One of the most overlooked parts in a trailer is its tongue. Take a look at the number of vans in your area, and you will see different designs and materials used for the containers.
However, the tongue has more important things to do than just being a part of the trailer, which is attached to it. The tongue is the one that keeps the balance in a container when it tows and assists in keeping the weight on its tow hitch. The tongue keeps the trailer stable and running well.
What is a battery box for trailer tongue? The battery is the source of power for your vehicle. It needs a battery box to protect it. The use of the battery box in a trailer tongue is to give protection to the vehicle’s battery, which is the ultimate source of the vehicle’s power and energy.
How Does A Battery Box Help?
First of all, I would like to define what a battery box is? A battery box is simply a casing which is lightweight and made from materials that are strong and durable. Aluminum and polypropylene are usually used as a material for a battery box.
It is specifically designed to provide insulation to the battery from gas, water, and substances that might slip out of the chamber of the engine.
When gas and water slips out of the chamber, it may endanger and put the soundness of battery in great compromise. The battery box ensures that liquid and gases will not escape from it. This battery box will also hinder the liquid from getting into the battery.
Now, I am going to talk about how a battery box helps? The trailer tongue is that metal that connects your tow vehicle in a safe distance. The trailer tongue also gives the trailer balance and stability while towing.
Car and marine battery boxes help to maximize the life of your Battery. The battery box acts as a protective seal whenever you left the battery outside or when it rains. It serves as the protective seal, which also protects it against light, rain, oil, and gasoline.
What Is The Advantage Of Having A Battery Box In The Trailer Tongue?
Apart from what I have mentioned above, placing your battery box in your trailer tongue works in many advantageous ways. Here are some of the reasons why you should put it in your trailer tongue.
Advantages:
● Ventilation is not a problem since the trailer tongue is an open space.
● It is a space economy.
● It can be charged with a solar charger.
● It is easily accessible for service.
● It can be easily removed from prolonged storage.
● It is not a gas hazard.
How To Attach A Battery Box To Your Trailer
Attaching the battery box to your trailer tongue is relatively easy to follow these simple steps and you are done.
Steps to follow below:
1. Drill holes into the battery box using the correct spacing.
2. Thread a rod with the right length.
3. Bolt the flat bar with the two proper hole spacing under the frame. (Remember, there should be no holes in the trailer frame).
4. To avoid stealing and unbolting, you may slightly damage your threads outside after bolting on. If someone tries to unbolt it, the bolt inside will spin and will not get anywhere. The thief would have to cut it out or get the entire trailer. Your battery box will have drain holes ready.
As simple as that, your battery box is already attached to your trailer tongue!
Can You Create Your Own RV Battery’s Box? [DIY Tips]
Of Couse we do, we can create our RV battery box. There are plenty of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) videos you can watch online that will teach you how to make your customized battery box. I can provide you a sample of a DIY battery box made of plywood.
Battery’s Box Design
Our DIY battery box will house the two VMX 155 deep cycled batteries. The length of these batteries is about 13 1/2 inches in diameter and 6 3/4 wide and with a height of 11 1/2 inches.
These batteries are to be side by side with one another. The area inside the battery box had to around 14 inches by 14 inches square. There should also be a lot of headroom for the battery’s terminals.
The battery box is supposed to be higher in the backside rather than the front. The battery box was angled upwards to make it easy to open its lid and for easy access of the battery’s box once mounted under a bed frame.
The headroom is to give ventilation in case the batteries released hydrogen gas. The ventilation holes will help release the gas. The plastic line in the box will contain the acid of the battery in case there is a spill.
Battery Box Construction
In the construction of our battery box, we will need the following tools and materials. I have listed here the names of the elements that we will need to construct the battery box.
Materials used for building a battery box:
● Birch Plywood
● Furring Strips
● Plastic Sheeting
● Angle Brackets
● Pocket Hole Screws
● Pocket Hole Screws
● GRK Cabinet Screws
● GRK Trim Head Screws
● Spade Drill Bit or Hole Saw
● Self-Tapping Screws
● Piano Hinge
● Safety Hasp
● Gorilla Tape
● 3M High Strength 90 Spray Adhesive
● Titebond II Wood Glue
● Tie Down Straps
● Light Duty D-Ring
● Jig Pocket Hole Kit
● Drill
● Carpenter’s Square
● Jigsaw
Here Is The Step By Step Procedures In Building Your DIY Battery Box
Step 1: The plywood should be measured and cut into pieces. Using a jigsaw, we should cut all the pieces of plywood using the jigsaw angled parts. We can draw the exact measurements on the part of plywood by using the square..
