Cool idea for battery and spare tire rack that goes underneath truck!

[magentawave]

I saw this cool battery and spare tire rack that goes underneath a 4 X 4 Toyota motorhome but could probably be adapted for any vehicle. I saw the photos here: http://www.vanspecialties.com/gallery/yota-4x4.html

Has anyone seen anything like this that can be bought off-the-shelf or do you have any ideas for how to get one made for a cheaply as possible?

Thanks!

 

[Revco]

That looks like trouble.

 

[Ozarker]

Yes, trouble my friend, right here in Rivercity, depends on the vehicle, my F-150 has tons of room between the body and bed forward of the rear wheels. Air tank, water storage, water heater, batteries, lots of stuff can go up between the fame members. Will need to fab a racks off the frame as a custom job, most don't squeeze every inch of space out of their vehicles.

 

[DaveNay]

Yes, trouble my friend, right here in Rivercity, depends on the vehicle, my F-150 has tons of room between the body and bed forward of the rear wheels. Air tank, water storage, water heater, batteries, lots of stuff can go up between the fame members. Will need to fab a racks off the frame as a custom job, most don't squeeze every inch of space out of their vehicles.

Yeah, I looked under my F150 and discovered the same thing. After I relocate the spare to the rear or the roof, there will be a substantial amount of room under there. I plan on at least putting dual sealed batteries under there and perhaps a water tank and air compressor.

 

[drifter_r6]

I've been considering doing this. Similar to the F150, on an F350 theres tons of room between the frame rails and truck bed/fenders. Concerns I have are forging bodies of water and submerging the batteries. Also field maintenance with anything tucked under the vehicles.


I considered using the cable hoist system from the spare tire to raise and lower everything, build a frame to mount the batteries/water tank/air tank. Just make sure not to overload the cable.

 

[magentawave]

Please tell me why it looks like trouble?

That looks like trouble.

That is a good idea for using the existing spare tire hoist system and then have a couple brackets in the back to bolt it in place.

Does anyone know what would happen if you submerged the batteries in water? Besides cleaning the posts and terminals, do sealed batteries require maintenance?

I've been considering doing this. Similar to the F150, on an F350 theres tons of room between the frame rails and truck bed/fenders. Concerns I have are forging bodies of water and submerging the batteries. Also field maintenance with anything tucked under the vehicles.

I considered using the cable hoist system from the spare tire to raise and lower everything, build a frame to mount the batteries/water tank/air tank. Just make sure not to overload the cable.

 

[Ozarker]

Nothing happens, not enough power in a maintenance free (sealed) battery to short it submerged, water is a conductor but not that good. Mine in the canoe has gone in the water several times along with the beer usually. A battery can go higher in the fender I'd think above the axel line, doubt it would get that wet for long.

Good idea about the maintenance, the frame/holder needs to drop down easily, thanks!

 

[magentawave]

And what if those batteries were submerged while being hooked up to 500 to 750 watts of solar panels during the day? Still no problem with submersion?

 

[drifter_r6]

Thats my concern, I plan to have the Aux batteries connected to solar panels and the alternator (with isolator and cut-off switch).

 

[magentawave]

I called VanSpecialities.com in Oregon and the guy told me that he couldn't remember much about that rack except that they built it custom and he is pretty sure they had to add another cross member to the frame to attach it to. Oh well, I was hoping to get more information about it.

 

[bat]

That looks like trouble.

I would also put some kind of sleeve over the battery cables attached to the frame.

 

[grandpa]

I have been considering a flush mounted battery box like this> http://www.jfmco.com/shop/electrica...accessories/battery-box-flush-mount?cPath=162

 

[1leglance]

For anyone worried about water let me tell you a story...
When I killed my Sportsmobile my 3 batteries were 2 feet underwater and the rig was stopped dead.

Then I used my Ramsey winch (which was a foot underwater) and winched my rig up out onto dry land.

Everything worked perfectly during and after the event.

No worries at all.

 

[Ozarker]

Don't have solar hooked up when you're going trolling, and aren't your panels fused and on a regulator?

I probably wouldn't run my generator to a battery charger and have it hooked up while going through water either, in case someone thinks of it. But water won't hurt a battery.

 

[Buliwyf]

And what if those batteries were submerged while being hooked up to 500 to 750 watts of solar panels during the day? Still no problem with submersion?

No problem. But I don't recommend parking your truck in deep water like that for long.
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Road Salt is a bigger problem. Seal your battery terminals with Napa 1073 Bat terminal protector. And use a relay to disco the underneath batteries when you stop so that the dirty, salty battery doesn't discharge itself and your main. I only connect my aux battery to my main to charge on rare occasions. Usually I charge off 120v with a 6a Guest Charger.