Chassis Battery Removal and Installation?

[DavdinOC]

We have a 2016 Palazzo 35.1 and I need to replace the chassis batteries. The previoius owner replaced the coach batteries with AGMs and installed 6 large solar panels so the coach is well equipped for battery power. The chassis batteries are the original Daimler/Alliance group 31 batteries, and are almost 7 years old. I know they weigh about 50 pounds each and are on the shelf that will require an awkward lifting motion to get them out. Any great ideas on an easier way to remove and replace them other than just reacching in and lifting?

[Jim_HiTek]

They make battery lifting straps just for that. Then I'd put a chair or stand around halfway down to the ground to rest it on after you've lifted it out of the tray. Plus, because of the tray, I'd recommend asking a big burly neighbor for help.

When I replaced mine, the Costco tech wasn't allowed to help me lift it out or connect the new ones so I removed them myself wearing gloves. As I removed them one at a time, I put them into the child seat area of the basket he'd transported my two new batts in when he came out to the parking lot (after I bought them). Then he dropped the new ones into the tray for me...he wasn't allowed to reconnect them.

So it was a chore getting them out, but the height of the basket seat meant it was only in the air for a couple seconds. With a friend along, it would have been a breeze.

[DavdinOC]

Thanks for the reply and suggestion. The issue with the Palazzo batteries is the location at about hip-height and in about 18" from the cargo door hatch. I was able to remove and replace the two group 31 batteries using an old plastic milk crate (like we swiped back in the day to use for dirt bike stands) in the hatch as an intermediate step, and had my brother reach over my shoulder to put and extra hand on it. It was actually easier than it sounds.

I'm not sure if I made a wise purchase decision but I got a couple of group 31 batteries from Fleet Pride for about $105 each. They were Continental brand with 950CCA but the kicker was they had a sticker that said "made in Peru." I decided to go with them anyway as Continental is a pretty big name in batteries.