Trailer Batteries

[Sparky10]

I just disconnected my batteries in my 5th wheel today while getting it all winterized. Do I need to remove them from the trailer or are they ok to sit in there all winter?



I always removed them from my old 5'er but I guess I am just getting a little lazy now. Any suggestions would be apprieciated.



Thanks,

Scott

 

[FFL8N]

La Pine? Next to Bend? My brother lives in Bend! LOL



I would move them into the garage for a more stable temperatures. That way you can put a trickle charger on them also.

 

[klenger]

If you don't keep them charged, they will freeze. If you can keep a charger on them, then it won't hurt to leave them in.

 

[EnLjones]

small world

La Pine!

This is a small world... My wife is from La Pine, and her family still lives there! As for the batteries, if you don't plan on using your trailer for the next few months then you really need to pull your batteries and put them in a cool, dry place. Throw them on the trical charger ever couple of months and they should be fine come spring.

 

[CORed]

Bring them in

According to all the research I've done, you should bring them into the garage as suggested above where the temps shouldn't drop below freezing and periodically... maybe once a month or every 6 weeks, check the voltage and put a small trickle charge on for a few hours. You won't need much of a charge or for very long if you keep up with it. This is the best way to maintain batteries in the off months. Try not to let the battery get below 12. 1 or 12. 2 volts before putting a trickle on it.



You'll be ready to go in the spring with good batteries if you do this.



FYI... A dead battery (very low voltage) can actually freeze whereas a fully charged battery won't unless it is VERRRRY cold (waaaay below zero).

 

[Mtngoat]

I have 3 batteries in my motorhome, and froze 2 of them a couple winters ago. Gets expensive! Now I take them out, set them in the garage, check the water, charge them fully and they wait till spring. Before I put them in, I recharge them again. So far, so good!



Robin

 

[Sparky10]

Thanks Guys for the advice. I will go out and remove them and bring them inside the garage. I should have done it anyway. Just getting lazy I guess!



To FF1607: Yes I am in La Pine just south of Bend. Anytime you are up here stop in and say hi. I take it by you ID that you are a Firefighter, so am I.



To EnLjones: Hi to you and your wife. If you are ever back here stop in also. My wife and I love it here!!



Thanks again guys,

Scott

 

[TowPro]

If you keep them charged, they will not freeze.



I love my Charge wizard system, all I do to winterize the batteries is "leave the RV plugged in all winter"



This way if there is a bad winter storm that damages my home, I can move right into the RV.

 

[RGRAT1618]

The best thing to do is remove them and put a trickel charger on them once a month. Or you can get a charger that turns on and off by itself. Battery tender makes a great unit that is no fuss. it handels it all. just plug it in, hook it to your battery and forget about it till spring. Just check your water level before you start.



Rob

 

[slo-ryde]

Originally posted by Sparky10

I just disconnected my batteries in my 5th wheel today while getting it all winterized. Do I need to remove them from the trailer or are they ok to sit in there all winter?



I always removed them from my old 5'er but I guess I am just getting a little lazy now. Any suggestions would be apprieciated.



Thanks,

Scott

Here's a link to battery maintenance info at Trojan's website:



http://www.trojanbattery.com/customercare_batterymaint7.html

 

[rweis]

Summitt racing has Optima RED tops on sale till 10/30 for about $85. Normally about $160.



They are wraped not liquid.



Bob Weis

 

[FFL8N]

Sparky10, do you work for Bend or for LaPine? A LaPine firefighter used to live nextdoor to my Sister in Bend.

 

[Sparky10]

I work for La Pine Fire. I am the Division Chief of Operations & Training. A few of our guys live in Bend. I have to live in La Pine. I love it here.



Scott

 

[TXDSLSHOP]

Hate to jump in here but,

I work at College Station Fire Dept. here in Texas and used to work with a female firefighter whom I believe now works in Bend. Do you know Ann Harper? Jeremy.

 

[Sparky10]

Sorry, I don't think I know her. There is a female firefighter/engineer there but not sure of her name.

Scott