Why not use the trunk instead of the front storage box?

[Loren & Cathy]

I had the trailer in storage a year ago for five months with no charger on it and when I took it out, the batteries were almost at full charge. I am getting it out a week from today so I will see what this year holds. It has sat for another 5 months. Loren

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Ljswany

Thanks for your replies. About the battery issue... We store the camper in a lot with no electricity so we couldn't charge the battery while in storage. It is our understanding that we need to keep it on the trickle charger when not camping, so hubby currently has to lift it off the camper to hook it up at home. Do we not need to do this during camping season to maintain our battery charge? That would be lovely! The battery is very heavy and awkward to move. We certainly would want to put it on the charger in off-season. This battery thing is really complicating the box thing for us! So many "things" to think about!

Sounds like unnecessary effort to always remove the battery. Either disconnect it or I wonder if anyone has had luck with a small solar trickle charger like this. Obviously panel would need to be in adequate sun.

Maintainer 10 Trickle Charger | | Goal Zero

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Ljswany

Thanks for your replies. About the battery issue... We store the camper in a lot with no electricity so we couldn't charge the battery while in storage. It is our understanding that we need to keep it on the trickle charger when not camping, so hubby currently has to lift it off the camper to hook it up at home. Do we not need to do this during camping season to maintain our battery charge? That would be lovely! The battery is very heavy and awkward to move. We certainly would want to put it on the charger in off-season. This battery thing is really complicating the box thing for us! So many "things" to think about!

Most important make sure Escape installs a battery cut off switch for you . Then you just flip the switch and their is no parasite drains to your battery or batteries . Not sure if all trailers come with the switch . Pat

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Even if you keep it in a storage lot with no power, you likely have fully charged the battery while towing it home.
Just flip the battery disconnect switch and you should be good to go weeks later.
I'm not speaking from experience, but that's my understanding.

I store my trailer in covered storage with no electricity (with the battery disconnect employed). The longest I've gone between camping trips is 23 weeks and the battery was still at 13.2 volts.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Sounds like unnecessary effort to always remove the battery. Either disconnect it or I wonder if anyone has had luck with a small solar trickle charger like this. Obviously panel would need to be in adequate sun.

Maintainer 10 Trickle Charger | | Goal Zero

Absolutely, I left my boat in various boatyards in the Med. with two large batteries kept charged for up to a year at a time. The solar panel was small by today's standards, only abut 5 watts. The first year I was afraid that it'd overcharge so I hedged my bets by putting 2 on the panel and 1 not. When I returned the one not charged was toast. The output was so low that I didn't even use a controller, just a diode to prevent discharge at night.

So much easier to put a very small panel on the battery than lug it out to charge it.

Ron

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Absolutely, I left my boat in various boatyards in the Med. with two large batteries kept charged for up to a year at a time. The solar panel was small by today's standards, only abut 5 watts. The first year I was afraid that it'd overcharge so I hedged my bets by putting 2 on the panel and 1 not. When I returned the one not charged was toast. The output was so low that I didn't even use a controller, just a diode to prevent discharge at night.

So much easier to put a very small panel on the battery than lug it out to charge it.

Ron

Good to know. I linked to the GoalZero because it has an integral controller which I believe is not very common on these small, low wattage solar trickle chargers. Here is another one that looks promising.

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender.../dp/B004Q83TGO

[Dave Walter]

I have not manually charged the batteries on my 19' since we purchased it in 2013 and have rarely plugged it into AC. The solar seems to manage well enough for my purposes in keeping the twin 6V batteries charged.

[David H]

Originally Posted by ice-breaker

I have not manually charged the batteries on my 19' since we purchased it in 2013 and have rarely plugged it into AC. The solar seems to manage well enough for my purposes in keeping the twin 6V batteries charged.

Likewise, and we do not get near the sunshine that you do. Mine is parked in an open air storage lot and the 95 watt solar panel always keeps my two 6V batteries fully charged. Just make sure I check the electrolyte levels every month or so when I empty the Dry-Z-Air containers.

[tractors1]

If you have a solar panel you should be fine while in uplugged storage. Ours does well in gray & rainy Oregon.

[Ljswany]

We have a portable solar power system, but we would NOT leave it sitting out to charge the battery while the camper sat in the storage lot. Not an option for us! But, it sounds like the consensus here is that we don't need to remove the battery after every outing to put it on the trickle charger. If that's the case, then digging the battery out of the box at the end of our camping season probably wouldn't be a deal-breaker for us. The battery could be cared for and protected in our garage during the cold winter months. Sometimes we do things just because that's the way we've always done it and it's not necessarily the CORRECT way.

[BCnomad]

Back to the OP,




First weeks with the newly installed box and it is amazing. Chocks, blocks, tool boxes, and water jugs all go in. Currently my water hose and my sewer hose attachment tubs still reside in the truck bed. No more reaching over/stretching for something that is in the middle of the bed.

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by BCnomad

(snip) No more reaching over/stretching for something that is in the middle of the bed.

This device will also help in not reaching for stuff. It's great! I've used it to pull 2 heavy containers of coasters towards me (each weighs over 20#) without any problems, among other items. I use it in the Tundra.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I do have the front storage bin and love it too!

[cpaharley2008]

I just put a nail in a broken broom handle, it works also.

[Red Dog]

I never thought twice about the storage box and love it. I use the rear receiver for the bike rack + 2 bikes.


Fred M.

[Tristan Blake]

The storage box is costly, but now I am wondering if it is made out of fiberglass and not plastic? Can anyone tell us what the storage box is made of?

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Tristan Blake

The storage box is costly, but now I am wondering if it is made out of fiberglass and not plastic? Can anyone tell us what the storage box is made of?

Hi the storage box is made out of fiberglass with like a rhino lining or such added to the front . It is very strong and the added bonus of protecting the front of your trailer . Otherwise you will get some vinyl that snaps on . We also took off our build sheet because of price but when we better understood the value of box , put it back on . It ending up most favorite of any option . You will end up being glad you got it . Pat

[Tristan Blake]

Thank you for your thoughts. Just wondering if the rhino-like lining for the storage box is applied to the exterior of the box? Is there a buckle with a hole to padlock it shut? It must be bolted to the frame? Lots of questions--just trying to justify the price, but I am being persuaded.

[cpaharley2008]

The front storage box is very versatile, it protects the front, it has 2 locking clasps, it is bolted to the frame, it has drain holes to allow any liquid to drain, in fact it could be used as a giant cooler, it keeps your batteries protected in some models, just a general overall practical accessory.

[rubicon327]

The storage box wasn't offered until sometime in 2010. We bought trailer from the first owner with dual 6V batteries on the tongue in that spot. Tried to get a box from ETI but it was not practical. I would definitely get it now as it is a very convenient option. Unless you live close enough to add it later it would be a mistake not to get it in my opinion.

We ended up doing to Stowaway carrier on the rear, moved the batteries inside and put a heat pump condenser where the front storage box would be. So it all worked out

[Viajante]

How large would a storage box have to be before it wouldn't be packed full of stuff?