Batteries moved by previous owner-should I move them back under the bed?

lkc001
lkc001 Member Posts: 877
in Trailer & Towing
Hello!   My new to me 2018 Tab 400 previous owner for some reason moved his battery (bigger than original battery) up to the tongue.  I am having an RV tech mount a truck tool box on the tongue and probably going down to one (1) propane bottle.  I have two (2) newer 12 volt deep cycle batteries that I'm moving from my old trailer to this Tab 400.

Would it really affect the towing experience (i.e. stability, sway, etc) if I moved the battery back under the bed where it was originally from the manufacturer plus adding an additional battery under the bed or no?  I know the 2018 Tab 400 has the heavier tongue weight--would it help or make any difference in the towing if I moved weight off the tongue?

My old trailer is the Tab 320S and I tow with a 2016 Nissan Frontier 4x4 with tow package and air bags.  The 320S towed like a dream--no bouncing, or sway, ever,  as long as I towed with weight in the back of the truck and full water tank.  Opinions?
2018 Tab 400
2016 Nissan Frontier SV 4x4 Crew Cab
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+

Comments

  • Grumpy_G
    Grumpy_G Member Posts: 712
    IIRC the early 400s had a lot of tongue weight which was corrected in the 2021&up models. Moving the batteries to the tongue is only making it worse, so I would move them back.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • lkc001
    lkc001 Member Posts: 877
    Grumpy_G said:
    IIRC the early 400s had a lot of tongue weight which was corrected in the 2021&up models. Moving the batteries to the tongue is only making it worse, so I would move them back.
    Thank you for the response!
    2018 Tab 400
    2016 Nissan Frontier SV 4x4 Crew Cab
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • SLJ
    SLJ Member Posts: 646
    edited September 2024
    The previous owner might have had lithium batteries inside. Led acid batteries need outside ventilation. He might have kept his lithium and dropped a lead acid battery back out in the front. If the inside battery compartment isn't well ventilated to the outside you should keep lead acid batteries out of it.
    2021 T@B 320 S Boondock
    2025 KZ Sportsmen 130RD
    2025 Ford Ranger
    The Finger Lakes of New York
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • lkc001
    lkc001 Member Posts: 877
    SLJ said:
    The previous owner might have had lithium batteries inside. Led acid batteries need outside ventilation. He might have kept his lithium and dropped a lead acid battery back out in the front. If the inside battery compartment isn't well ventilated to the outside you should keep lead acid batteries out of it.
    No he did not have lithium batteries at any time.  He intentionally ran wiring from the back up to the tongue for the battery he put on the tongue 
    2018 Tab 400
    2016 Nissan Frontier SV 4x4 Crew Cab
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,530
    You would just need to sort out the venting of the lead acid batteries in the trailer.  Since the original batteries in the 400's were all lead acid back there, I'm sure we can find how the originals were vented.  In the first series of the big AGM's (one large 225 amp hour battery) it was enclosed in a plastic box and vented from there. 
    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • lkc001
    lkc001 Member Posts: 877
    pthomas745 said:
    You would just need to sort out the venting of the lead acid batteries in the trailer.  Since the original batteries in the 400's were all lead acid back there, I'm sure we can find how the originals were vented.  In the first series of the big AGM's (one large 225 amp hour battery) it was enclosed in a plastic box and vented from there. 
    Do you know how it was vented?  There are no openings or vent holes under the bed in that storage area in my trailer.  Does it make a difference if they are sealed no maintenance batteries?
    2018 Tab 400
    2016 Nissan Frontier SV 4x4 Crew Cab
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,530
    edited September 2024
    I looked for photos earlier this afternoon.  The "giant" battery in the big plastic box had a vent through (I believe) the passenger side of the trailer.  The versions with the dual 6v batteries had them enclosed in a separate section under the bed with sort of a sealed top. I haven't been able to find a photo of a 2018 (yet) but this thread has photos of the type of venting I'm talking about.  One "seems" to be in the floor, and one seems to be vented toward the little space on the passenger side where the battery switch and Gloso breaker are.  Do any of these photos match up what you are seeing?  The photos here seem to be examples of a 2021, and I'm not sure they are even close. https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/11992/2021-tab-400-battery-and-inverter-box-pics/p1

