What is this tray in the engine bay supposed to hold? (2018 Tahoe Premier RST w/6.2L & 10spd)

[jimstem]

We've had this 2018 Tahoe Premier RST w/6.2L & 10spd about a month now. When I looked in the engine bay, I noticed an empty tray on the drivers side of the engine. Anyone know why it's empty and/or what, if anything, is supposed to be there? (see photos)

 

[TollKeeper]

2nd battery when equipped.

 

[jimstem]

Oh interesting! If it wasn't originally equipped, can it be added? And for what purpose?

 

[TollKeeper]

It can be added pretty easily...

As for what it was used for... Diesel applications mainly, but also people with bug thumping stereo systems, or people that live out of their trucks, and???

 

[Doubeleive]

I added a 2nd battery to mine mostly for less chance of coming out to a dead battery
and it was pretty easy to do
if you decide to do it, it is recomended that both battery's be the same type/size and age, mixing battery size-type-and different age can cause problems

 

[OR VietVet]

Easily done. If you do it, may want to think about a higher amp alternator but can be ok without it, too.

 

[markni12301]

Or this:
Thread '2019 Tahoe/On board air ARB air compressor' https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/2019-tahoe-on-board-air-arb-air-compressor.142696/

 

[justchecking]

Or if you have a camper you can get the HellRoaring kit and have that second battery as your backup starting battery. Normally everything including the camper if connected will run from the original primary battery. IF you run down the primary battery you can switch to the backup battery for starting. With the HellRoaring kit the backup is charged whenever the engine is running. It is disconnected whenever the engine isn't running. GREAT for boondocking or as an example when we ran a fridge off the primary battery for 72 hours running down the primary battery. No prob, flipped a switch to the backup and away we went. Avoiding a New Your City $75 jump start charge!

 

[2591tdj]

Like some others on the site, I bought a plastic storage box with lid from Lowe’s and store a small air compressor and some basic tools in it. It fits just right in the empty space. I strapped it down with a battery hold-down strap although that’s not necessary.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I installed a 2nd battery on this tray. I can connect/disconnect it whenever needed, using high amp quick disconnects.

 

[NiamLeeSin]

All of the PPV squad cars I've seen at auction have a second battery in this location, assuming it's for all of the additional electronics and lights.

 

[Timz71]

I added a 2nd battery to mine mostly for less chance of coming out to a dead battery
and it was pretty easy to do
if you decide to do it, it is recomended that both battery's be the same type/size and age, mixing battery size-type-and different age can cause problems

Did you add a isolator?

 

[Doubeleive]

Did you add a isolator?

no, you can but it's not required or needed unless you want it that way

 

[jimstem]

Thanks everyone! Really interesting suggestions!

 

[tuckerrnr1]

In my other suburban, I got a plastic marine battery box and strapped it down with a set of jumper cables in the box under the hood ready to go.

 

[Ghost10]

I added a 2nd battery to mine mostly for less chance of coming out to a dead battery
and it was pretty easy to do
if you decide to do it, it is recomended that both battery's be the same type/size and age, mixing battery size-type-and different age can cause problems

Can you link me the stuff needed to add a second battery

 

[Doubeleive]

Can you link me the stuff needed to add a second battery

you just need a battery holder and bolt, it's the same one that has been used by gm since forever, the little rubber piece it's more common on the gmt800's
then run a ground from the battery to frame or to the 1st battery, then run a power wire from 2nd battery to starter power connector.
I do not have the oem part number for the battery cable, probably cheaper to have a battery shop make you one, just feed it under the engine over to the starter along a existing wire harness or even along the firewall and then down to the starter.

 

[SpyShops212]

Just keep a battery jumper kit inside your truck. The second battery is if you are TLC, police or show truck.

 

[tom3]

I like the idea of a weather tight storage box right there too. Good place for my travel tool and spares kits and won't be under a big pile of the wife's stuff.