and so detailed, and credible-sounding, and it is logical to think there might be problem.

Some reviewers, like some people in this thread, got good hoses that performed well. Some, like ThomBoles here, didn't.

The two I got work flawlessly. I've been a long time Amazon buyer and was one of the original Prime members...signed up the day after they started the service. One issue is the "honesty" of the reviews, particularly after they began being a third party clearing house, and like forums, I've found that some people get more enjoyment out of complaining or being the southern end of a north bound horse. Short, terse, bad reviews with very little content or explanation are immediately suspect to me and get filed in my mental trashcan if I bother to read them at all. I also don't put a lot of weight on the short 5 star reviews (you know the simple "great" or the like); if you like an item 4 or 5 stars worth, then tell me why. The same goes for bad reviews, after all the person may have received a manufacturing dud that isn't indicative of the product as a whole.

Can you get a dud? Yep, but, always take the reviews in their aggregate ratings on Amazon. If the item is 4 star or better, you are getting a reasonably good and reliable product (you may still get a manufacturing defect though). Personally, I try and stay away from 3 stars and lower unless I already know a good deal about the product from other sources or it isn't "mission critical" and I'm willing to accept the risk.

I got a Zero-G from Lowes and the first one I got did leak. It was in the connection. It wasn't seated correct when assembled and would not screw on properly. The replacement was fine. If you have a chance to actually hold the hose before purchasing make sure the end that screws over the spigot turns freely and you should be fine. I bought it for the house but plan to take it on the coach.

You will always find negative reviews on an amazon item. But look at the totality of the reviews and decide for yourself. I just bought a 0G hose from Amazon but haven't used it yet.

Who do you trust more? us or those noboby yahoos posting fake reviews???? haha

Wow, webslave, that was a great review! You convinced me to put one on the shopping list.

Edit: Hmmm... I guess I spoke too fast. Amazon reviews are full of reports of the Zero G leaking -- sometimes right out of the box, sometimes after a month or a year of normal use.

I've been using the Zero G hose for quite some time now, over a year, and we are semi-full-time. It recently spent 7 months laying out in the Arizona sun and doesn't leak, sweat or get any more dirty than any other hose. Even after a rain the cover may feel damp, but, not dripping. It is for potable water, always flexible, easy to coil or ball up in any temperature (one of my 25' hoses will fit in the same space as a roll of paper towels) and is incredibly light.

It doesn't need water pressure to get it to length like a pocket hose, so when hooking up you don't need to tug it or stretch it 25' long (if that is its advertised length; I carry 2x25' in case I need the extra length). As soon as you apply water pressure it "plumps" up, but, it will stay in whatever position you put it in; 10' from the spigot to the rig, the balance coiled up. It will kink, the only drawback I've encountered, however, it easy to lay out since it is so light that kinking really isn't an issue. I wouldn't want to put over 100 lbs of pressure on it for any length of time, but, that is true of any hose. I use an adjustable regulator set at 60 lbs and it does just fine.

I'll never go back to a "regular" hose. The only caution is sharp objects, but, I'm not in the habit of sticking or placing my hoses with or on sharp, pointy objects and since it is so light, playing it out as opposed to dragging it on sharp gravel isn't an issue, however, the cover it is wrapped in is incredibly tough and some dragging shouldn't hurt it. Because it is so light, I just disconnect both ends, pick up an end and walk, gathering the hose in my other hand. With no water pressure in it, the hose is like a piece of rope and lighter than an equivalent extension cord.

minnow wrote:
I see PPL has it on-sale for $21.99

It's for 1/2" by 25 ft.
Amazon has 3/4" by 50 ft for $37

I see PPL has it on-sale for $21.99

Reason I want a collapsible one is to keep it connected and stored in my hose hook up bay. Makes it faster and easier to simply open the door and pull the hose out and connect to the parks water hookup. A conventional hose is too large to fit coiled up in my trailers hose/valve hook up bay.