front storage box issue and question

[Mike G]

Put it under the "strange things happen" category. I got back from a short trip, went to open the front cargo box, and the lid bumped against the trailer body. Huh. Never did that before. I quickly discerned the reason: the box was no longer secured into position! Looking underneath, I found that one of the four threaded rods holding the box down had sheared off. Easy to fix, but go figure.

It reminds me, though. I wanted to ask about the cargo box carrying capacity. On the inside of the lid it says 100 lb max, and I assumed it meant only 100 lb can be on top of the lid. But maybe it means there's a 100 lb limit for the box's contents? If so, the two 6V batteries pretty much take up the entire weight capacity, rendering the storage box otherwise useless; that can't be right, can it?

 

[dfandrews]

That's an interesting observation, Mike. I had to go look at the box on our E17. It also says 100 lb. max., but E17 batteries are on the back bumper.
My guess is that the 100 lb. number was and is to avoid litigation.

 

[Selkirk]

That's an interesting observation, Mike. I had to go look at the box on our E17. It also says 100 lb. max., but E17 batteries are on the back bumper.
My guess is that the 100 lb. number was and is to avoid litigation.

ETI changed the battery location in the E19 just before my trailer entered production in spring 2023.

The E19 storage boxes featured in the various ETI YouTube videos published circa 2021-2022 , when the batteries were still installed inside the box, all had a 50lb weight limit label affixed. That seemed to be regardless of the battery option selected.

The storage box on my trailer, with the batteries installed under the dinette bench, features a 100lb weight limit label.

 

[salmo7000]

This question is one of the main reasons I opted not to get the front storage box on my 19. If it can only take 100 lbs, and you have dual 6-volt lead acid batteries up front, it didn't seem like I could put much of anything in it. Why spend the money on that option when I would have to worry about the total weight of the stuff I put in it?? So I didn't...

That said, I have often thought I should have gotten it, as just about everyone who has one says they couldn't live without it. But honestly, I do fine storing the things I would have put in it up front under my dinette bench. I do have the outside hatch though, which makes that pretty easy.

 

[brroberts]

I queued ETI on the 50lbs when I got my 21 E19 with dual 6V in the box. It is that they don’t want the fiberglass damaged by weight going down the road. So I am pretending to read that as don’t point load either end of the box outside the frame with more than 50lbs.

One side has levelers and a spare electrical cord so it may be 30lbs. The other is spare sewer stuff which is plastic and air, so fairly light. With some other odds and ends, I’m sure I’m over 50lbs, but I’ve had no problems - yet.

 

[ColoradoSwany]

Our 2017 E19 storage box also says 100# limit. We have the original dual six volt batteries, which I believe Interstate says weigh in at 62# apiece. (Took them out for the first winters storage. I think they feel more like 90# each!) Anyway, I’ve always assumed it’s 100# PLUS the batteries and we have had no issues, although a small, I think 5# propane tank and a mostly plastic Black & Decker air compressor, plus Andersen levelers are the heaviest items in the box when we travel. I do store our E2 hitch and bars in there, but only when camped.

 

[brroberts]

I’ve often wondered why the box went from 100lbs to 50lbs. I’ve never gotten an answer to that one.

 

[Mike G]

Thanks, everyone. It sounds like maybe ETI has no science behind their choice of warning stickers, and just picked a CYA number.


Besides the batteries, I keep mostly light weight stuff in there, like 2 white water hoses and my aluminum hookup-guide sticks, but the wheel chocks and blocks might add up to 15 lb. However, just on this last trip I had added the removable 30A electric cord on the side where the rod broke, so I think I'll return to my previous habit of stowing it under the bed through the outer hatch.