Battery box and battery location(s)

[ehodg66]

This is a multi-question post so bare with me.

1. I would like to add a battery box on the tongue of my 72. The 2 pics attached show a custom one on top of the tonque and a factory one that hangs under. I think the "ON" tongue would easier to do but then the question of the trailer plug comes in to play.(attached pic of trailer plug)

2. Where is the trailer plug on the newer trailers?

3. Since my shell is off and I'm rewiring anyway, would it be easy to move the trailer plug? or advisable?

4. Lastly (I think), I ultimately would like to upgrade to (4) batteries and solar(600 watt). The general concensus of the forum seems to be that (4) batteries on the tongue are too much weight. I've attached a floorplan of my proposed layout. I plan on putting the inverter, etc.. under the front seating area. I also understand the closer the batteries are to the inverter, the better. So, any suggestion from the forum for additional (2) battery locations, would be great.

cheers

[kscherzi]

What do you mean by trailer plug? Do you mean the shore power outlet. On my 2013 trailer there's two. One in the normal street side location roughly midway and a second at the front of the trailer.

Four batteries is a lot of weight. I have 600 watts of solar and find it charges my two group 24 batteries in just a few hours of sunlight, so I start every evening with a 100% full battery. Over a normal evening, say watching a movie on TV, listening to music, running the heater a little in the morning, my batteries are in mid 70% by time the sun is on them the next day. Suggest looking at a pair of 6V golf cart batteries instead. Equal to about 2 1/2 regular Group 24 batteries in Amp Hour capacity. Two golf cart batteries can fit in a box under the a-frame.

[Aage]

Have you put together the numbers so that you can see if it's feasible? Weight of the batteries, the extra mounting construct weight, the impact (in lbs) on your tongue. Oh, and the inverter needs to be calculated in as well, if it's going on the tongue.

If you put the batteries inside the TT, don't forget you need to isolate them from the interior air and have free and open venting to the outdoors...

[ehodg66]

By trailer plug, I mean the connector from tow vehicle to trailer that controls brake lights, etc.
I have done no calcs yet. I thought I could at least install 2 batteries on the tongue w/o an issue.
I'm aware batteries inside the trailer would have to be vented outside, just wasn't sure the best location for them if I was to do so. Midship? Aft?
I've done small electrical jobs but I'm learning as I go on this one.
I'm still a ways away from interior electrical installation , I'm just trying to be proactive to have a plan for equipment location.

[kscherzi]

My 2013 trailer plug cable is attached by some clamps to the a-frame with a lot of slack to allow it to hook to the tow vehicle. It then travels under the Airstream to a panel inside the trailer. Not unlike a extension cord.