Which RV Deep Cycle Batteries To Buy?

[johncamtravel]

Need to start looking to purchase two 12V Deep Cycle batteries for the 5th wheel.
Which batteries are good and which ones should I stay away from.
How is Duralast from auto Zone? Does anyone use those? Or how is
Dura Cell are they any good? How about Autocraft from Advanced Auto
Parts? Any help would be appreciated.

[Njmurvin]

I don't have room for GC batteries or I would have gone that route. So, I bought the larger group 27 Costco/Interstate 12V batteries. They are a huge improvement over the group 24 batteries that were in there when I got the trailer. They're still going strong after a year. Time will tell how they hold up.

[bucky]

I don't know who currently (ha) supplies WM with batteries but if their warranty replacements were getting out of hand they would find another vendor. That may account for some good and some bad experiences over the years.
I've had good luck with Deka but would consider others if the specs were as good.

[Lenny_K]

Aah yes. Forgot about AGM's in 6 volt.

[allen8106]

Lenny K wrote:

Sabretooth007 wrote:
I use maintenance free Interstate 4 x 6 volts and although they are more expensive, you fit them and leave them, plus there is a nation wide warrantee should I need a replacement.. If I'm going to square wheel for a while in storage, I will remove them and charge them prior to reinstall and travel..

Never heard of maintenance free Interstate 6 volts batteries. Would you post a link for them? I'm sure lots of people would be interested.

Here's one.

https://www.interstatebatteries.com/products/gc2-hd-agm?productLine=golf-car&subcategoryKey=&ignorecategoryid=true

[Lenny_K]

Sabretooth007 wrote:
I use maintenance free Interstate 4 x 6 volts and although they are more expensive, you fit them and leave them, plus there is a nation wide warrantee should I need a replacement.. If I'm going to square wheel for a while in storage, I will remove them and charge them prior to reinstall and travel..

Never heard of maintenance free Interstate 6 volts batteries. Would you post a link for them? I'm sure lots of people would be interested.

[SpeakEasy]

laknox wrote:

RAS43 wrote:

SpeakEasy wrote:

scrubjaysnest wrote:
...I stay away from the wally worlds locally as they only last about 6 months.

This is a remarkable statement. You don't use them because they only last six months? So, someone must have TOLD you they only last six months. But already on this thread at least one person has contradicted this. I also have found Walmart batteries to last as long as any other similarly priced battery.

-Speak

Agree! Have completed 5 years of service with 2 of Walmarts batteries and they are still good. So on to year 6 next spring.

Here in AZ, we usually get 3-4 years out of WM "5 year" batteries. They will warrant them ONE time under their free replacement warranty. After that, you're buying another set at full price. Just had to put 2 new ones in my D'max this year and had to pay full price, even though my last 2 sets only lasted about 3.5 years each.

Lyle

So you paid once for a 5-year battery that lasted 3.5 years, then you got another one for free and got 3.5 years out of that? So you got 7 years out of a 5-year "battery" purchase? I'd say that's pretty dxxn good! I'm really not an apologist for WalMart. I'm just making observations.

-Speak

[Sabretooth007]

I use maintenance free Interstate 4 x 6 volts and although they are more expensive, you fit them and leave them, plus there is a nation wide warrantee should I need a replacement.. If I'm going to square wheel for a while in storage, I will remove them and charge them prior to reinstall and travel..

[laknox]

RAS43 wrote:

SpeakEasy wrote:

scrubjaysnest wrote:
...I stay away from the wally worlds locally as they only last about 6 months.

This is a remarkable statement. You don't use them because they only last six months? So, someone must have TOLD you they only last six months. But already on this thread at least one person has contradicted this. I also have found Walmart batteries to last as long as any other similarly priced battery.

-Speak

Agree! Have completed 5 years of service with 2 of Walmarts batteries and they are still good. So on to year 6 next spring.

Here in AZ, we usually get 3-4 years out of WM "5 year" batteries. They will warrant them ONE time under their free replacement warranty. After that, you're buying another set at full price. Just had to put 2 new ones in my D'max this year and had to pay full price, even though my last 2 sets only lasted about 3.5 years each.

Lyle

[RAS43]

SpeakEasy wrote:

scrubjaysnest wrote:
...I stay away from the wally worlds locally as they only last about 6 months.

This is a remarkable statement. You don't use them because they only last six months? So, someone must have TOLD you they only last six months. But already on this thread at least one person has contradicted this. I also have found Walmart batteries to last as long as any other similarly priced battery.

-Speak

Agree! Have completed 5 years of service with 2 of Walmarts batteries and they are still good. So on to year 6 next spring.

[SpeakEasy]

scrubjaysnest wrote:
...I stay away from the wally worlds locally as they only last about 6 months.

This is a remarkable statement. You don't use them because they only last six months? So, someone must have TOLD you they only last six months. But already on this thread at least one person has contradicted this. I also have found Walmart batteries to last as long as any other similarly priced battery.

-Speak

[JRMunn]

I don't have enough trailer experience to get into the 6V vs. 12V debate or recommend a brand. If you get the lead/acid variety, my ag experience tells me that you need to check water levels at least annually and try to keep them trickle charged throughout the year - overcharging with higher amps will heat the battery and drive water out of the cells. What I have found out the hard way about trailers is to make sure that whatever you get will both go into and fit securely in your battery box. Right now, I am using two Exide 105 ah 12V deep cycle batteries from Tractor Supply connected in parallel for 210 total ah when new (they are big and heavy, and I had to modify the battery box to get them to fit), and then found out that Costco has the same size and rating Interstate battery for less. From the little batteries on ATVs, I have learned that the AGM variety is easier to handle (no acid spills), but can't compare longevity or price with lead/acid for trailer use.

JRMunn

[Veebyes]

I don't do alot of dry camping. 2-3 weeks worth a year maybe. When we are 'on the hook' in nautical terms, we camp knowing that we have the best type of battery for the purpose, an AGM.

Current battery is a single AGM 4D. It has been in use, about 150 road nights each year, since 2010. Next year it goes to Alaska, & lots of dry camping, for the third time.

[magic43]

Yes, I have used Duralast batteries from Auto Zone since 2004 and continue to get excellent service from them.

I just returned from a two week Colorado trip with the TC thremostat set at 40 degrees. The battery was charged by the generator for about an hour every morning and about two hours at night. The battery never failed to supply the furnace's needs. This has been our normal routine for many years without a hint of battery failure.

[theoldwizard1]

allen8106 wrote:
Depends on what you want out of the batteries. If you are planning off grid camping I would suggest either Trojan or Crown with my preference being Crown. These are the only true 12 volt deep cycle batteries worth anything in my opinion.

Trojan T-1275 (12V) are good but $$$ ! Not easy to find.