Abstract: A retractable reel apparatus for connecting the electrical wiring on a trailer to the electrical system of a towing vehicle. The apparatus comprises a housing with a reel rotatably disposed therein. A wire has a first portion wrapped in a first direction around the reel and a second portion counter-wrapped in a second direction within the first portion. A first end of the wire extends through a first opening in the apparatus, and a second end of the wire extends through a second opening. The second end of the wire is stationary. By pulling on the first end of the wire, the first end may be extended from the housing. A torsion spring biases the reel so that the wire tends to retract back into the housing when tension on the first end of the wire is released. Numerous mounting arrangements for the apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: Rigidly attached to the bottom of a dogsled runner is an elongated housing. The housing has a cavity that runs internally for substantially the full length of the housing. A passage extends downwardly from the cavity, and is bounded on its bottom by a mouth and bounded on its top by two spaced-apart and parallel ledges. The passage has two smooth and slanted sidewalls that extend upwardly from the mouth to the two ledges. The separation distance between the two ledges is less than the width of the mouth.