Speaking of Battery Locations....

[Pam Garlow]

My UHaul's battery is underneath the back seat, in a battery box that is vented to the outside with a small tube running through the shell and affixed to the outside with a metal ring. The battery box cover latches down tightly with clamps at each side.
Should I be checking this box for any safety problems? Is it suppose to have any sort of gasket between the top and bottom?

[Francesca Knowles]

It seems to me that if the box has ever had a seal, there's be signs/residue left behind.
Since you say it latches down tightly and is vented to the outside, it's probably fine. But for your own peace of mind you could probably easily make a sort of "gasket" using a piece of stick-on weatherstrip of appropriate size.

I'm hypercautious about such things, and that's what I'd probably do if I had to carry my battery inside.

Francesca

[Jim Bennett]

You should be fine, Pam. My dual 6V batteries are under my dinette seat, in a box vented outside. It is a close fitting lid, but not an airtight seal. There is not much gassing from a battery, and the worst thing is having it confined in one space. As long as there is a vent direct to outside, and a relatively good seal, you should be fine.

[Thomas G.]

Pam, there was originally a closed cell foam liner in the inside of the battery box top that served as a gasket. If it is missing, buy a new piece about 1/4" thick.

Free shipping at Zoro tools today.

[cpaharley2008]

next battery replacement, get an AGM and not worry about it again.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

next battery replacement, get an AGM and not worry about it again.

Yea, but price out an AGM battery vs a piece of foam rubber first.

[Jim Bennett]

I should double check my battery box, I don't remember a gasket there, but there could be one.

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I should double check my battery box, I don't remember a gasket there, but there could be one.

Does Escape put their batteries inside the trailer, too?

Francesca

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

Does Escape put their batteries inside the trailer, too?

Francesca

Mine is, Francesca. On the 19 they put them in the front passenger side dinette seat, unless you get the optional hitch storage box, and then they put them there (unless otherwise requested).

I think on the smaller ones they are mostly outside. I find access to the front of the dinette seats awkward anyway, and really like them there. The other seat houses my BBQ and a few other things.

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Mine is, Francesca. On the 19 they put them in the front passenger side dinette seat, unless you get the optional hitch storage box, and then they put them there (unless otherwise requested).

I think on the smaller ones they are mostly outside. I find access to the front of the dinette seats awkward anyway, and really like them there. The other seat houses my BBQ and a few other things.

Interesting!

I've thought about putting the battery in a similar dead-space location in my '78 Trillium 4500, which is I think your unit's "Grandma", so to speak.

Does Escape sell as an add-on whatever (outside-vented?) box setup that yours has?

Francesca

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

Interesting!

I've thought about putting the battery in a similar dead-space location in my '78 Trillium 4500, which is I think your unit's "Grandma", so to speak.

Does Escape sell as an add-on whatever (outside-vented?) box setup that yours has?

Francesca

Yep, the Escape started its life as an altered Trillium.

I have not seen that Escape sells these battery boxes. It was just part of the base price on our unit.

[Thomas G.]

Here are a couple. Expensive compared to one vented to open air.


Battery Boxes Vented for Sale - PPL Motor Homes

RV Direct Online Store

[Raz]

I'm with Jim, buy the AGM.

[Jim Bennett]

The one I have looks something like this, has a vent tube attached, and two straps to hold it closed.