Time to replace the battery

A properly maintained low antimony starting battery will outlive a properly maintained "Deep Cycle" car jar battery, when used as a UPS standby. I love the ability of low antimony to shrug off higher voltages of converters. But really the decision is best made by the OP. He may have an inkling that he may someday boondock for a night or two. This isn't a big rip-roaring damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don't decision. The newer breed of Johnson Controls batteries contain less antimony than their predecessors. A definitely wrong choice in this instance would be the 5% antimony 6V golf car batteries. All positive attributes of this battery would be unused, and all the negative attributes would stand out like a sore thumb.

We never dry camp. My wife is not "outdoorsy". Don't believe me, look at the TT in my sig.

We have one 12v battery. I buy nothing but Interstates. Their warranty is second to none. The ones I just put in my truck and the one in the TT are 6 year replacement. I have had so many outlive the warranty before they died and Interstate still prorated them after the warranty. And you don't have to find an Interstate store for a warranty issue. Anywhere that sells Interstate batteries. Buy the Autozone or Napa or whoever else and you have to find one of their stores to get it covered. Not many auto parts stores where I go camping but the farm implement and gas stations with service centers always carry batteries. Many of them Interstates.

given the situation and the above info
I recommend going to AutoZone and getting their 'Duralast Gold' battery
3yr free replacement, yr 4~7 is pro-rated, they seldom need water, even if connected 24-7
of course the grp27 cost over $100, but i think they are an excellent battery

Thanks for the responses, folks. I had always planned to replace this one with 2 6 volts when the time came, but now that its here, it really didn't seem to make much sense. Might be different next time. Will plan to replace with one similar to what I've got. Thanks again; happy trails!

A single group 27 walmart or costco battery would be my choice.

Mex is right.

Only problem is all the good experiences you are missing not camping off-grid at times in the RV. But if you ever decide to try that, you can re-do your set-up accordingly. You don't even have to give up the luxuries very much except air conditioning if that is even needed where you are off grid.) (Most provincial parks here in BC do not have electricity, eg. I don't know about State parks)

Figure a STARTING battery is good for a dozen draw downs to 60% remaining capacity without really harming it. Starting batteries contain less antimony, so they require less watering, they self discharge less, so they corrode the terminals less. As few times as you use the cycling capability of your rig's battery a group 24 or 27 engine starting battery from Costco is my choice. They also have a very attractive warranty, especially the free replacement period.

All this gets tossed out the back window if you suddenly get an itch to go wilderness camping. Even so I have seen lots of people camping who limit their overnight discharges to 80% of capacity (20% discharged), and they get away with murder.

So it isn't just about battery cost. Purchasing two conversion terminals will switch a post battery over to stud connections like your RV battery uses. You'll love the less water needed and less corrosion part.

Whoa! Here comes all the screaming and moaning. I can see it now :)

No need for an extra battery under those camping conditions.

I have never needed more than one 12 volt with any of my four trailers. I plug in at home when needed, but not all the time. Like you, I always camp where electric is available.

If you are always plugged in, be sure to check the battery water level often! You didn't say how often you are replacing your battery, but if it lasts for several years (3-5), I wouldn't do anything different.

If you don't need two batteries, it would only make more work to check and add water. JMO

Jerry

No question, if you don't plan on doing much dry camping, a single good quality 12 VDC deep cycle battery may fit your needs.

But, you do have to consider the "what if" power goes down for a couple of days if this is your emergency "house".