Quick verdict
A moulded stand that raises RTS's 55 gallon flat-back rain barrel so a watering can fits under the spigot and gravity flow improves, made from recycled material and shaped to sit flat against a wall. It is sturdy and weatherproof. It is also built only for the RTS flat-back barrel, so owners of other barrels should look elsewhere.
Strengths
- Raises the barrel so a can fits under the spigot and flow improves
- Made from 100 percent recycled material
- Flat-back profile sits tight against the wall
- Weather-resistant and maintenance free
- Sized to carry a full 55 gallon barrel
Weaknesses
- Compatible only with the RTS 55 gallon flat-back barrel
- Adds height that may put the inlet above a low diverter
- Plastic; needs a level, solid base underneath
The overall YardToolLab Score is out of 100. Section scores are out of 10.
Why a Barrel Should Sit Higher
Most rain barrel spigots sit a few inches off the ground, too low for a watering can and too low to give a hose any pressure. A stand fixes both. RTS Home Accents makes this one for its own 55 gallon flat-back barrel: a moulded recycled-plastic platform with the same flat back so barrel and stand sit tight against a wall under the downspout.
This review is based on RTS’s specifications and on how barrel stands perform generally. We have not used this stand ourselves.
Fit
The stand is shaped for the RTS premium flat-back barrel and RTS says so clearly: it is not a universal stand. Owners of that barrel get a matched footprint that locks the barrel in place; owners of round or other-brand barrels should buy a universal or build a block base.
Function
Elevation puts the spigot high enough for a two gallon can and adds a little gravity head, which helps a short hose. It also lifts the barrel out of splashing mud. The flat back keeps the whole assembly close to the house, which matters on narrow side yards.
Strength and Base
A full 55 gallon barrel weighs over 400 pounds, and the stand is moulded to carry it. What it cannot do is compensate for soft ground: set it on pavers, compacted gravel or a slab, dead level, or the barrel will lean as the soil settles.
Diverter Height
Raising the barrel raises its inlet. If a downspout diverter is already installed, it may need moving up so the hose runs level or downhill to the barrel. Plan the stand before cutting the downspout.
Durability
Recycled plastic resists weather and needs no maintenance. Owners of RTS products report the material holding up for many seasons in sun and frost.
Who Should Buy It
- Owners of the RTS 55 gallon flat-back barrel, for whom it is a perfect match.
- Anyone struggling to get a can under the spigot.
- Narrow side yards where the flat back keeps the footprint small.
Common Owner Complaints
Buyers with other barrels discovering it does not fit, and leaning barrels on uneven ground. Both are avoidable.
Setting It Up
Level the base before anything else, then set the stand, seat the empty barrel and check it rocks nowhere. Connect the diverter hose with the barrel in its final position and fill it slowly the first time, watching for any lean as the weight comes on.
Alternatives to Consider
Universal metal barrel stands fit most round barrels. A base of concrete blocks or pavers works for any barrel at lower cost. RTS’s own larger stands suit its bigger barrels.
Verdict
If you own the RTS flat-back barrel, this stand is the tidy, matched way to raise it for better access and flow. If you do not, it is the wrong product, and RTS is upfront about that.
Full specifications
RTS Home Accents 55-Gallon Rain Barrel Stand, Recycled Material FAQs
RTS states it is only compatible with its own premium flat-back barrel. Round barrels will not sit securely.
Spigots sit low, and a raised barrel lets a can fit underneath and adds a little gravity pressure for a hose.
A level, firm base: pavers, compacted gravel or a concrete pad. A full barrel weighs well over 400 pounds.
Yes. Raising the barrel raises the inlet, so cut or adjust the downspout diverter to match.
