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Battery on the tongue or in the galley?
Posted:
Wed Jul 24, 2013 6:36 pmby Oregon Brew
I've been building my trailer based on locating the battery in the galley, but I could easily relocate it to the tongue and have a bit more storage in the rear. Thoughts? Preferences?
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Re: Battery on the tongue or in the galley?
Posted:
Wed Jul 24, 2013 6:41 pmby GuitarPhotog
Might be easier to keep dry and properly ventilated in the galley, but might be easier to access and wire in the tongue box. I decided on neither and put mine in a cupboard at the head of the mattress, where I can sit comfortably to wire stuff.
<Chas>
Re: Battery on the tongue or in the galley?
Posted:
Wed Jul 24, 2013 7:34 pmby citylights
Battery is heavy. For me the location of the battery is a matter of balance and tongue weight. When I finish out the kitchen, I will compare tongue weights with battery on tongue or in the kitchen. Best balance with a reasonable tongue weight wins the location.
Re: Battery on the tongue or in the galley?
Posted:
Wed Jul 24, 2013 11:37 pmby Oregon Brew
Tongue weight is light - slightly over 120 pounds. Putting the battery on the tongue, I'd worry about theft. Putting it in the galley, I'd worry about fumes. Don't know if either is even remotely likely.
Re: Battery on the tongue or in the galley?
Posted:
Thu Jul 25, 2013 2:42 amby jonw
On the tongue makes it easier to charge from your tow vehicle when driving...
Re: Battery on the tongue or in the galley?
Posted:
Thu Jul 25, 2013 5:22 amby Shadow Catcher
Our 150AH AGM Battery is in the tongue box and I wish I had room for it in the galley. I would have helped the balance problem. It is more and heaver wire to have it up front.
Re: Battery on the tongue or in the galley?
Posted:
Thu Jul 25, 2013 5:27 amby markhusbands
Mine is going to be in the tongue box. I'm not running kitchen appliances and I have one 85 ah battery for a fan and a few LEDs, so I am not too concerned about the tongue weight. Seems like all the other heavy stuff in the trailer is back behind the wheels, and the galley space in my small trailer is valuable. Guess I'll find out soon...
Re: Battery on the tongue or in the galley?
Posted:
Thu Jul 25, 2013 10:31 amby halfdome, Danny
I don't place my batteries I either spot.
I have 15" wheels and tires so I can do this set up.
The batteries just clamp in with two bolts and an angle bracket.
I make trap doors in the floor for access.
Danny
Bolt In Battery Box
Re: Battery on the tongue or in the galley?
Posted:
Thu Jul 25, 2013 8:24 pmby working on it
Shadow Catcher wrote:Our 150AH AGM Battery is in the tongue box and I wish I had room for it in the galley. I would have helped the balance problem. It is more and heaver wire to have it up front.
Just the opposite for me, I had mine in the "galley" and had to move the Optima to the tongue box to help the balance. And yes, it requires heavier gauge cables (carries current better) to have it up there.
Re: Battery on the tongue or in the galley?
Posted:
Thu Jul 25, 2013 9:07 pmby tony.latham
I've had a Hunter 4x8 with the battery in the galley for the last ten years. I'm currently building a 5x10 and the battery will go in the tongue box (vented). It'll greatly increase my kitchen storage space to make it "go away."
Re: Battery on the tongue or in the galley?
Posted:
Thu Jul 25, 2013 9:57 pmby markhusbands
I don't know if it really matters, but I like the idea of separating the battery and the propane. I have my propane source in the galley, and the battery in the tongue box.
Re: Battery on the tongue or in the galley?
Posted:
Sun Jul 28, 2013 1:42 amby Ron Dickey
I have seen it in both places and it is very heavy. That being said I think it depends more on your tow unit. I pull with a Corolla while Danny pulls with if I remember right a Jeep Cherokee. And I am still working on where to put my battery on my new build.
Hope this helps
Ron
Re: Battery on the tongue or in the galley?
Posted:
Sun Jul 28, 2013 5:56 pmby halfdome, Danny
Ron Dickey wrote:I have seen it in both places and it is very heavy. That being said I think it depends more on your tow unit. I pull with a Corolla while Danny pulls with if I remember right a Jeep Cherokee. And I am still working on where to put my battery on my new build.
Hope this helps
Ron
Ron, I don't understand what difference your tow vehicle has to do with where you locate your teardrop battery.
I think locating it closest to the axle is the best way.
By the way, I tow with a 1999 Chevy Blazer, but it's tired, so I now have a 2006 Chevy Trail Blazer to tow with.
Danny
Re: Battery on the tongue or in the galley?
Posted:
Sun Jul 28, 2013 10:02 pmby Donutboy
halfdome, Danny wrote:Ron Dickey wrote:Ron, I don't understand what difference your tow vehicle has to do with where you locate your teardrop battery.
He probably is referring to the max tongue weight of the tow vehicle. When I started building my trailer, I planned to pull it with a Honda Element, max tongue weight was 150 lbs. My tongue weight was over that, but moving the battery as far back in the trailer as possible would have fixed it. I have a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon now. The tongue weight isn't an issue any more (for THIS build, at least).
Jerry
Re: Battery on the tongue or in the galley?
Posted:
Tue Jul 30, 2013 11:11 amby Jerry Bleeg
I started out with the Battery in the tongue box, and recently relocated it to just in front of the axle. My battery is one of those sealed yellow Optima's. I mounted it on its side for better ground clearance. I really like not having it on the tongue. It gives me more room, and lightens the tongue weight for when I tow with my little car. Why not plan for all three locations, and then mount it last when you figure out the best location for weight distribution.