2018 Vegas 25.4 Battery Access Panel

[CountryBoy]

To get to this area you must remove the fold out desk. Then remove the 4 screws holding this plastic panel / tray.
Before cutting this panel out install at least 4 double-wide mending plates.

Using a utility knife through the outside edge of the insulation and black cloth on the underside. Then using a saw cut through the small wooden tabs.

Now remove the mending plates and finish cutting around the corners with a utility knife. Reinstall the mending plates on the panel. Now you have access to the battery compartment and the oil fill tube for oil changes.
I modified my oil fill tube to be right behind the passenger side of the doghouse cover, but the oil fill tube would be inside red circle on the left side of new access panel. I would say this is a simple and easy DIY project with low risk of messing up interior.

[Long & Winding road]

Thats fo the info. I covered this access panel on mine with Dynomat. That will help insulate that area from noise and heat (vapors/smells?) and it will peel back as needed.

How did you relocate your oil fill? What did you use to relocate with?

[CountryBoy]

Thanks for dynamat idea. See “Oil Change 2018 Vegas” for how I turned oil fill around to be just behind doghouse cover on inside of cab.

[CountryBoy]

I think that this access panel makes relocating oil filler tube unnecessary though.

[Long & Winding road]

Ok, thanks.

[taylorbob1]

CountryBoy:

Thanks for the thorough write-up on the battery access panel for Vegas&Axis.
All of us V&A owners will need to perform this mod at some time during ownership.
Plus, the access makes it much easier when doing DIY oil changes.

[gnach]

The mending plate are a good idea. I used 2 small hinges to the back (front?) While in here, tie the air ducts toward front for better access. I added a battery water set up but removing the desk is still a minor PITA. The crappy wood construction leaves a lot to be desired and the screws are going strip out.

[taylorbob1]

Originally Posted by gnach

The crappy wood construction leaves a lot to be desired and the screws are going strip out.

i thought about this...
there are a variety of permanent "anchors", mounted from the underside, that can be used with threaded machine screws/bolts rather than wood screws directly into the plywood. think furniture applications
it's very inexpensive to do a proper fix

but i like your "hinged" approach
i will try that option to see how it plays

[gnach]

Yeah Bob, it's how the desk pivot is mounted that bugs me. It's like 4 #6 screws into the 1x2 "framing". Not exactly conducive to repeated in and outs. But that's the crappy build we get. gmtechxxxx? rebuilt his with fiberglass, I'd love to see photos.

[nautiquecowboy]

Thanks Country Boy I will have to perform this on my 2016 axis. That was a big help so far the battery is really strong. Gentleman like you that makes Thor's Forum so helpful to all of us stuck in this situation. Fun doesn't come cheap.

[csseeker]

I pulled my table and plastic liner this morning. One of the screws holding the liner down is screwed into the plywood "door". That was stupid.

[csseeker]

Here's the finished "door".

[Long & Winding road]

Thats sweet.

[2016vegas]

Ive rigged a funnel an tube for diy oil changes, battery watering system for that, and added dynamat under the desk. The screws suck and the only time i will remove desk is to change the chassis battery. Ive done that once, too. It comes through the space ok.