Step 2: You must drill holes for the pocket. You will attach all the boxes side by using the pocket holes. Just in case you are unfamiliar with the joinery of the pocket hole. It becomes a challenge when you build things from wood.
Step 3: You must screw the box together. Once you are done drilling the hole pocket, you may now screw the plate together by using the 1-inch screw pocket holes. The clamp right angle will help you keep everything lined up and stay in place while you do the screws.
Step 4: The 1 x 3s should be cut to be used as a spacer. You have designed your battery box to have a wiggle space to have free air circulation. We have to find a mehtod to keep the batteries intact in the Box. A spacer is needed. We can make a spacer through 1×3 strips arranged in a box and connected by the use of holes and 1 1/4 screws. By then, the spacer should perfectly fit right in the bottom of your battery box.
Step 5: Spacer should be installed. If the spacer is already set in place in the battery box, we should be permanently attaching it by using 1-inch GRK screws which are driven inside going to the outside.
Step 6: Make sure that the batteries fit. Fitting the batteries will prove that you didn’t screw up any of your measurements.
Step 7: You must drill the holes for ventilation and wiring. For the holes of ventilation and wiring, drill several holes in front, sides, and back of the battery box by using a 1 1/2 drill bit. The battery front will have four holes with a few inches apart to allow the air to circulate. Holes were drilled on top to allow the hydrogen gas to escape. Holes halfway down were also drilled on the left side for the electrical wirings.
Step 8: You have to attach the anchor points for the ratchet straps. The two ring anchors in the battery box will allow us to strap the batteries down. If you want to install them, we need a 1/4 inch plywood to be our spacer, wood glue and 3/4 inch screws that are self-tapping.
Step 9: Plastic sheet layering inside the box. The next thing that you have to do is to layer the box with plastic. This plastic layering is to safe keep the battery against nature’s catastrophe and acid leaks. The acid of the cell will eat out the wood, but the plastic layer will prevent it from happening. You have to glue the plastic sheet inside your battery box. Use four layers of plastic for full protection.
Step 10: Your lid, hinges and the latch must be installed. You have to screw and glue the nail strip in the flat section on top of the battery box. You have to use your 1 1/4 inches GRK hed screws and Titebond wood glue.
Step 11: The battery box is now ready to be mounted in the van. Position the box where you want to place it. Then screw it into the laminated flooring directly. Use the 1 1/2 inches angle brackets and the 3/4 inches tapping screws. Your battery box is now safe and secured.
Step 12: Tie down straps should secure the battery inside the box. At last, your battery box is now ready to use. Placed the battery in and you have to strap them down. You are now ready to hook your electrical wiring system.
Presto! Your battery box is done and ready to use. It is just a simple battery box made out of plywood.
My Best Pick Battery Tray For Your Trailer From Amazon
If you are looking for the best battery tray for your trailer, here is my best pick. I based this from Amazon.com, the best online shop in the world.
I gathered the top reviews, and this one hailed the most number of positive comments and reviews. Find out the best battery tray for your trailer here at Amazon.com
NOCO Black HM318BKS Group 24-31 Snap-Top Box
This battery box, NOCO BLACK G24-31 Top Box is a heavy duty box. It is suitable for automotive, RV, and marine battery. It is created for rugged environments. It has an impact on resistance against all kinds of extreme weather condition.
It can limit the movement of the battery, and it can protect it against the battery terminal shortage. It can also collect acid from the battery and gives ample ventilation.
Pros:
● It is a heavy-duty battery box.
● It is a battery box for automotive, marine and RV batteries.
● It can withstand all weather conditions.
● It can limit the Battery’s movement.
● It is certified and tested to pass the standards of US Coast Guard federal regulations.
Cons:
● No known negative issues.
Product Specification:
Brand: NOCO
Model: G24-31 Top Box
Item Weight: 3 lbs.
Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 10 x 10.5 inches
You know how important the battery box for trailer tongue if you care enough for your batteries. Battery box keeps your batteries safe and sound from all the dangers of nature and of man. Securing your battery is your way of showing you know how to maintain your cells well.
