Thoughts needed on Battery Placement

[Campworthy]

Hello

I have a 2018 HW27KS my current tongue set up is 2 propane tanks with cover & 1 Group 24 Battery. (see pic 1) I'm hoping to slightly upgrade my battery to a Group 27 but I'm having issues on how to fit this in.
I have a battery tray welded to my tongue that only fits a G24 box. I thought about removing the end side to accommodate a G27 box, but my winch cable is in the way (see pic 2)
I also considered adding a battery rail to the top of the tongue that would raise the box above the winch (like to propane tanks) but the isn't enough space between the camper body & the propane tank cover (see pic 3)

Am I out of options here, is it worth this hassle to go from a G24 to a G27? What are the other Flagstaff/Rockwood tongues like? I'm open to any suggestions/ideas you may have.

[Campworthy]

Sorry, just realized pic was not rotated.

[Mikec557]

So, what does the "cable winch" do? Am I right that if the cable I see in the picture wasn't there, then there is room for a group 27 battery box?

Regarding group 24 to 27. If you're considering both as flooded lead acid batteries, it's my opinion you would not gain much in the way of USABLE amp/hours.

On the other hand, if you can go lithium, you would get at least double the usable amp hours compared to what you have now. Maybe a little more, depending on what you have for a group 24 battery.

Do you have any rooftop solar?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Mikec557

So, what does the "cable winch" do?

Since the OP has a popup and posted this in the Tent Camper and Popup section, it's probably to raise the popup roof.

[Mikec557]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Since the OP has a popup and posted this in the Tent Camper and Popup section, it's probably to raise the popup roof.

I guess it could be. But years ago we had a Coleman popup and we didn't have a cable visible anywhere, and of course there were cables to lift each corner.

[flyerdp]

Put a tray on both sides and do double batteries? You will likely have to relocate and/or get a longer propane hose and possibly a fitting to point it a different direction. I had thought about moving my battery on my 2018 HW 276 but in the end didnt.

[yukongold]

If a group 27 battery box absolutely won't fit I would:
re-route whatever is in that wire loom (could you shove it into the center area with the propane line and winch cable?)
add another group 24 box on that other side
parallel connect two group 24's, which would give you more amp hours than one group 27.
One group 27 = around 85-100 amp hours.
One group 24 = around 70-80 amp hours. Doubled you would have about 160-165 amp hours.

[flyerdp]

An alternative route for the gas line is to drill a large enough hole for the fitting that attaches at the camper front wall + a little extra for some cable wrap to protect the hose through the hole, then you can take it under the angle steel and to the wall that way clearing a way for a second battery box for a group 24 doubling your available power.

[EBW83]

Hello Campworthy,

We have a 2016 HW27SC and I added a second group 24 battery as shown. I didn't have to reroute the lift cable or propane gas line. I purchased a second battery box and mounted it to the rails. You have to leave a 3" to 4" gap between the box's so that the covers can be installed. Depending on the length and routing of your propane line, you may have to swap out a fitting near the trailer from straight to right angle. My friend with an older HW29 had to do that.

-Eric

[mnoland30]

If you use a heater, one battery will run out of power very quickly. If you go below 50%, you're hurting your battery. You're much better off with two. It doesn't pay to put a new battery with an old one. It will bring the new one down to the old ones level. I have two 6v golf cart batteries wired in series to make 12 volts. That gives much better life. For summer boondocking, add a 100 watt solar panel with a charge controler, and you'll do well if the sun shines. We get by fine in the SW with 200 watts.

As for mounting, It looks like it would be easy enough to add some lift to go over the cable. On mine, I used some redwood to make my battery box level.

I've never understood why trailers woud come with two propane tanks and only one battery. I've never run out of propane on a trip.

[5picker]

Judging by the size of the tray for the 1st battery, it sure seems as though (with the possibility of relocating the wiring and the propane line) that a second battery would fit with no interference to the winch cable whatsoever.

[Campworthy]

Thank you everyone for the replies. There are some great suggestions and idea's, plenty for me to think about. I think I might go for the double G24 option as that might be the easiest for me to do.

Thanks again, you guys are great!

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by Campworthy

Thank you everyone for the replies. There are some great suggestions and idea's, plenty for me to think about. I think I might go for the double G24 option as that might be the easiest for me to do.

Thanks again, you guys are great!

If it's an option, a pair of GC2s will fit in the same space and provide much more power.

GC2s will weigh more, if tongue weight is a concern.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

If it's an option, a pair of GC2s will fit in the same space and provide much more power.

GC2s will weigh more, if tongue weight is a concern.

x2!