Best RV Battery For Dry Camping

An RV battery can do a lot while you’re on your trip, as you don’t need to rely on power from other sources, and with a 12-volt battery option, you can power everything from outlets to phones, and even a fridge, so there’s no wonder why people are turning to these. 

But you can find these batteries in different types, and once you look closer, it can be hard to distinguish between them as you may get more use out of one than another, seeing as batteries can be a significant investment.

That’s why we have presented some of the best batteries we could find below, and we explain how each works and give the pros and cons of each so you can make an informed decision. 

A Brief Overview Of Battery Types 

As campers aren’t made with the same type of user in mind, this can also apply to the batteries, so before landing on a type, it may be helpful to look at each and see what they can offer you, which we look at below. 

AGM Battery

These are becoming more popular with RV users because they can handle energy demands better, require less maintenance than flooded-lead types, and can be more readily available as spare or primary batteries.

Lithium Battery 

These are seen as the most optimal batteries for any dry camping trip, as they can usually handle 3000-5000 cycles of charging and discharging before they lose capacity. There isn’t anything inside the battery that can leak or vaporize, so you can store them anywhere. 

Gel-Cell Battery 

The mixture in this battery allows it to use the acid and electrolyte similarly to lead-acid batteries, except you won’t have any leaks and are considered a minimum risk, but charging them can be slow. 

Flooded-Lead Acid Battery 

Many people turn to these types as they can be universal and have a variety of functions, but compared to lithium batteries, they aren’t as reliable, and most kinds need to be topped off with distilled water, plus they have a shorter lifespan. 

The Best 6 RV Batteries For Boondocking 

1) Renogy AGM Battery 

This battery is the simplest example you can find, so you have excellent discharge performance, which can work in low or high temperatures, so you don’t need to worry about the effects of weathering, so it’s good to have something you can depend on.

You also have a battery made with thick, absorbent glass mat separators and advanced valve-regulated technology, so you don’t get any acid leakage which saves you from having to do any maintenance on it.   

Pros

• With treated plate grids, you can get high discharge currents of up to ten times the battery-rated capacity so that they can work brilliantly as a regular or backup battery. 
• If you have a solar panel on your camper, you can use it to power this battery, which can take up to 8 hours, which is more convenient than the ten hours plus it can take by other methods. 

Cons

• Some versions of this battery don’t come with terminal bolts, so if you need to buy them, you have to ensure you have the right size for the cables. 
• This battery is much heavier than the standard RV batteries you may be accustomed to, so lifting it around for some people may be a challenge. 

2) EverStart Lead Acid Deep Cycle Battery

The battery comes in the group size 27DC, which should be useable in any RV configuration and is rated 750 MCA and has 109 amp hours, so you have a good cycling capacity, and you have the option to size up in the same line if you’re looking for more amp hours or group size.

If you take care and don’t overdo it with this battery and keep the temperature up to 77ºF, you should get a decent amount of life, so your RV can keep moving and your appliances ticking over for some time, as long as you have a backup one.  

Pros

• If you get this battery from certain retailers like Walmart, they do free testing and installation, where you can get advice on the best ways to use it if you’re new to RVs.
• Lead Acid batteries tend to have low self-discharge. So you can get more from your battery, and it is capable of high discharge rates, so this can be a good baseline option for many users. 

Cons

• You get a limited number of discharge cycles, so it is more suited to standby appliances and devices that only need this occasionally, so these won’t suit everyone.
• They also have low energy density and are a bit bulkier in design, so they might not be ideal for all stationary and wheeled applications. 

3) 12V Deep Cycle Lithium Battery 

This 12-volt iron phosphate battery gives you more from a deep cycle and has a management system, so you have short circuit protection and only weighs 30 pounds, which makes it lighter than lead acid and gel batteries. 

Once you’ve used this battery in your RV, you can use it for many other applications, including solar energy systems, off-grid systems, and even backup power. It is great to have when needing more power while your first battery charges. 

Pros

• Batteries like this tend to cost a bit more, but with 1280 watt-hours, you’ll find over time that your cost per watt goes down compared to more convenient but less powerful batteries.
• Deep cycle batteries, on average, are a lot more efficient with their power as they can fully charge on a lower voltage and accept a much higher load charge current when compared to a shallow cycle battery. 

Cons

• This battery might be best as a series, with a maximum of four, if you need more amperage to power more of your appliances and devices. 
• If you undercharge these types of batteries, this can cause them to fail sooner and you may need to maintain them more. 

4) Optima BlueTop Starting And Deep Cycle Battery

A battery that is labeled as the ultimate power source, it’s easy to see why, as you have 12 volts with 750 cold cranking amps, and is said to be fifteen times more resistant to vibration for durability, so this one is designed to be mounted anywhere and last longer as well.

The quality is maintained by having critical tolerances, temperatures, humidity, and automated processes, so you have constant control of any outputs while having a battery that requires little maintenance, depending on how you use it. 

Pros

• This is a good option as a spare battery where you find you need to power multiple appliances simultaneously and can be charged as you drive in your camper.
• If you take care of these batteries and avoid overcharging, they can last you some 5-7 years, so you have a great long-term solution if you find batteries you’ve used before don’t even last the length of the warranty. 

