RVing allows nature lovers the ability to enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing all of the modern conveniences that truly make that experience a vacation. RVs really give their campers the best of both worlds. With an RV you can really go off grid, enjoying most national parks and many state parks. So when you want to, you can take a hike out in the boondocks but come back to shelter for a good night’s sleep.
To really get the most out of your RV experience, you need to have a battery. Most campsites offer power outlets you can look right into. This powers all of your electronics so that you can cook, enjoy entertainment, charge devices and maybe even relax with air conditioning depending on your RV model.
An RV battery gives you the freedom to no longer rely on power sources from campsites. Now, you can go way off the beaten path and still enjoy all the benefits of RV camping. So when you want to go dry camping and fully remove yourself from water and electricity sources, pack an RV battery to enhance the experience.
This article will explore five of the best RV batteries for dry camping. But before we get to that, you should keep two things in mind.
COMPARISON CHART
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ExpertPower 12V 100Ah Lithium
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4 X TROJAN BATTERY T-105 PLUS 6V DEEP CYCLE
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Universal Power Group 12V
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Interstate Batteries 12V
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VMAX Solar
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ExpertPower delivers one of the best multi-application batteries on the market. This 12 volt battery packs 100 amp-hours (Ah) of power. ExpertPower goes the distance by giving this rechargeable battery a lifetime of 10 years and 2500 to 7500 cycles. This far exceeds the usual 200 to 500 cycles and only three years of lifetime. This model is a sealed lead acid battery, which is the standard for RV and other multi-use batteries.
WHAT WE LIKE
Batteries lose charge when they are stored. So even if you do not use a battery, it will lose power through a process known as “self-discharge.” This can pose a problem if you need to use your battery in a pinch without proper preparation. However, this ExpertPower battery only loses about two percent of its charge per month. That means it can hold a charge for up to a year before it needs a recharge.
So if you feel like keeping a multi-application battery around the house for emergencies, the ExpertPower gives you a year of storage time before you need to recharge it.
Additionally, the ExpertPower’s discharge rate allows it to hold at least 12 volts for 95 percent of its run time. This means that you will get its listed power for longer. Finally, this battery weighs around a third of the amount as similar batteries at only 22.6 pounds. This makes it ideal for running in a battery bank.
Retailing for $789.99, this battery might not be the cheapest option. However, it makes up for its high price with a lifetime three times longer than similar batteries. And you can frequently find this battery on sale from online retailers, which could knock around $100 off the total price.
PROS
- Long life time
- Steady discharge rate while in and out of use
- Incredibly lightweight
- Battery Management System protection from overcharge, deep discharge, overloading and overheating
CONS
- On the pricier side
This battery is by far the most expensive and heaviest option on our list. Amazon lists the total weight for this item at 248 pounds. However, this specific listing comes in a set of four so the total weight per battery comes out to 62 pounds per battery. Additionally, its price at $944.99 comes down to a little more than $236 per battery.
WHAT WE LIKE
Since it comes in a group of four, one can expect to plan on creating a battery bank from these Trojan T-105s. Each individual battery delivers six volts and 225 amp-hours. In a series configuration a battery bank from these four gives 24 volts and 225Ah. A parallel battery bank results in 6 volts and 900Ah.
Some users report that the batteries hardly last more than a year or two. But in that time they deliver exactly what the operator expects. This model comes with an 18 month warranty from Trojan, so if something goes wrong in that time period you can get a replacement.
PROS
- Well priced for each individual battery
- Each battery delivers 225Ah
CONS
- Must purchase four units
- Each battery only rated to six volts
This battery delivers the most budget friendly option on our list. At only $179.99, campers on a budget can trust this 63.93 pound battery to get them through their wild excursions. For the first year, at least.
After that, many users report that the battery fails and does not last very long. Universal Power Group offers a one year warranty, so if it does fail in that time period at least you have an option for a refund or replacement. Reviews indicate generally positive customer service ratings with the occasional bad experience.
WHAT WE LIKE
It delivers the standard 12 volts and 100 amp-hours. If you plan on camping a lot within a year and only for a year, this battery should give you exactly what you asked for. It does not short out and customers can rely on it for near perfect operation within that year. But after that, many customers report that this battery fails.
So for its low price, you do not get longevity in return. But if you intend to use this battery for a good time and not a long time, it should not give you many problems.
PROS
- One year warranty
- SLA/AGM maintenance free
- Low price
CONS
- Many customers report that this battery does not last much longer than a year
This 12 volt battery delivers 110 amp-hours of power, which gives it a slight edge over most 12 volts of this size and category. It weighs 67.50 pounds you would expect from other batteries of this sort. And although it is on the heavier side of our list, the few pounds past 60 hardly count when dealing with something that heavy.
WHAT WE LIKE
A maintenance free battery, it features AGM and VRLA technology that eliminate overpressure and spills. The interstate retails for $249.99, which is about standard for a battery of this caliber.
Users report good experiences with this battery, and you can expect to get the standard three years out of this battery. Like all batteries on our list, you can recharge this battery as needed. Overall this battery does not feature any benefits that make it an absolute steal, but it does its job well without making a fuss.
PROS
- Maintenance free
- 110 amp-hours
CONS
- Heaviest single battery, but only by a small margin
5. VMAX Solar
Retailing at $289.99, this single unit battery retails for the second highest price on our list. However, the VMAX delivers 125 amp-hours from a 12 volt battery. That gives it the highest Ah for a 12 volt on our list.
WHAT WE LIKE
The VMAX does not mess around. You can count on consistent operation for eight to ten years. That advertised lifetime lasts at least three based on several glowing customer reviews. It might lack some of the top notch specifications as the ExpertPower, but it costs significantly less. And if you can match the 10 year lifetime, this battery might just be worth it
PROS
- 125Ah
- Military grade plates
- Long lifetime
CONS
- Lacks safety features
- Weighs 75 pounds
How much Power do you Need?
Your own specific power needs correlate to how you intend to use your battery. The more appliances and amenities you wish to run with your battery, the more power that battery needs. Additionally, consider how long you intend to camp. Basically, you need to consider what you want to run and for how long.
Once you figure out what you want to run, figure out how many amps or watts it takes. Using amps to determine power allocation is easy. Wattage, however, makes things a little trickier. You need to convert watts to amps using the formula: Amps = Watts/Volts.
From there, you can determine how much power each device draws per hour. Check out this load calculator to help make sure you get all the correct power measurements
What is a Battery Bank?
A battery bank is a collection of batteries wired together to increase the total amount of power storage you can have. You can connect the batteries in a battery bank in either a parallel or series configuration.
A parallel configuration maintains the voltage of the batteries but increases the amp-hours. Inversely, a series configuration increases the voltage but keeps amp-hours at the same level. Which configuration you want to use depends on the devices you plan to power.
Final Winner: ExpertPower 12V 100Ah Lithium
Overall, the ExpertPower 12 volt battery takes the cake as our winner. It features the highest quality components which give it a long lifetime and excellent performance capabilities. Plus, it weighs a third as much as our other options.
Check out our blog for more articles on how to make your RV camping experience the best it can be.
