Flat Out Multi-Reel

Cable Reel for Extension Leads, Cords, Ropes, Straps, LEDs and more

One simple design uniting ease of use, anti-tangling, compact stacking and longevity

Store your cables in a Flat Out Multi-Reel and it is tangle free every use.

Originally designed to protect and store Flat Out hoses, Multi-Reels are also sold separately to accommodate your own power leads, cables, cords and more.

While Flat Out may have been soothing tangle tantrums in the RV world for 20 years, many other sectors are now discovering the time saving and gear protecting qualities of the Flat Out Multi-Reel, here are some ideas:

2 minute video: A light-hearted poke at situations that could benefit from a Flat Out Multi-Reel. A less silly and more informative explanation of the Multi-Reel is here

  • Trades and Contractors - Extension leads, Air hose
  • Musicians - Mic leads/guitar leads, Patch Cords
  • Mining & Industry - Strip LED lighting, Power cords
  • Mobile Audio Visual Teams - Coaxial cable, Power leads, patch leads
  • Food Vans - Extension leads, flexible hoses
  • EV users - extension lead for charger
  • Marine - washdown hose, power cords, tank filling hose (yachts)
  • RV - power leads, hoses, satellite dish cables
  • Emergency Services - extension leads
Compact Multi-Reel
SKUs: C1A, C1K, C1
 

Flat Out’s most space saving multi-purpose cable reel ready for your power extension lead or a myriad of other use choices. The Compact Multi-Reel will save you time from tangles, and protect your shorter length gear. 

...read more

Capacity Suggestions

  • Up to 15 m heavy duty extension lead
  • 30m XLR cables (see musician page),
  • 2x10m 12V Anderson Plug cable,
  • 10m Sprinkler hose
  • 30m cat 6 network cable,
  • 15m strip LED lighting,
  • 30m Starlink cable,
  • 20m coaxial cable,
  • 2x5m heavy duty tie-down straps...

Capacity depends on insulation thickness. For example, the maximum length of 15Amp extension lead is 22m (see product R22) but we recommend planning for no more than 15m of your own lead as the thickness varies from brand to brand.  If you are unsure you can use one of our larger units: Narrow Multi-Reel (1.5x capacity) or Original Multi-Reel (2x capacity).

Specifications

  • 30 cm diameter
  • 37 cm including handle
  • 6.5 cm deep
  • 0.6 kg when empty
  • Neatly stacks with any other Compact Multi-Reel Products (Code starting with C).

The Multi-Reel’s unique stacking design along with tough outer shell ensures your cables are the best protected when stored or in transit. 

 

$69.00
Narrow Multi-Reel
SKUs: M1NP, M1N
 

A mid-size cable reel perfect for up to 22m of extension lead and many other uses. It has the same diameter as the Original Multi-Reel for easy stacking, but can save you space if you don't need the full 30m capacity, as it is narrower in depth.   

It turns out it’s not just us - everyone really does love colour! Hot Pink was new in November and the first run is nearly sold out already. Don’t panic though, more are underway. ♥️♥️♥️♥️ 

(Yet ‘everyone’ never really means every one. If colour is not your thing, rest assured that Classic Grey is here to stay.😎


Cable Reel Use/Capacity Suggestions

Specifications

  • 37 cm diameter (same as Original Multi-Reel)
  • 44 cm including handle
  • 6.5 cm deep (same as Compact Multi-Reel)
  • 0.9 kg when empty
  • Neatly stacks with other Flat Out Multi-Reel products with SKU starting in M.
    $79.00
    Original Multi-Reel
    SKUs: M1S, M1, M1K
     

    The highest capacity cable reel made by Flat Out.  The Original Multi-Reel will fit over 30m heavy duty extension lead and many other items, protecting your gear and keeping it tangle free. 

    ...read more

    Capacity Suggestions

    • 30m Heavy duty extension lead
    • 15m conventional 12mm hose (must be flexible enough to wind),
    • 60m Network cable,
    • 30m Strip LED lights,
    • 15m air compressor hose,
    • 40m Coaxial cabble,
    • 2x10m Tie down strap,
    • 20m snatch strap...
    • USA Customers: 50ft Zero G hose
    • Your own flat hose, the maximum flattened width is 55mm, length to fit will depend on the thickness of the flattened hose. 

