date code on your batteries and age

the warranty period of the battery in a new coach should start at the purchase date of the trailer. Before that its considered to be sitting on a shelf.

Crockett wrote:
the warranty period of the battery in a new coach should start at the purchase date of the trailer. Before that its considered to be sitting on a shelf.

X2

Interstate should have no issue with replacement based on purchase date of TT
(Dealer shouldn't have had an issue either but they already have your monies and 'service' is NOT their interest)

I would still pursue issue with Interstate..send them a copy of bill of sale. Battery didn't wear out======IT FAILED

Kmart was selling Diehard marine batteries that were just under one old for $62 two weeks ago. The price now is $114 and they are just as old. You really have to learn the date codes.

Crockett wrote:
the warranty period of the battery in a new coach should start at the purchase date of the trailer. Before that its considered to be sitting on a shelf.

But the battery itself, regardless of any trailer warranty, begins it's life and therefore it's slow process of deterioration at birth, arguably the same as do we humans :E ... ergo, the reason Interstate in this case is declining any obligation to replace the battery a year beyond it's date of manufacture. Interstate also has a clear policy stating that any Interstate battery still in their possession or any of their wholesalers must be re-charged every 3 months. The retailer on the other hand isn't obligated to any policies of another company and you can bet just lets their battery stock sit on the shelf until it sells, regardless of how long that may take. Interstate batteries are clearly identified as to their manufacturing date but the OP is probably correct in that not many of us bother checking that date. I have, and my own Interstate G27 which was manufactured just a couple of months before we took delivery of our 2008 KZ Spree in the spring of 2007 is still doing fine after all these years of use. I had actually planned to replace it this year but at the moment there seems be no reason to. :B

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Interstate should have no issue with replacement based on purchase date of TT

Therein lies the rub - date of purchase. If we read the Interstate Battery Warranty that would apply in the OP's case it's pretty clear warranty starts as of "the date of purchase". Normally that would mean the date on which one walked into a store and purchased the battery but in the OP's case I would interpret that to mean the date the trailer on which the battery had been mounted by the dealer was purchased. That seems to present a conflict with common sense that any battery, regardless of when it was sold, actually begins it's life and therefore it's process of deterioration on the date it was manufactured, yet reading this warranty I'm not sure how Interstate can deny coverage.

Sorry, double post.

The date of purchase is when the manufacture bought the battery from Interstate as they have no idea when or how the battery has been used/treated since then. If the manufacture bought 100 batteries and it took six month to use them up and if the dealer left the rig plugged in with a dumb converter or it sat for six months with the battery discharged, it's not Interstates fault. OP, you have a sorry dealer and next time I'm sure you will require a new off the shelf battery. For $100 you have learn a fairly inexpensive lesson and a pretty good idea of the quality of your dealer. Good Luck.
PS: I only got ten years out of my Interstate engine batteries... granted I found the caps (maintenance free) and added a small amount of water every two years.
PSS: OP, do you have a smart/three stage converter? If not then you have a cheap manufacture too.

SoundGuy wrote:

Crockett wrote:
the warranty period of the battery in a new coach should start at the purchase date of the trailer. Before that its considered to be sitting on a shelf.

But the battery itself, regardless of any trailer warranty, begins it's life and therefore it's slow process of deterioration at birth, arguably the same as do we humans :E ... ergo, the reason Interstate in this case is declining any obligation to replace the battery a year beyond it's date of manufacture. Interstate also has a clear policy stating that any Interstate battery still in their possession or any of their wholesalers must be re-charged every 3 months. The retailer on the other hand isn't obligated to any policies of another company and you can bet just lets their battery stock sit on the shelf until it sells, regardless of how long that may take. Interstate batteries are clearly identified as to their manufacturing date but the OP is probably correct in that not many of us bother checking that date. I have, and my own Interstate G27 which was manufactured just a couple of months before we took delivery of our 2008 KZ Spree in the spring of 2007 is still doing fine after all these years of use. I had actually planned to replace it this year but at the moment there seems be no reason to. :B

not really talking the properties of batteries here. as a consumer, if the warranty doesnt start when purchased then youve entered a vast gray area. the vendor needs to rotate stock and the dealer should not install older batteries. someone should make it right to the consumer...

Ivylog wrote:
The date of purchase is when the manufacture bought the battery from Interstate as they have no idea when or how the battery has been used/treated since then. If the manufacture bought 100 batteries and it took six month to use them up and if the dealer left the rig plugged in with a dumb converter or it sat for six months with the battery discharged, it's not Interstates fault. OP, you have a sorry dealer and next time I'm sure you will require a new off the shelf battery. For $100 you have learn a fairly inexpensive lesson and a pretty good idea of the quality of your dealer. Good Luck.
PS: I only got ten years out of my Interstate engine batteries... granted I found the caps (maintenance free) and added a small amount of water every two years.
PSS: OP, do you have a smart/three stage converter? If not then you have a cheap manufacture too.

I believe the dealer installs the batteries, not the manufacturer. At least on non-motorized.

the trailers require a batt for breakaway switch during transpot, correct? So maybe the mfg installs them. I'm not sure cause I have never purchased a new one. Let someone else take the initial depreciation & go through all the warranty issues & save some cash.