moving the battery?

[Leej]

Is it possible to move the battery to the front on the hitch where the gas bottles are, or is it even advisable?
I would like to remove one gas bottle and have the battery located in the space. I don't camp for extended periods of time usually a week or less so having one gas bottle would not be an issue.
I have the plastic cover, would it still work for this modification?
I have a friend that welds professionly that would make the tray for the battery if necessary.
Optionally would be to install a pull out tray for the battery where it is now located. is that a difficult mod or possible in a 2001 LD?

[JasonCM]

Lots of trailers (including my Bigfoot 17) have their battery located on the tongue, right next to the lp gas tanks, so I don't think that will be an issue, as long as both the tanks and the batteries are located "outside".

[LyleB]

The only concern I would have would be the change in weight distribution. The net change will be double the battery weight since you will be removing the battery from behind the axle and placing it on the tongue. My understanding is that Casitas are more tongue heavy already. Just need to make other adjustments if you make this move.

[Borrego Dave]

Originally Posted by LyleB

The only concern I would have would be the change in weight distribution. The net change will be double the battery weight since you will be removing the battery from behind the axle and placing it on the tongue. My understanding is that Casitas are more tongue heavy already. Just need to make other adjustments if you make this move.

The tongue weight should be pretty close to the same. Having the tongue a little heavy isn't a bad thing. He may not even notice any difference in towing.

[Donna D.]

My 1988 Scamp came with the battery next to the body and one 20# propane tank in front of the battery... right from the factory.

I think what you want to do will work well for YOU.

[Timber Wolf]

I removed the (steel) dual propane bottle holder and second bottle from the tongue of my Scamp. I then installed a second battery (now two 6V) and just one propane bottle. There was a net increase in tongue weight due to the second battery weighing more than even a full propane bottle. Don't quote me but I think it was around a 20lb increase.