Most(ah) Lead Acid Batteries fit on Tongue?

[lifesgdsteve]

Hi All,

Coming to final Solar System design decision time, after tons of research on here and elsewhere and haven't found yet what the max ah you can install on the Outdoors RV tongues, behind the propane tanks?

I know that the 4 6V is very common in a Century Plastics box, and a contender in my system, but what if you want to add more ah than that?

Or are you able to fit 4 larger 6v batteries to get more ah?

Of course one of the other plans is LFP under bed and then using that battery space for an extra propane tank or possibly small 2k generator if either will fit (separate thread).

Thanks,

Steve

[Spdracr39]

I think the biggest consideration is the tongue weight capacity of the tow vehicle and how much room you have to add to it. If you are looking at serious need for AH then consider lithium batteries. You can run them down a lot more than lead acid or agm and they weigh a fraction as much. I don't think it would be that complicated to build a stacking type setup and mount them 4 per level if weight isn't a consideration.

[Blazing zipp]

Weight is the first issue I can think of. At 65 lbs. to 85 lbs per acid battery, that adds up quickly. Then add the stuff in the storage compartment and the numbers go up more. Our 4, 6 volt batterise probably push the limit on tongue weight.

[lifesgdsteve]

Thanks. Tow vehicle is a 2011 Duramax long bed with I believe max tongue weight at 1950.

Yes, weight is a key factor. I like the ability to get capacity by starting with (2) L16 430ah 6v as I think that should be good for me in Sept-Dec in Rockies if I have a generator backup. Just a guess but without one might need (4) to make it through a number of cloudy, snowy days running heater each day and lower at night.

While I should be able to manage for tongue weight within limit it doesn’t mean I’d like to push it.

So was curious how many folks are putting more than 400ah lead acid in tongue area or once get up to that weight is everyone switching to LFP?

Cheers

[Brad Wilf]

I have 4 Rolls gc2 @ 230 ah, 460 ah total with century box. They fit perfectly in the A frame. Haven’t weight since install I was at 1250lbs before, batteries will be another 280ish..


https://www.rollsbattery.com/

[brulaz]

Didn't I read/see here somewhere a 6 GC2 install?
IIRC he had them in a row in a long box mounted on top of the A frame rails.
The problem with batteries bigger than gc2s is that they're harder for us older folks to move about.

Think my truck could handle 6 GC2s but can't imagine any more on the tongue.

[Brad Wilf]

Yes... post #1489 on page 107 in mods section...

[Cappeter]

I have had the 4 gc2 ( 430 amp hr) setup for three years - works great - 50,000 miles to include Alaska trip - my tongue wt varies between 950 and 1050 pending load ( 1000 Lb max equalizer hitch is probably slightly over limit some times but No problems yet)- 480 watts solar is good match - If I needed more would go with solar - to much tongue wt with more than 4 gc2 batts for me.

[Cappeter]

Go with lithium - correction

[T Money]

Lithium....

[fisher99]

I recently switched from two 12v to two 6v batteries. Considered Lithium but wasn't ready to deal with the added cost (including a new solar controller). Think I made a bad decision. I just weighed my truck and trailer for the first time on a truck scale outside of town (not a CAT scale). Disconnected with the tongue jack sitting on the scale. Normal stuff in the pass through storage (full but nothing particularly heavy). Two 30 gallon propane tanks with one full and one half full. Fresh/gray/black tanks empty. 1,500 pounds! I was absolutely blown away. I'm still within my weight limits on the truck, but still, 1,500 pounds!

[Super Thirty]

Originally Posted by fisher99

I recently switched from two 12v to two 6v batteries. Considered Lithium but wasn't ready to deal with the added cost (including a new solar controller). Think I made a bad decision. I just weighed my truck and trailer for the first time on a truck scale outside of town (not a CAT scale). Disconnected with the tongue jack sitting on the scale. Normal stuff in the pass through storage (full but nothing particularly heavy). Two 30 gallon propane tanks with one full and one half full. Fresh/gray/black tanks empty. 1,500 pounds! I was absolutely blown away. I'm still within my weight limits on the truck, but still, 1,500 pounds!

Wow. I knew our ORVs were tongue heavy. I would never have guessed that. Last time I weighed mine I was between 1100 and 1200lbs. I just switched to 2 6v batteries. Haven’t weighed yet mostly because I didn’t think it would change much. Our trailer contents has been very stable the last couple of trips so I wasn’t real concerned. Going to check it the next opportunity I have.

[Vintage465]

I would stop at 4 batteries on the tongue. I think six could be pushing your luck.

[crosscheck]

I have 4 6V GC-2 batteries on the tougue in a Century battery box with total of 450AH plus 480W solar. I have a 2000W inverter which powers high load appliances(hair dryer, toaster, coffee maker, micro and other smaller load AC gadgets) for short periods of time. Have a 2000W genny in the pass through that never gets used and we dry camp 99% of the time. Have room on the roof for at least 1 more 160W panel plus unlimitted amount of portable panels with the out door Zamp plug in port. One thing we don't do too often is run the furnace for long periods of time(we stay home and ski in the winter) which you are planning to do. Might want to look at a cat heater which has no fan. Many have reported good success in colder weather.

If you wanted more AH, you could possible go with 2 6v AGM 's in the pass through as well as the 4 on the tongue. Your largest draw is your furnace and this will be in the fall /winter when sunlight is at a premium. Without a cat heater, increasing AH's, conservation(thicker duvet on bed, lower temps throughout the day/night in the trailer), running genny or all the above are the only ways of extending your camping time.

Dave