Idea's wanted
Idea's wanted
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 857
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I'd recommend mounting the battery securely in a battery box on the tongue of the trailer and then properly fused. That way the battery is safely out of the living space of the trailer or the inside of the truck, plus you can disconnect your tow vehicle and still have power at your trailer. I also have mine hooked up to my break-away brake switch.
If you leave it connected to your vehicle, then make sure you have an isolation relay in the circuit to disconnect the trailer battery from your vehicle so that your primary vehicle battery doesn't get discharged.
If you leave it connected to your vehicle, then make sure you have an isolation relay in the circuit to disconnect the trailer battery from your vehicle so that your primary vehicle battery doesn't get discharged.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4
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Hi and thanks Bill J. unfortunately it's not a trailer, the camper slides into the truck bed. Yes I'll be using and isolater so that the camper electric's don't drain the primary battery, can also use the second battery to give boosts in the winter.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2008
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Idea's
Hi Greg, thanks for the welcome, no my camper dos'ent have its own battery, I did a friends F150 into dual batteries, just turned the original from north/south to west /east and made a dual tray from 2 single trays worked well, but in the F250 there's not enough room.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 107
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We have a slide-in pickup camper with 4 group 29 deep cycle batteries. 2 batteries in the camper battery compartment and 2 just ahead of the wheel wells. All of them are hooked together and can be recharged with the trucks battery(truck running) if necessary, although we haven't had the need to do so yet. As stated, be sure to have the battery isolator wired in from truck battery. With this setup, we have camped for a week in remote hunting camps in single digit temps with the furnace blower running 24/7 and using all the lights we want to.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 123
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From: Fayetteville, AR
I did this modification on my 2006 F250 5.4 by fabricating a battery box to fit on the opposite fender wall, because that is where the second battery is located for the diesel models. If you have a gasoline engine you might consider this option.
Also, I cut the 12V wire to the trailer connector and re-routed it to a continuous duty relay for charging the aux. battery. Then I re-connected the 12V trailer connector wire to the aux. That way, I have an isolated aux. battery when the ignition switch is off.
Having the battery in the engine compartment, where it is harder to overlook maintenance issues, was preferable for me.
You could also buy the diesel battery tray and bolt that in, it's just spendier than making your own.
Also, I cut the 12V wire to the trailer connector and re-routed it to a continuous duty relay for charging the aux. battery. Then I re-connected the 12V trailer connector wire to the aux. That way, I have an isolated aux. battery when the ignition switch is off.
Having the battery in the engine compartment, where it is harder to overlook maintenance issues, was preferable for me.
You could also buy the diesel battery tray and bolt that in, it's just spendier than making your own.
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
Also look at Taylor Vertex, they have battery boxes and trays. If you haven't already bought them, you might look at using a solenoid instead of the isolator. The solenoids are under $50 and handle 250 amps+.
If you are using sealed batteries I don't see why you couldn't have them in the camper. If you feel you must isolate them, you can install a dryer vent and seal them up in a box in the camper.
If you are using sealed batteries I don't see why you couldn't have them in the camper. If you feel you must isolate them, you can install a dryer vent and seal them up in a box in the camper.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 12
From: BC Canada
The sealed batteries still emit hydrogen gas when being charged. Get two plastic battery boxes at the RV place and put them in front of the wheel wells in the box. Could probably fit two on one side or 1 on each. Connect with heavy gauge wire, fuses and make sure you are isolated properly from the box. Where does the camper have a battery, it must have a vented box?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,339
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From: NJ