Exterior storage box

[Legacy Posts]

I was thinking about installing a permanent aluminum box on the front of my trailer to put the propane tank and battery in. It would provide for security and give me someplace to keep a few tools that I don't want to keep inside the trailer. Has anyone done this or know where to get a box that is only about 12 inches deep and tall enough to carry a propane bottle? Thanks for all the help and information.
Mike

[Legacy Posts]

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3da4fe3901cdahonda-box.jpg/>

Do you mean like this?

You can read about it at Generator Box

Also use the search in the upper right corner for Tongue Box.

[Legacy Posts]

Here are a couple of ready made tongue boxes:

Challenger Trailer Utility Box

...or Try these links:

trailer tongue toolbox

another trailer tongue toolbox

[Karen L.]

Originally Posted by Legacy Posts

I was thinking about installing a permanent aluminum box on the front of my trailer to put the propane tank and battery in. It would provide for security and give me someplace to keep a few tools that I don't want to keep inside the trailer. Has anyone done this or know where to get a box that is only about 12 inches deep and tall enough to carry a propane bottle? Thanks for all the help and information.
Mike

I know this is an OLD topic, but I had questions of same nature. I got some rewiring done on Burrito @ the truck shop I always go to & found the coolest black "rubberish" tongue box..$139.00..Went in search of small propane tanks so I could include tank & battery...First place, WalMart, where I met a maintainace man who had owned a fleet of charter boats. He told me that you NEVER want to store battery & propane together, as propane is highly flammable, especially in summer when it expands. A spark from the battery can cause a fireball which is difficult to extinguish, dangerous & deadly. He had taken Fire courses. Neighbor said same thing, so I'm wondering why people are doing it. Can anyone comment? Sounds like a neat way to store, but this guy was convincing re: dangers. Thanks Karen L.

[cpaharley2008]

here is mine, I vented the box and only use the propane in the winter for my Wave III.

[Karen L.]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

here is mine, I vented the box and only use the propane in the winter for my Wave III.

Thanks! Do you carry the propane in the summer at all? I notice you have 2 batteries. Have you ever been concerned re: a fireball from the propane? I see it's not connected. Do you have a hole in the side for the connectors for the propane? I'm still not convinced that it's entirely safe!! karen

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Karen L.

Thanks! Do you carry the propane in the summer at all? I notice you have 2 batteries. Have you ever been concerned re: a fireball from the propane? I see it's not connected. Do you have a hole in the side for the connectors for the propane? I'm still not convinced that it's entirely safe!! karen

Karen,
Take a look around you and see how many RVs there are in the world. Almost all of them have propane on board. If propane wasn't safe that wouldn't be the case. If don't have a picture of the numbers do an image search on Quartzsite, AZ.

[Donna D.]

Propane is heavier than the surrounding air. Put a vent in at the bottom of the box. Put the batteries in battery boxes. These solutions should prevent propane build up and reduce greatly the chance of a battery spark.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Karen L.

Thanks! Do you carry the propane in the summer at all? I notice you have 2 batteries. Have you ever been concerned re: a fireball from the propane? I see it's not connected. Do you have a hole in the side for the connectors for the propane? I'm still not convinced that it's entirely safe!! karen

I have a vent directly underneath the tank, 2 on the sides and 3 on the rear, very little chance of gas accumulating. I also only carry the tank if I'll need heat, in the winter.

[honda03842]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I have a vent directly underneath the tank, 2 on the sides and 3 on the rear, very little chance of gas accumulating. I also only carry the tank if I'll need heat, in the winter.

What do you carry for batteries?

Norm

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by honda03842

What do you carry for batteries?

Norm

2 group 27/ 110 ah each

[Andy B]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Propane is heavier than the surrounding air. Put a vent in at the bottom of the box. Put the batteries in battery boxes. These solutions should prevent propane build up and reduce greatly the chance of a battery spark.

In addition to the propane, batteries give off hydrogen which is lighter than air and can also be ignited with a spark. The hydrogen needs to be vented, so you need a vent at the bottom for propane and another one at the top for hydrogen to be safe. The battery boxes are vented into the box with the propane unless you get a special battery box that vents outside.

