Forum Discussion

NCMODELA's avatar
NCMODELA
Explorer
Oct 18, 2015

The Right Battery

Hi all. I am looking for a trailer battery. I've been doing some research and there are a bunch of options. We camp 6 or 7 times a year, never dry camping. I'm weighing price vs product. Will a deep cycle marine battery suffice? Two golf cart batteries? What is the difference between the two and is it worth it?

Thanks Bill
  • Keep your new battery charged when you are not using it even if you just disconnect it during storage.

    Dick
  • If you are always plugged into 120v power at a campground you just need any of the 12v batteries at Walmart. You do not need a deep cycle.

    In the scenario you described the battery is only there to apply the emergency brakes if the trailer comes disconnected, and maybe to keep the refrigerator running while you are towing. In this case any 12v automotive battery will work for this.
  • NCMODELA wrote:
    Hi all. I am looking for a trailer battery. I've been doing some research and there are a bunch of options. We camp 6 or 7 times a year, never dry camping. I'm weighing price vs product. Will a deep cycle marine battery suffice? Two golf cart batteries? What is the difference between the two and is it worth it?

    Thanks Bill


    Bill; If you are referring to a true Marine deep cycle it will be fine. There are only two manufacturers that make them, Rolls-Surrette and Concord-Lifeline. All others are a hybrid, deep cycle/starting, and not the best choice for a house battery.
    Two 6 volt batteries will give more usable amp hours than a single 12 volt in the same size group, but probably not needed if not dry camping.

    Harold
  • Hi,

    Any 12 volt battery will be fine if you don't dry camp. Look at dollars per amp-hour of capacity.
  • If you never dry camp, just go with a replacement battery, You don't need any 6 volt battery, unless you want to start dry camping, There is more to it, if you want to change to 2 6 volts….