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

26 Replies

Super_Dave
Explorer
Mar 19, 2018
Your truck is 21 years old. Have you replaced the batteries before? I got about 10 years out of my OEM batteries and was happy. If you do better than 5 years with a vehicle battery I feel like you've done well. If you've had your last batteries for a decade or more, get them again.
shum02
Explorer
Mar 19, 2018
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.
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Mar 19, 2018
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.
valhalla360
Navigator
Mar 19, 2018
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?
Blanco1
Explorer
Mar 19, 2018
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.
Grit_dog
Navigator II
Mar 19, 2018
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.

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Best Batteries for a diesel Tow rig?

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