Battery/weight question...

[tjalmy]

I post this to gain insight from the group, I really don't boondock enough to justify the expense. When I retire, I hope to change that.

Sunline posts the carrying capacity of the rear bumper @ 100#. Looking at how well it is welded to the frame, I believe it is largely to keep from counter balancing the tongue weight. Is this correct?

If it is, then could additional batteries be added to the rear bumper as long as an equal number are added to the front?
Now, I'm thinking maybe one more up front, with two in the back. Not a huge load, but keeping things balanced.

What do you think?
T

[cuffer101]

I think you would be better off to weld up a mount across the tongue of the camper and put two or four batteries across the front. My camper only had room for one battery up front in between the rails. So I had my brother weld channel iron across the A frame, moved the propane tanks as far forward as I could. Now I carry two deep cycle group 29's there. If needed I could weld some more channel iron across and carry two more. Chuck

[Jim-Bev-2363]

Maybe separating batteries would/could lead to uneven battery wear because of distance to/from charger.

How about the costs for the heavy gage wire needed to run power from rear batteries to the front batteries?

Since you probably already have a equalizer hitch couldn't you easily adjust for the extra tongue weight by adjusting links?

I would think there are reasons batteries are not separated or it would be a factory accessory or aftermarket product with easy installation instructions.

[jim44646]

Very true about rear bumper being welded good but the issue is not the weld but the gauge of rear bumper metal. To much weight and the bumper itself tears away at the welds.

[mainah]

I have two batteries on my tong no problem. Placing the batteries on the rear as far as wiring it not much of an issue because they actually would be closer to the load center. A #8 wire would be enough to run most any thing in the camper and provide charging from the TV but as Jim said the box tube is not very thick I think you would be better off up front. Mine are paralleled together with #4 cables and by reducing my loads I can go 5 days with out a recharge. They are 80 amp group 24's giving me 160 amps. Your going to add about 45# per group 24 battery and closer to 60 for a group 27.

[Gene]

Totaly agree with Jim's post above.

[pwb01]

My T-1950 easily held two batteries on the tongue which lasted 3 or 4 days for us. On longer trips I carried 2 additional fully charged batteries which I set on the ground and hooked in line. An alternative is to carry a generator. Two batteries are good forever charging then every day or two through the units charging system.

I saw a bumper once still welded and attached but somewhat collapsed and twisted from the weight and torque of a bicycle rack. They're not made for much more than containing the stinky slinky.

[Sunline Fan]

Yes, it isn't a good idea to exceed that 100# limit. They are welded, but not that well, and will break if much more than that is put on there. The static weight isn't so much the issue, it's the torque applied to the bumper from things attached/sticking out from it and it gets quite bouncy back there when going down the road.

I've seen as well as personally experienced the rotational torque of a spare tire on a carrier break the bumper from being mounted in the center. That's why I always advise to mount the tire toward the side to limit the stress on the bumper joints.

I believe a spare tire with carrier is already north of 50#, so that doesn't leave much extra room for other things.

Agreed with the others on mounting the batteries on the tongue. You should be able to fit two deep cycles in your existing tongue area. I've seen some carriers, Pat and Cindy (emam)'s in particular, which mounts above the tongue rails and holds four deep cycles. It does increase tongue weight, but I'd rather have that than the opposite. Not to mention, you'd have to run a lot of wire to hook them up on the bumper.

[tjalmy]

Very useful input. That's what I like about this board. I do a lot of day dreaming of modifications to the home, trailer, vehicles, etc. before I do a project, and it's really wonderful to have a 'reality check' before I go too far!
Thanks again,
T

[FiveORacing]

I'm copying JohnB's project. I think it will take weight off the tongue, maybe not pound for pound, but my 2499 is too heavy in front already.