A little special tool that costs about 2 bucks can take care of that problem. All you need is a cig lighter power adapter and two gator clips. Plug the adapter into a lighter/power outlet and hook the clips to the battery. BTDT.

How else can you disconnect both batteries?

I usually take off the front side vent, and reach down to the battery and hook up the cables from my bat charger direct to the battery. Don't know if that's possible for you to do.

Slotted Sleeve
 

Txriverra2001,
Did You Ever Find Out Who Makes This Actuator Slleve That Allows You To Lift Several Inches ?

All you have to do is remove the switch plate that controls the hatch and using a jump-pac with clips or pins connect to the wires on the switch till you hit the right ones and the hatch operates.

You can plug in the external jumper cables and use a separate battery charger hooked to the cable on 15 amps even with stone dead batteries. Sorry too late to help but it may help if it happens again.

We had the same problem with our batteries and external charger under the rear seat. We hooked up the shore power cord and then used a portable battery charger. It barely was enough power to lift the hatches, but it worked. The batteries were so dead we ended up getting two new ones.

Yes Dave...I do the same thing, just in case!!!!

I use a portable battery pack with a cigarette lighter plug and I plug it into the cigarette lighter. Then see if you can get someone to lift on it while pushing hatch lift switch.

I like that idea...