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larrysun · 05-31-2019, 05:13 PM

Need some advice.
I'm looking to replace my batteries in my 25FT International Trailer. I see that Costco has Interstate 27DC and 24DC Marine / RV Batteries at pretty good prices. Has anyone purchased these batteries for their Airstream TT. If so, how did they work for you?

Thanks for your advice.

**DKB_SATX** · 05-31-2019, 06:23 PM

So far, so good for mine. The OEM batteries on my trailer seemed a bit off but I limped along for a couple of seasons. Late '18 I got a hygrometer and found one had a couple of marginal cells and the other had a dead cell, so I tried the Costco ones. They're doing fine so far, with a few nights of true boondocking and lots of travel and hooked-up camping. I got the 24s because I wasn't in the mood to fiddle with fitment at the time, if I'm going to rejigger things in there I'm going with some beastly 6Vs.

Daquenzer · 05-31-2019, 07:17 PM

Just remember to really take care of them.
1). Check them often for water levels and keep distilled water on hand to fill the cells.
2). Keep a trickle charger on them when your AS is in storage or down for an extended time.

uncle_bob · 05-31-2019, 07:55 PM

Hi

As pointed out around the campfire a few days ago ....

It very much depends on what you do.

If you are parked / hooked up to shore power all the time then the batteries very much do not matter. Buy whatever is on sale at the cheapest price. If you run them dry from forgetfulness in a couple years, spend another $120 and get another pair.

If you never hook up to shore power and you run a full cycle on your batteries several times a week / 9 months of the year, then they very much do matter. You probably *will* get your money's worth buying good / fancy batteries.

A lot of people get into aspirational thinking when they do some of this. "I really would like to go out in the desert for a few months ...". That's a nice though

. *IS* that what you really have done with your trailer? If off grid use comes out to < 2 weeks a year ... that's not a lot of bang for your fancy battery buck.

Bob

tomquinnjr · 05-31-2019, 08:17 PM

I bought 2 of the Costco batteries 2 years ago and still going strong!

Kamiak · 05-31-2019, 10:26 PM

I've used Costco Kirkland batteries and the Interstate they use now for the past 20 years without problems...if I take care of them. We don't dry camp at all, so automotive batteries would work just fine (longer warranty). My current ones are not autmotive, but their marine/RV deep cycle hybrids. I have two years on them, no problem. I remove them after each trip, store at home, and charge on the first of each month.

ROBERT CROSS · 06-01-2019, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomquinnjr

I bought 2 of the Costco batteries 2 years ago and still going strong!

2 years....

I bought 2 Lifelines 12years ago, replaced with BB's last Season, they are now doing duty powering our B/U sump pump.
They cost us $52/yr.🤓
More is likely spent at Starbux.😂

Disclaimer...we rarely have been 'hooked-up.' Possibly 1/2 dozen times since getting the Classic in '04. We use our batt's a lot, we chose the brand that we felt best met our needs.👍

Bob
🇺🇸

Rpatrick16 · 06-01-2019, 08:01 AM

I replaced my group 24 12v's with two golf cart 6v batteries from Coscto a couple of months ago. It's a much better system and true "deep cell" with 225 Amp Hrs. Caught a sale at Costco pd $95 for each. Compared to BatteriesPlus that was $30 savings per battery. And both batteries are Interstate. All's good.

drbrick · 06-01-2019, 09:22 AM

Did Costco when we had the T@B 4 year and going - sold the T@B batteries still were going strong - it's all about maintenance - with the AS we have a different system (Solar etc.)

JCWDCW · 06-01-2019, 09:52 AM

As noted above, they work fine if you are not a heavy user who draws them down too far.
I think the advantage may be that you get a extended warranty that you don't always get with (IMO) a great battery from the automotive wholesale supply like NAPA or UAP made by AC Delco or East Penn
JCW

loft47 · 06-01-2019, 10:08 AM

Check with your local Cat dealer for their maintenance free batteries.

Patandlinda · 06-01-2019, 11:27 AM

[QUOTE=Rpatrick16;2247374]I replaced my group 24 12v's with two golf cart 6v batteries from Coscto a couple of months ago. It's a much better system and true "deep cell" with 225 Amp Hrs. Caught a sale at Costco pd $95 for each. Compared to BatteriesPlus that was $30 savings per battery. And both batteries are Interstate. All's good.
Question ? When we looked at Costco the 6 volt batteries are 200 amps . We currently have since 2013 2 6 volt Interstates that are 225 amp . Looking just in case around and because of the drop of 50 amp hours may go with batteries Plus . Pat

Davedog · 06-01-2019, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rpatrick16

I replaced my group 24 12v's with two golf cart 6v batteries from Coscto a couple of months ago. It's a much better system and true "deep cell" with 225 Amp Hrs. Caught a sale at Costco pd $95 for each. Compared to BatteriesPlus that was $30 savings per battery. And both batteries are Interstate. All's good.