Cons

• If you’re doing a lot of dry camping, especially in colder conditions, you may have to keep these batteries hooked up and charged to prevent these from freezing, so you’ll want to invest in a regulated charger. 
• To have an efficient battery, you will have to use 50-80% of the battery before charging it again for the best results. So if you find you’re charging it more or less frequently, you may want to look at AGM batteries. 

5) Lifeline AGM Battery

You have here an AGM battery that is designed for deep-cycle applications, so you can get more from a charge and won’t see a drop in performance until the battery is completely depleted, and gives you good amps regardless of any temperature changes.

This also has a longer life than a conventional battery, so with the right mix, you could use this as a spare or even your main battery, and this versatility means you can also use it to power your camper as your drive it. 

Pros

• In some cases, you can get as much as ten years of life from your battery which is many seasons of use, so with a few of these, you can get good value and a reasonably consistent output.
• You also have more flexibility in these batteries, as you have stability in the design when under heavy use, backed up by the manufacturer’s approval for many use cases. 

Cons

• As these batteries weigh on the higher end of 74 pounds, they won’t have the portability that you’re looking for, but you do get a good amount of discharge time which is the payoff.
• As good as these batteries are and the workloads you can put these under, they work best if you only use them for one device, and in some cases can be sensitive to overcharging. 

6) Renogy Deep Cycle GEL Battery 

We have here a different kind of battery that might be a good option if you’re looking for more regulated outputs where you don’t need to worry as much about recharging it at regular intervals. You also get a low self-discharge rate.

You also have more options to store them, as they don’t leak or generate any toxic gases, so these batteries can work in the temperature range of -4º to 140ºF, making them suitable for a variety of applications. 

Pros

• The chemistry of this battery means that you have a charge that holds for longer, which makes it a good option for those who have used AGM batteries in the past and find they aren’t optimal for their use case.
• Compared to some AGM batteries, you can hook these up to multiple devices ad appliances for more extended periods. This can be made more efficient with an inverter and solar system. 

Cons

• To improve the lifespan of these batteries, it is recommended that you don’t discharge them under 50%, which may not be possible for some, and it doesn’t really give you much value from the output it provides. 
• You can’t mix these batteries with any other kinds, even if these other ones are pure GEL ones, so you don’t have as much flexibility as you’d like, but this will depend on how ideal these batteries are for you. 

Buyers Guide 

With batteries, there is always that balance between the price and the suitability they have for your use. Still, other factors can determine how worthwhile a battery is for your camper, and that is not including the type of battery you decide on. 

In the meantime, though, it is a good idea to consider other factors, which we will outline and discuss in more detail below. 

The Life Of The Battery

For the lifespan, you want something that will last you at least five years, as you may only use your camper once or twice a year. It makes sense that you don’t want to replace batteries after every few trips.

In general, lithium batteries tend to last the longest as they can potentially last 3-10 times longer than traditional batteries, but in some cases, users have reported that they can get anywhere between 8-10 years on an AGM battery, so it depends on how you use them.

One problem with lithium batteries is that they can be more volatile to use, but that risk aside, they can charge quickly and offer you more travel distance so they might be worth it in exchange for some extra care and attention. 

The Number Of Batteries You Need

For some users, two of any of the batteries mentioned above can be enough, so alongside your engine battery, you’ll need coach batteries, as they can be referred to.

As a rule, if you only use your camper a few days a year, you shouldn’t feel compelled to get two lithium batteries as this can be a bit overkill, so an AGM or GEL battery may be where you could look, as well as deep-cycle kinds.

However, over time, if you do use lithium batteries sporadically but go on longer trips, the investment may pay off in the long term, as you can deplete them to 85% without damaging the battery, and you don’t need to use toxic battery acid while on your trip. 

6 Volt Or 12 Volt Battery? 

There are pros and cons of using either, but knowing that campers usually have alternating current appliances and 12-volt lines, it makes sense to get one 12-volt rather than two sixes. 

12-volt batteries can be run in parallel, so if you need more of a boost in power for more extended periods, this may be ideal. Still, many electrical systems will only require one battery, but a downside is that a 12-volt battery usually has fewer amp hours than a 6-volt one.

The best thing to do is to take a look at your camper’s internal components and see what batteries can fit and reflect this with how much power you’ll need while on your dry camping trip, and decide if you need more output or longevity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Will A battery Last Without Charge?

An average deep-cycle battery can usually supply one amp for 80 hours, but this doesn’t include parasitic loads that drain the battery when not in use, which is why it’s impractical to have a battery, not in use or charged for extended periods. 

Under normal use conditions like powering lights, fridges, phones, and air pumps, it can last around 2-3 days, but this is based on a 12-volt battery.

Why Does My Battery Keep Dying? 

We’ve mentioned parasitic loads above, which can be a reason. Still, there are many that you may want to check, which include sulfation, overcharging, self-discharging, undercharging, and even from a lack of maintenance.

Some of these issues can be reversed, but the severity depends on how long you have experienced these issues, and one problem that comes up often is when a battery is put away without being fully charged or stored above 75ºF. 

Final Thoughts 

If you have an idea of the battery that suits you, there’s a good chance that with the right amount of attention and care, you can have a battery that will last for many trips you take.

If you’re undecided, it might be a good idea to go to a retailer or RV dealer who can get an idea of what you intend to do with your battery and the most optimal one for you. 

It’s a good idea to check your RVs internal systems to see what your outputs look like and consider the appliances that you need to run and for how long you need them for.