I am going to be purchasing a used 5th wheel from an individual.It is a 2016 dutchmen denali 316res.This will be my first rv, so definitely my first 5th wheel so I apologize for the stupid question.We have been looking for almost a year and finally found a good deal. Most of the ones we have looked at in the past have a battery tray in the front compartment with an inverted so you can open slides and power the refrigerator when you are not hooked up to shore power.Well when I was going through this rv there was no battery tray and I didn't see any batteries anywhere. Do 5th wheels sometimes come without batteries? If so, how do you open slides and keep the refrigerator on while towing the fifth wheel so your "cold goods" don't go bad when not hooked up to shore power?The fifth wheel is in great shape and we love it. The previous owners used it full time for two months so they never had a need for batteries (always hooked to shore power) and when I mentioned it they told me they didn't think it had batteries.

Every trailer has a battery somewhere as most everything is 12v. The ones I'm familiar with have the battery in the front-most compartment under the bedroom overhang.

Keep looking, there is a battery location somewhere. If the original owner was in a park full time, they may have not needed batteries, they just let let the converter power all of the DC stuff. If there is an inverter, it is not for the slides as they run on 12VDC. Inverters are connected to batteries to invert 12VDC to 120VAC.

The battery for that unit should be located in the front compartment. If you don't see a battery, look for the battery cables that have been disconnected and are probably taped up.A battery is required for the trailer to operate the emergency brakes if it becomes disconnected during towing. The break-away switch located on the pin box actuates the brakes if the pin is pulled.You should add a battery even if the trailer will be only used on shore power - the battery helps "filter" the output of the converter.Be careful when you are connecting the cables to the battery that you get the polarity right. The cable that goes to ground (usually a white cable) goes to the negative post.

I would assume a good battery is a gift. Plan on replacing within one year.A 2-way fridge uses 12v for controls and either propane or utility power to power the absorption process of making the fridge cold. If there was an inverter that would be to power a residential compressor fridge or for general use.Most do not have an OEM inverter so that is something the owner added. Be wary of add-ons. Some are jacked into place.All do have a converter for charging the battery when plugged in.All trailers have a provision for a battery but if it has been stationary for a while the battery may have been removed by the owner.The 12 Volt Side of Life

luckyc1423 wrote:I am going to be purchasing a used 5th wheel from an individual.It is a 2016 dutchmen denali 316res.This will be my first rv, so definitely my first 5th wheel so I apologize for the stupid question.We have been looking for almost a year and finally found a good deal. Most of the ones we have looked at in the past have a battery tray in the front compartment with an inverted so you can open slides and power the refrigerator when you are not hooked up to shore power.Well when I was going through this rv there was no battery tray and I didn't see any batteries anywhere. Do 5th wheels sometimes come without batteries? If so, how do you open slides and keep the refrigerator on while towing the fifth wheel so your "cold goods" don't go bad when not hooked up to shore power?The fifth wheel is in great shape and we love it. The previous owners used it full time for two months so they never had a need for batteries (always hooked to shore power) and when I mentioned it they told me they didn't think it had batteries.You should ask the previous owner to show you where the battery is. If there is =not= one there, then he needs to either make that clear that this is how the rig is being sold or he needs to include one. As has previously been mentioned, the coach battery also powers the breakaway switch and it is not legal for you to tow with that inoperative. FWIW, the 2016/17 Jayco Eagle HTs I've looked at have the battery tucked into the furthest forward corner on the passenger side, outboard of the landing leg. From the pics I've seen of this model, it looks like there's a battery vent to the left, as seen looking at the front storage door, so if there's not one there, I'd be willing to bet that's where it's supposed to be. Can always call a dealer to ask, too. :-)Lyle

Battery question | Good Sam Community

luckyc1423
Explorer
Oct 19, 2016
It does infact have a battery the owners took a picture for me.

Thanks for everyone's help!!

I take delivery next week and I could not be mor excited

Now I just have to wait for my 2017 super duty to come in!!
Poppy_s_5th_Whe
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
It seems to me that neither you nor the current owner has a good handle on what this trailer has and what it doesn't. Since it's so far away and you're not able to take the extra drive out there to review these issues it might behoove you to research a local Certified RV Tech and have them do a pre-sale inspection. They will easily find out the answer to all of these issues such as battery, tires, etc. If it's that new I doubt you have any worries about tires but once I got it home I would go through the braking system and bearings, etc. but that's just me.

Oh, if it came with a residential fridge it has an inverter somewhere but if it didn't come with a residential fridge, I doubt it has an inverter. Especially since it sounds like the current owners purchased it for a specific purpose knowing it would remain connected to services and not as a "travel trailer".

Good luck!
korbe
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
This is a general reply regarding most all trailers and 5th wheels. They are designed to provide electric comforts while away from shore power(plugged into a 110 power source). The battery and converter are used for lights, water pump, and aid in the use of your LPG system.
Greentreena
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
The battery compartment could be on the side. Mine is. The battery powers the brakes in the event of a break away (trailer disconnects from tow vehicle) - read up on a pre-trip inspection. It will give you great tips of things to check before you go camping. Looks like there are some youtube videos too.
laknox
Nomad
Oct 18, 2016
2112 wrote:
I'm doing this from my smarty pants phone so posting pics is not a simple task. Look at the 15th photo on This Site. This view is looking into the front driver side compartment hatch. To the left you will see a black vertical hose attached to the camper front panel on the other side of the front hatch. This is the battery vent hose. Look under this hose.

Right where I said it might be! :-)

Lyle
PhoneDude_8289
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
Not only the battery to worry about but also the tires and bearings. If they are OEM tires it might be worth your wile to pull them all and have new installed. Most oem tires are at there limit when new. Also a bearing cleaning, check and repack would be worth while.
2112
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2016
I'm doing this from my smarty pants phone so posting pics is not a simple task. Look at the 15th photo on This Site. This view is looking into the front driver side compartment hatch. To the left you will see a black vertical hose attached to the camper front panel on the other side of the front hatch. This is the battery vent hose. Look under this hose.
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
luckyc1423 wrote:
when I mentioned it they told me they didn't think it had batteries.

Highly unlikely but if it was built for 110V only, you probably don't want it.

Ask the PO for the owner's manual(s) and find out where they bought it.
There may still be some time left on the warranty.
And the original selling dealer should be able to answer questions like that.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2016
ReneeG wrote:
Our original battery compartment was on the front right side and it is open to the outside underneath. There are two shelves that housed two batteries, one on top of the other.

Perfect for 2 6V golf cart batteries ! Shop Costco.
ReneeG
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
Our original battery compartment was on the front right side and it is open to the outside underneath. There are two shelves that housed two batteries, one on top of the other.

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