Trailer Stuff

[rbsWELDER]

A couple of questions for the trailering folks:

1-I bought an Autozone Deep Cycle (Marine) battery for my trailer, to operate a winch and interior lights. The first battery died just as the one year warranty was about to expire and Autozone replaced the battery at no charge. The second Autozone battery died just after the warranty expired, so I need to replace that battery. I have determined that Johnson Controls makes the batteries for AZ, so I will avoid that manufacturer in the future!

- Was my thinking flawed in using a marine battery to power the trailer electrics?
- Do you have a recommendation for a replacement battery for trailer use?

2-I have not used the trailer in a year and with the cancellation of Mountain Home Run, it will probably be eight months before it rolls again. I am concerned about the tires flat spotting, so I plan to put the trailer up on jackstands. My questions is: Is there a correct method, as to where the jackstands are placed. I have contacted my trailer manufacturer and got no response.

[Bill Cleveland]

Mark, do you use a trickle charger for your battery? I find that my battery lasts much longer if I charge it regularly.

[Indycars]

Lead-Acid batteries don't like to be discharged for very long. So even thou you're using a marine battery, it's still good to charge it back up soon after it's used. I don't have experience with deep cycle, but I don't think you have done anything wrong by using one.

Do they cost more than a standard automotive battery ???

https://www.goodyear.com/en-US/tire-gui ... -rot-tires
7. Extended Parking Care:

If a vehicle is planned to be stationary for an extended period, such as a vintage car, a trailer or recreational vehicle, it’s recommended to follow the steps below:

If possible, store the vehicle in a manner that removes as much weight from the tires as possible (such as on jack stands).
Store the vehicle out of direct sunlight.
Cover the vehicle and tires to protect from any unnecessary UV rays.
If the weight cannot be removed from the tires, move the vehicle at least every three months to shift the weight on the tires.

[rbsWELDER]

Interestingly enough, I just bumped into this article, that says heat can be a killer:

http://knowhow.napaonline.com/the-effec ... G_HERO_IMG

Lee - Marine batteries cost about the same as a car battery.

[Indycars]

You might find these articles interesting reading.

https://www.odysseybattery.com/news/faq ... mmer-heat/
https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/art ... ttery_life

[rbsWELDER]

Interesting articles Indy! Thanks for sharing them. I am more than ever convinced that heat killed my last battery.

[fwestrup]

Mark does your winch have a wireless remote, if it does it draws power all the time, I have found this with mine but if I disconnect the power cable to the winch the battery holds a charge. I run a deep cell battery on my trailer and it will keep a charge ' but just to play it safe I put a charge on the battery before I use the trailer. My trailer battery is now over 4 years old and sits in the trailer year round. Hope this helps.

[rbsWELDER]

Fred - Great catch! You may have solved the mystery! I will put a switch in that line, as a minimum.

Thanks again!

[Indycars]

Fred - Great catch! You may have solved the mystery! I will put a switch in that line, as a minimum.

Thanks again!

We will need pics to make sure it gets done! Were not sure if we can trust you without them.
We also want to see how your setup and where you install that switch.

[rbsWELDER]

Battery box is in the V of the V-Nose. Winch is immediately behind the battery. Pics on a cooler day!