RSD559
Northern Utah
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Joined: 07/09/2003
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This was my project for Saturday. Got the box from Harbor Freight for Father's day. It's made for their little ute trailers, so modifications were needed. First, I needed new u-bolts. They were only 4" long. Tractor Supply has 2 x 5s. I also needed a new lock mechanism. The original is blocked by the propane tank. Got the hasp at a local hardware store, and the cool lock that doesn't bounce from Harbor Freight. And, I got some large self-tapping screws and fender washers. Drilled new holes for the u-bolts, and two large 5/8 holes for the battery wires. Yes, they have grommets in them. For good measure, I put the screws and washers to anchor the back of the box to the a-frame. I used some strap brackets, again from Tractor Supply, to hold the battery box in place. It locks up the battery, and has room for all of my set-up and emergency gear. Note: the two goopy screws are where the propane regulator was mounted. Haven't figured what to do with them yet.
![[image]](http://i.imgur.com/3zUk2EZl.jpg)
![[image]](http://i.imgur.com/nvhGTmsl.jpg)
2020 Torque T314 Toy Hauler Travel Trailer- 38' tip to tip.
2015 F-350 6.7L Diesel, SRW.
2021 Can Am Defender 6 seater. Barely fits in the toy hauler!
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danimal53
Chicago, IL
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Joined: 05/06/2015
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RSD559 wrote:This was my project for Saturday. Got the box from Harbor Freight for Father's day. It's made for their little ute trailers, so modifications were needed. First, I needed new u-bolts. They were only 4" long. Tractor Supply has 2 x 5s. I also needed a new lock mechanism. The original is blocked by the propane tank. Got the hasp at a local hardware store, and the cool lock that doesn't bounce from Harbor Freight. And, I got some large self-tapping screws and fender washers. Drilled new holes for the u-bolts, and two large 5/8 holes for the battery wires. Yes, they have grommets in them. For good measure, I put the screws and washers to anchor the back of the box to the a-frame. I used some strap brackets, again from Tractor Supply, to hold the battery box in place. It locks up the battery, and has room for all of my set-up and emergency gear. Note: the two goopy screws are where the propane regulator was mounted. Haven't figured what to do with them yet.
looks like a really nicely done mod! Very pro looking.
my only question: doesn't the battery need venting? my understanding is the battery gives off a faint amount of gas/vapor (i'm no chemist, but something potentially bad) that's why battery boxes have small vents in them. not sure how serious, but wouldn't want your mod/tt/tv to explode or something.
2010 Jeep Liberty Sport 4x4
2016 Coachman Clipper 17BH
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RSD559
Northern Utah
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It has a little ventilation, but your're probably right. I'll put a couple of small vents in the back. I'll just have to find some that will keep water drips out, and spiders out. 'Specially the spiders!
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4x4FF
IL
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RSD559 wrote:It has a little ventilation, but your're probably right. I'll put a couple of small vents in the back. I'll just have to find some that will keep water drips out, and spiders out. 'Specially the spiders!
How about something like those little circular soffit vents? Some are screened and louvered. Just drill a hole in the box with a circular saw and good to go.
Steve
'07 39' Pilgrim Open Road 5th Wheel
'18 F350 Platinum 6.7 Powerstroke
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chr$
Arizona
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Joined: 02/14/2013
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I have the same box. I cut a 3" hole in the back on each side and put louvered panels over them, like soffit vents but sturdier. I bolted a 3" dia pipe to the back to store my hitch bars...
My rig has a curved front, so the pipe takes up space normally wasted.
The Box. I welded Hasps to each side.
![[image]](http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6317/medium/IMG_0872.jpg)
Mounting Bolts
![[image]](http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6317/medium/IMG_0868.JPG)
Wing nuts inside the box on the bolts to make it easily removable so I can get to the brake system battery.
![[image]](http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6317/medium/IMG_0869.jpg)
Mounted. The cable is for the LPG tanks.
![[image]](http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6317/medium/IMG_0876.jpg)
How the batteries will go in. I chose to leave them in the boxes for extra insulation. There is a 2x4 frame that just sits in the bottom to hold them in place.
![[image]](http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6317/battery1.JPG)
* This post was
edited 06/30/15 05:57pm by chr$ *
-CHR$
1996 Safari Sahara Edition 35' Diesel Pusher. Just getting the Solar stuff started.
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Bigbird65
Arlington Texas
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Where I store my TT in my back yard I have to go through the fence which had a solid 6" clearance on each side of the trailer. Not being really good at backing this was always very uncomfortable to do. I decided to widen the gate by 2' and here is how I did it.
I first removed the panel to the right of the right gate and concreted in a new steel post. I bolted the panel to the new post. The next job was to splice the gate with angle iron where the old hinges were. After splicing, I moved the hinges to the new location. I used a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade to cut off the old steel post. The last job was to cut the 3 fence horizontal rails at the new hinge line. I put a blade in my jigsaw that was long enough to cut the rails but not to long to hit the hinges.
This seems pretty simple but it took 2 days with letting the concrete cure. The result was well worth it.
![[image]](http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w368/BigBird651/2014%20Minnie%20Winnie%20RV/IMG_5694_zps6x2y512x.jpg)
![[image]](http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w368/BigBird651/2014%20Minnie%20Winnie%20RV/IMG_5695_zpsk1c1tw9b.jpg)
2017 RAM 1500 Quad Cab 5.7L Hemi, 8 speed 3.21
2018 Winnebago Minnie 2250DS
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Sondy132001
Mission Viejo, CA
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Brilliant ^^^^ and good job !
S
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RSD559
Northern Utah
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chr$, is that for the old VB function to represent a character by it's character code, or are your initials chr and you're rich?
Anyway, thanks for the pictures. I'm going to use the 3" pipe idea, and the vents as well. My trailer came with one 27 size battery, so I can't double it up in the box. And, mine is not designed to remove easily. I have nothing except the battery brackets under it. Where did you get the little vents? Thanks again.
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chr$
Arizona
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RSD559 wrote:chr$, is that for the old VB function to represent a character by it's character code, or are your initials chr and you're rich?
Anyway, thanks for the pictures. I'm going to use the 3" pipe idea, and the vents as well. My trailer came with one 27 size battery, so I can't double it up in the box. And, mine is not designed to remove easily. I have nothing except the battery brackets under it. Where did you get the little vents? Thanks again.
Far from rich. You are probably the only person in 10+ years who figured it out.
I used to sign CHR$(67) which is AASCII for the letter "C"
The little vents actually came off of a crate that a piece of machinery came in from Germany. They are sheetmetal squares with three louvers punched in them. I think a custom hot rod shop might be able to make them on a piece of sheetmetal for you pretty cheap. Also, Hoffman industrial enclosures makes one that is similar, and I think Mc Master Carr carries Hoffman.
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RSD559
Northern Utah
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The chr$ jumped out at me. I've been a programmer for over 35 years. From COBOL and C to VB 6.0, and now the ASP.Net stuff we're using. Only for a few more years, though.
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