Tongue Box Upgrade

sranderle

I am in the planning stages for dual 6V batteries, and am looking at upgrade options to the plastic tongue box that came with our 2016 T@B Q.  I read through threads where people have fit a pair of 6V batteries in this tongue box, but I am considering other options.

Has anyone replaced the stock tongue box with anything other than the aluminum Outback version?  I would still need it to house the propane tank along with the batteries and the gray water hose.

Thanks

blackc2004

I was wondering the same thing... I feel like one a DeeZee box would work pretty well. I'm not sure how big you would need for the dual 6v batteries but I was looking at something like this:
https://www.deezee.com/product/triangle-trailer-box/

geekmama

I don't know anything about other boxes but I wanted to say that I have 2 6 volt batteries, the propane tank and the sewer house in my standard 2018 cs-s tongue box. 

Marceline

geekmama said:

I don't know anything about other boxes but I wanted to say that I have 2 6 volt batteries, the propane tank and the sewer house in my standard 2018 cs-s tongue box. 

Isn't the bottom of that "box" open? How do you contain the sewer hose?

geekmama

@Marceline, currently I just put it on top of the batteries and it's fine, but I did order a pizza bag to put it in as well.

dsatwork

Tabaz

I recall a prior thread that discussed the box needing sufficient ventilation because propane is heavier than air. Can't find the link using the search function. Will the single hole at the bottom provide enough venting?

dsatwork

Tabaz said:

I recall a prior thread that discussed the box needing sufficient ventilation because propane is heavier than air. Can't find the link using the search function. Will the single hole at the bottom provide enough venting?

That's correct, I have  seven 2" holes running along the bottom of the box and yes I have a protective strip lining each hole.

Ratkity

I drilled holes on the bottom of my new bin because some rain got in and needed a place to drain. It worked double duty.

pthomas745

Here is your "heavier than air" thread
http://tab-rv.vanillaforums.com/discussion/4231/propane-tub-needs-floor

Ratkity

pthomas745 said:

Here is your "heavier than air" thread
http://tab-rv.vanillaforums.com/discussion/4231/propane-tub-needs-floor

Just to let you know, your propane/CO detector is near the floor for a reason. That said, it *may* go off with no leaks for a couple reasons: the use of aerosols like bug sprays or hairsprays. Orrrrrr... doggies that sleep on the floor and have a problem with um, gas. Toxic gas. Turn-on-the-FF-on-high gas (this applies to spouses and children as well). This gas is heavier than air as well.

sranderle

dsatwork, do you have any info on your tongue box?  

Ratkity

DeeZee also makes lightweight diamond plate aluminum boxes. Not as heavy has a standard truck box.

blackc2004

@sranderle, Looks like a 'LUND' box, I'm sure he'll help 'ya with the info!

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lund-36-in-Aluminum-Flush-Mount-Truck-Tool-Box-9436T/100592776

ericnliz

@blackc2004, Nice catch, and thanks for the help!

dsatwork

sranderle said:

dsatwork, do you have any info on your tongue box?  

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lund-36-in-Aluminum-Flush-Mount-Truck-Tool-Box-9436T/100592776

sranderle

I see on Home Depot's site that the box is not rated for fuel storage.  As long as some holes are drilled added in the bottom, does that make it compliant?

@dsatwork,  was mounting and running the electrical wires and propane line straight forward?

dsatwork

sranderle said:

I see on Home Depot's site that the box is not rated for fuel storage.  As long as some holes are drilled added in the bottom, does that make it compliant?
I took that as it's not a gas storage tank, because they make tanks that are.

@dsatwork,  was mounting and running the electrical wires and propane line straight forward?

Define straight forward: Can you drill into your Tabs frame, cut 2" holes all across the bottom of the new box and one higher in the middle for the propane line and battery wires, find a 2' propane hose with the correct ends to extend your propane line, figure out how to best layout your space for 2 size 31 batteries and keep them dry without paying a $100 plus commercial battery box, patch up the holes in your Tab where the propane regulator and battery cut off switch was, (oh yeah that reminds me) you have to mount the propane regulator battery cut off switch, add a propane bottle holder, move the spare tire holder from the back to the front and support it somehow and  anything that you specifically want to do.....Sure it's straight forward. @Sandiegogal and I have saying after 26 years of marriage: just add the phrase "all you have to do is" and  makes it much easier for whoever is actually going to do the work.

Ratkity

@sranderle, also make sure the lid opens fully. Mine needed to be moved up a couple of inches to accommodate the lid and hydraulic strut. 

Vikings

$300 or so from Etrailer.   Everything fits including second battery if desired. 
Light weight so had to add 3 1x2 inch aluminum side-to-side supports on bottom which you can sort of see. 
Lockable so won't lose another battery to opportunistic kids. 
Same type 1x2's plus some flat bar make up the bolt together bike racks on top.  Added snubbers on either side so bikes did not wobble on flimsy lid.  Now with just fork locks and straps to keep back wheels in place bikes are solid...no other tie downs required. 
Wings on back side, to mimic original tub, from extra diamond plate aluminum I bought to make the sewer hose compartment between frame rails.
Considering all the extra aluminum I have about $500 total invested...but how much is a bike rack?
Yes there are lots of little things to do to make it work but that is half the fun...

Mud courtesy of Alaska trip...

dsatwork

@Vikings  Very nice work...looks like you need to invest in some mud flaps for the TV.

Ratkity

@Vikings, that Alaskan mud is precious!! I replaced the front bin with a DeeZee brand like yours. I guess the kids in my neighborhood are lazy and don't steal batteries. Sorry a desperate one got yours.

blackc2004

Vikings said:

$300 or so from Etrailer.   Everything fits including second battery if desired. 
Light weight so had to add 3 1x2 inch aluminum side-to-side supports on bottom which you can sort of see. 
Lockable so won't lose another battery to opportunistic kids. 
Same type 1x2's plus some flat bar make up the bolt together bike racks on top.  Added snubbers on either side so bikes did not wobble on flimsy lid.  Now with just fork locks and straps to keep back wheels in place bikes are solid...no other tie downs required. 
Wings on back side, to mimic original tub, from extra diamond plate aluminum I bought to make the sewer hose compartment between frame rails.
Considering all the extra aluminum I have about $500 total invested...but how much is a bike rack?
Yes there are lots of little things to do to make it work but that is half the fun...

Mud courtesy of Alaska trip...

Do you know the model number of this box?!

Vikings

Blackc2004,
Model number DZ91717...
I chose it because I believed it was large enough for my needs, and fit the space better than any other box. 
It is light weight...

All the extra's fit...stabilizer crank, hose, electrical line, some blocks, a shovel, a small ax (somewhere in there), etc. 
Carbide tip saw blade easily cuts the aluminum tube.  Just be sure to hold it tight, and wear eye protection.  Also cut some holes in back wall for ventilation...I put 3 1 inch holes near top, and 3 near bottom...not shown here. 

YellowVelo

How do you attach the box to the tongue? 

Vikings

Bolts through box, 1x2 aluminum tube, and T@B frame...acrobatics required. 

dsatwork

Vikings said:

Bolts through box, 1x2 aluminum tube, and T@B frame...acrobatics required. 

Very long arms help too.

Estancio

dsatwork, I'm looking at the Lund boxes like you have. They have an exterior height of 18 inches but the interior lid has an obstruction at the front which limits the height to only about 17 inches. How did you work around that when mounting your Propane Tank?