Maybe -- in fact I'm sure you're right -- but I got tired of looking for a new washer, so I started using a channellock imitation to tighten my hose on. Stopped the leak. When I had room in the basement I took the hose off at the start of the winter. I needed pliers to start loosening it, but I didnt' cause any harm. I should try plumber's grease. I just came across some in the basement.
Later, when the basement was full, because it has a reel with a crank, I just cranked over and over again in the right direction until the water stopped coming out. Maybe 100 turns even though the 2 hoses go only 30 times around the reel. And not too fast after the first 30 because some of the water runs backwards and doesn't make progress getting out. I havent' been in the hose but I'm pretty sure there is only an eighth inch of water, not enough to burst the hose when it freezes.
I'm careful not to bend the hose when it is cold, but I will probably shorten its life some anyhow.
I also have an AM-FM radio which has been outside for the last 3 years. It has a roof over it, but I'm sure it gets some rain, and cold down to 10 or 20F. If necessary, I let it dry out before playing it.
I had a neighbor who was good for nothing.