Axis Battery Replacement

[Cougar1985]

On the chassis battery, how did you replace it? I have a Axis 25.2 and I can't seem to get to the battery in order to replace it.

[16ACE27]

Several dozen threads on chassis battery replacement on Axis/Vegas.
Most go through the board below the desk assembly; some go through the passenger wheel well. In either case it's not as easy as a car battery replacement.

[bevedfelker]

Like 16ACE27 said above, the easiest way to change the chassis battery is to go down through tl need to reinstall that wooden he top of the dashboard.

Remove all the screws holding the folding desk assembly and remove it like in the attached picture. You'll see a wooden piece partially cut out of the dash. Finish cutting this piece and remove it. You'll see the battery below the cutout.

After you change the battery you'll need to reinstall that wooden piece -- tape it, or use clips and screws, or whatever will hold the panel in place.

[Mr Sunshine]

On my previous Vegas 25.2 I did precisely what forum guru Ed suggested. I intended to reattach the severed panel with hinges, but instead went with 4 metal plates from the home improvement store. I used some stick on weatherstripping around the panel.

Be sure you access Ed Felker's excellent crowd-sourced manual for Vegas and Axis. Find it as a sticky under Tech Topics on this site.

[Counselor]

I don't think this is any help on my 2022. I think the battery and oil cap are on the other side?

[DavidEM]

Originally Posted by Counselor

I don't think this is any help on my 2022. I think the battery and oil cap are on the other side?

Not unless Ford completely reversed the battery location, as well as the fuse box, coolant fill, etc. My 2021 with the new V8 chassis is exactly as described above. Been that way for every Axis ever built.

David

[happy]

Our 22 Axis battery is under the dash as shown above.....on the passenger side.
The oil filler cap is on the driver side.

I am fairly tall at 6'2" and that battery is just about at my arms length limit down in the dash. At 1st sign of battery trouble, we will find a strong, young, long armed young person to replace it with a gel battery and install a set of remote terminals at the front of the engine.

I have not explored the next option yet, but believe it could work. By removing the front passenger tire and then removing the wheel well molding, I think the battery could be accessed. Our 2022 model has a fairly rigid, somewhat molded wheel liner that looks to be able to come out in one piece. Even if older models of Axis/Vegas could be removed with the wheel still in place, it looks as if ours will need to be removed. Your experience may be somewhat different depending on how consistent Thor is in assembling each coach. I have seen things posted about and our coach is often slightly different. Best wishes and Merry Christmas.

[DavidEM]

Happy:

Your OEM Is chassis battery may be an AGM. I read somewhere that Ford had recently switched to AGMs.

Anyone know for sure?


David

[Dan-sr@perra-us.net]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Several dozen threads on chassis battery replacement on Axis/Vegas.
Most go through the board below the desk assembly; some go through the passenger wheel well. In either case it's not as easy as a car battery replacement.

You apparently have never seen the battery placement in a 2010 - 2014 Chrysler 200. The battery is located in the left front fender in front of the wheel. You have to remove the tire and the fender liner to get to the battery.

See:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBN-3WcmiNE

[The Gritz Carlton]

And people wonder why commercial Ford dealers literally vomit and charge triple labor rates when a Class A rolls into service write-up. I've seen nearly entire rear bedroom disassembly just to reach the engine on some DP's. Crazy!

[The Gritz Carlton]

I bought a daytime running lamp bulb ($60) for a previous CTS we had. YouTube video says...remove front tire and fender liner..remove front grill assembly...remove front light assembly...all just to get to tje back of it to replace the bulb. I pulled the fuse and still have the bulb...2 Cadillacs later.

[happy]

Davidem, our house batteries are AGM, but I have only pulled our dash to take a look at the chassis battery location. There was some wiring that stopped me from digging in for a better view. Also, my back ain't what it used to be.
I also have read that some of the newer coaches from Thor are all AGM.

If so that would be nice.

[Obiwan57]

Originally Posted by happy

Our 22 Axis battery is under the dash as shown above.....on the passenger side.
The oil filler cap is on the driver side.

I am fairly tall at 6'2" and that battery is just about at my arms length limit down in the dash. At 1st sign of battery trouble, we will find a strong, young, long armed young person to replace it with a gel battery and install a set of remote terminals at the front of the engine.

I have not explored the next option yet, but believe it could work. By removing the front passenger tire and then removing the wheel well molding, I think the battery could be accessed. Our 2022 model has a fairly rigid, somewhat molded wheel liner that looks to be able to come out in one piece. Even if older models of Axis/Vegas could be removed with the wheel still in place, it looks as if ours will need to be removed. Your experience may be somewhat different depending on how consistent Thor is in assembling each coach. I have seen things posted about and our coach is often slightly different. Best wishes and Merry Christmas.

Hello, Campers Inn in Madison AL did precisely what you described; by removing the front passenger tire and then removing the wheel well molding, they accessed and removed the OEM flooded cell lead acid battery with an AGM sealed unit, since adding water to a flooded cell battery is a PITA.

[TerryJames]

We also have an Axis 25.2
perhaps you'll find this instruction video useful...
https://www.thorforums.com/forums/sh...85&postcount=1