Ok I've got a high Performance Tow rig '97 Dodge 12 Valve Cummins with about 500 HP & over the past 6-7 years have only used it for my Truck Camper.But now I've purchased a Travel Trailer that will allow me more use for my truck than just the Truck Camper.I'll drive here & there to work or for fun or to tow my New Trailer we just got.Or my boat to the lakes.What would you recommend?Its got dual Batteries under the hood that have been there for years & are constantly dead.Time to get new ones & wonder what you recommend?

Money no object, I'd reccomend Odyssey AGM. Have a pair going on 10 years old and a "new set" in the boat going on 5 years. The 10 year ones were in the boat for 5 years before going into the truck. But, you don't need anything special. Any decent flooded batteries will serve you for years too with proper charging, maintenance , no parasitic drains, etc.

Grit dog wrote:Money no object, I'd reccomend Odyssey AGM. Have a pair going on 10 years old and a "new set" in the boat going on 5 years. The 10 year ones were in the boat for 5 years before going into the truck. But, you don't need anything special. Any decent flooded batteries will serve you for years too with proper charging, maintenance , no parasitic drains, etc.Can you give me more details on price & why they are so great?Gel?Standard?These must be Strong Cranking Batteries for a hot rod Diesel that at time drps into very cold temps.

AMG would be a waste of money. They are primarily designed to not lose fluid if tilted on their side or upside down.Assuming you just need them to start the engine, any cheap battery of sufficient CCA will be fine.If your current batteries are always dead, check for stray current before replacing the batteries. The best batteries in the world will still go dead if you let them sit for a couple weeks with a 5-10amp constant draw. Did you add some aftermarket device that doesn't shut down when you pull the key?

valhalla360 wrote:AMG would be a waste of money.Not at all.While it is a personal decision, just not having to check the "water" level every 90 days or so is worth the difference for me. This is especially true if the location makes them hard to access.Then AGMs tend to last a LOT longer so in many cases they end up paying for themselves.But yes, he should try to figure out WHY the batteries constantly go dead while just sitting. It might be just self-discharge from being old and sulphated.

I've had really good luck with Costco batteries.Have dual 850's in the truck that have so far out performed and outlasted a couple sets of name brand batteries.Although as I understand it only a couple of companies in U.S/Canada that actually manufacture these batteries for everyone else.

Best Batteries for a diesel Tow rig? | Good Sam Community

Grit_dog
Navigator
Apr 02, 2018
ivbinconned wrote:
I had an 06 Ram. Cables etc constantly corroding. Installed AGM. Problem solved.

Now that you mention it, my connections were constantly corroding with the original batteries as well. I’d clean them every year at least. Those batteries seemed to leak around the posts a bit. I sealed up around the posts with some rtv and it helped. I think it may have just been those batteries because that is not the norm with flooded batteries.
AGM batteries have been in for 5years now and no issues or corrosion though.
Edd505
Explorer
Apr 03, 2018
Look into a pair of group 65 Walmart/Sams for high cranking amps.
blt2ski
Moderator
Apr 03, 2018
IIRC, there is only three manufacturing plants in the US. Really does not matter the brand, they were probably made by brand X if you will. From a motor standpoint, get the one with the most CCA that you need, call it good!

Marty
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Apr 03, 2018
blt2ski wrote:
IIRC, there is only three manufacturing plants in the US. Really does not matter the brand, they were probably made by brand X if you will. From a motor standpoint, get the one with the most CCA that you need, call it good!

Marty

Have you noticed some of the Interstate Batteries are Made in Mexico? I was in a pinch ended up with two 6volt from NAPA.
blt2ski
Moderator
Apr 03, 2018
Iirc, NAPA, West Marine and many other store brands are made by Deka/East Penn. I go in the Tacoma distribution center frequently, they have rolls of stickers they put in the batteries, depending upon who is getting them.

Marty
blt2ski
Moderator
Apr 03, 2018
FYI, last I saw, Interstate does not make their own batteries. Would not surprise me if some were made in Mexico or Canada, along with the 3 plants here in US. I personally would not worry about the where they were made. Not a lot one can do to them.

Marty

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