    Edit: here is another discussion on the same subject that discusses the venting. https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/12367/what-is-the-vent-under-the-t-b-400



    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • Horigan
    Horigan Member Posts: 864
    On my 2019 400 the black box vented in two places; one on the side of the trailer above and forward of the battery switch, and one below the black box.  I would think you would only need one, as I've seen in some cars with batteries in the trunk.  Could be a good time to convert to LiFEPO4 batteries...
    Rich
    2019 T@b 400
    2025 Toyota Highlander 2.4L Turbo
    Bellingham WA
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • tphaggerty
    tphaggerty Member Posts: 78
    I would replace the AGM battery with lithium and put them back under the bed. I replaced the two original 6 volt AGM batteries with three 12 volt lithium batteries and love having the additional storage. Two lithium batteries have significantly more storage than a single AGM battery since you can run them to a lower state of charge. I did have to do some modifications to the battery box in order to fit the battery sideways. But to lithium batteries will fit in the same area that the two original AGM batteries fit.

    my guess is that the original owner wanted the space under the bed for additional storage. 
    2019 Honda Ridgeline RTL TV
    2018 T@B 400, 300Ah Renogy LiFePo batteries, 350W Renogy rooftop solar
    Poughquag, NY
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • lkc001
    lkc001 Member Posts: 877
    I completely agree with people going to lithium & wish I could afford to do that however I cannot at this time @tphaggerty @Horigan
    2018 Tab 400
    2016 Nissan Frontier SV 4x4 Crew Cab
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • lkc001
    lkc001 Member Posts: 877
    pthomas745 said:
    I looked for photos earlier this afternoon.  The "giant" battery in the big plastic box had a vent through (I believe) the passenger side of the trailer.  The versions with the dual 6v batteries had them enclosed in a separate section under the bed with sort of a sealed top. I haven't been able to find a photo of a 2018 (yet) but this thread has photos of the type of venting I'm talking about.  One "seems" to be in the floor, and one seems to be vented toward the little space on the passenger side where the battery switch and Gloso breaker are.  Do any of these photos match up what you are seeing?  The photos here seem to be examples of a 2021, and I'm not sure they are even close. https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/11992/2021-tab-400-battery-and-inverter-box-pics/p1

    Edit: here is another discussion on the same subject that discusses the venting. https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/12367/what-is-the-vent-under-the-t-b-400



    Thanks for the links— I read through both—went & looked under bed inside & under trailer behind wheel— I see no vents like in the pics.  Have sent an email to Nucamp for some info on what they did to vent.  Hopefully will hear back soon.  Surely they did something for safety?? Will report back on what I hear from Nucamp.
    2018 Tab 400
    2016 Nissan Frontier SV 4x4 Crew Cab
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • lkc001
    lkc001 Member Posts: 877
    @pthomas745. To follow up —looking inside under the bed there are two small cutouts by the battery shutoff — both of those have wiring going down under the floor— I have no way of knowing if they are also “vents”.
    2018 Tab 400
    2016 Nissan Frontier SV 4x4 Crew Cab
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,530
    @lkc001 sorry that I can't find a good photo or thread (another Google failure!) 
    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • lkc001
    lkc001 Member Posts: 877
    pthomas745 said:
    @lkc001 sorry that I can't find a good photo or thread (another Google failure!) 
    Thank you for trying --  the info you did find was helpful for me to check for possible ventilation.  I have also tried to search using many different words & phrases -- it's hard sometimes to find things you are searching for 
    2018 Tab 400
    2016 Nissan Frontier SV 4x4 Crew Cab
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • rh5555
    rh5555 Member Posts: 536
    Does it make a difference if they are sealed no maintenance batteries?

    Yes, it does.  AGM batteries do not require venting, and I'd guess that other sealed batteries are the same.  Venting was provided on my trailer in case the AGMs were switched out for regular lead acid batteries, not because it was needed.

    Roger and Sue Hill | 2020 T@B400 Boondock (Cryst@bel) | 2022 Land Rover Defender 110 - P400 | San Juan Island, WA
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • lkc001
    lkc001 Member Posts: 877
    rh5555 said:
    Does it make a difference if they are sealed no maintenance batteries?

