How many RV batteries is to much for a trip

[Birdie123]

We are gone for 16 days with our 26ft Motorhome from Canada to the southern states in December. We have two batteries in outside compartments and two more inside the coach under the dinette seat. We would be running A/C and a microwave, coffeepot etc, but we are pretty Conservative in running even any of that. We also have a Onan Emerald Plus 4000 Generator on board. We are very careful with our lights etc. This is our first time with this Motorhome and have a TT that we just have one battery with and it seems to be just fine for what we do. Of course I know that Gen has to be running or pole power is needed for the A/C and appliances. We are just going thru the Motorhome that we just bought about 4 weeks ago and four batteries seems like much and they are so darn heavy too! Thank You

[CA_Traveler]

With an inverter you can run appliances on the batteries except the AC.

[CA_Traveler]

Are the 2 outside for the chassis and the 2 inside for the house? For your first trip don't remove any and see how it goes.

At some point have the batteries load tested to get a much better indication of their condition, normally free.

Are the inside batteries flooded and vented?

[MrWizard]

To answer the original question
Too many is when you don't have the room to carry them

We have seven RV house batteries, plus two engine chassis batteries

Of course we full-time and we mainly camp without hookups
So batteries generator and solar all get a workout

Keep your 4 batteries
Your going to appreciate them, when you run the heater and watch TV while stopped for the night

And they can be a big help, for self jumpstart if you have engine battery problems..
You have switch in there someplace around the dash labeled EMG
when the engine won't start, hold that switch then turn the ignition key

[mowermech]

The furnace is a power hog. My first Class A had an 8D 12 V. battery, and one night at 40 degrees ran the battery dead by 3 AM!
Believe me, when I had to get out of a warm bed to start the engine so I could start the generator, I was wishing I had 4 batteries!
I would say don't mess with it!

By the way, a Citation Supreme seems to be a Tioga Class C motorhome!

[Dakota98]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Are they four 12V batteries.........or four 6V batteries?

Good Point. If they are 6-volt, that explains it. If 12-volt, there must still be a reason.

[Old-Biscuit]

Are they four 12V batteries.........or four 6V batteries?

[mdamerell]

If your RV is diesel then two batteries are probably for starting the engine and the other two are probably for the camper also known as "hotel batteries". That helps ensure that if you leave the camper lights on and run the batteries down you can still start your engine to drive away.

[answerswillvary]

Moved from Roads and Routes to Class A

[Birdie123]

Yes I understand that battery is not for appliances or A/C. I thought that four was a bit excessive when I have a generator and choice of pole power when I want to pay for it. I will be checking all four batteries today and making sure that the Gen, Truck and pole power all charge my batteries. Thank you.

[ScottG]

You do realize that your batteries have nothing to do with running A/C, coffee pot, microwave, etc, right?

[Jack_Diane_Free]

Cannot see why you need to haul that many batteries when you will have AC hookup and a generator.

[2oldman]

Moderator will move this to Class A, probably.

The chances are good those 4 batteries are not in the best shape.. so it's a good idea to check them. Can't really comment effectively on what's "to much" (sic).

[Birdie123]

We bought a 1986 Ford Citation Supreme over the cab 26ft Motorhome. I forgot to put that in there. Thank You