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DiskDoctr's avatar
DiskDoctr
Explorer
Jun 05, 2017

Battery boxes on tongue?

Our new to us 2005 Keystone Cougar 304BHS has a curved front and I am trying to add 4 GC2 6v batteries, but am having great difficulty finding options for battery boxes.

We have a Reese WDH, so the chain adjustments extend just above the frame on both sides.

I really need some ideas here. I can add or build a "box" of sorts, but the weight of the batteries could be an issue. 1" x 1" x 1/4" (1/8" strong enough?) Weld? Bolt? Above frame, below frame?

I considered welding angle iron to the bottom of the frame for 3 across, plus one in the front, then building a box "around" to close in the bottom of the frame, sides, then some kind of top to make battery + inverter + charger/converter + tool storage.

We leave next Thursday for our first trip in this camper, so LOTS of things to do, including change the awning. Time wise, I'd rather buy a box or something, but will make what I have to.

Ideas, suggestions, examples?

Thanks!

9 Replies

  • crosscheck's avatar
    crosscheck
    Explorer II
    Jun 05, 2017
    Welded 2 3/4"X3/4" angle iron bars to the underside of the tongue rails. Bolted 3X4" plywood to the angle iron. Bought a plastic battery box from centuryplastics.ca(GC2-4) and screwed it down to the plywood. Later I got the welder to reenforce the bottom with 2 more pieces of angle iron. Batteries are snug in the plastic battery box.

    Just finished a 7 week camping trip, some of the time on rough roads. No problems.

    Dave
  • DiskDoctr's avatar
    DiskDoctr
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2017
    Thanks for the info...

    I measured, it would be a 5 inch spacer. Wonder if I can find some 5" box, or C-channel and get it put together in time....

    Or find an innerside truck box with the step in it already.
  • fitznj's avatar
    fitznj
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2017
    I bought a International TB-20D 31-Inch Utility Box from Amazon and fitter it
    between the tanks and the curved front of my camper. I measured carefully and now I have a place for 2 batteries and all the bits and pieces. I used hefty self-drilling screws to secure the box to the chassis.

    You can use a spacer if you need to clear the WDH.
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2017
    DiskDoctr wrote:
    Purchase of the batteries is imminent. $86/ea. What would be gained with AGM's and how much are they?


    What would be gained? ... AGMs are maintenance free, other than properly recharging them, and as long as they're not enclosed in a totally sealed box AGMs can be mounted in any location, oriented in any direction. The downside is they're more costly ... but if it were me I'd rather spend those extra $$$ on AGMs than a costly metal storage box like a Torklift.

    My next battery will almost for sure be another flooded, best bang for the buck, BUT my situation is different than yours and a single flooded will serve my needs just fine. In your case you want multiple batteries and have a mounting issue that AGMs can solve for you ... seems evident to me which is the better choice.
  • DiskDoctr's avatar
    DiskDoctr
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2017
    SoundGuy wrote:
    I'm guessing you've already purchased these batteries :@ , otherwise I'd have suggested you not put big $$$ into an expensive box like a Torklift in order to accommodate a gaggle of flooded batts but instead put those $$$ into AGM batts that could be mounted anywhere, in any configuration - Perhaps a couple on the tongue in conventional battery boxes and a couple more in the front pass through storage compartment. Easy to do with AGMs. ;)


    Purchase of the batteries is imminent. $86/ea. What would be gained with AGM's and how much are they?

    I also now have the PD converter/charger to install.
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2017
    DiskDoctr wrote:
    Our new to us 2005 Keystone Cougar 304BHS has a curved front and I am trying to add 4 GC2 6v batteries, but am having great difficulty finding options for battery boxes.


    I'm guessing you've already purchased these batteries :@ , otherwise I'd have suggested you not put big $$$ into an expensive box like a Torklift in order to accommodate a gaggle of flooded batts but instead put those $$$ into AGM batts that could be mounted anywhere, in any configuration - Perhaps a couple on the tongue in conventional battery boxes and a couple more in the front pass through storage compartment. Easy to do with AGMs. ;)
  • DiskDoctr's avatar
    DiskDoctr
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2017
    RoyB wrote:
    You might want to consider the TORKLIFT boxes that slide off verses the ones that open up with a lid...

    TLA7710RS 58-1/2"L 7-5/8"W 12-3/4"H

    etrailer image

    Looks like you should have room between the propane tanks and the front of the trailer. This METAL BOX will extend out on both sides of the trailer tongues...

    Roy Ken


    Holy smoking turtles! Over $600 for that box.

    A sliding top sure would help with clearing the curved front of the camper, though.

    Thanks.

    I saw a stepped truck box to clear the WDH here:

    Battery box



    And here:

    Battery boxes

  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Jun 05, 2017
    You might want to consider the TORKLIFT boxes that slide off verses the ones that open up with a lid...

    TLA7710RS 58-1/2"L 7-5/8"W 12-3/4"H

    etrailer image

    Looks like you should have room between the propane tanks and the front of the trailer. This METAL BOX will extend out on both sides of the trailer tongues...

    Roy Ken

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