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Old 01-12-2015, 04:20 PM   #1
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Relocate propane tanks with batteries?

Has anyone done this????

OK, just got an idea. Since I want to add 2 (possibly 4) additional batteries before spring, I was trying to figure out a place to install the additional batteries. I am not a fan of putting them in the front storage compartment. I can not mount them on the tongue as I would not be able to get to the propane tanks... but I though I may be able to take the batteries and put them in the front propane tank compartment and the tanks on the tongue (like other TT's).

So I measured the propane storage area and if the rough measurements are correct, it looks like I could get 6 batteries in there. I would build a battery rack using angle iron and add a small vent/fan.... This is what I think I will do, but FIRST I need to calculate how much this will add to the tongue weight. I believe it was around 700 lbs with the 2 existing batteries.

It would also be a good security feature, with panel locks added.

YOUR THOUGHTS PLEASE!!!

Don
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Old 01-12-2015, 05:53 PM   #2
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If you are putting them inside make sure they are sealed batt.s. Or like you said put them in a sealed compartment with a vent to outside
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Old 01-13-2015, 08:41 AM   #3
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I think you would significantly increase your tongue weight by adding six batteries, maybe around 400-500 pounds to the front of the TT. Might be too much. People smarter than I will chime in here shortly.
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Old 01-13-2015, 10:38 AM   #4
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I think you would significantly increase your tongue weight by adding six batteries, maybe around 400-500 pounds to the front of the TT. Might be too much. People smarter than I will chime in here shortly.
I know that there is a going to be an increase in tongue weight, but it is not a direct 1lb to 1lb increase, because of the leverage factor. I know that the general rule of thumb is a ?% of the entire TT weight to calculate the approximate tongue weight, but that is based on a standard trailer, which is close to being a balanced load.

There was a formula I found a few years ago that calculated the additional tongue weight based on how far back from the tongue/ball location the weight was added, along with distance from axles to front and the standard weight of the entire trailer. You think I could find it now, NOPE.

I thought about getting some concrete blocks that would match the weight of the batteries, take out the tanks and go to a scale and weigh it (with the tanks sitting on the tongue).

No commitment to start this project yet, as I need to get the actual numbers first.

Don
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Old 01-13-2015, 11:03 AM   #5
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snip...
There was a formula I found a few years ago that calculated the additional tongue weight based on how far back from the tongue/ball location the weight was added, along with distance from axles to front and the standard weight of the entire trailer. You think I could find it now, NOPE.

I thought about getting some concrete blocks that would match the weight of the batteries, take out the tanks and go to a scale and weigh it (with the tanks sitting on the tongue)....snip
Don
I don't have any concrete blocks around, so if I needed to calculate a ratio for 'ballpark' planning purposes, I could get close enough for me by pulling out the propane bottles, weigh those, then measure the tongue weight (bathroom scales method) with the propane bottles on and off the tongue.
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Old 01-13-2015, 11:10 AM   #6
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You can always counterbalance a heavier tongue weight by adding more weight to the rear of the trailer... as long as you don't go over the total cargo weight capacity.
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Old 01-13-2015, 05:08 PM   #7
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I think the 6 batteries will put the TT at or over the max, so I will not be able to add a counter weight. I still need to have it weighed.

Don
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Old 01-13-2015, 07:22 PM   #8
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You can always counterbalance a heavier tongue weight by adding more weight to the rear of the trailer... as long as you don't go over the total cargo weight capacity.
Could you split up where the batteries are placed around the trailer to balance tongue wieght?
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Old 01-13-2015, 08:48 PM   #9
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Could you split up where the batteries are placed around the trailer to balance tongue wieght?
The problem with not keeping all the batteries in one location is that they do not charge and discharge at the same rate which eventually leads to a shorter battery life.

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Old 01-14-2015, 09:19 AM   #10
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Hi Don. I made a carrier out of steel angle iron that I put 6 batteries on at the tongue. You should have no problem with putting 4 on there. Before I did this I called Jayco about all that weight on the tongue and they said it would be all right.. BUT to not weld to the A frame as it would hurt the heat treating.
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Old 01-16-2015, 09:37 AM   #11
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The problem with not keeping all the batteries in one location is that they do not charge and discharge at the same rate which eventually leads to a shorter battery life.

Don
Your not talking a whole lot of extra resistance in the short run of wire needed to split them up front and back.If your worried about that put the inverter/charger/converter midway so each "parrallel circuit" is same length when hooked together at charger.Heck my golfcart with all 6 batteries packed together has a different life span per battery.
nothing wrong with putting all up front its just I am not a fan of a lot of tongue weight.
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