Best Batteries for a diesel Tow rig?

[Blanco1]

Ok I've got a high Performance Tow rig '97 Dodge 12 Valve Cummins with about 500 HP & over the past 6-7 years have only used it for my Truck Camper.

But now I've purchased a Travel Trailer that will allow me more use for my truck than just the Truck Camper.

I'll drive here & there to work or for fun or to tow my New Trailer we just got.
Or my boat to the lakes.

What would you recommend?
Its got dual Batteries under the hood that have been there for years & are constantly dead.

Time to get new ones & wonder what you recommend?

[blt2ski]

FYI, last I saw, Interstate does not make their own batteries. Would not surprise me if some were made in Mexico or Canada, along with the 3 plants here in US. I personally would not worry about the where they were made. Not a lot one can do to them.

Marty

[blt2ski]

Iirc, NAPA, West Marine and many other store brands are made by Deka/East Penn. I go in the Tacoma distribution center frequently, they have rolls of stickers they put in the batteries, depending upon who is getting them.

Marty

[Cummins12V98]

blt2ski wrote:
IIRC, there is only three manufacturing plants in the US. Really does not matter the brand, they were probably made by brand X if you will. From a motor standpoint, get the one with the most CCA that you need, call it good!

Marty

Have you noticed some of the Interstate Batteries are Made in Mexico? I was in a pinch ended up with two 6volt from NAPA.

[blt2ski]

IIRC, there is only three manufacturing plants in the US. Really does not matter the brand, they were probably made by brand X if you will. From a motor standpoint, get the one with the most CCA that you need, call it good!

Marty

[Edd505]

Look into a pair of group 65 Walmart/Sams for high cranking amps.

[Grit_dog]

ivbinconned wrote:
I had an 06 Ram. Cables etc constantly corroding. Installed AGM. Problem solved.

Now that you mention it, my connections were constantly corroding with the original batteries as well. I’d clean them every year at least. Those batteries seemed to leak around the posts a bit. I sealed up around the posts with some rtv and it helped. I think it may have just been those batteries because that is not the norm with flooded batteries.
AGM batteries have been in for 5years now and no issues or corrosion though.

[Cummins12V98]

Costco will serve you well. If traveling they are all around the Country!

[Cummins12V98]

ppine wrote:
Costco batteries are pretty good.
I get my truck batteries at Les Shwab.

Do you think they have better quality batteries?

[ivbinconned]

I had an 06 Ram. Cables etc constantly corroding. Installed AGM. Problem solved.

[Super_Dave]

I got my last batteries at Batteries & Bulbs. They even installed them for me in the parking lot so I didn't have to make a return trip for the core charge.

[Grit_dog]

My only reason for recommendation of Odyssey is they have lasted longerthan other batteries. Ymmv
Idk what the CCA are but they light up the diesel at -30 not plugged in no problem.

[Ron3rd]

For those recommending Costco, our local Costco now sells Interstate batteries and exclusively. Decent battery

[theoldwizard1]

shum02 wrote:
I've had really good luck with Costco batteries.

As long as they have the same Cold Craning Amps (CCA) there is no reason to spend more money.

[ppine]

Costco batteries are pretty good.
I get my truck batteries at Les Shwab.