    Yes, it does.  AGM batteries do not require venting, and I'd guess that other sealed batteries are the same.  Venting was provided on my trailer in case the AGMs were switched out for regular lead acid batteries, not because it was needed.

    Thank you so much for the explanation!  So I don’t need to be concerned about this as my batteries are sealed AGM no maintenance batteries.  

    Have you been happy with your towing stability with your batteries under the bed?
    2018 Tab 400
    2016 Nissan Frontier SV 4x4 Crew Cab
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • qhumberd
    qhumberd Administrator, Moderator Posts: 790
    The 2018 and my 2019 configuration re batteries and axle placement and tongue weight from factory should be very similar. In our 2019 with the 2 AGM batteries on the passenger side of the bed we have no towing issues with our Tundra.
    2019  T@B400 Boondock Lite "Todd"
    2016 Toyota Tundra 5.7 Crew Cab
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • lkc001
    lkc001 Member Posts: 877
    qhumberd said:
    The 2018 and my 2019 configuration re batteries and axle placement and tongue weight from factory should be very similar. In our 2019 with the 2 AGM batteries on the passenger side of the bed we have no towing issues with our Tundra.
    Thanks for the info!
    2018 Tab 400
    2016 Nissan Frontier SV 4x4 Crew Cab
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • lkc001
    lkc001 Member Posts: 877
    Hello--PSA---  This will provide some info for anyone else who may be looking for this information.  Below is the answer I received from Creed at Nucamp--he replied pretty quickly and is always professional and polite.  Although he states that there are several "iterations" there are no pics or specific info on what those "iterations" are or what I should look for as far as venting or not. 

    In addition, the statement that I should take it to a "service center" is not an option.  The closest dealer/service center to me that deals in Nucamp trailers is Windish RV in Longmont.  They are one of the WORST dealers/service centers in Colorado, with many many many complaints of substandard service work, keeping owners RVs for months on end only to get substandard repairs, AND they actually have a recording on their service phone line that states that they are overwhelmed, short staffed and they do not service anyone who did not purchase from them and they do not even answer their phone.   Truly pathetic that they are a Nucamp dealer.  Nucamp should do better.  I wouldn't take a little red wagon to Windish for repair.  

    Nucamp Response copied and pasted:
    "It's possible that the vent went through the floor then. There were atleast 2 different deviations in the ventilation and battery box setup. It could have also been patched on the side if a bodyshop ever worked on the unit. 

    I would recommend taking this to a service center to have technicians add a battery, battery box, distribution studs, and the appropriate ventilation to ensure safety."


    Best Regards,
    Creed Hostetler
    2018 Tab 400
    2016 Nissan Frontier SV 4x4 Crew Cab
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • elbolillo
    elbolillo Member Posts: 549
    Lifepo4 batteries can be purchased at very competitive prices compared to AGM or lead acid batteries.  No venting required.
    _____________________________________________________
    Ken / 2023 Tab 400 “La Bolita” (31,000+ miles) / 2024 Toyota Sequoia
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • lkc001
    lkc001 Member Posts: 877
    elbolillo said:
    Lifepo4 batteries can be purchased at very competitive prices compared to AGM or lead acid batteries.  No venting required.
    Yes & they are expensive & not an option for me currently 
    2018 Tab 400
    2016 Nissan Frontier SV 4x4 Crew Cab
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • SLJ
    SLJ Member Posts: 646
    A good quality 100AH lithium is under $300 now. It lasts ten years and has more power. Cheaper in the long run than any lead acid or AGM. Battleborns are nice but on the extreme high end of cost.
    2021 T@B 320 S Boondock
    2025 KZ Sportsmen 130RD
    2025 Ford Ranger
    The Finger Lakes of New York
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,530
    @lkc001 I finally found a thread with the picture I was hoping to find, with a quick explanation of the various changes that were made during those years.
    This is the "original" single AGM setup.


    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • lkc001
    lkc001 Member Posts: 877
    @pthomas745. Thanks so much!  Based on this information & what I have already found out -- my trailer is a 2017 before they started putting in venting & Nucamp apparently doesn't know when they did what given the "several iteration" statements from Creed at Nucamp. To
    2018 Tab 400
    2016 Nissan Frontier SV 4x4 Crew Cab
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+

Categories