quiglenj
Advanced Member
RV LIFE Pro
The road between Sedona and Las Vegas did this tray in. Right after I bought this trailer, our first and only, I replaced the dealer provided 12v auto battery with 2 T-105's, 6V GV lead acid batteries, very freaking heavy (yes, admittedly a very quick decision and that never got revisited). I loaded them into a Camco double box which fit nicely into the 2 angles welded to the frame. I don't know if this is Lippert or a Grand Design accessory, but it isn't very heavy construction. After 4 years and more than 35k miles one of the straps finally let go. Luckily the plastic battery box just rotated backwards and rested against the lower part of the trailer front cap. No damage to the cap or batteries, not even a acid loss.
The first picture is from below looking back. The near, front strap, is still attached. There is only on weld on these straps, the vertical part of the angle was not welded to the frame, so essentially a flat strap across the tongue, allowing some bending to possibly fatigue the angle. The weld was also very big and may have contributed to the strap cracking.
I was able to contact a mobile welder who came out with new angle iron and custom welded a new tray. Converting to LiFePo may have eliminated this failure, but..... Nice to have this behind me and happening in a big city was helpful as I had to call several mobile mechanics to find someone that could mobilize quickly.
The 2nd pic shows the failed strap from the top after battery box was removed, the 3rd is one of the intact straps and the 4th is a comparison of what I had and what the welder brought out for replacement. Pretty sure its 1/4" extruded angle where the original appeared to be bent sheet metal.
So for those that just went ahead and loaded this tray with 2 6V batteries be aware.
Still trying to make the argument for the Lithium, but the wife is still eyeballing the charge notification on here phone.
The first picture is from below looking back. The near, front strap, is still attached. There is only on weld on these straps, the vertical part of the angle was not welded to the frame, so essentially a flat strap across the tongue, allowing some bending to possibly fatigue the angle. The weld was also very big and may have contributed to the strap cracking.
I was able to contact a mobile welder who came out with new angle iron and custom welded a new tray. Converting to LiFePo may have eliminated this failure, but..... Nice to have this behind me and happening in a big city was helpful as I had to call several mobile mechanics to find someone that could mobilize quickly.
The 2nd pic shows the failed strap from the top after battery box was removed, the 3rd is one of the intact straps and the 4th is a comparison of what I had and what the welder brought out for replacement. Pretty sure its 1/4" extruded angle where the original appeared to be bent sheet metal.
So for those that just went ahead and loaded this tray with 2 6V batteries be aware.
Still trying to make the argument for the Lithium, but the wife is still eyeballing the charge notification on here phone.
