Best method to reinforce bottom storage area floor

[CharlieD]

I have a inverter and Battery I would like to add to one of the storage areas on my 283G eagle. The floor of the compartment needs to be more substantial for the added weight. Anyone done this here? Is there a listed weight limit for storage compartments?

[VicS1950]

I can't answer your question.

I can say that it is not likely the total weight, but more the weight being concentrated in a rather small area.

Off the top of my head, a piece of aluminum diamond plate cut to fit the floor area will definitely distribute the weight without adding much weight. The material is fairly expensive though. There may be other ways to distribute the weight which would be less expensive.

A couple low profile Unistrut or Superstrut rails for the batteries to rest upon may also work.

Shop SUPERSTRUT 1-5/8-in x 13/16-in Gold-Galvanized Half Slot Channel Strut at Lowes.com

My vision would be for the additional supports to rest on the existing floor structure, not attached to the underside.

vic

[rgolding]

To put a small "drink refrigerator" in one of the basement compartments, I built a 2 x 4 structure to lift the refrigerator door above the compartment door sill. I was very careful to round the corners of the 2 x 4's to conform to the corner shape of the compartment. I didn't want to create a hard spot that could localized pressure on a part of the compartment wall/floor.

[VicS1950]

Dimensional limber is also a good solution. A couple 1 x 4 or 1 x 6 laid flat rails will also work to distribute the loads for a battery.

Given the flat surfaces of 2 x 4's or 1 x ? dimensional lumber it is highly unlikely that the edges can "dig in" and cause any problem.

It is all about spreading the load as opposed to it being concentrated on an unsupported area.

Another good thing to do is to look under the RV to see if the supports under the floor can be identified. Once identified the heavier objects may be able to be positioned over that supported area. If positioned over an existing structural support then no additional floor material may even be necessary.

FWIW. vic

[Edd505]

1/4" ply cut to fit the area, weight distribution cheap and easy, removable for resale

[Mwade]

Yes, that at is what I used plywood. I used 3/16 thick plywood. I also cut a 1in. Hole near the front used to pull the plywood out if needed.

[Murff]

Charlie, be sure to vent this compartment to the outside!

Murff

[CharlieD]

will do

[LSA376]

I went to a plastic shop and bought 1/4 ABS sheet plastic in white, cut to fit all compartments. Easy to clean and won't rot if it gets wet.

[TWP723]

Plywood seems to be a logical choice. A piece cut to fit in the compartment should give you plenty of support for a battery and inverter. The weight distributes over the whole area of plywood. The thicker, the better. But thicker adds more weight.

[CharlieD]

I have access to 1/4"thick aluminum laminate solid polypropylene core material used in making signs. It's light, strong and painted white. 5'x 8' sheets, free and won't hold water. I'll give that a try. One of my concerns is the design of the storage compartments, The sheet metal is very thin and the bottom is attached by a folded joint, there are only supports across the bottom but they don't run up the sides for support to anything substantial. The battery is about 80 lbs, the inverter is another 50 or so. I worry bumps on the road will cause the folded joints on the bottom to fail.

[TWP723]

Like a "J" channel lap joint I assume. Sounds like you may have to find another place. I'd be concerned with that lap joint giving out.

[CharlieD]

me too. I could mount the inverter next to the converter inside and the battery by itself in a compartment outside. My other problem is how to wire it into the 12v converter so the inverter isn't trying to charge a battery through the converter.

[CharlieD]

does everyone carry this much stuff?

[GrayHawk51]

Originally Posted by CharlieD

does everyone carry this much stuff?

Ahhhh, yup!!

[Boudreaux]

I read this thread carefully, because I too want to add a couple of batteries in the storage box next to the battery box of my Greyhawk 29MV (class c). I went to the coach, crawled under, and found that my storage boxes hang from the floor. I called my dealer, and the parts fella stated the storage boxes on my coach are all rated at 150 lbs total capacity per bin.

The two AGM 12 volt batteries I'm looking at have a total weight of 130 lbs. I have considered running some steel straps from the floor, under the storage bins back up the other side to the floor for the assurance that bumps and the weight of both batteries will not jar anything loose.

What do y'all think ...???

[Paintinfool3]

could work if you have access to floor on top to mount them with top plates for strength

[rgolding]

Wilson,

Any re-enforcement should help. I would think the weak link will be the fasteners to the floor and not the roto-mould box. If you could fasten to the coach floor in another location and with big fender washers, I think you would increase capacity.

[StevWb]

Under a storage bay on my 2015 Greyhawk. installed 2 6v. batteries in it....next to original 12v. slide out bay, 12v. house battery discarded...on other storage bays just laid down 1x4 cedar boards to distribute the weight.