Housing stiffener for hose reel deck box

A stiffener structured to support a unitary housing component comprised of substantially flat sidewalls is provided. A unitary housing comprised of substantially flat sidewalls, e.g. a housing for a hose reel, is a housing component that is substantially free of support ribs and other contoured surfaces. The stiffener is molded separately from the unitary housing component and coupled thereto. Preferably, the stiffener is a band extending under, or about, the perimeter of the lower side of the unitary housing component. Use of the stiffener allows the unitary housing component to remain free of substantial support ribs and other contoured surfaces thereby allowing for less expensive molds and a reduced failure rate of produced elements.