Dual Battery Size

[Davylee]

Stopped at a dealer selling Shamrocks and measured the distance available in the battery area of the tounge on a 23SS. It is 23.75" in width. I looked at battery sizes (physical dimensions) and that means the only options for batteries are 2 Group 24's or two 6V Batteries. So without modifying the battery area does that sound right? I was hoping to get a couple of Group 29's on there. I don't have too much of a problem on using 6V. Bu then I would bring a Group 24 (I know you can't hook them together) as an emergency back up should a 6v die. I would say that 75% of our camping is dry camping. It really seems that the trailer companies don't expect you to dry camp.

[Triguy]

That sounds about right. I vote for the two 6-volts. I had the same issue with the 233S and, unless I wanted to modify the tray, the deep cycle 12-volts that would have provided me the same Ah in 6-volts were too long.

So, if you dry camp often, buy the most Ah you can afford and fit on the tongue and generally I found that to be 6-volts in series. Take a look at Trojan T-145's at 260Ah at the 20-hr rate.

I don't carry a spare 12 volt in case of emergencies. Its rare to have a sudden battery failure, I think, and you should know when one is going bad with periodic testing of each cell's specific gravity. I would just go buy one if needed on a trip. But, if you are going to carry a spare, than think about a sealed battery such as an AGM rather than Flooded. The AGM won't leak if tipped over, which can happen if carried loosely in the bed of your truck or in the camper itself.

[Davylee]

Triguy, thanks I knew you guys would have the right answer. Two 6 volts it is and I will look at the T145's over the T105.

[bikendan]

yea, you're not going to get two Group 29's in there without some mods.
same would go for two Group 27's.

we dry camp 90% of the time and we've been fine with two deep cycle Group 24's. but we have the Honda 2000 to recharge after 4 days of use.

[Davylee]

BikenDan thanks. I'm still on the fence on How I am going to go, but appreciate the information which is why I posted the question : )