Wow, ci_lantro, thanks! I will go look for that - maybe a google site search will work.

The part that is frustrating is - and perhaps I had the wrong expectations - I feel like I shouldn't be getting outwitted by a rubber hose. When I used to put it back on the reel, I would first rotate the length closest to the reel, to try to get it to lie flat (when necessary). I figured, if it lay flat that meant something good. (No real idea if that's true...) But, always there are a couple parts where I juuuust can't get it to be flat.

Why?

Maybe it shouldn't matter so much. Hose still works - it's the other things that are breaking.

Still, thank you again !! At least I know I'm not the only one...

Found it:

I still ordered this hose even after reading all the bad reviews. Why? ‘Treating’ the hose is all it takes so the hose will not kink. And for those hoses coming in already kinked? Just treat the hose and here is how to do it. First and foremost, it must be a very warm day out and sun shinning. Hook the hose to your outlet. Make sure you have plier or channel lock and use it to tighten the fitting but not so tight as to tear the rubber grommet. Stretch the hose out until it is fully extended on the ground in as much sunlight as you can get. Put on your spray nozzle last. As you stretch the hose out, the air inside needs a way to escape. Turn the water on. Allow it to flow till you have a good spray and all air is out. Stop water from coming out of nozzle, turn off water then turn back on 1/4 turn and set hose down and walk away from it for the better part of the day. The warm to hot air and the sun will heat the water up. In turn this will soften the hose. Spray water out, wind hose up normally and by the next day, the hose will be tighten back up minus the kinks and also will not allow hose to kink while in use. I have always done this method since shown by a friend and it works amazingly!

Let me know if it works!

Hoses have a certain amount of time, before they need to be replaced. I replaced my rubber hoses this year. They are many years old. Actually, they are still sitting in the hose reel, because, I am trying some that are very light weight, and much easier for me to handle. I know these new ones wont last as long as my older ones, but, I will live with that part, to have a nice light weight hose.

Older hoses do start to lose their elasticity and may not return to straight even if left in the sun. They're kind of like skin: the older they get, the more wrinkles show up that just won't go away.

You only have to leave the faucet barely cracked open to maintain pressure. And that's only if the hose leaks, but they almost always leak SOMEwhere, even if only a little. A perfect system would maintain pressure indefinitely with the faucet off, after it was pressurized.

Thanks for all the comments! I will see if I can figure out ahead of time which little hose might fit on the reel. I hate to be a pessimist but I doubt I am strong enough even to remove the old one - I will have to find help. But, it would be nice to get the reel working again - it keeps the hose off the hot concrete, and I do think it looks nicer too.

I confess, I chickened out and just coiled the hose up again. Although not perfectly straight, it was good enough, I decided. It just seemed risky to leave it out on concrete in this hot sun. I will just consider the wrestling part to be exercise.

Thanks again!!

A new hose reel shoud not be too expenisve.