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02-27-2014, 04:51 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Name: julie
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19
Alabama
Posts: 108
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Securing battery on Scamp
Searched the forum but didn't really find what I was looking for. Any ideas on best ways to secure battery box/battery to front of trailer. I was amazed when replacing my battery that the box is only held on by a strap. Would like something more secure with the ability to lock it. BTW, my new to me Scamp has not been used yet so forgive my ignorance. Going from tents to RV! Yippee. THank you for your help! Julie
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02-27-2014, 05:00 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
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Julie what year is your Scamp - your profile doesnt indicate.
On my 92 there is a flat plate attached to the tongue that the battery sits on. Hard to notice unless you look directly under the battery box. The Battery box is screwed into the plate from inside the battery box which is what holds the battery in place. The strap on the outside of the box is simple holding the battery box cover in place.
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02-27-2014, 05:20 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Name: julie
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19
Alabama
Posts: 108
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You are absolutely right. My bolts are loose & rusted so will need to put new ones in. My Scamp is an '89 16 footer. What do you suggest for securing the battery so it doesn't get stolen? Something better than a strap I would think....
I see you bought your Scamp in Idaho, I am from Boise. Thanks for all your help!
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02-27-2014, 05:41 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Trailer: Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
Posts: 1,861
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I have an older 5er that has a chain and padlock around the battery box. I have not heard of many trailer batteries being stolen. Most of the ones that were, the trailers were in storage lots.
Eddie
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02-27-2014, 05:44 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Name: Chuck
Trailer: tp
Washington
Posts: 649
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You could drill holes and bolt the box to the angle iron brackets. Then put a strap around the box and lid.
I owned a Scamp 16 a few years ago.
Chuck
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02-27-2014, 06:10 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
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Hi Julie, yes I did pick it up in Idaho... purchased it from a very nice couple in Coeur d'Alene. Had a nephew attending the U of Idaho at the time - figured if I drove all the way there and it wasn't as advertised I could always drive the extra miles to Moscow and take him out for a nice easter dinner. :-) Happy to say I did both.
I have never had a lock on my battery and have never lost one on a trailer or a boat so I haven't really worried about locking it. As other have suggested I guess it depends a lot on where you store your trailer as to whether you feel you need to lock it.
Etrailer has an interesting suggestion using a Yakima RipCord locking strap, you can do it but it looks a little pricy.
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02-28-2014, 07:52 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Trailer: Class A Motorhome
Posts: 7,912
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Battery Lock....
Buy a small "U" bolt, drill two holes in the top cover for the bolt.
Thread a piece of chain through the "U" bolt and lock the ends of the chain together under the battery mount.
It will look "Locked" enough to deter all but the most determined thief.
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02-28-2014, 09:26 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
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Following Bob's line of thinking you may also be able to rivet a U bolt to the edge of the lid of the battery box and one just below it on the bottom section of the box and get a lock with a long shackle and put it through both.
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02-28-2014, 12:40 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: julie
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19
Alabama
Posts: 108
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Good thought & thank you all. I think for now will just get stronger strap & place new bolts.
Always appreciate the good advice from the experts!
Julie
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02-28-2014, 01:35 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Name: Francesca Knowles
Trailer: '78 Trillium 4500
Jefferson County, Washington State, U.S.A.
Posts: 4,669
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See the propane tank holdon below? I use one of those for my single propane tank. My battery sits in its box on the "empty" side. That holding "arm" rests very nicely against the top of the battery box, though of course at an angle. I tighten down the wing nut 'til everything's snug, making sure one of the "wings" is parallel to the holding arm when tight. Then I padlock the nut to the arm, thereby securing both tank and battery against theft.
Of course, the whole shootin' match depends on the Bad Guy being in a hurry and unwilling to get down on his hands and knees and crawl under the trailer to remove the nuts securing the holdon to the trailer tongue...
__________________
............... ..................
Propane Facts vs. Fiction:. Click here
Tow Limit Calculator: Click here
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02-28-2014, 02:26 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2000 Burro 17 ft / 2001 Toyota Tundra V8 2wd
Posts: 339
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles
See the propane tank holdon below? I use one of those for my single propane tank. My battery sits in its box on the "empty" side. That holding "arm" rests very nicely against the top of the battery box, though of course at an angle. I tighten down the wing nut 'til everything's snug, making sure one of the "wings" is parallel to the holding arm when tight. Then I padlock the nut to the arm, thereby securing both tank and battery against theft.
Of course, the whole shootin' match depends on the Bad Guy being in a hurry and unwilling to get down on his hands and knees and crawl under the trailer to remove the nuts securing the holdon to the trailer tongue...
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Would you have a picture of your set up with a battery installed? I also have a double propane tank holder, but I've never run through even one tank completely on 3-4 week camping trips. I figured I could just carry one tank and reposition the battery.
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02-28-2014, 04:28 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Name: Francesca Knowles
Trailer: '78 Trillium 4500
Jefferson County, Washington State, U.S.A.
Posts: 4,669
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ThomasE
Would you have a picture of your set up with a battery installed? I also have a double propane tank holder, but I've never run through even one tank completely on 3-4 week camping trips. I figured I could just carry one tank and reposition the battery.
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Here ya go.
The fancy-dancy cake pan battery box tray is bolted to the frame, so the battery box itself must be lifted to get it out. Can't happen with the wingnut levering the arm down on it.
Side note:
Thanks a lot for making me notice how much the trailer tongue needs paint!
__________________
............... ..................
Propane Facts vs. Fiction:. Click here
Tow Limit Calculator: Click here
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02-28-2014, 05:19 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Name: Russ
Trailer: Scamp 16' side dinette, Airstream Safari 19'
California
Posts: 588
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Just leave a note under the cover.
"Please steal this battery so my insurance will buy me a new one.
This one is 5 years old."
Thanks
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02-28-2014, 06:42 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ruscal
Just leave a note under the cover.
"Please steal this battery so my insurance will buy me a new one.
This one is 5 years old."
Thanks
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or how about one that reads "Please help yourself to this one year old battery that someone let get down below 50% a few times."
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02-28-2014, 07:15 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2000 Burro 17 ft / 2001 Toyota Tundra V8 2wd
Posts: 339
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Thanks for the pics. I have the same battery box but I think my tongue area is a little tighter than yours, I'll have to see if I can squeeze a battery box sideways in there. You could screw/bolt a block to the lid of the box to make the hold down level.
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03-01-2014, 06:59 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Name: julie
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19
Alabama
Posts: 108
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Just purchased a new battery & am learning even more new stuff about voltage, amps all that weird stuff. Enjoying the conversation!
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