Where to add 2nd (auxiliary) battery on Wildwood 26BHXL

[Broker777]

Hi all,

Just curious to see where you would recommend I add my 2nd 12V battery to my 2011 Forest River Wildwood 26BHXL.

I got the main 12V battery from the dealer, and I would like to either add a) another identical 12V battery, or b) 2 6V batteries.
The dealer said that neither would work since there is no room up front.

As you can see, there isn't much room. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[sherdep]

I have a diffrent camper then you but when I added my 2nd battery I had to shift the battery box and cut the plastic handles off the box to make it work.

Am pretty sure the box is bolted down with self tapping screws so you will need to remove those to be able to relocate

Looks like you have parts of the hitch in the way - maybe you can get shorter length Grade 8 bolts to replace those long ones and give you some more room or get the manual for your hitch and see if you can move the brackets forward or back to accomodate some more room

[skgeorgy]

On my first trailer my dealer was able to mount a new rack thingy on top of the trailer tongue. It wasn't too expensive for them to do it. However looking at your pic again that won't work. Sorry but typing and thinking at the same time. I have also seen batteries stacked on top of each other. Your dealer might be able to fabricate something like that. I wish I had a pic to send you. I wish I had better advice.

[Broker777]

Has anyone had any luck contacting Forest River about a question like this?

If so, do you have a good contact?

Thanks!

[rkswyo]

One thing you may consider that I did on my previous travel trailer is going to a single battery with more capacity than what you have. I had the same problem you have and really couldn't find a suitable location for another battery. I went with a Trojan SCS 225. It has reserve capacity of 225 and an AH rating of 105. In comparison an average 24 series battery is a reserve capacity of around 140. This is a big increase. I was totally happy with the Trojan. I primarily boondock and this worked good for me.

[Broker777]

Thanks for the suggestion rkswyo.

I think after looking into this that I am going to add an AGM battery inside the TT; currently looking at the Optima Blue-Tops.

One question for any of you that may know:

Our trailer has the WFCO 8955 Converter/Charger. It a 3-stage charger with bulk, absorption, and float modes; 14.4V, 13.6V, and 13.2V respectively. We boondock quite a bit and want to have extra power since on the cold nights with the DW and kids and furnace on, I wake up to a battery that is around 50%.

We currently have the Interstate DP-24 (Group 24) battery, and I want to buy an Optima group 31 AGM battery to wire in parallel with the existing battery.

I know I've read how some people say you MUST have the exact same battery Wired in parallel, and others who said it wasn't a big deal.

Now to my question: can this stock converter I have charge by the lead acid battery I have now AND the AGM battery I am planning to add, if they are wired in parallel?

Thanks in advance!

[bikendan]

i wouldn't put any battery inside the trailer, not even in a compartment.

[Broker777]

Originally Posted by bikendan

i wouldn't put any battery inside the trailer, not even in a compartment.

I would agree if you are talking about the flooded lead-acid batteries, but from everything that I have read, the AGMs are safe to be put in a compartment inside.

[PapaSmurf]

What about a stack type arrangement?

[Broker777]

Originally Posted by PapaSmurf

What about a stack type arrangement?

Unfortunately the battery is sandwiched between the propane tanks and the front of the trailer. There is no room to stack it.