Dual battery locking tool box for travel trailer

[MitchF150]

So, I've been thinking about my dual battery setup on my 2019 Rockwood. It came with the dual battery setup on a nice 32"x15" metal tray welded to the trailers A frame.

The battery boxes were screwed to the metal frame. I wrapped a long cable around them and the lids and that pretty much kept them from growing legs and walking away easily.

My trailer cover also covers the entire tongue, so they could not be seen from the street. I also put a AA battery powered "screech alarm" on the cable so if they are moved, it sets off a loud noise for about 10 seconds.

I wanted to make it so I had a locking box so I didn't have to deal with the cable and the alarm and to also make it easier to remove the batteries if I wanted.

Came up with this a Northern Tools truck tool box designed for the side rails of a pickup truck. (48"x11.5"x11")

It cost around $300 delivered to my door. Used existing hardware to install and used some 2" rubber grommets for the wire access and to help ventilate the box. Here are some pics of the installed product.. NOTE: I didn't vacuum out the box from drilling the holes, but I'll do that at some point and I did just order some rubber battery post covers for it as well. 🙂

Really happy with the install. Only took about an hour and a couple of beers to install. Trailer still has the cover on it, so couldn't get great pics, but here are some quick ones..






Mitch

[BarneyS]

MitchF150 wrote:
Snip...

Anyway, thanks guys... I should have known better when I decided to post this...

Mitch

:@:h:@:R
Looks to me like everybody is trying to help you.
Barney

[MitchF150]

I'm not sure how the batteries are going to slide around when I secured the battery boxes themselves to the box?

At most, I should still come up with a strap solution so they don't bounce.

I didn't see that in the one "designed for the task at hand" either... Looks like a smaller version of my box with a simple pad lock on the side to slide the top off.

Anyway, thanks guys... I should have known better when I decided to post this...

Mitch

[philh]

Or get one designed for the task at hand

Link to RV LockBox

[RoyB]

Maybe you slip some cut up 1x2 or 1x4 wood stock around the batteries to keep them from sliding around... I did that one my battery boxes...

Roy Ken

[MitchF150]

I've got 2 2" holes drilled in it. I'll probably put a couple more in it as well. Lots of vehicles with batteries inside and all they have is a little tube for ventilation.

Mitch

[DFord]

I'd be worried about the fumes collecting which could be explosive besides being corrosive. I wonder if putting in some "pet pads" would neutralize the corrosive effects any? They contain baking soda.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074VDQS29?tag=duckduckgo-ffnt-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

[MitchF150]

Thanks Barney. Great ideas. Since I'll eventually put other stuff in the box, since it's got all that extra space! The pads make sense.

Mitch

[BarneyS]

I have a TorkLift battery box on my trailer and it uses a nylon woven strap to run lengthwise under each of the two batteries and then buckles on top. The strap runs in a grove in the bottom and under a couple of cross pieces at the ends to keep it in place.

i also put a Battery mat
lining the entire box to absorb any possible acid spills that may occur during charging. The underside of my lid I put a heavy rubber lining glued to the top.
This setup has worked great for the past 5 or 6 years that I've had it.
Barney

[ScottG]

Nice! I wish I had room for something like that.

[MitchF150]

I screwed down the battery boxes, but yes, the batteries are just floating there... I've got the rubber battery post covers on order, but I will see what I can come up with to physically strap the batteries down.

I still have the original straps and can probably come up with something.

Thanks!

Mitch

[Lwiddis]

Nice job but that’s worth way more than two beers.

[DrewE]

If it were mine, I'd put a sheet of plastic or something nonconductive on the inside of the lid. Rubber booties are a start, but seem a bit fragile for preventing shorting out...particularly as the batteries don't appear to actually be secured down by anything other than gravity.

[MitchF150]

Thanks JD. If so, I'll just pop a couple more holes in it.

Mitch

[jdc1]

Off-gassing may be a problem at some point. Otherwise, that's pretty nice.