Our '95 CC Intrigue diesel Class A was 11 years old when we bought it in 2006, so is now pushing 19. We have not replaced the chassis battery, and I don't know whether or not the original owner did. So the battery is either the same age as the coach, or is something more than 8 years old. So far, it hasn't even hiccuped -- the engine starts right off even on chilly mornings. We'd rather replace it, though, than have be battery fail at an inconvenient moment (when is it EVER convenient to have a battery fail?). Is there anyone out there who knows the typical lifetimes of this type of battery?

Do you have a single 8 D battery for the starter or a pair of them? I am guessing it is a pair of 8 D batteries. My guess is they will last a really long time, but not the 19 years. They where probably replaced sometime between 8 and 11 years old, making them 8-11 years old now. You can have them do a load test on the battery, and it will give some indication of how they are holding up. . Fred.

My starting batteries (Interstate 31s) we're original (11 years) until last week. This is longer than any battery has ever lasted for me. Because they still tested good I was not going to replace but I was able to work a deal where I could keep them. When I get home they will go in a 24V machine to see how much longer they will last.OP if it passes a load test and all the cells test close to 13 with a hydrometer I'd keep BUT I have a large house battery bank I can connect if it did not start by it self so I could get some place to replace.

I'm too in the school of doing reasonable preventative maintenance on my schedule, and most important, location:)!I'd go ahead and replace the battery. If it's an 8D, I was given a tip to look at CAT 8D batteries, as it had the highest CCA of any 8D that I could find. It's also Maintenance Free. Not the least expensive option, but I figured we'd get 8-10 years out of it, so that little bit of extra for cost upfront, gets spread over several years. Been in for about 18 months now, and I've never noted any cell outgassing, which I like.Good luck on your choice, Smitty

I would say the lifetime is about the same as your car battery. Been my experience.

Many thanks Fellas,Like Ivylog's, ours are Interstate 31s (a pair of them), and it sounds like it's a good time to have them checked.

lifetime of chassis batteries? | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

J-Rooster
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
I just replaced my Chassis battery after 4 years and 2 months. I had a Interstate Gel Cell installed as a replacement and, I'm hoping to get 5 to 6 years of life out of it! I've never been able to get more than 4-1/2 years out of my chassis batteries and I have been RVing since 1976!
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Aug 22, 2014
IF you bought it at 11, odds are it was replaced before you bought it

and Odds are its getting close once again.

10 years give or take is about the limit.

That said: I would not replace before they tell you to replace them.. I would however, make sure that I understood how to use the emergency start or battery boost system installed in the RV and/or carry a very heavy duty booster pack.

(I do carry a light weight one).
cwdavis
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
Many thanks Fellas,

Like Ivylog's, ours are Interstate 31s (a pair of them), and it sounds like it's a good time to have them checked.
Mandalay_Parr
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
I would say the lifetime is about the same as your car battery.
Been my experience.
Smitty77
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
I'm too in the school of doing reasonable preventative maintenance on my schedule, and most important, location:)!

I'd go ahead and replace the battery. If it's an 8D, I was given a tip to look at CAT 8D batteries, as it had the highest CCA of any 8D that I could find. It's also Maintenance Free. Not the least expensive option, but I figured we'd get 8-10 years out of it, so that little bit of extra for cost upfront, gets spread over several years.

Been in for about 18 months now, and I've never noted any cell outgassing, which I like.

Good luck on your choice,
Smitty
Ivylog
Explorer III
Aug 22, 2014
My starting batteries (Interstate 31s) we're original (11 years) until last week. This is longer than any battery has ever lasted for me. Because they still tested good I was not going to replace but I was able to work a deal where I could keep them. When I get home they will go in a 24V machine to see how much longer they will last.
OP if it passes a load test and all the cells test close to 13 with a hydrometer I'd keep BUT I have a large house battery bank I can connect if it did not start by it self so I could get some place to replace.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
Do you have a single 8 D battery for the starter or a pair of them? I am guessing it is a pair of 8 D batteries.

My guess is they will last a really long time, but not the 19 years. They where probably replaced sometime between 8 and 11 years old, making them 8-11 years old now. You can have them do a load test on the battery, and it will give some indication of how they are holding up. .

Fred.

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lifetime of chassis batteries?

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