Welding to Frame

[Titleguy]

I am considering having a larger battery tray built to accommodate 2 batteries instead of the 1 that fits in my current tray. I would have this new tray welded to the frame of my trailer (on the tongue just behind the propane tanks where the current tray is now).

I know there are precautions I should take to protect the electrical components while we are welding to the frame. I just don't want to miss anything. Advice?

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Titleguy

I am considering having a larger battery tray built to accommodate 2 batteries instead of the 1 that fits in my current tray. I would have this new tray welded to the frame of my trailer (on the tongue just behind the propane tanks where the current tray is now).

I know there are precautions I should take to protect the electrical components while we are welding to the frame. I just don't want to miss anything. Advice?

I would wait till the camper is out of warranty. Any modifications to the frame (hole drilling or welding) will be reason to provide all sorts of heart ache if you need to file a warranty claim involving the frame.

[rkswyo]

Look at the way it was done at the factory and duplicate that to suit your needs. I would do it and not think twice about it. I know I can weld way better than the guys that put my frame together.

[Terier]

From what I understand it can be an hardship if you welt anything to the frame due to warranty reasons.

I'm trying to add a second battery but there's not enough room for both to be placed side by side. Now we are looking at installing the second battery inside the front storage area and running a connection. Of course the new batteries will be need to be sealed so I wouldn't have to worry about checking the water level.

[flyrotor]

Originally Posted by Terier

From what I understand it can be an hardship if you welt anything to the frame due to warranty reasons.

I'm trying to add a second battery but there's not enough room for both to be placed side by side. Now we are looking at installing the second battery inside the front storage area and running a connection. Of course the new batteries will be need to be sealed so I wouldn't have to worry about checking the water level.

they also need to be vented so you dont get the offgassing

[Triguy]

If you want to avoid modifying the frame, another idea is to bolt a box to the same plate as the current battery box. I saw this awhile ago on RV.Net. Look 1/4 of the way down on this post.



Someone else later in that thread did a different setup. Its half way down.

[cmcct]

Here is what I came up with. I bolted it to the existing battery tray, no welding to the frame required.

[Rod Johnson]

Originally Posted by cmcct

Here is what I came up with. I bolted it to the existing battery tray, no welding to the frame required.

I like that bottom one, that sits on top of the frame. I ran into the same problem adding a second battery, there just wasn't enough room between the rails for two Group 29s.

I settled for two Group 27s, but I wouldn't hesitate to weld some angle iron up... Carson said I could weld to the frame and they would still warranty everything, but cutting was a no-no.

Thats actually on my short to-do list maybe this weekend, is to weld up a battery tray and winch mount for the car trailer...