The Item in My Kit
I bought Freeman Retractable Air Hose Reel as part of my camper van equipment.
Keeping long hoses organized is a different task from supplying compressed air. This reel is part of my purchased workshop equipment, alongside the portable work areas documented during the build.
Comparing Hose Storage Around the Moving Workshop
- I used the patio for the storage drawer and an outdoor saw station for fabrication.
- Tools and supplies moved between storage, the van and the work area.
- My workshop purchases included a bracket-mounted retractable air-hose reel.
Camper Van Project Applications
A retractable reel keeps a long hose available without leaving its entire length loose in the van. Think through the parked working area, the route around the doors and where the hose returns. Access to the reel's mounting points and compressor connections also matters when arranging storage around it.
For a wider view of the build kit, see my van conversion tool checklist and budget versus professional tool comparisons.
Manufacturer Specifications And Instructions
| Specification | Manufacturer Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | P1465CHR |
| Hose Size | 1/4 inch × 65 feet |
| Reel | Compact retractable reel |
| Fittings | Brass |
| Mounting | Included mounting bracket |
Freeman identifies P1465CHR as the 1/4-inch, 65-foot version; the shared instructions also cover a different 3/8-inch model. The manual explains mounting, extending and retracting the hose, and maintenance. I mounted my reel in the van and paired it with the BOSTITCH compressor to get a long reach. That arrangement lets me bring the hose to tire inflation and air-tool jobs instead of relocating the compressor for each task.
My Experience with This Tool
I mounted a retractable air-hose reel in the van and paired it with my BOSTITCH compressor. The hose gives me a long reach around the van.
My Takeaway from This Job
The storage method is the main choice here. The Freeman and Flexzilla reels keep a hose in a mounted retracting housing; the Estwing loose hose changes that to a line carried and coiled separately.
