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One battery or two

Tin-bender
Explorer
Explorer
I know this question has been answered before, but not for me:)

Buying a new travel trailer and the dealer recommends a single 12 volt battery. We have had double 12 volt batteries on our travel trailers in the past and had no issues with that arrangement. We don't do a lot of boondocking, maybe a couple times a year for a couple days. Will a single battery be sufficient?
Thanks for your time
Tinbender
36 REPLIES 36

OleManOleCan
Explorer
Explorer
BobsYourUncle wrote:
Batteries are like cubic inches:

The only thing better than cubic inches is MORE cubic inches!

So using the "Bob" philosophy, 2 batteries are better than one!

I would go with 2. Forget what the dealer says, he has likely never boondocked a day in his life. For those of us that have, one 12V battery can run out in a hurry if you're not careful.

Best is 2 - 6V deep cycle golf cart batteries or similar. I run 4 X 6V


I agree 100%.
Unfortunately there are a lot of guys at RV dealerships, who aren't campers.
Yes they have been camping some, but haven't relied on what they brung, when they don't have power. 2 batteries are always better than one.
ALSO...
The simple addition of a couple of LED lights greatly reduces battery drain.
I've done a lot of Boondocking w/o a refrigerator. It's called having a couple of good Ice Chest filled with Ice, and having a rubber pad cut to fit over the food. The addition of a wet beach towel helps maintain your temps. One Ice chest is reserved for drinks. (People go in to this one more often)
Another tip... Don't rely on a bunch of electronic gadgets when you boondock.
I have charged our phones from my truck. If you don't use em much, they don't need charged as often.
One last tip... Make sure you have two full propane tanks. I cook on propane, I have a propane heater I can use when it's cold ect...

BOONDOCKING IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT.

twodownzero
Explorer
Explorer
I'd go to 6 volt batteries and definitely get at least two, if not four. It's really more about amp hours than number.

deltabravo
Nomad
Nomad
time2roll wrote:
Get two. Not sure I would have this dealer install the second.


Ditto... and especially if they only recommend "one".

I put two batteries in all my RVs.
2009 Silverado 3500HD Dually, D/A, CCLB 4x4 (bought new 8/30/09)
2018 Arctic Fox 992 with an Onan 2500i "quiet" model generator

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
An option for one battery would be the Trojan T1275...12 volts 150 amp hours.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

time2roll
Nomad
Nomad
Get two. Not sure I would have this dealer install the second.

Batteries are like cubic inches:

The only thing better than cubic inches is MORE cubic inches!

So using the "Bob" philosophy, 2 batteries are better than one!

I would go with 2. Forget what the dealer says, he has likely never boondocked a day in his life. For those of us that have, one 12V battery can run out in a hurry if you're not careful.

Best is 2 - 6V deep cycle golf cart batteries or similar. I run 4 X 6V
2007 GMC 3500 dually ext. cab 4X4 LBZ Dmax/Allison - 2007 Pacific Coachworks Tango 306RLSS
RV Rebuild Website - Site launched Aug 22, 2021 - www.rv-rebuild.com

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
Somewhat depends on style of camping. If you do a lot of dry camping then two six volters would be the best bang.
If you do all campground with hook ups, then a single 12 volt battery.

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker