add a battery

[TexasCamper]

I would like to add battery power to my pu for dry camping. It did not come with battery power, but has some kind of inverter for the lights.  Has anyone done this?  How much work is it?  I am a home builder by trade so I think I can do this myself.

[wavery]

I would like to add battery power to my pu for dry camping. It did not come with battery power, but has some kind of inverter for the lights.  Has anyone done this?  How much work is it?  I am a home builder by trade so I think I can do this myself.

The power converter on your PU is probably not an inverter. It is probably a converter.

To answer your question, it is quite simple to add a battery. Walmart and Costco has 27 series Marine, Deep Cycle batteries for under $100. You can buy a battery box at Walmart or most auto parts stores for $10 (make sure to get the size to match the battery). There is usually a place on the trailer tongue to set the battery box, then just put the supplied strap around the box and mount. Don't bolt the battery box down. It's not necessary and the bolt heads will wear through the battery and/or crack the box. If there is no battery mount already on the tongue, just get yourself some 1" angle iron, cut 2 pieces to length so that they cross the frame of the tongue. Drill and bolt them in place, just far enough apart for the battery box to sit on the inside of the parallel angle irons. Prime and paint the mount to match the frame.

You will need to get enough 8g wire (1 blk & 1 wht) to run from the battery to the converter (use automotive, stranded wire, not solid core house wire). I would suggest putting a quick disconnect plug somewhere in the wires, between the camper box and the battery. Put a 30 amp fuse or circuit breaker (purchased at most auto parts stores) right on the top of the battery to the positive battery lug.

There are usually instructions on the converter for wiring the 12v from the battery.

Make sure to carefully protect the wires where they enter the camper.

I may have left something out, to which, other's will add.

The converters are usually pretty well marked: