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 18, 2016
I am buying it from an individual that never really drove it anywere, they had it delivered to their site, used it for two months and then moved to a house which is why they are unsure because they never really needed it.

I am having them look to see.

I assume if it doesn't have a battery it will for sure have battery terminals and I could just buy a battery and hook it up? or will I have to wire everything up as well?

I would go back and look at the 5th wheel but its 4 hours away (driving that far because I'm getting a good deal) and I really don't want to have to drive that far until I have my financing squared away and I'm ready to take delivery.
RoyB
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2016
The battery is provided by the dealer - does not come with a battery from the manufacturer...

The wet batteries are most always in the very front compartment under the bedroom overhang area where venting is easy to accomplish. If it was originally delivered with ATM sealed batteries they could be almost anywhere. Some were installed under the pull-up bed platform...

Like mentioned above the US DOT folks require you to have a working battery setup to operate the emergency Brake operation in case of a trailer disconnect from the tow vehicle... This is for trailers that have Electric brakes installed... This is an enforceable state law if the trailer is on US Public roads. Be sure to have all of this checked out before pulling your new to you trailer home over public roadways... If you are buying this from a legit dealer they probably will want to install a battery as it may be a liability to them.

Being a 2016 model sounds unlikely to me it doesn't have an installed battery...

Roy Ken
eHoefler
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2016
The battery is not always in the front compartment. Look for compartment doors that have a vent in them, that is one idication it could house the battery. Look in all the compartments, locate the convertor and fuse panel, follow the wires, you'll find it or where it should be.
laknox
Nomad
Oct 18, 2016
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
time2roll
Nomad
Oct 18, 2016
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
Hiking_Hunter
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
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.
CJW8
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
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.
azdryheat
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
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.

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