Its powder-coated aluminum frame is as strong as steel (3,300 lb. capacity), but lightweight and corrosion resistant. The large aluminum crank is positioned to allow reeling without kneeling down.
Average Customer Rating:
2 out of 5
2 of 8 (25%) customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Commercial Grade Solar Reel
Top 500 Contributor
Overall Rating:
2
out of 5
Not thrilled with the quality,July 25, 2009
By dallasfrom in the Adirondacks, NY
Pros: high enough to fit easily over thr diving board Cons: too light, wheels don't stay locked
"The product was great in that I roll up the solar cover and slide the reel past the diving board. Downside is the product is "light" and blows over when we have moderate winds. It has actually blown into the pool while the wheels were locked."
Review 2 for Commercial Grade Solar Reel
Overall Rating:
1
out of 5
one of the worst purchases ever,July 21, 2009
By natahamefrom castlewood va
Pros: Rolls over the diving board without having to lift off the deck Cons: sags very badly
"i recently purchased this solar reel. the frame is flimsy but will do, however the aluminum tubing is sagging so badly. it really looks like i bought the cheapest thing available. our pool is 161/2 ft wide so i purchased the 17'-20' wide just to make sure we would have the etra support, didn't happen."
Review 3 for Commercial Grade Solar Reel
Overall Rating:
1
out of 5
NOT WORTH THE MONEY,July 20, 2009
By Nannyshellfrom Northampton, PA
Pros: ? Cons: SAGS WITH NO COVER ATTACHED!
"I wish I would have read the reviews--I probably would not have purchased! The reel sags without a solar cover on it. I thought I was buying one of the best reels and also the best solar cover. I didn't connect the cover yet, because I doubt if it will hold the 16 mil cover--much less reel it in!"
Review 4 for Commercial Grade Solar Reel
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5
A good reel,July 16, 2009
By CliffWfrom Eastern Tennessee
Pros: FAST delivery, easy to roll up the cover Cons: Wonder about durability
"Delivery was absurdly fast -- it showed up early the next day! Assembly wasn't simple, but not all that hard. You'll need an electric drill. The axle of the reel comes in five pieces, and they all need to be bolted together.
The axle is only three inches in diameter, and feels flimsy compared to my old, four inch reel. It doesn't seem to sag under the weight of the 12 mil solar cover, though. The legs are all metal and feel very sturdy.
The casters are a nice feature, and make it easy to move the loaded reel. BUT, when you roll up the reel, the casters allow the reel to move. Doing this on your own would be a real chore. They do have toe-operated locks, but that would be a pain to do and undo. Fortunately, my pool has expansion joints in the cement right where I would position the reel, and I just set the casters in the dip that these joints make. That solves my problem, but might not solve yours. (the reel comes with optional "feet" that aren't castered, so you could put those on instead and just lift the reel to move it)
Reeling in the cover from a standing position is a LOT easier than when bending/stooping/kneeling. This is the nicest feature of the reel. When you unreel the cover, it comes off normally for a while, the the weight of the cover drooping down causes the remaining cover to unreel by itself into a pile directly below the reel. This is frightening the first time, but hasn't caused any problems.
I think this is a pretty good product."
Review 5 for Commercial Grade Solar Reel
Overall Rating:
2
out of 5
The reel is great, the assembly kit is horrible,July 2, 2009
By suzannefrom Northern CA
Pros: reel is easy to use and can be raised so you don't have to bend over to open the cover Cons: The kit that comes with this unit to attach your pool cover is an inferior quality.
"I really like the reel, but the kit that comes with the reel is subpar.
After very little use, all of the straps that hold the pool cover onto the reel have snapped and broken.
The straps are obviously not strong enough and should not be used with this reel. It is billed as a commercial reel and we use it at our residence so it gets much less use.
They need to reevaluate the straps or at a minimum include an extra set with this reel."
Review 6 for Commercial Grade Solar Reel
Overall Rating:
1
out of 5
May 26, 2009
By harleyd99from Pa.
Pros: none Cons: sags bigtime
"On a 20' pool this solar reel is supposed have a minimum amount of sagging. I bought the most expensive one and it sags something terrible. Now I have to make all these calls to try to get this resolved. DON'T BUY IT!"
Review 7 for Commercial Grade Solar Reel
Overall Rating:
1
out of 5
Absolutely horrible,May 21, 2009
By jamanikl3from Fort Mill, South Carolina
Pros: none Cons: poor workmanship
"This reel is a great disappointment. The bolts and screws that hold the tube together keep falling apart, the straps keep coming off and the whole unit is very shakey feeling. I was so excited that I was able to talk my husband into purchasing a reel for our cover and now I wish that we had never invested the money in this product - a total waste of money."
Review 8 for Commercial Grade Solar Reel
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5
Reel review,June 21, 2008
By RHoward
Pros: strong metal and wheels Cons: aluminum beam sags, end supports lean
"The steel this reel is contructed from is heavy duty and strong. It has a good thick and smooth paint job. On my 20 foot wide poole the aluminum beam sags really bad with the weight of the cover. I have the 16 mil cover and it is heavier than others. The end supports tend to lean out at the bottom when rolling the reel away from pool. This is the biggest flaw in the construction. Where the end supports connects to the beam is too weak. Overall I love the reel and it works well for us."
