2018 vs 2019+ battery rack?

[CyclinPapa]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

I couldn't mount 2 group 27 batteries in trolling battery boxes within the frame on my former 2014 Shamrock. I built a frame using slotted angle iron and screwed it to the top of the trailer frame. That's why I was pleased to see that FR did it for me. At least, for a brief time they did.

Realize this is an old post, I’m trying to mount 2 Group 27s on my Extreme Lite Vibe with the same issue of them not fitting. Was thinking of building a frame up as well. Would you mind sharing a photo of what you did?

Thanks!

[CincyGus]

Originally Posted by Less is More

I have a 2017 and it also is very tight for two batteries. I managed to get two 6 volt golf cart batteries and boxes in by cutting the handles off one side of each box. Its easier to get them in by pulling the propane tanks off.

Did the same with two 12v Trojan T1275 golf cart batteries. Once the handles came of the inside where the two boxes met, they fit fine.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by CyclinPapa

Realize this is an old post, I’m trying to mount 2 Group 27s on my Extreme Lite Vibe with the same issue of them not fitting. Was thinking of building a frame up as well. Would you mind sharing a photo of what you did?

Thanks!

I sold that trailer some time ago and no longer have pictures of that rack. All I did was to buy some zinc-plated slotted angle at Home Depot, arranged it across the a-frame so the batteries fit between two pieces, cut off the excess, and used those pieces to join both ends to create a rectangle. I connected the rails using simple nuts and bolts, used self-tapping screws to attach it to the a-frame, and painted it black to match.

Since the frame will be wider than the a-frame, consider making it wide enough to include an additional (G24?) battery box to stow gloves and battery straps in.

The only tools required are a hacksaw to cut the steel, an adjustable wrench to join the rails together, and a drill/driver for the self-tapping screws.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...0087/204325585

[CyclinPapa]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

I sold that trailer some time ago and no longer have pictures of that rack. All I did was to buy some zinc-plated slotted angle at Home Depot, arranged it across the a-frame so the batteries fit between two pieces, cut off the excess, and used those pieces to join both ends to create a rectangle. I connected the rails using simple nuts and bolts, used self-tapping screws to attach it to the a-frame, and painted it black to match.

Since the frame will be wider than the a-frame, consider making it wide enough to include an additional (G24?) battery box to stow gloves and battery straps in.

The only tools required are a hacksaw to cut the steel, an adjustable wrench to join the rails together, and a drill/driver for the self-tapping screws.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...0087/204325585

Thanks!

[chriscowles]

Consider a double-wide battery box, which is what FR provides on mini-/micro-lites. Two GC2s fit within it snugly but without a problem.

The battery tech I referred to having built was on a Shamrock which didn't come with the double battery box. If it did, the dealer removed it.

That double box wouldn't have worked for us anyway. At the time I opted for 2 G27 12V batteries rather than 2 GC2 6V batteries. The G27s are too wide for the double box, and too wide to fit within the a-frame, for that matter. Besides which, I chose to put them in trolling motor cases to serve another purpose when not camping. The trolling motor cases are wider, still.

Originally Posted by CincyGus

Did the same with two 12v Trojan T1275 golf cart batteries. Once the handles came of the inside where the two boxes met, they fit fine.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

Consider a double-wide battery box, which is what FR provides on mini-/micro-lites. Two GC2s fit within it snugly but without a problem.

FR doesn't provide any battery boxes, on towables. Battery and box, on towables, are dealer-installed items. The only thing FR provides is an A-frame that fits two group 24 or two gc2 batteries.

[chriscowles]

I thought the same but was proved incorrect. Anthony Yoder of Rockwood (AMYoder@forestriverinc.com) informed me that Rockwood has always provided a double battery box on mini-/micro-lites. When I picked up my new 2507S, it was there. As I purchased it from RV Wholesalers who do not provide anything not on the FR invoice, (no propane or even a cheesy starter kit) I have to conclude it came from the factory as I was told it would.

Edit - email from Anthony to me:

From:*Anthony M. Yoder*
Date: Wed, Sep 11, 2019, 21:22
Subject: Re: Mini-Lite battery rack?
To: ...

Our battery box is an oversized single box that would fit two batteries.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

I thought the same but was proved incorrect. Anthony Yoder of Rockwood (AMYoder@forestriverinc.com) informed me that Rockwood has always provided a double battery box on mini-/micro-lites. When I picked up my new 2507S, it was there. As I purchased it from RV Wholesalers who do not provide anything not on the FR invoice, (no propane or even a cheesy starter kit) I have to conclude it came from the factory as I was told it would.

Edit - email from Anthony to me:

From:*Anthony M. Yoder*
Date: Wed, Sep 11, 2019, 21:22
Subject: Re: Mini-Lite battery rack?
To: ...

Our battery box is an oversized single box that would fit two batteries.

Well, I've got a 2016 Mini Lite and I have no double battery box.

[DavidBo]

THREAD HIJACK ALERT!!!
I have a 2018 2104S with the battery rack also welded to the bottom of the frame. I replaced the no-name Group 24 marine battery with a 100Ah Group 27 AGM true deep cycle unit. In the future I plan on going with the biggest box that fits and fill it with a pair of 6V GC2s (lithium is also still on the table), but I'm concerned about the weight of all that battery with the rather cheesy looking welds holding the rails on. I'm considering driving it over to a welding shop (a skill I lack) and have them reinforce the existing rails, maybe even have them tack on some extra bracing just for good measure.
I'd rather do what some of you did and simply screw an extra rail on, but I remember reading somewhere that it's not a good idea to drill any additional holes in the frame. That seems a little extreme as the holes will be small and few in number, so I'd like to know if anyone else has addressed this issue.
Thanks, and sorry for stealing your thread!

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by DavidBo

... I'd rather do what some of you did and simply screw an extra rail on, but I remember reading somewhere that it's not a good idea to drill any additional holes in the frame. That seems a little extreme as the holes will be small and few in number, so I'd like to know if anyone else has addressed this issue.

A few small holes spaced apart won't make much difference. From my observations, FR staff don't put much thought into where they drill holes for things like the breakaway switch and wire loom holders.

Thanks, and sorry for stealing your thread!

It's my thread and you're welcome to it.