New Camper Has Arrived - No Battery!

[Bob Landry]

The dealer cost for a battery is about 25 bucks. Relative to what he made on the sale...........

[usmc616]

If you are to leave it on a site all year long then I would ask fellow sesonal campers what they recommend. I travel with my TT so I must have a battery, but I have seen sesonal campers without batteries as well.

[Fil564]

I have seen where it is recommended to have a battery even though you are using shore power for when you operate the slides. When we bought ours it was our first trailer and I did not even think of it and they told me while we were signing the papers that it did not come with a battery and since we did not have one they threw it in. I can honestly say anytime I have dealt with our dealer I have not had any issues and they have a fairly good reputation around here.

[Albertaguy]

It was almost a deal breaker for me as when I went to pick up my unit prior to signing any paper a service guy came to me to ask for the keys to my old unit so he could change batteries. I told him not to bother as I was going to go to another dealer. The finance people then told him to put in a new battery. What I didn't know is that they put in a re-conditioned battery which failed after a short time and this one was also replaced only to find that they were using re-conditioned batteries. Stand your ground and demand the best or walk..... there are lots of dealers that want your business.

[mdkoenig]

From the 2012 White Hawk Owner’s Manual (and coincidentally the same can be found in 2008 Jay Flight OM):

Auxiliary Battery (Customer Supplied)

Your RV has many 12-volt DC loads. When combined, their total is more than the converter can produce. High demands for 12-volt power can be met by an auxiliary battery for limited periods of time. The 12-volt DC electrical system was designed for usage with a Group 27, deep cycle battery.

[licamp]

Did you call the dealer. I would get the battery. Check to make sure that someone didn't take the battery when they dropped it off.

[Crabman]

Mine came with a battery and I did not have to ask or negotiate for it. Most dealers do supply one.

[Crackshot]

Originally Posted by Quahog

That's like buying a new car only to find out that the tires are optional.

Actually GM is doing this with spare tires to squeeze every MPG out of new vehicles and making them meet federal guidelines.

Just like shaving weight off race cars to get "the edge".

[drfife]

Originally Posted by Fil564

I have seen where it is recommended to have a battery even though you are using shore power for when you operate the slides.....

The OP is on a seasonal site and not operating the slides.

[tlhdoc]

Originally Posted by drfife

If your trailer is not being towed, a battery is not required.

Sounds like it's parked at a seasonal site with shore power.

You only need a battery for the emergency brakes while towing or if boondocking without shore power.

Relax and enjoy your camper. For you, a battery is just another needless expense ans something you'll have to maintain.

Just my 2 cents......

I would not camp without a battery on the trailer. When, not if the power goes out, you loose every electrically run item in the trailer. Lights, radio, water heater, refrig (unless you have one that runs strictly on propane), stove, oven, water pump/flushing the toilet, furnace, fans, etc.

[drfife]

From the OP's original post, it appears they were asking if they need a battery.

Most of the replys were they want a battery.

To me, there is a big difference between want and need.

I will stand by my original reply: They do not need a battery.

If you, or they, want one, is a different matter entirely.

Obviously, I'm the contrarian on this thread.

[308rets]

As always, this group is great for advice. As a Parts Manager for a large automovie group I was quite taken back by the fact the Dealer "NEVER" mentioned the battery was customer supplied. The real world is we most likely would have just bought one at the time of delivery.

Hell, we had them install our TV in the Bedroom along with Roof Vent Covers. I will be calling them. I do have resources available to me where I can get a Deep Cycle Marine Battery and box at wholesale pricing.

Even though our TT will be on a permanent sight, we still want a battery in it just incase of a power outage. Plus we may take it on one or two vacations a year. Once again, thanks everyone for your input!

[Fil564]

being it was our first trailer purchase it was not even a thought in my mind. We had them install our slide covers and the vent covers because they were charging less for them installed than if I would have bought them and done it myself.

[Topher24]

In the same boat here, battery did not come with the camper. We have a 29bhs, just wondering what size battery to purchase?

[Preston]

Originally Posted by drfife

From the OP's original post, it appears they were asking if they need a battery.

Most of the replys were they want a battery.

To me, there is a big difference between want and need.

I will stand by my original reply: They do not need a battery.

If you, or they, want one, is a different matter entirely.

Obviously, I'm the contrarian on this thread.

You are right you don't need a battery installed in camper. I have electricity at my storage lot to keep battery charged. Security comes around and unplugs it after a few days so my battery was almost drained. When I went to open the slides it is to much for converter to handle so I just connected to TV and no problem. They could do the same in a power outage to have lights etc that are 12v.

[Terry]

Originally Posted by cdembek

In the same boat here, battery did not come with the camper. We have a 29bhs, just wondering what size battery to purchase?

Most of the Travel Trailers come with a group 24 battery. Your best bet is to measure the battery rack on the front of the trailer and make sure your battery box/battery will fit.

In my opinion I would not want to do business with an RV dealer that sends you out the door without a battery.

[Rustic Eagle]

Sounds like the OP went with purchasing a battery. If I were on a seasonal site with shore power I would still like to have my battery in the event the shore power went down. At least I would have lights, LP detector, and the frig would still keep my beer cold!

Bob

[Terry]

Originally Posted by drfife

From the OP's original post, it appears they were asking if they need a battery.

Most of the replys were they want a battery.

To me, there is a big difference between want and need.

I will stand by my original reply: They do not need a battery.

If you, or they, want one, is a different matter entirely.

Obviously, I'm the contrarian on this thread.

I will have to be contrarian to your contrarian opinion lol...

I know of a lot of folks that run without a battery and it will work - but - I had to do it once and it did not work well for me.

When the battery was out, I could not get my DSI water heater to fire. It was driving me crazy trying to diagnose. Once the battery was reconnected it worked just fine. My guess is that the converter was letting a little sine wave through and the dirty power was causing issues. The battery acts like a big capacitor and helps smooth out the power as well as providing extra power during things like slide motor startups. I would have to think that would cause much less strain on the converter in the long run.

[Derek700]

My trailer came with one 12 volt, I negotiated 2-6volt batteries into the deal. As far as I am concerned you need it they should supply it. My trailer came ready to camp, battery, propane, toilet paper. Just needed to add food and water.

[sgscomps]

Batteries are not supplied by the manufacturer, they are dealer supplied and installed. You will need a battery for your electric brakes to work. Also I believe you need the battery for your lights (12v) to work.