SWIMLINE HYDROTOOLS 50050 Premium Solar Reel System For Above Ground Swimming Pools | Durable | Non-Corrosive | Socket Mountable | With Straps & Hardware | Easy Cranking | TUBE KIT NOT INCLUDED

This worked great for my purpose. I have to state right up front that the pool for which this was purchased is only 7 feet wide. I bought a used reel which had a minor cosmetic flaw that was of no consequence. Because both ends had handles, I had to saw off the handle on one end to fit in the tight space I had available. Given that it was used and quite inexpensive, this was painless for me. I think this is quite sturdy in my application and it has simplified my previous manual process of placing and removing the cover from my pool. If you have a larger pool (longer span), you will want to get a sturdy pole, which I believe they sell. I was able to use a wooden dowel a little over 1" in diameter, but that was something I already had in my possession. There is a plastic bearing on each end. I can't say for certain if it's durable under a lot of weight. There are some retracting rollers on the bottoms, but I can't say if they're of any use to anyone else. My installation is permanently placed, but since it's so small, I can pick up the whole thing and carry it elsewhere if needed. This is dictated by the size of my pool, not the system.

The pool blanket solar reel I purchased came with clips and straps. In 3 months, most of the straps have deteriorated and I needed to replace them. I was leery of a Universal Pool Solar Reel Replacement Strap Kit, because sometimes universal isn't. In this case, the replacement system was even better than the original parts. Not only I got the 3/4" straps, new brackets, self-tapping hex-head screws but it even came with a bit to use on the hex head screws! Replacing the old straps and old brackets went quickly because of the tool included. I replaced everything in about an hour. Having a pool cover reduces water evaporation in my dry state. Having a solar blanket reel system makes using the solar blanket to the best advantage so much easier. Having replacement parts that are as good as the original ensures longevity of the solar blanket. I'm very happy with this solution that was under $16!

1st point - be careful in your order. This item is only the end pieces (the bearing assembly). You need to order seperately the aluminum tube that goes between these 2 wheel-looking items. The object description does state this, but I have seen many reviews where buyers were disappointed because they didn't get the whole kit. 2nd point - very easy to assemble. Putting the ends together took around 5 minutes. Putting the seperately purchased tube together took around 15 minutes and attaching the cover to the whole assembly took another 20 minutes. I needed a battery powered drill, screw driver and a seperate wrench for the whole thing. 3rd point - works very well with my 15' by 30' rectancular pool. The whole cover can be rolled up relatively neatly. The great thing is that I can actually re-cover my pool with no help and no running around to each side to advance the cover. I just slowly pull out the cover from the reel and make sure it lays flat on the water at the beginning. If I advance it slowly, it just rolls out flat and smooth onto the surface of the water, without the cover bunching up. 4th point - the plastic seems sturdy, but the aluminum for the reel pole is pretty easy to damage. I did have one of my mounting screws for the cover pull out of the aluminum. I had to replace the origianal screw with a slightly larger one to hold more firmly in the relatively soft aluminum.

It took some time, but I installed this reel system with their recommended pole. I mounted the actual reel system on two 4' x 4' five foot high pressure treated wooden posts, as I have an INTEX ultraframe pool, and cannot mount to an edge. These posts are at the end of the pool, 2 feet away, where I can still reach the solar blanket to pull it over the pool. I drilled holes in the base of the reel mechanism and then screwed these reels to a wood platform that then goes on top of the 4 x 4 post. Turn handles are screwed to the collar that holds the actual pole, so that nothing moves, then the pole is screwed to that collar. So there is definitely no wobbling or shifting. It took careful measuring to get the length of the poles correct. You need to drill holes in the poles to keep in place together, and for the end keeper plates and straps for the solar blanket-measuring for these also. I did not use their end predrilled plates to hold down the reels. I may put rubber bushings on my reels' bottoms where I drilled and screwed- so that they do not crack on the wood platform I made for each. These reels move beautifully! No struggle whatsoever rolling out the solar blanket onto the pool, or rolling it back up onto the pole again. After taking the time to configure my own pool situation, I am very happy with this product!

We have had this reel system for the solar cover for two summers on our 16-feet diameter Intex pool. We mounted the brackets to 4x4 treated posts and zip-tied them to two pool supports. We use Gorilla tape and stainless steel screws to keep the center section of the pole from sliding back and forth inside the end sections of the aluminum pole. The stainless steel screws held up but the rotation of the pole pulling the wet solar cover puts a lot of strain on those connections. The handles on the ends appear to be pvc and these usually fell off and broke or broke and fell off often. I tried using Gorilla glue to mend them, but alas the handles were rendered useless by the middle of the second season. Perhaps the sun breaks down the pvc and makes them brittle. The system was a good value and it is attractive and easy to work with since the two-piece pvc brackets pivot. Even a small woman can easily remove the cover by herself. I could put it back onto the brackets by myself, but unrolling the cover and getting it spread out evenly on the pool was much easier with two people.

Very strong and work well. Worth the money.

nice product easy-to-use

Alles Bestens

This kit is perfect for replacing damaged pool cover roller clips. It comes with 21 connectors, self tapping hex bolts, and 60" of strapping (in 24" lengths). Very universal. Assembly isn't easy unless you have tools, also recommend flame kissing the cut ends of the straps if you decide to cut them shorter to prevent unraveling. Otherwise worth it!

It seemed to indicate that the pole that holds the solar blanket was included. It is not and they want another $125 for it. The add seems to indicate that the pole is included. It’s not. The mechanism for the supports does not appear sturdy enough to support the weight of a solar blanket.