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Dual battery locking tool box for travel trailer

MitchF150
Explorer III
Explorer III
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. ๐Ÿ™‚

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

2013 F150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab Max Tow Egoboost 3.73 gears #7700 GVWR #1920 payload. 2019 Rockwood Mini Lite 2511S.
14 REPLIES 14

BarneyS
Explorer III
Explorer III
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
2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch (Sold)
Not towing now.
Former tow vehicles were 2016 Ram 2500 CTD, 2002 Ford F250, 7.3 PSD, 1997 Ram 2500 5.9 gas engine

MitchF150
Explorer III
Explorer III
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
2013 F150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab Max Tow Egoboost 3.73 gears #7700 GVWR #1920 payload. 2019 Rockwood Mini Lite 2511S.

philh
Explorer II
Explorer II
Or get one designed for the task at hand

Link to RV LockBox

RoyB
Explorer II
Explorer II
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
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - Words in CAPS does not mean I am shouting
Roy - Carolyn
RETIRED DOAF/DON/DOD/CONTR RADIO TECH (42yrs)
K9PHT (Since 1957) 146.52M
2010 F150, 5.4,3:73 Gears,SCab
2008 Starcraft 14RT EU2000i GEN
2005 Flagstaff 8528RESS

MitchF150
Explorer III
Explorer III
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
2013 F150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab Max Tow Egoboost 3.73 gears #7700 GVWR #1920 payload. 2019 Rockwood Mini Lite 2511S.

DFord
Explorer
Explorer
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
Don Ford
2004 Safari Trek 31SBD (F53/V10 20,500GVW)
'09 HHR 2LT or '97 Aerostar MiniVan (Remco driveshaft disconnect) for Towed vehicles
BlueOx Aventa II Towbar - ReadyBrake Inertia Brake System

MitchF150
Explorer III
Explorer III
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
2013 F150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab Max Tow Egoboost 3.73 gears #7700 GVWR #1920 payload. 2019 Rockwood Mini Lite 2511S.

BarneyS
Explorer III
Explorer III
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
2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch (Sold)
Not towing now.
Former tow vehicles were 2016 Ram 2500 CTD, 2002 Ford F250, 7.3 PSD, 1997 Ram 2500 5.9 gas engine

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

MitchF150
Explorer III
Explorer III
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
2013 F150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab Max Tow Egoboost 3.73 gears #7700 GVWR #1920 payload. 2019 Rockwood Mini Lite 2511S.

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
Nice job but thatโ€™s worth way more than two beers.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

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

Mitch
2013 F150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab Max Tow Egoboost 3.73 gears #7700 GVWR #1920 payload. 2019 Rockwood Mini Lite 2511S.

jdc1
Explorer II
Explorer II
Off-gassing may be a problem at some point. Otherwise, that's pretty nice.