A reel assembly includes a mounting bracket including a substantially planar mounting bracket body. A reel motor is connected to a first lateral side of the mounting bracket and a reel superstructure is connected to be driven by the reel motor about a rotational axis extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of the mounting bracket body. A mounting flange is located at a top edge of the mounting bracket. This mounting flange includes a substantially planar surface lying in a plane extending transversely to the plane of the mounting bracket body, preferably forming a “T” shape with the planar mounting bracket body as viewed in transverse section. A stabilizing structure is located at a rear edge of the mounting bracket in a spaced apart relationship with the mounting flange, and a locking structure is located at an intersection of the top edge of the mounting bracket and the front edge of the mounting bracket.