Originally posted by sgordytn Why are two 6-Volt batteries better than 12 Volts?

Welcome!  What part of TN are you in? 

Spiffing up the truck to get it ready is very good. 

Towing a roughly 4500 pound 193 will be a lot different than the 4' x 8' you've been towing.  Start to pay attention to big truck drivers and the way they drive.  They are smooth, steady and gentle.  You can view it a little like driving in snow; manage your energy so you never have too much (too fast) or too little (too much power needed to climb).  Be smooth with brakes, steering and throttle.  Leave lots of room to the vehicle in front.  If the wind is up or gusty, go slower because speed adds energy to a sway, if it starts.  there is a lot of sail area from the side of any RV.  Talk to your dealer about a weight distributing hitch and sway control.  I find my simple sway control bar to be a big comfort, and enough.  I bought and installed a rear camera; it's the bomb!  I can watch traffic behind and it helps parking.    I opted for an inertia based brake controller so I'd (hopefully) have to fool with it less while driving. 

Once you get your 'Pod, take it to some scales and weigh the whole rig.  Get front axle weight, rear axle weight and 'Pod axle weight, then get just the truck weight.  From that you can calculate tongue weight.  I'll give you a spreadsheet I made that you can modify for your 193 so you can easily calculate what your tongue weight is after you add "stuff" to the trailer.  

Except for the higher resistance supplied by the connector cable between the 2 batteries, two 6V batteries (2 x 3 cells) in series is identical to a single 12V (6 cells in series) battery of equal A-Hr capacity and construction.  It turns out there is a 6V golf cart battery that easily fits on the battery rack, thus the recommendation.  Two 6V batteries would weigh less individually, but the bottom line is you are just making a DIY 12V "battery". 

I am interested in lots of things like solar power as well but, again maybe in a year or so after we have taken our 193 out a few times I will embark on some modifications.

Thanks again for letting me be a part of this little group.

welcome,

There has been a lot of conversation about batteries.  Use the search function and you can read for hours.

Basically, 2 6 volt golf cart batteries hooked together gives you the necessary 12 volts to run things  in the pod. The 6 volt batteries have larger lead plates and can be drawn down and recharged many more times that a "standard" 12 battery.  also, the combined amp hours available in 2 6 volt golf cart batteries are more than the amp hours available in a single 12 volt battery. Thus you will have more available power to work with.

the disadvantage is that the batteries are heavy on the tongue.  Both batteries will weigh about 100#together, but the standard battery tray will accept them. they are usually available at Sam's. Costco, etc for $100+/-.

I have used 2 6 volt golf cart batteries for a while and love them. but we tend to stay in places that don't have power hookups.  However, if you always stay in places that have electric services, you may not need the extra expense and weight.  It will depend on how you camp and how much battery power you will need.

Travel safe

Vann

Why are two 6-Volt batteries better than 12 Volts?

Thank you for the recommendations and the warm welcome.

To paint the complete picture here, I have never towed anything really other than a small 4' x 8' trailer with a small pickup.

I have purchased a 2002 Ford F150 FX4 w/5.4L engine.  The truck has towing options installed on it and in addition to that I've been fixing doing things like, new brake calipers, brake lines, and pads all the way around.  Also have replaced U-Joints w/serviceable units. Also replaced all fluids such as differential, transmission, and coolant.

All that being said, my wife and I are looking forward to starting this next phase of our life which is 100% completely new to both of us.

All that being said... I would appreciate/love any advice regarding the R-Pod, the truck, or anything else you feel lead to advice us on.

Thank you in advance!