Forum Discussion

kt0819's avatar
kt0819
Explorer
Jun 18, 2013

Which would you pick?

We are supposed to pick up our tt tomorrow but I don't know what to do about batteries. Dh is more knowledgeable about such things than I am but due to a misunderstanding we don't have any yet.

We looked at the Interstate GC2-XHD-UTL ones. They are deep cycle 6v that weigh 67lb and are rated at 232 amp hours. Total cost for these would be $373 plus taxes. We would buy their two individual battery boxes at $30 each as they will fit better than the single double box at $90

Costco has these batteries: can someone help me with how the specs match up? They are quite a bit less expensive but I don't know how much better InterState brand is:

GC2 108 CCA /115RC golf cart battery
-min @ 75 amps: 105
-64lb
-220AH rate at 20 hours
-min @ 25 amps: 425

$250 plus taxes for the pair


The rv dealer also sells batteries. However, they quoted us on our bill of sale $470 for 2, 6v. That is why we started shopping around. When we went to the service dept to see what they sold they retail them for $178 each less 10% off as an rv purchaser. I do not know why we are paying $469 on our contract when they are less. The sales manager is out of town and the best guess the finance manager has is that it is $100 charge to install. All I know about them is that they are supposedly high quality (is the dealer really going to tell me they are crap??) and are rated at 220AH.


Is this "normal"? Are two 6v batteries that hard to wire together that it would be $100+ in labor? Obviously it would be best to talk with the sales manager when he is back at the end of the week. We may have to put off our pick up until then because of this. It doesn't thrill me but it is what it is.

The rv dealer does offer two years of no questions asked warranty and then two more years of pro-rated warranty. This part is appealing.

I think our best bet is to bring our own but I'm not sure which to get? Costco or InterState.
  • WoodGlue's avatar
    WoodGlue
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2013
    I've had terrific luck with Sears DieHard, plus they do have pretty good warranties.

    WoodGlue
  • kt0819's avatar
    kt0819
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2013
    skipnchar wrote:
    Check private vendors for Trojan dealers. T 105s cost me 150.00 each a year ago and they're pretty much the "gold standard" for 6 volt batteries. Do you really NEED that much battery though? If you don't dry camp frequently spending that much on batteries is a waste of money. If you DO frequently dry camp then they're a VERY good investment. I got 8 years of hard use from my last set (they were stolen) and were still going strong.
    Good luck / Skip


    Where we are, all the services sites are booked through the end of September. There are a few private ones here and there but they are more the "rv park" style where everyone camps in a big field. That's not what we want to do most of the time. So yes, we will be dry camping a lot. Coming from a tent it'll still be the luxurious! :)
  • skipnchar's avatar
    skipnchar
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2013
    Check private vendors for Trojan dealers. T 105s cost me 150.00 each a year ago and they're pretty much the "gold standard" for 6 volt batteries. Do you really NEED that much battery though? If you don't dry camp frequently spending that much on batteries is a waste of money. If you DO frequently dry camp then they're a VERY good investment. I got 8 years of hard use from my last set (they were stolen) and were still going strong.
    Good luck / Skip
  • Passin_Thru's avatar
    Passin_Thru
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2013
    Costco is pretty close at 220 Amp hrs. Buy them. Costco stands behind their products, no questions.
  • Artum_Snowbird's avatar
    Artum_Snowbird
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2013
    I did an internet search on "who makes Costco batteries" and came up with Johnson Controls. They make Kirkland brand, they also make Interstate brand.

    In my mind, going to Costco for your batteries is a smart smart move. Your battery box has two connections built in, and it should also come with one or two connectors that connect between 6V or 12V batteries.

    If you tell them to take their battery charge off, you are buying at Costco, they will likely price match to Costco with no fee to install and you will have saved yourself a couple of hundred to enjoy.
  • aftermath's avatar
    aftermath
    Explorer III
    Jun 18, 2013
    No battery expert here but I do know that there are other brands out there that get mentioned here. Titans are supposed to be very good.

    I would stay away from the dealer. Charging $100 to install two batteries is a bit steep in my opinion. You simply set the batteries into boxes that will accommodate the size. They have to be wired in series which simply means you will need to connect them with a sufficiently sized cable. Connect the negative of one to the positive of the other and you will be set. Connect the negative ground from the trailer to the negative of the first battery and the positive cable from the trailer to the positive of the other battery. That is it. To charge $100 for this is taking advantage of the customer.

    I bet if you look at the brand name of the batteries they are selling you will find them elsewhere for far less. JMHO

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