I want to swap my single group 27 for two golf cart 6 volts. Noticed you had a 22 sport and wondering how you mounted on the tongue.

The Cralls · 06-01-2019, 02:53 PM

We switched to the Costco batteries and they have been working great. Watch the water level, keep them maintained and they work great. We do a split of boondocking and full hookups. I use a battery maintainer in the winter to keep them on at float at about 80 to 100% and in the summer they are charged from a small portable solar panel when the trailer is not in use. The solar panel is intended to be a maintainer and floats the battery from 80 to 100% when the trailer is in storage. I have had the Costco batteries for 4 year now.

terrythomts · 06-01-2019, 05:14 PM

I I replaced my batteries with AGM’s four years ago ( batteries were toast)primarily because of their very low self discharge rate. I store my trailer for seven months every winter and always took the batteries out and put in my garage on the trickle charger. The batteries seem to get heavier every year, not that I got older and weaker, and I wanted to be able to leave the batteries in the rig during winter in cold storage with no charging . I measure the voltage when I put the trailer into storage and again when I get it out in the spring. There is virtually no voltage drop. I always ensure the batterys I disconnected.

Rpatrick16 · 06-01-2019, 07:35 PM

[QUOTE=Patandlinda;2247441]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rpatrick16

I replaced my group 24 12v's with two golf cart 6v batteries from Coscto a couple of months ago. It's a much better system and true "deep cell" with 225 Amp Hrs. Caught a sale at Costco pd $95 for each. Compared to BatteriesPlus that was $30 savings per battery. And both batteries are Interstate. All's good.
Question ? When we looked at Costco the 6 volt batteries are 200 amps . We currently have since 2013 2 6 volt Interstates that are 225 amp . Looking just in case around and because of the drop of 50 amp hours may go with batteries Plus . Pat

I went out to check my batteries and I stand "corrected"....they are 210 amp hrs. Still I didn't deem paying $60 dollars more for 15 amp hr difference.

Rpatrick16 · 06-01-2019, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davedog

I want to swap my single group 27 for two golf cart 6 volts. Noticed you had a 22 sport and wondering how you mounted on the tongue.

I created a platform to hold two batteries side by side. It sits in the cradle that the single battery used to occupy. It's pretty straight forward. Here are some pics that I just made to show you what it looks like. I've removed the battery box tops and the holding straps for clarity.

I did this mod shortly after buying the trailer (new). Also, at that time I installed a 1000 watt "true sine wave" inverter. The setup has served me well.

Addition: Here's a link to the series of posts that I made when I crafted both the battery platform and the inverter. Perhaps you might find it helpful:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f295...ml#post1793488

Davedog · 06-02-2019, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rpatrick16

I created a platform to hold two batteries side by side. It sits in the cradle that the single battery used to occupy. It's pretty straight forward. Here are some pics that I just made to show you what it looks like. I've removed the battery box tops and the holding straps for clarity.

I did this mod shortly after buying the trailer (new). Also, at that time I installed a 1000 watt "true sine wave" inverter. The setup has served me well.

Addition: Here's a link to the series of posts that I made when I crafted both the battery platform and the inverter. Perhaps you might find it helpful:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f295...ml#post1793488

Thanks! I was looking at some different dual battery box options but think your solution might work better. From the pictures, it appears the weight of the platform rests on the original battery rails, not the a-frame. Any issues with the additional weight of the second battery?

Rpatrick16 · 06-02-2019, 11:48 AM

Yes, it rests on the original battery tray. Simple to build with two 2x4's and a piece of 3/4" marine plywood. I also used two pcs of aluminum 2" angle to keep everything from shifting forward or backward. I use two 2" web straps to lock it down. It has worked very well ever since I put it together. Since it only added approx 50# it hasn't caused a single issue. Happy travels!

ElliotA · 06-02-2019, 01:25 PM

Costco batteries are made by Interstate and are as good as any lead acid battery out there. I got seven years out of my last pair using an Optimate Battery Charger when in storage over the winters.