    This unit is large enough to fit nearly all commercially available extension leads. Actually we haven't found one that doesn't fit yet, but don't want to make false promises. It has double the capacity of the Compact Multi-Reel. 

    Specifications

    • 37 cm diameter
    • 44 cm including handle
    • 8 cm deep
    • 0.9 kg when empty
    • approx. 30 m power cord capacity,
    • Stacks neatly with any other Flat Out Multi-Reel Product with SKU starting in M. 
      $85.00
      Compact Multi Reel - Pair Pack
      SKUs: K23E, K23K, K23C
       

      Pack contains 2x Compact Multi-Reel in your chosen colour plus a fluro stacking strap, plus a 'Flat Out Like a Lizard Drinking' stubby cooler.

      $135.00
      Narrow Multi Reel - Pair Pack
      SKUs: K22K, K22C, K22P
       
      Contains 2x Flat Out Narrow Multi-Reel, plus a FEEE Fluro stacking strap and 'Flat Out Like a Lizard drinking' stubby cooler.
      $158.00
      Original Multi-Reel - Pair Pack
      SKUs: K21S, K22K, K22C
       

      Package includes 2x Original Multi-Reel, Fluro stacking strap and a "Flat Out Like A Lizard Drinking Stubby cooler."

      $170.00
      Flat Out Fluro Velcro Stacking Strap
      SKUs: R8, R8-4
       

      Purpose built to help you secure stacked Multi-Reels when in storage. This strap also makes single hand carrying for a pair of reels easy. ...read more

      Flat Out Multi-Reels are designed to stack in pairs like clam shells - with each winding knob fitting neatly into any petal of the partner reel. This strap wound through the center of the stack and over the bottom secures them together while in transit. 

      The same strap fits all Flat Out Multi-Reel sizes. Of course if you have another strap handy, you can easily secure your Multi-Reels together with that one, we simply make this product for you in the right length for convenience, and in a fluorescent colour so you can find it! 😎

      The strap is 2.5cm wide, 65cm long orange loop and 10cm black hook section. It is useful for many applications beyond Flat Out gear too. 

      $5.00 - $16.00


      Please Select -
      RV/Trade Extension Lead - 15amp by Coast to Coast
      SKUs: R17, R22
       

      Flat Out Multi-Reel works with any extension lead, yet we have this one in our warehouse for customer convenience, and because we rate it as an excellent extension lead. 

      A 15 Amp lead is nearly always required for caravans, yet some are bulky and heavy when they don't need to be. Space and weight reduction are comodities of high demand in the RV world. We like this particular lead from Coast RV because it is very high quality yet has a lighter and more flexible insulation, meaning you can have a longer length for less weight, less space and less work winding it up.

      Available as a 17m and a 22m length. Both lengths fit inside the Compact Multi-Reel, yet the 22m is snug, so it might be hard to squeeze in on a cold morning when the lead is less flexible. As such we recommend using the Narrow Multi-reel for a 22m length lead. 

      • Weight: 1.7 kg  or  2.1 kg 
      • Type: 15 A
      • Cable: 3 core 1.5mm

      The image of the lead in the Multi-Reel is for demonstration only, when you add this product you are buying extension lead only and must add your desired Multi-Reel separately.

      $47.00 - $63.00


      Please Select -
      25cm Network Cable Conduit - best cable management for Starlink RV
      SKU: R10
       

      25cm length of flexible conduit, use this to protect the bend in the middle of your Starlink for RV cable or other network cable you wish to keep on the Compact Multi-Reel. 

      We have not found a need to do this for other leads, and it may also be overkill for your Starlink cable, but we feel for such a valuable item, we want to give it the best protection possible. 


      As network cable doesn't heat, you can use it while still leaving some coiled in the centre of your multi-reel. As such we recommend the best method for managing long network cables is to bend it at the middle and wind it into the Multi-Reel in twin-form. That way both plugs are accessible at whatever length you pull out. 

      $2.20
      Replacement Reel Handle
      Replacement Reel Handle
      SKU: R1
       

      Should you have lost your reel handle, you can replace it rather than replacing the entire reel.

