Choosing the Right Charging System for Your Drop Deck Trailer
- GGB Products
- Sep 23
- 3 min read
Your drop deck trailer is only as reliable as the system that powers it. At Drop Deck Direct, we’ve spent decades building trailers and helping businesses choose the right setup. Every trailer we build comes standard with a 12V deep-cycle battery — but how you keep that battery charged is where your choices come in.
The two main charging options are solar and 110V plug-in. Each has unique strengths, and the best choice depends on how and where you store your trailer.
The Standard Foundation: 12V Deep Cycle Battery
All Drop Deck Direct trailers are equipped with a 12V DieHard 24DC-1 Deep Cycle Marine/RV battery. It’s durable, long-lasting, and built for heavy-duty use.
Why We Trust It
Extended Life: High-density active plate material delivers longer cycles and dependable power.
Tough Build: A polypropylene case resists damage from jobsite wear and tear.
Maintenance-Free: Zero hassle — you just focus on your work.
Specs at a glance:
550 CCA, 685 MCA
140-minute reserve capacity
41.5 lbs, deep-cycle power designed for heavy equipment trailers
This battery powers every lift and drop. The real decision is how you’ll keep it charged.
Solar Charging: Harness the Sun
If your trailer spends most of its time outdoors, solar is the clear winner. A mounted solar panel continually feeds the battery, keeping it topped off even when the trailer sits for long stretches.
When Solar Shines
Outdoor Storage: Perfect if the trailer lives outside between jobs.
Fleet & Rental Use: Operators don’t have to worry about whether the battery is ready.
Remote Jobsites: Keeps you powered when no outlets are available.
Think of solar as a hands-off insurance policy — your trailer stays ready to work, no matter how long it sits.
110V Plug-In Charging: Simple and Reliable
110V charging is straightforward: plug your trailer into a wall outlet, and the battery charges.
Why Customers Choose 110V
Indoor Storage: Ideal if your trailer is parked in a shop or warehouse.
Overnight Power: Plug it in at the end of the day, and it’s fully charged by morning.
Backup Option: Reliable when you want control over charging cycles.
We also remind customers that your trailer charges off the truck while towing. But that’s
really more of a maintainer — you’d need to log a lot of miles to fully recharge. For dependable performance, pair truck charging with either solar or 110V.
Which Option Should You Choose?
At Drop Deck Direct, we always start with one question:
Are you storing your trailer inside or outside?
Stored Outdoors: Solar is the best choice. It maintains the battery automatically.
Stored Indoors: 110V is simple and effective. Plug in overnight and go.
Both Scenarios: Many customers add both solar and 110V for maximum flexibility.
Our Expert Recommendation
Every Drop Deck Direct trailer leaves our shop with a 12V deep-cycle battery. To keep it charged, we strongly recommend pairing it with either solar or 110V — and often both. That combination ensures your trailer is always ready to perform, whether it’s parked in the sun, stored in a building, or hitched to your truck.
Power isn’t optional when safety and efficiency are at stake. A reliable charging setup means no downtime, no dead batteries, and no surprises when it’s time to load.
Quick Comparison: Solar vs. 110V
Charging Option | Best For | Key Advantage | Limitation |
Solar | Outdoor storage, fleets, remote jobsites | Automatic, worry-free charging | Less useful indoors |
110V Plug-In | Indoor storage, overnight charging | Fast and controlled | Requires outlet access |
Truck Charging (built-in) | All trailers | Maintains charge while driving | Not enough for full recharge |
Ready to Choose Your Setup?
We’ll help you match the right charging system to your operation. Request a quote today and keep your trailer powered, safe, and ready for work.
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