Tow Vehical Batteries

Just my opinion, but 9 years is far too long to wait. It is great that they lasted so long, but I would rather replace at 5-6 years rather than be concerned about being stranded somewhere.

I went with the yellow top duralast batteries from auto zone.
they had 100 CCA more power than the original batteries in my 2005 Dodge diesel. I have had good luck with duralast batteries.

They are made by Johnson Controls in the USA, if that means anything to you and the cost at that time $135 each.

there is always an autozone store close by was my thinking, if I ever did have problems at night or weekends.

the store employees changed my batteries for me and did a very good job, insuring all the battery packing, etc: was placed back in good order, lubed the post,
no problems:

I kept the old batteries, was going to use them on my boat trolling motor, but they were both gone in a few months, would no longer hold charge, so they were at or near the end of their life cycle.

after watching the boys change out those big heavy batteries: you would not want to have to change out those bad boys on a cool dark winter night in no-where's-ville. They might not have the right size battery.

get new top quality batteries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Interstate were on the short list. Guess I should just bite the bullet and save myself some grief later and get the Die Hards. Sure could ruin a great day sitting at a rest stop somewhere in the middle of Wyoming waiting on a service truck.

I replaced my oems in Aug. 12 with Napa Gold. They worked great in our polar vortex winter without a block heater.

mountainsam wrote:
I know there have been discussions on this topic and there are a couple going on now, but they are talking way above me head.
I have a dodge diesel that is just the tiniest bit sluggish in starting. I think one of the batteries is getting weak. I am taking it in to have it tested and if I have a weak battery I will replace both batteries.
Question is, who has had issues with what battery brands? Currently I have Mopar batteries (original, came with the truck 9 years ago). Common sense would tell me that if they lasted 9 years I should put new ones of the same brand in for another 9 years. I can't find them where we live. And, I know from past experiences that what was good 9 years ago maybe isn't so good now. Also I have added the 5er to the mix. That may put more demand on the batteries. I usually don't look around, I just go buy Die Hard but they want some big bucks for those truck sizes. Any good/bad ones to stay away from?

Tiniest bit sluggish can become a 'no start' condition quickly. Found that out two years ago with a pair of Interstates under the hood of my '05 3500 diesel. They started acting sluggish on the way home from Arkansas. One week later, the truck was dead in the driveway. The Interstates were only 50 months into their 75 month rated life. Spent over $240 for them, replaced with a pair of Exides. I have no battery recommendation, I question whether any of 'em last a long time, at least the aftermarket offerings.

Still getting great mileage, As much as 24 on the highway at 63mph. 21.4 average in the local mountain areas. I will get them tested tomorrow and probably will replace them regardless. We have a long trip coming up, coast to coast.

Battery performance is all over the map depending on where it's from. Die Hard's generally have a good reputation, but it depends on where they're from. CR tests batteries every year and they test Die Hard's from northern regions and southern regions as they're actually different batteries and yield different results. Some people like the Costco and Wal Mart batteries, some don't.

I replaced my OEM's about 16 months ago with Die Hard's. IIRC they had the highest free replacement time period which is 5 years I believe. A bit higher CCA also than the OEM.
I did price the OEM at the dealer but they wanted more money than Sears did :H
Heck 9 years is pretty darn good. I couldn't test my luck in winter so I replaced at the 7 year mark.

I believe there is only 3 manufactures that make batteries in the USA.

Your Cummins ECM looks for a minimum eng RPM before it will allow the injection system to work and fire the eng. So it's very possible that tired batteries will slow down how fast it starts. However, the other thing that can cause this is weak and leaking injectors. If that's the case then it will get worse and you'll generally notice it's using a lot more fuel.
But keep in mind that the ECM has to see acceptable inputs form all the eng sensors before it will start. So if the eng stops in a particular spot it may need to trun a bit more to get all those readings.
Nine years is good for OEM batteries, I would replace them no matter what. Better to do it now than be left sitting someplace.

Good luck,
Scott