      $2.50
      Replacement Compact Multi-Reel Guides Set
      Replacement Compact Multi-Reel Guides Set
      SKU: R2
       

      Should you have lost your Compact Multi-Reel guides, you can replace them rather than replacing the entire reel.

      $5.00
      Replacement Multi-Reel Guides Set
      Replacement Multi-Reel Guides Set
      SKU: R3
       

      Should you have lost your Multi-Reel guides, you can replace them rather than replacing the entire reel.

      $5.00

      • Australian Made with 3-year warranty
      • Front to front stacking for compact storage
      • Constructed from heavy-duty impact-resistant plastics
      • Free standing or wall-mountable
      • Fast and easy to wind and release
      • Superior power lead storage and protection

      Tangle Free solution

      Until you’ve tried it you probably won’t understand exactly how easy Flat Out Multi-Reels are to use. It takes the same amount of time to pack up a lead onto our reels as it would to wind it around your elbow but when it comes to setting back up, you will really feel the difference. You may be a pro at winding your long lead but it only takes one moment of lost concentration when getting it back out (or someone else put it away badly) and you have a tangled mess to unravel, knots to undo and so on. With a Multi-Reel you just; anchor the lead at one end, walk away holding the Multi-Reel handle and allow it to unspool, unclick your other end from the reel, plug it in and you’re done!

      Enjoy your gear lasting longer

      Multi-Reels are made tough (here in Australia too!) - The plastics are UV stabilised and impact resistant. We put every effort into making you gear that will last, and regularly meet loyal fans who tell us about the one they’ve had over 15 years that’s been well used and still going strong! 💪🏻

      But it's not just the Multi-Reel that lasts... it's also the gear stored inside it!

      Using a Multi-Reel will ensure additional lifespan of your lead - twisting that can easily happen with hand bundling of cords, cracks the inner copper wire. With a Multi-reel the cord coils around, but doesn't twist.

      The rear petals spin as your product winds in, so it will not rub or wear.

      The outer shell protects your product from other items in your toolbox while in transit.

      Safety Features

      On the safety front, Flat Out Multi-Reel is here to help.

      • - Twists that develop in poorly managed leads don't lay flat and create trip hazards. A Multi-Reel mitigates lead twisting so your cord will lay flat on the ground when released from the unit.
      • - Leads drawing high current generate heat, when coiled the heat can't escape - and your cord can melt. In severe cases this can lead to fire. As a deliberate design feature of the Flat Out Multi-Reel, you (or inexperienced staff) physically can’t use your lead until it is completely removed from the Multi-Reel as the plugs won't fit, thus mitigating the fire/damage risk.

      Save time at work = Save Money!

      For business use, the Multi-reel’s operation is so intuitive your team will not need instructions. Hand a loaded Multi-Reel to any staff member, they will figure out how to use it. This saves you time in training, and each subsequent team member ongoing time, as each time the item is used, it stays tangle free!

      Product failures such as that of an extension lead, can incur more than just replacement costs.
      Say for instance you run a food truck, you go to set up for the breakfast crowd and your lead isn't working. This can take an hour to trouble-shoot, resolve and then find another lead - this is all lost trading time at your busiest moment and can potenitally cost thousands.
      If your extension-leads are well cared for, your chances of failure and thus big losses are significantly reduced!

      Freedom to be less careful

      Multi-Reels are impact resistant. Once your lead is safely wound into the reel you can accidentally drop it, toss it into the back of the ute, bury it in the shed or slide it into that hard to reach cavity on your motorhome that wasn’t good for storing much else. It is a bit like the freedom you get when you put a drop-case on your mobile phone.

      We don’t recommend you deliberately try to destroy your reel, obviously it will stay nicer if you are kind to it, but we did have a customer tell us he accidentally drove over his, it cracked a bit but still works!


      Just for fun... (better with sound)

      Tradie gets tired of lazy apprentice - Multi-Reel to the rescue.

      Benefits of Multi-Reel

      Product video showing features of Multi-Reel.

      Compact stacking for our caravan/camper/motor home users

      The most compact caravan connections kit on the market. Stack three of our products to achieve Sullage, Power and Drink Water.

