99 suburban second battery trays

[b4t2]

I have just bought a 1999 Chevy suburban and I found a second battery tray under the hood. Does anyone know what it is for and how can I utilize it? Thanks.

[Old Dave]

My wife and I just purchased a 1997 GMC 1500 Suburban and it has a second battery tray on the driver's side also. The diesel engines have two batteries in them and I'm wondering if they don't put both trays in them all when they are built? I think when my son stores his antique truck for the winter I'm going to remove and install his battery in the Suburban. I'll have to make up another set of cables and parallel them off the existing battery but at least it will keep his battery from going bad over the winter.

[Firetamer7]

well, here is what I know . They don't all come with the extra tray, I know because mine didn't have it. There ia also a reinforcement bracket that supports the tray. (which some do have). I wanted to add a second accessory battery. I bought the tray from GM parts direct after getting the part number. Very easy to put in with a body clip and a few nuts and bolts. Then wired an isolator in to provide charging to both, yet keep them separate. Neither will kill the other. I got fancy and put another jumper and disconnect inline between the two which provides a jump start whenever needed by just turning a switch if my cranking batter is ever dead. But the original idea is for diesel engine or extra amps in cold weather. Good luck all.

[Vadar-Frank]

I have a 1999 2500 4x4 with the extra batt. tray. which the dealer told me came with certain models with the tow package. anyways I decided to add a deep cycle on mine and wire an aux fuse block to run an entertainment system in the rear with aux. power ports, fan for the dog, etc.. great for camping and tailgateing. you can get the stock batt isolator and batt. tie downs etc.. from the dealer.