This video was helpful just need to make sure this cheaper of the 2 Harbour Freight tongue boxes available fits. This box was $135ish after tax and the slightly higher quality option from HF is almost $180 with tax but it’s easily 50% better box. The salesman at HF yesterday tried to sell me the more expensive one and explained why. The lock mechanism is better, the rubber weather stripping is better, the overall thickness is better. I walked out of the store with this cheaper box because I felt it was enough for what I was going for just need to now make sure it fits on 2021 jayco 24rbs. Just wanted the world viewing and reading these comments to know that 2 tongue boxes are offered from Harbour Freight and this box is the lesser quality ie cheaper of the 2 available boxes. The more expensive one is worth the extra money. It will last longer and won’t need a under tray simply because it’s thick enough to support two rv batteries but I believe this box may not be and may require more underside support. I am not there yet but will know soon. Worst case I might just go return this one and get the better one for $40 more dollars
I was planning on doin the same thing but with a different bracket supporting the center. I like what you did so I'll so that instead. Thanks for the video.
Great idea! I've been wanting to add another battery, plus I wanted to add a cut off switch and a dry secure place for a charge controller for the solar hookup. Thanks.
Great video! I have been contemplating doing this. The only thing holding me back is some negative feedback concerning the thickness of the box. It's been a year since you posted the video, I'm curious as to how the box has held up and was it worth the money in the long run?
Did ya just weld inches away from propane bottles? Auto part store has terminal covers so tools bouncing around don’t find their way to arc from positive lead to the box. No drain? A thin piece of rubber between bolted connections will make everything quieter and last longer.
I’ve never welded but want to start. Can you provide a recommendation on what basic equipment I’ll need to get started? I know there’s “mig” and “tig” but don’t know the difference. Any advice appreciated! - Randy
Unfortunately, I’ve never been trained to weld, I’ve just picked it up over the years. I really don’t know the answer to your question either, I borrowed the welder my father in law had.
Thanks for the ideas. How has the box held up? Is it waterproof? Or are you finding any water in there after a rain/travel day? If so, did you add a drainage hole on the bottom?
Thanks for the video! I have the stuff on order to do the same! Thanks for the link to the vent, I am picking one of those up right now. I bought a piece of angle iron and will cut it off with wings on each end so that it can sit on top of the trailers frame. It will be similar to yours but with the wings on top of the frame. I plan to drill a hole through it and then screw the box down to it all at once. A couple of questions though: Did you pre-drill the holes for the screws that you screwed the box down to the frame with? If so, do you remember what size drill bit you sued to pre-drill, and what size/type of screws you used? Also, did you use a rubber grommet or something for the hole that the wires come in through? Thanks!
Hey great video. I'm about to do something similar on my trailer and was wondering what kind of settings you used on your welder? Like amps/wire speed/filler? I always have a tough time finding the right settings to get clean welds like yours. Thanks for any input
I don’t know the answer to that, I haven’t worked with metal enough to say for sure. I can tell you that I never experienced any issues after this project and my dad had several campers through the years that had been welded on the frame. We have recently purchased a new travel trailer and store the hitch a different way now. I will post a video soon, it’s much simpler with no welding.
I vented my battery box after hearing that I should, but wasn’t sure what could happen if I didn’t. Here’s a link to some information on this topic www.ultraheat.com/post/why-battery-ventilation-is-important-for-your-rv
Great vid I’d like to do the same. My battery tray is rusty so I’m having someone weld on some new ones. I really like this cargo idea but how would I vent the box? How are you going to vent yours?
Thank you, I added a small plastic louvered vent made by Valterra, I cut the hole for it and just used silicone to secure it in the hole. The vent looks good and has been working fine. I added a link in the description below the video for the vent, it was under two dollars.
Actually a hole saw would probably work great, I used a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade, it cut good but wasn’t easy due to the wall on the box being thin which allowed it to flex a little while cutting.
Jnay Jnellius Youre welcome, I would suggest cutting the hole for the vent before attaching the box to the trailer. I attached my box first and I had limited access when I started cutting the hole.
I apologize, I didn't realize I had left that information out of the description. Here is the link www.harborfreight.com/2-13-cu-ft-steel-trailer-tongue-box-61602.html
