AGM Battery tray - 2017 Roadtrek SS Agile

[neil.henry]

I recently purchased a 2017 Roadtrek SS Agile. ("All-Electric" build)
It sat on a dealer lot for approx 1 year and has some normal surface rust.

I took some pictures of the AGM battery tray and the metal condition was a bit troubling. Has anyone had issues with this part/solution?

Any advice appreciated.

Neil

 

[famh@optonline.net]

I have a 2016 Agile. The auxiliary battery tray is rusting. You can purchase a new tray from https://www.mobiliferv.ca/rv-parts/roadtrek/ They are pricey.

 

[Jim Agile]

I have a 2016 Roadtrek SS Agile that I bought new. I've been very careful to not drive it on salted roads because of my concern for the resulting corrosion. As you can see in the picture, the battery holder has held up well.

That said, you can probably salvage your battery holder if you are handy with tools. The holder would have to be removed, cleaned up and painted, first with a rusty metal primer and then a good coat of acrylic or enamel. Removing the batteries and the holder from the rig is not difficult if you have if you have a jack that you can put under it. I purchased a 2-ton garage jack from Harbor Freight for the job.

I centered the jack under the battery holder and put sufficient lift on the holder to allow the holding pins to be removed. and then lowered the jack, holder, and batteries onto some scrap 2x4s on edge. With the battery holder resting on the 2x4s I could roll the jack away and have access to the wiring on the batteries for removal. With the wiring removed and the aid of the jack, I was able to slide the whole assembly out from under the vehicle.
I believe I may have driven the rear wheel of the rig onto some blocks before the removal in order to have sufficient clearance to pull the battery assembly free of the vehicle.

If the verticle components of the battery holder also need refurbishing, they can be removed using a socket wrench with extensions.

One thing I have learned in owning the Roadtrek: there is almost always something that needs attention, though I did just get back from a 6300 mile trip out West that went without a hitch. I just have to get all the bugs off the front.

 

[neil.henry]

Unpublished Roadtrek battery tray

I am still looking for the right source for a replacement battery tray.
A dealer here in MA did show me this "unreleased" Roadtrek shop drawing (attached) that I had not seen before.
If it matches my current (decaying) tray, I may look for local sheet metal vendors to fabricate it.

I'd be interested to know if there is interest in a "group buy" -- or if anyone has similar exprience.

Thanks, Neil

 

[GeorgeRad]

Consider using stainless steel, cost could be comparable to powder coated steel. I use stainless for my greay and fresh waater tank, no issues.

 

[neil.henry]

George,
How would you search for a stainless sheet fabricator? I'm a software guy; I have not needed one in about 30 years.

 

[GeorgeRad]

I searched for sheet metal fabricators, then phoncalls. Good luck.

 

[neil.henry]

I have a 2016 Agile. The auxiliary battery tray is rusting. You can purchase a new tray from https://www.mobiliferv.ca/rv-parts/roadtrek/ They are pricey.

Belatted thanks for the pointer to mobileliferv. They do have an impressive list of Roadtrek inventory. Unfortunately, they do not stock this particular battery tray. This tray hold (2) AGM batteries and is attached to the frame rail on drivers side.

I'm surprised a bunch of smart Canadians thought this was an application for (powercoated?) steel.

I did find a local vendor (Boston/West) who is willing to quote the part. Getting the "unreleased" part drawings through my local dealer was the only upside surprise I have had. I'm bracing myself for the quote.

 

[neil.henry]

Belatted thanks for the pointer to mobileliferv. They do have an impressive list of Roadtrek inventory. Unfortunately, they do not stock this particular battery tray. This tray hold (2) AGM batteries and is attached to the frame rail on drivers side.

I'm surprised a bunch of smart Canadians thought this was an application for (powercoated?) steel.

I did find a local vendor (Boston/West) who is willing to quote the part. Getting the "unreleased" part drawings through my local dealer was the only upside surprise I have had. I'm bracing myself for the quote.

I am happy to learn that I was wrong! MobileLife RV Centre DOES stock the battery tray I need. (or more precisely, they are able to order it). At C$ 250 this saves me from the scary prospect of having a single part built by a fabricator. (Scary because there are lots of detents and features that would mek this an expensive "one-off")

 

[booster]

I am happy to learn that I was wrong! MobileLife RV Centre DOES stock the battery tray I need. (or more precisely, they are able to order it). At C$ 250 this saves me from the scary prospect of having a single part built by a fabricator. (Scary because there are lots of detents and features that would mek this an expensive "one-off")

This is correct if you insist it be an exact duplicate of the original, like if you were doing a show quality high end classic car restoration, but for most of our stuff that isn't needed.

Factory ones have all dips, ridges, and such to get strength and profiles while using least expensive a light, thin, materials to save cost. Tooling cost for huge quantities is very per low piece and the part can be made with much less labor.

Battery trays can normally be very simple in design by going to slightly thicker material and adding simple pieces to them for things like hold downs. I have made quite few of them in my garage without having much for sheet metal fabricating tools. Lawn tractor size to an underbody one for our van that held 4 golf cart AGMs.

C$250 is a bit high, but RV OEM parts always are. Not a bad choice if no DIY available.

 

[neil.henry]

Through the engineering part, I did have the advantage of seeing the 5-6 revisions to the battery tray parts during its production (2010-2016). The various slots and build-ups that were added. This DIY would also require welding skills beyond my very basic capabilities.

I am mindful that the OEM part was under-specified (it looks like a black powder coat) that did not survive 6 New Hampshire winters very well.