      Compact Multi-Reel space consumption

      (or lack thereof)

      This setup contains:

      • 6 m sullage (25 mm ID)
      • 20 m power lead
      • 10 m drink water

      Multi-Reel space consumption

      (still bugger-all)

      This setup contains:

      • 9 m sullage (25 mm or 32mm ID)
      • 35 m power lead
      • 15 m drink water

      How to Stack

      To achieve the compact stacking you see above, reels must be stacked front to front as shown below. Align the winding knob of one reel with the petal of the other as you close them in together.

      multi-reel stacking
      multi-reel stacking
      multi-reel stacking

      How To Operate

      The winding and unwinding process is the same whether you are rolling a power lead or hose, or any other application you have for Flat Out Multi-Reel or Compact Multi-Reel.

      How To Wind Up

      1. Align front petal opening with black guides and place plug or hose end in center, laying cable through the reel and out the exit guides
      2. With grey handle in left hand, wind the knob in a clockwise direction using your right hand until entire cable is enclosed.
      3. The socket end will sit just outside the opening.

      How To Unwind

      1. Pull out some of the lead and put something on the end to keep it in place.
      2. Holding grey handle, walk away allowing the cable to naturally unspool.
      3. Always remove completely from the reel before use. Bundled power leads can get hot and fail.


      Also check out our Flat Drink Water Hoses or Flat Sullage Hoses supplied on our Reels. Feel free to contact us with any questions, we’re very happy to hear from you and help.


      Multi-Reel Capacity Guide

      This is a tricky conversation because limits on what will fit into the different Multi-Reel sizes depends on the volume of the cable, not the length. The thicker the lead, the less length will fit.

      In order to give you a guide, we have measured items fitting into the Compact Multi-Reel. The rule of thumb after that is the Multi-Reel Narrow has 1.5x capacty of the Compact, and the Original is 2x the capacity if the item in question can double/triple up on iteself vertically before expanding wider on the diameter of the spool (ie an extension lead has double the space, but not a flat hose).

      Using Multi-Reels for Extension Leads

      For Power Cords/Extension leads, every brand has a different thickness insulation. The phrases 'Heavy Duty' (10 or 15 Amp) and 'Extra Heavy Duty' (15 amp with extra thick insulation) seen on most commercially available power lead packaging do not come with standardised dimensions, even within the same brand the leads can have different insulation thicknesses.
      We have measured cable diameters and winding lengths to produce the following approximate capacity guide:

      Cable Size↓ Multi-Reel Size→ Compact Narrow Original
      Household (~8 mm) 25 m 38m any
      Heavy Duty(~9 mm) 15m 22m 30 m
      Extra Heavy Duty(~10 mm) 10 m 15m 20 m

      Original Multi-Reel
      All commercially made 30m extension leads we have tested so far, fit inside the Original Multi-Reel. For example, this is the "Tradesman Extra-heavy duty" Extension lead is the largest lead available at Total Tools, and it fits into the Original Multi-Reel without force. This means anything smaller will also fit comfortably.



      Saving Space
      If you wish to use the Compact Multi-Reel and yet have the longest possible lead to fit it, we have tested and can confirm the following leads will work for you:

       
      We stock the Coast to Coast 22m lead, while the Arlec Caravan lead can be found at Mitre 10. The HPM 15m lead shown is found at Bunnings. Please note, the 20m Arlec leads found at Bunnings are not the same as the Mitre 10 ones, and do not fit the Compact Multi-Reel.

      Storage guide for other uses

      As you know there are a myriad of possibilities of what you can store in a Multi-Reel. Sometimes to work out the best solutions it is trial and error but here are some items we have tested and the results. You can always contact us to ask and we will do our best to recommend a good Multi-Reel size for you.

      The following tests are for the COMPACT Multi-Reel
      Multiply x1.5 for NARROW or x2 for ORIGINAL Multi-Reel capacities.

      • Air Compressor Hose: 8.5m
      • Mic-Leads: 5x5m (stacked or connected end to end)
      • Double ended Springy Tent Ropes: 6 sets (stacked)
      • LED Light Rope: 15m
      • Medium Duty Polyester Rope: 20m
      • Cat5/Cat 6 Network Cable: 30m
      • Green Sprinkler hose: 15m

      If uncertain, we recommend using a larger Multi-Reel than you think you need, however if you are happy to pay return post, you can consider ordering one of each potential size, and then post back the one/ones that didn't work, we will refund your product price completely.




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