Collection: Whip Lines
Whip Lines
-
Replacement Hose - 20&...
Regular price $65.63Regular priceper -
Whirl-a Way Hose 62&qu...
Regular price $40.43Regular priceper -
Whip Lines for Pressur...
Regular price From $30.84Regular priceper -
2-Wire Whip Lines - 60...
Regular price From $23.08Regular priceper -
4500 PSI 3/8" Whi...
Regular price From $32.23Regular priceper -
Whisper Wash Whip Line...
Regular price $33.24Regular priceper
Whip Lines and Jumper Hoses
The few feet of hose closest to your machine take the worst beating on the rig, from engine vibration, heat, and constant flexing. A whip line is a short sacrificial hose that absorbs that abuse so a $30 part fails instead of a $300 reel of hose. Sun Brite Supply carries 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch whip lines from 2 to 10 feet. Need help matching fittings? Call 301-519-9274.
What a Whip Line Actually Does
Three jobs, all of them about protecting more expensive parts. First, it connects the pump outlet to the hose reel so engine vibration never transfers straight into the reel swivel and its plumbing. Hard-plumbing a reel to a running engine works the swivel loose and cracks fittings over a season. Second, it works as a jumper between the pump and a frame-mounted unloader. Third, some contractors run one between the main hose and the gun, because the last section of any hose sees the most kinking and bursts first. When a whip line fails you replace the whip line. When a 200 foot main hose fails at the end, you cut and re-crimp or replace the whole run.
Sizing: Diameter, Length, and Pressure Rating
Match three numbers. Diameter should equal your main hose, 3/8 inch for most rigs up to about 8 GPM, and 1/2 inch for high flow machines where a skinny jumper would choke flow and add pressure loss. Length should be just enough to reach with a relaxed bend, usually 3 to 6 feet, since extra loops of hose near a hot engine are a melt hazard. Pressure rating must meet or beat your machine, 4,000 PSI covers most cold water rigs, and hot water or high pressure machines should step up to a 6,000 PSI 2-wire line. Wire count matters for heat too. Two wire braid handles hot water temperature spikes better than single wire.
Fittings and the M/MS Question
Most whip lines come M/MS, meaning a solid male pipe thread on one end and a male swivel on the other. Put the solid end on the pump or unloader and the swivel end at the reel or gun, so you can tighten the connection without twisting the hose into a preload that shortens its life. Use thread sealant on pipe threads, not on the swivel seat. If your reel inlet is a different thread, grab the right adapter from our hose fittings wall instead of forcing it.
Whip Line Quick Reference
| Whip line | ID x Length | Rated | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whip Line 6000 PSI, 4 ft | 3/8" x 4' | 6,000 PSI | $23.08 |
| 2-Wire Whip Line, 6 ft | 3/8" x 6' | 2-wire, hot water duty | $34.60 |
| 1/2 in Whip Line, 3 ft | 1/2" x 3' | 4,000 PSI | $34.38 |
| 1/2 in Whip Line, 8 ft | 1/2" x 8' | 4,000 PSI | $54.19 |
| Continental Whip Line M/MS, 2 ft | 3/8" x 2' | 4,000 PSI | $26.99 |
| Continental Whip Line M/MS, 6 ft | 3/8" x 6' | 4,000 PSI | $23.76 |
| Continental Whip Line M/MS, 10 ft | 3/8" x 10' | 4,000 PSI | $65.46 |
| Whip Line for Classic and Big Guy Reels, 6 ft | 3/8" x 6' | 4,000 PSI | $33.24 |
Lengths sell out unevenly through the season, so call to confirm the size you need is on the shelf.
From the Field
The repair pattern we see at the counter tells the story. Guys come in for a new reel swivel every spring, and when we ask, the reel is bolted straight to the pump plumbing with no whip line. The vibration did the damage, and a $25 hose would have saved a $60 swivel plus the morning of downtime. Other tell: a whip line that keeps blowing at the crimp usually means a pressure spike problem, so check the unloader before you buy your third hose. And if the outer cover is bubbling near the engine, the hose is cooking. Reroute it or shield it before it lets go on a job.
Related Collections
- Hose reels and stacking hose reels
- Hose reel swivels
- Hose fittings and quick connects
- Swivels
- Hot water and steam hoses
- Chemical hoses
- Unloader valves
- Gun and hose kits
- Same-day pickup at our Gaithersburg counter
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a whip line on a pressure washer?
A short high pressure hose, usually 2 to 10 feet, that connects the pump to the hose reel or unloader. It absorbs engine vibration and takes the wear that would otherwise land on your reel swivel or the end of your main hose.
Why not connect the main hose straight to the machine?
Vibration and flex concentrate at the connection point. Without a whip line, that stress works the reel swivel loose, cracks plumbing, and bursts the end of the expensive hose. The whip line is the cheap part that fails on purpose.
What length whip line should I buy?
The shortest length that reaches with a gentle bend, which is 3 to 6 feet on most skid and trailer builds. Too short puts the hose in a strain. Too long leaves loops flopping near a hot engine.
Do I need 3/8 inch or 1/2 inch?
Match your main hose. Most rigs up to 8 GPM run 3/8 inch. High flow machines should run 1/2 inch, since a narrow jumper restricts flow and steals pressure from the gun.
Are whip lines rated for hot water?
The 2-wire and 6,000 PSI lines handle hot water duty and short temperature spikes. Single wire 4,000 PSI hose is a cold water part. If you run a hot machine, say so when you order and we will pull the right one.
Which end of an M/MS whip line goes where?
The solid male end threads into the pump or unloader outlet. The male swivel end goes to the reel or hose so you can snug the connection without twisting the hose. Sealant goes on pipe threads only.