Battery Hold Downs

I'm setting up for a South America trip so 2 batteries on each side with solar and HD alternator connection and a 2kw inverter as to make the not very available hookups basically unnecessary. Cabling for 2kw needs to be 2/0 for 275 amp max so cabling and connections get to be a real issue. Basically I'll use an Anderson connector with fusing and manual shutoff for the batteries and a 100A lift gate plug for the alternator. I'll be using AGM batteries so I don't have to get too them and am planning on welding up steel angle frames to hold 2 batteries each with hold down brackets. Due to many rough back roads I really need them snugged down. I'll be doing the camper on/camper off game next week to try to figure out the connection and battery locations. Even the 300 amp fuse block is about 2"x2"x6" and where to put it so that it is accessable is an issue as if it blows and I can't get to it then I will need to manually jack the camper off the truck. Making all this work is an interesting project.

I really appreciate the input.

That's brilliant, I hadn't thought of putting the bank there... I'm currently in the process of building mine in a cabinet under the seating area... hrmmm.

Btw, AutoZone has great battery boxes with straps and lids for $12 (large).

Torklift is also making a setup that bolts them under the bed to the frame. Interesting idea.

Mine is strapped down because I use my truck and the Aux battery without the camper a lot.
My camper is off right now and a shell on with a dorm fridge running off an inverter fed by my aux battery.
Good Luck, Mike

I cut a board to match the contour of the bed so the battery sits flat, put it in a battery box with a cable to plug into the side of the camper where I mounted a plug and sat it in the right spot be for loading the camper. No hold down, where is it going to go. If I flip the truck I have more problems than a little battery acid. I have baskets that fit in the wheel well also and that doesn't allow it to slide much.

I used a 4 pin connector and used 2 connectors for each side of the battery and 12g wire, largest the connector would take. Since the connector was keyed it shouldn't be plugged in rotated 180 degrees but I discovered it could be if you didn't pay attention. I used the diagonal connectors so no matter which way it was plugged in nothing would be shorted or reversed.

There is a welded loop in the 4 corners of our truck bed (2007 Silverado ) I runt a ratchet strap through this around the battery box and back to the welded loop.
Think of a circle with batt in middle then cinched tight.
My battery box sits on two 4X4's to bring it up to where it can be reached in the slot between camper side and truck bed.
Good Luck, Mike