GLI Pool Products Whirlwind Above Ground Aluminum Solar Reel |4-Inch by 28-Feet | with End Pack

Have a 27' round pool and in upstate NY a solar cover is a necessity. This was a pretty good solution but I did not want to mount across center of my pool. So, as others have done, mounted it on 4x4's along side the pool. Works well. Not perfect but a big improvement over what we were doing. Solar cover is 12 mil and not sure how much more the solar reel would take. It does bow when the cover is on it. But even so, I like it a lot. Oh, and the straps that came with it were useless. I have already broken one of the plastic buckles. They just do not take too much strain.

I installed this on one side of my 16 X 32 Oval. The unit is very easy to assemble. Basically it is designed to be used on any number of sizes because the pole is made up of several shorter pieces inserted within each other. Virtually any width of pool as long it is within the pool size minimum and maximum range. I'd say very robust and supports my (in my opinion) large solar cover with no sagging. I also purchased a second mount kit. So all I need to do is wind up the cover, pull pins on each mount then swing the reel over the a third mount that I installed on the back wall of my pool. Thus pivoting from the normal position going across the pool to along side the pool. Removing the cover was very easy at the end of the season. Folded my cover and put the reel in the overhead of my shed. Some reviewers stated it was confusing to assemble because of the instructions. I didn't see that. Looks like they may have revised their instructions possibly? Either way, it was simple to put together. Sturdy and made from billet aluminum thus no rust and stronger than the PVT ones.

Just as expected, only the straps that come with are VERY short...would not work for our project. Thankfully we bought a strap kit separately from a different seller & used all of those, plus had to connect 3 of the straps that came with this kit in order to make our 2 end straps long enough. Our pool is 28' round and we mounted each end of the reel system up on green treated 6x6 wood posts behind our pool. So far, so good. You do need a lot of strength to turn the reel once the weight of the solar blanket is added (ours is 8mil). I can barely do it myself with all my might; so my husband does the cranking to wind up the cover. It does bow a little in the middle, but we expected this at it's max length of 28' & we allowed for the little bowing with our post's height. Otherwise it works as expected & pulling the solar cover back on to the pool is a breeze. Seems well mfgr'd. Took us about 2.5-3 hours to put together - the directions could be improved to be more user friendly.

This reel system is study and works well on my 15X30 oval on-ground pool. It took about about an hour and a half to assemble and I was in no rush. You do have to measure and drill some holes in aluminum but nothing over the top. I like being able to pull the pin on both ends and pivot one end of the reel off the edge of the pool. It's light enough that my 9 yr old can move it. I'm very glad I went with this aluminum system instead of the plastic ones out there.

UPDATE: Two months in and several of the straps have broken. I asked the seller about replacing those and they aren't covered in warranty. So now I have a cover and wheel but limited straps. Really disappointed in their service/warranty. FYI I live in Kentucky and have a 16x30 pool. We don't swim all the time so the cover isn't used but 2 times a week at maximum.I have a 16mil cover on a 15X30 over above ground. I needed a reel system that was sturdy enough to support all of that weight. So far so good, I've had it for about a month now. The assembly was certainly no walk in the park. It takes a little math and a lot of patience. Just go about it slow and make sure you're thinking a couple steps in advance and you'll be fine.

Ok the direction could have some better pictures but honestly it wasReally easy and kinda basic. The system included a hex bit, a Phillip bit and even a drill bit to drill the holes. Just put it up so don’t know the longevity bit right now I am so excited.I had to take the cover on and off 3 times before the reel. Rolled and unrolled it once after the reelSystem and it’s a breezeStill need 2 people to make it goALittle easier but I think it’s well worth the money

Very disappointed with the product due to trying to put the solar cover back on the pool. It jumbles up and sticks to the roller and cover. Nightmare in getting it back on. Need at least 2 people (one in the pool). Only good thing is it does reel up fairly well.. The plastic plate and screw does not last very long ( no instructions on length of straps from cover to the roller.It does have the nice feature of swinging away from the middle to the back side. I would not recommend this especially for a senior or small individual.

I bought the larger size than what I needed on purpose so that I could install it on posts on either side of my pool. I have a 24-ft round and I bought the 28 foot with the 4-in post so that it would be nice and sturdy. That paid off. I did not want to put screws in the decking of the pool so I used post drivers to pound 6 ft posts on opposite sides of the pool that were a little smaller circumference than this mount. Then I simply slide this on the post. I've seen others use wooden posts that I don't think that looks as good. The metal posts are a smaller footprint. I would post pictures but I have already winterized for the year.