[cpaharley2008]

Batteries off gas only while being charged with hydrogen sulfide being expelled. There are 6 vents installed in the box. The only time there is any propane use would be while boon docking and not connected to a/c and there is no battery charging. I guess AGM would be a better choice and I will replace accordingly, but until then the propane is only used in winter with no charging, so off gassing should not be present.

[Karen L.]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Batteries off gas only while being charged with hydrogen sulfide being expelled. There are 6 vents installed in the box. The only time there is any propane use would be while boon docking and not connected to a/c and there is no battery charging. I guess AGM would be a better choice and I will replace accordingly, but until then the propane is only used in winter with no charging, so off gassing should not be present.

What do you mean AGM? I didn't know about hydrogen gas!! The truck shop was all set to install the box, so obviously they weren't aware of a concern. I still like the idea, & have seen so many RVs with boxes on front. I often go to the beach, so I'd like to have the propane as I sometimes cook inside when cold & rainy! I like your & Donna's ideas..lots of vent holes in the bottom, etc...box does not have any, so they'd have to be drilled....Thanks, all...still undecided! I know no danger when both are in open!!

[Karen L.]

I' ve seen how many RVs have both..! like mine but mine is in the open..that's why I began these posts..

[cpaharley2008]

"What do you mean AGM? I didn't know about hydrogen gas!! The truck shop was all set to install the box, so obviously they weren't aware of a concern. I still like the idea, & have seen so many RVs with boxes on front. I often go to the beach, so I'd like to have the propane as I sometimes cook inside when cold & rainy! I like your & Donna's ideas..lots of vent holes in the bottom, etc...box does not have any, so they'd have to be drilled....Thanks, all...still undecided! I know no danger when both are in open!"


AGM are sealed glass mat batteries- like Optima that do not "off gas" while being charged, they have something other than liquid acid, a type of gel acid that allows the battery to be leak proof. A little more expensive- maybe 25% but worth the cost. I'll replace mine with AGM once they need to be replaced.

[honda03842]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

"What do you mean AGM? I didn't know about hydrogen gas!! The truck shop was all set to install the box, so obviously they weren't aware of a concern. I still like the idea, & have seen so many RVs with boxes on front. I often go to the beach, so I'd like to have the propane as I sometimes cook inside when cold & rainy! I like your & Donna's ideas..lots of vent holes in the bottom, etc...box does not have any, so they'd have to be drilled....Thanks, all...still undecided! I know no danger when both are in open!"


AGM are sealed glass mat batteries- like Optima that do not "off gas" while being charged, they have something other than liquid acid, a type of gel acid that allows the battery to be leak proof. A little more expensive- maybe 25% but worth the cost. I'll replace mine with AGM once they need to be replaced.

Jim, are there any life issues with AGM batteries?

Norm

[cpaharley2008]

I think they have a longer life. Harley started using gel batteries in the 90's due to vibration and acid spillage, and they have been known to last close to 10 years. The ice thing with AGM is that they can be stored indoors or enclosed spaces, on their side without danger of leakage or off gassing. They are sealed batteries. Also they will not freeze in the winter and do not need to be removed.

Here is some info
Lifespan of Batteries

The lifespan of a deep cycle battery will vary considerably with how it is used, how it is maintained and charged, temperature, and other factors. In extreme cases, it can vary to extremes - we have seen L-16's killed in less than a year by severe overcharging, and we have a large set of surplus telephone batteries that sees only occasional (5-10 times per year) heavy service that are now over 25 years old. We have seen gelled cells destroyed in one day when overcharged with a large automotive charger. We have seen golf cart batteries destroyed without ever being used in less than a year because they were left sitting in a hot garage without being charged. Even the so-called "dry charged" (where you add acid when you need them) have a shelf life of 18 months at most. They are not totally dry - they are actually filled with acid, the plates formed and charged, then the acid is dumped out.

These are some typical (minimum - maximum) typical expectations for batteries if used in deep cycle service. There are so many variables, such as depth of discharge, maintenance, temperature, how often and how deep cycled, etc. that it is almost impossible to give a fixed number.

Starting: 3-12 months
Marine: 1-6 years
Golf cart: 2-7 years
AGM deep cycle: 4-7 years
Gelled deep cycle: 2-5 years
Deep cycle (L-16 type etc): 4-8 years