How much worry in running two batteries in front driver side?

I've seen a couple of reports of people complaining about shearing aluminum radiator mounts from having two heavy batteries next to each other in the standard battery area when 4-wheeling and I'm wondering if this is something I shouldn't do.

Since my Sport model has a brake pressure regulator device sitting in the "normal" spot for a 2nd battery (near firewall on passenger side) I will either have to take my chances with both batteries in the front or find a place not in the bed to mount the house battery and run 0/1 along the frame, etc, etc...work I would like to avoid if possible.

Thoughts?

 

Yes, many threads here of sheet metal cracking/tearing and breaking the oil fil neck.

 

It is not the aluminum rad mount but the steel cab material near the front cab mounts that form the radiator support.

 

Do you really need a dual battery. I have ran my fridge and accessories for about 5 days without starting the truck on a single battery. Most people dont sit long enough to drain a battery.

 

So something like this would solve that problem I assume?
https://www.moleoverland.com/product/gen-3-tacoma-oil-filler-neck/

 

Ordered an RCI real front bumper with the winch and will be wiring the winch and fridge and extra lights through the house battery. Would rather just use the starter battery for, well, starting. I already have a Redarc BCDC 1225D I will be wiring in also.

 

overkill but you do you.

 

ignore what people say just enjoy your truck the way you want to. I have a agm 55ah battery in the box of my truck completely seperate from the main battery.. i made a sleeping platform in the canopy With a pullout tool storage underneath Has a solar panel charging the rear battery. I have my rear and side lights running off the rear battery. My 1000w inverter is on the rear battery too. I intend on getting a few other things for camping to run off it. But i have a second agm deep cycle 75ah that i wanted to run as a dual battery with a 12v on off switch for winching or just additional battery power/starting. So i plan to have 3 batteries available on my truck. Is it hella overkill? Yes. Do i care? No. Id rather be prepared for whatever i need. Wouldnt mind a heater maybe for winter camping.

 

Since the rad support is not designed to support the weight of 2 batteries, especially leveraged so far out from the cab area, I would be looking to figure out some way to reinforce the area. The only problem is, reinforcing in one location usually transfers the problem to a new area down the line and cracks will form there instead.

 

I recommend a diesel heater

 

The sheet metal wheel well can barely hold one battery without self-destructing. Every dual battery I've seen in that location, including mine, has ripped out and destroyed something else. In my case just the headlight. I've also seen holes put in the engine and broken oil fillers. Holding 140lbs with a few rivnuts in sheet metal is one of the dumber thing I've seen, and I still fell for it initially.

I moved both batteries behind the rear seat and the truck drives way better without all that weight there

 

That's sorta amazing, could be more of a testimonial of the fridge efficiency...but that's good to know. What else besides the fridge do you run?

 

People aren't steering him away due to overkill... they're trying to help him avoid this...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cracked-sheet-metal-above-radiator-body-bushings.636828/

 

Run one battery and then get a solar generator jacket that you can move from car to car or take out when not in use..the amount of one for dual battery set up is expensive ...n one dementiinal not flexable...n ..most likely lead to more headaches down the road

 

Just lights and comms though trying to setup an electric blanket to run off USB. Fridge usually only draws like 1amp when it's at temp. Probably helps I camp at high altitude with lower temps.

I looked into a second battery until I realized I didnt need one for the camping I was doing. We arent in one place longer than a few days so the battery charges in between camp sites. We may add solar and a redarc but low priority atm.

 

I am going to run a similar dual battery setup, with the BCDC 1225D, though with separated batteries in my OR. I'm going to run the winch off the starting battery, as the 1225D will only provide 25 amps to the house battery, rather than the alternator's full capacity.

 

I'd run a bed mount lithium as my house, maintain using solar and/or the +12 trailer pin to a charge controller. 10-15 pounds instead of 50 for a weight penalty. Run fridge and lights to the house, winch to truck main.

 

I will probably keep the "low-class" wet cell battery for starting since it will only be used for starter and headlights. Will get a deep cycle wet cell for the house battery since AGM is good and all but I can't see justification for the expense (and forget Lithium prices). If the battery goes bad will just buy another cheap one and will still have one battery available for starting the truck in an emergency.

 

How long will a winch have to run to drain a battery? The Redarc is for charging both batteries while the truck is running, unless I'm mistaken. I guess if you have a lot of winching to do in a very short amount of time you could drain the battery but I'd be surprised.

 

I have the same problem as I too drive a sport. I am considering off-grid engineering's mounting solution for two Group 35 batteries. I'm not sure what, if any, reinforcing would be necessary leveraging the stock mounting location. You could call the Off-Grid engineering team to see if their customers have had any issues.



Genesis Offroad also makes a tray that I like which has additional legs/supports that looks more robust.