I’m looking for options for configuring the batteries on my bumper-pull trailer. I have four 6v batteries. In the past I've had two on the tongue and two that I keep in a tote and schlepp out with me and connect to the house batteries once we get to camp.I’m at an interesting crossroads because:1. The two batteries on my tongue (and the nice marine case) were stolen, so my trailer tongue is a blank canvas, so to speak.2. I burned the hell out of my finger on our last trip out when my wedding ring touched the diamond plate on the front of the trailer and completed the circuit between the trailer and the wrench I was turning.So my tasks now are to find a new good box to house the two batteries on the tongue between the front wall of the trailer and the LP tanks and to devise a cleaner connection so my wiring isn’t such a rat’s nest.I thought I’d throw that out to the brain trust here:1. What boxes can you all recommend for two tall batteries end to end on the tongue?2. What kind of junction terminals can you recommend? I would like to end up with the two batteries connected to each other in series, all the coach wiring going into a junction, the two batteries on the tongue connected to their own terminals on the block, and the other two batteries in the stand-alone tote similarly connecting to their own terminals on the block. Ideally connecting and disconnecting the extra set of batteries wouldn't ever interfere with the coach wiring connections or the other battery connections and nothing would come loose when I hook/unhook the second set.Suggestions?Oh and the two lessons I learned: (1) Gold is very conductive and (2) I smell delicious when I’m searing at high temps.

Dakota98 wrote:TORKLIFTX2You can even get a 4-battery box with a trickle/maintainer solar panel on top. I will have one soon for my enclosed trailer and it will be perfect because it is stored where there are no power hookups.

Best line of the weekend, I'm gona need somebody that hasn't been drinking to help me cut this ring off :B

big buford wrote:Best line of the weekend, I'm gona need somebody that hasn't been drinking to help me cut this ring off :BYep. Thank God Mark was only half a beer into the evening when he helped me out. I think the beer steadied his nerves.

Toyhauler battery configurations (bumper pull) | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

1L243
Explorer II
Dec 06, 2014
I Have a heavy Bumper Pull Toy Hauler as well. 1700lb TW may be a bit heavy if your rig runs around 12k gross but 1200lbs is getting a little light for a 12k trailer.

I put all four batteries on my Tongue and still able to keep my TW at 1350lbs. It might be a easier way to go and make it easier for getting into the battery box..
nvreloader
Explorer
Dec 06, 2014
Dedmiston,
Here is some food for thought,
and what I am going to do, unless a better Idea shows up.

Since we BOONDOCK 100% of the time and are generally 40-50+ miles or more from the nearest place/person and generally are the ONLY ones around during our camping times.

I am in the process of building a battery rack for at least 4- Golf cart batteries that will fit UNDERNEATH and INSIDE and securely attached to the MAIN FRAME RAILS, this section/area is approximately 37" x 65" and the depth can be at 18"+ and still have plenty of protection as provided by the frame rails/dual axles and can be positioned over the dual axles of my DF 28'KS TH, that has 880w of solar power on the roof.

This battery rack will be raised/lowered via a small ATV winch, or the small 4 wheeled jack that is carried, for checking/servicing the batteries etc, and that location makes a very short run for the cables, less than 10' to the main electrical bay where everything is located.

This battery/rack area will protected and insulated from any road spray/road hazards etc, and when using the TH during cold weather (-20* has been the coldest,so far),
plus with the attached weather/water proof nylon skirting around the bottom and the heat off the gen set when used, helps keep the batteries warmer.

Some of the reasons for going this route,
I already had a high tongue weight of 1700#'s when fully loaded and ready to hit the road, and did NOT want any more TW,
(I have since learned how to properly load the toys/other gear to take this TW down to the 1200+ range.) THANKS to Ron G.

This battery rack location will be used to help with a better balance of tongue weights, if needed etc.

I have no other areas to install these batteries for the solar panels etc as I have 2/HD Marine trolling batteries on the tongue and is used as a second backup system and for the trolling motor used for fishing canoe.

HTH,

Tia,
Don
derwud
Explorer
Dec 06, 2014
If you want to got the Connector route, get a set of these and some 2/0 wire.

350 amp connectors.
1L243
Explorer II
Nov 19, 2014
I like Roy's setup too but if you have more room I have a Delta box. It's tapred to fit the Tongue.... I put four batteries in the bottom then I made a shelf for hauling power cords and such on top. I can also put my torsion and sway bars in there when not in use. I put in plenty of vents...
bigcitypopo
Explorer II
Nov 18, 2014
I can fit GCs in my current boxes... And in this rig I just made

Clicky right hee-ah!
Dakota98
Explorer
Nov 17, 2014
The two battery Torklift box without Solar is around $250 @ Etrailer

But , I like RoyB's idea much better & it appears that you can get all four 6-volts in it :W
dedmiston
Moderator
Nov 17, 2014
That looks really clean, Roy.

Do you have any photos of your Blue Sea terminal blocks?
RoyB
Explorer II
Nov 17, 2014
I like this truck bed side mount diamond plate box that will house 4ea 6VDC batteries. The beautify of this box is it has a nice area at the wiring level for you to really dress up your battery terminal wiring.

I am also into the BLUE SEA DC products for switches, fuse blocks, and terminal blocks... All battery wiring is terminated into crimp-on ring terminel connections everywhere. I would make up my own battery cables as well using a 8-ton hand crimper tool...

The manual slide lock is great on these boxes as compared to a hasp type lock which are very easy to cut off...

Lots of room inside for the 6VDC batteries, terminal wiring, terminal block, fuse block, 4-way battery switches etc...

The battery box vents are sink traps from LOWES. One mounted adjacent to each battery installed.

These side mount boxes are probably in the $200 cost area... The side mount boxes are installed on top of the trailer tongue using round head stove bolts going through the tongue metal from the bottom with the washers/bolts inside the box. This prevent thief from cutting off the box mounting bolts...

Just something else to consider...
Roy Ken
dedmiston
Moderator
Nov 17, 2014
big buford wrote:
Connector

Those look interesting. Thanks Buford.
dedmiston
Moderator
Nov 17, 2014
BigDogF250 wrote:
I have a dish on the headboard of the bed, ring goes in when I open the door, comes out when I am leaving for the weekend. I know 2 people with 9 fingers because their wedding ring caught something.

I hadn't taken mine off in 20 years or so. It's off now though.