I've heard that using 2 6-volt batteries will hold a charge longer than the 1 12-volt battery that comes with the trailer. So, my resident mechanic and I did a lot of research and measuring, and bought 2 deep-cycle 6-volt batteries. In order for them to fit into the tongue bin, I needed to downsize the 20-lb propane tank to an 11-lb tank. More research, more measuring, and I ordered the new tank.
The 20-lb propane tank is out, but this is what the bin looks like before the modifications.
We pulled everything out of the front bin. including the metal framework inside the plastic bin. We fit the boxes for the 2 new batteries in and loosely secured them to the steel framing on the tongue of the trailer (to test things out). The new propane bottle fits PERFECTLY in the leftover space. It will take some reconfiguring of the metal framework inside the bin to fit the batteries and smaller tank, and fortunately for me, my resident mechanic is also a pretty handy welder (he's working on it as we speak).
So, back to the issue of tongue weight. We put both batteries in their boxes, added the smaller propane tank and weighed the tongue. We had taken the spare tire out from under the tongue to be able to maneuver under there, and because it adds more weight. Without the tire we came in at just over 160lbs tongue weight. With the tire, 186 lbs!!! I'm very happy about this. The batteries are set as far back as they can go on the tongue, which helps distribute the weight off the tongue.
