I've always lamented that RV net locks old threads, or I'd post back here .I actually purchased my T-105 batteries in 2007. They've been in use since then.We use the camper a lot. We do summer trips, rarely with hookups. Our oldest did equestrian competition and it got used for those, the next two swim competitively, we use the camper to stay at meets for them.If we're going where there are hookups, I leave the 6V golf cart batteries at home. If we're staying more than one day, I go to the trouble of throwing them in the bed and hooking them up.At home the camper is plugged in 100% of the time with a good 3 stage charger (currently an Iota). They get their proper watering with distilled water, cleaned, etc..In that useage the 12V battery will last about 3 years. One time I got talked into the SC-220 for $190 and it made it one more year. We recently had a 3 day swim meet, and went to a RV park with plugins so I only had the 12V battery. When I went to dump tanks, it struggled to run the pump; it was totally shot. We were going home for only a few days and then heading out for 4 days in the boonies camping and fishing. I decided to wing it on only the T-105 batteries and figured I might have to run to town and buy a new battery if they didn't cut it as they are getting close to a decade old. Nope, they did just fine. It wasn't too cold so the furnace only ran a bit in the morning but still I'm impressed for such old batteries.

I put two T105's in my brand new 5'er in August 2010. I check the water in them in the spring and again in the fall and they are going strong after 6 years. I full time so they are in use constantly, but I am plugged into shore power most of the time.

I bought my Sam's batteries for $46 a piece back in 2004. Still used them last year and exchanged for new ones this summer.Back in 2004 all CA golf cart dealers stop buying Trojans due to poor CS I hope they improved.

You can barely buy a tiny riding lawn mower battery for $46 these days. The small battery in my Ranger was $120. And they're all made in Mexico or China.My good old American made pair of Optima red tops in my '92 F350 are still going strong, at least 10 years old for the newest one and over 10 years for the oldest one.

My MK gels cells are from 2007. I got them used in '08. Maybe any well taken care of batteries rock.

SoCalDesertRider wrote:You can barely buy a tiny riding lawn mower battery for $46 these days. The small battery in my Ranger was $120. And they're all made in Mexico or China.My good old American made pair of Optima red tops in my '92 F350 are still going strong, at least 10 years old for the newest one and over 10 years for the oldest one.SO how are Optima batteries for the camper? Is this only a starting battery? I see it talks about Boat and RV too, but that might just mean you CAN, not that its a good battery for RV and drain/charge variations. Any advice here ... thanks BI can only fit one battery in the boot, so need the best/longest discharge time, no maintenance battery I can get - My Interstate 27 just quit on us after about five years.

Trojan T-105 batteries rock | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

monkey44
Nomad II
Aug 07, 2016
As everyone knows, we have limited space in our battery compartment. So, what is the best battery to install. Some folks say two six volt instead, but it won't fit.

Some have an outside compartment wired in as an alternate - Torklift has a add-on compartment, for one. But I'd prefer one battery inside the stock compartment ... just looking for the best deep cycle, and want quality not necessarily save a buck.

We do boon-dock sometimes, but not enough anymore to make it worth adding another one. We can get by easily three or four days on one charge when we go into the 'battery mode' lifestyle off the grid.

We have a Lance 845 with single battery compartment-
SoCalDesertRid1
Explorer II
Aug 07, 2016
monkey44 wrote:
SoCalDesertRider wrote:
You can barely buy a tiny riding lawn mower battery for $46 these days. The small battery in my Ranger was $120. And they're all made in Mexico or China.

My good old American made pair of Optima red tops in my '92 F350 are still going strong, at least 10 years old for the newest one and over 10 years for the oldest one.
SO how are Optima batteries for the camper? Is this only a starting battery? I see it talks about Boat and RV too, but that might just mean you CAN, not that its a good battery for RV and drain/charge variations. Any advice here ... thanks B

I can only fit one battery in the boot, so need the best/longest discharge time, no maintenance battery I can get - My Interstate 27 just quit on us after about five years.
Optima red tops are starting batteries, but have a good reserve minute capacity. The yellow and blue tops are deep cycle rv/marine batteries, with better reserve minute capacity. However, I doubt I would spend the rediculous amount of money they want for Optimas now days and they're not as good quality as they once were.
covered_wagon
Explorer
Aug 06, 2016
If there is ever a question about who you should follow for any advice, especially on 12 volt systems, my vote goes to Matthew B.
monkey44
Nomad II
Aug 06, 2016
SoCalDesertRider wrote:
You can barely buy a tiny riding lawn mower battery for $46 these days. The small battery in my Ranger was $120. And they're all made in Mexico or China.

My good old American made pair of Optima red tops in my '92 F350 are still going strong, at least 10 years old for the newest one and over 10 years for the oldest one.

SO how are Optima batteries for the camper? Is this only a starting battery? I see it talks about Boat and RV too, but that might just mean you CAN, not that its a good battery for RV and drain/charge variations. Any advice here ... thanks B

I can only fit one battery in the boot, so need the best/longest discharge time, no maintenance battery I can get - My Interstate 27 just quit on us after about five years.
Naio
Explorer II
Aug 06, 2016
My MK gels cells are from 2007. I got them used in '08. Maybe any well taken care of batteries rock.
SoCalDesertRid1
Explorer II
Aug 06, 2016
You can barely buy a tiny riding lawn mower battery for $46 these days. The small battery in my Ranger was $120. And they're all made in Mexico or China.

My good old American made pair of Optima red tops in my '92 F350 are still going strong, at least 10 years old for the newest one and over 10 years for the oldest one.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Aug 06, 2016
I bought my Sam's batteries for $46 a piece back in 2004. Still used them last year and exchanged for new ones this summer.
Back in 2004 all CA golf cart dealers stop buying Trojans due to poor CS
I hope they improved.
edatlanta
Explorer II
Aug 05, 2016
I put two T105's in my brand new 5'er in August 2010. I check the water in them in the spring and again in the fall and they are going strong after 6 years. I full time so they are in use constantly, but I am plugged into shore power most of the time.

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Trojan T-105 batteries rock

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