I'd like to save weight anywhere I can since I have a small tow vehicle (Toytota Rav/4). If get rid of that big o'l box of lead 'n' acid, I can save 50 or 60 pounds off the weight of my tear.
I can install an effecient flourescent overhead light in the cabin along with some LED reading lights. I have a nifty butane backpacking lantern that would be perfect for lighting the galley. I can use use iPod type device and some AA battery powered portable speakers instead of a car stereo for the trailer's entertainment system.
Based on our tent camping patterns, I don't believe we'll use the interior cabin lights very much. We'll probably only run them a few minutes each evening as we get ready for bed.
I understand the difference between automotive starting batteries and deep cycle batteries. Specifically, If I repeatedly draw down my car's battery, I'll kill it. However, my tow vehicle is equipped with a remote starter (something I really appreciate this time of year). I could always start my tow from inside the trailer to run the alternator for a while if we need to run the cabin lights for an extended period of time.
Since my primary objective here is weight reduction, not necessarily cost savings, I'd consider installing a dual-purpose marine type battery in my tow vehicle if necessary.
The other idea I'm considering is to use a smaller, lighter sealed lead-acid UPS battery instead of the deep cycle battery.
Is there anything I haven't considered here? Any thought or ideas would be welcome.