I had a very brief conversation about buying a camper with my wife. She looked at me with a straight face and said "we can talk about it.......after you sell one of your Jeeps". Damn it, I stepped in that one! 
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I had a very brief conversation about buying a camper with my wife. She looked at me with a straight face and said "we can talk about it.......after you sell one of your Jeeps". Damn it, I stepped in that one!
Be very careful what you wish for...Its like a Jeep x10...PLUS a bunch of home improvement projects too! They are fun to have though.
OP
I had a very brief conversation about buying a camper with my wife. She looked at me with a straight face and said "we can talk about it.......after you sell one of your Jeeps". Damn it, I stepped in that one!
If you have a truck to haul it with and the wife is cool with the space a truck camper is IMO the least expensive option. And while many may not agree even if you are only looking at a Class C or Super C type rig IMO get it with a diesel engine. I can't tell you how many gas engines I replaced in motorhomes because they were trying to haul/tow more than it could handle. Most motorhomes when they come off the assembly line un a gas engine configuration are at or close to GVW. Modern gas engines are better but still lacking IMO. And if you're gunna tow your TJ/LJ (which I'm guessing) you'll be way a head with a diesel.
OP
Well went out to install the Scan Gauge III in the rig and my engine batteries were DEAD... It's got Interstate Batteries in it right now but if I'm going to replace them I'm not getting lead acid batteries. So I need some suggestions on AGM batteries in a Group 65 size.
Odyssey
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00249GW9S/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Bosch
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010T889QE/?tag=wranglerorg-20
AC Delco
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097J4Y9QC/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Les Schwab has their own AGM batteries now which I might just get but would like to hear from others who have tried other brands.
Odyssey
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00249GW9S/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Bosch
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010T889QE/?tag=wranglerorg-20
AC Delco
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097J4Y9QC/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Les Schwab has their own AGM batteries now which I might just get but would like to hear from others who have tried other brands.
X2 Power is what I put in my Jeep, they're Northstar batteries.
https://www.batteriesplus.com/product-details/auto_light-truck/battery/x2power/sli35agmdp
OP
This may or may not help you in making your decision but just thought I would share...
https://www.cartechbooks.com/blogs/techtips/battery
I have always trusted Johnson Control more than Excide, especially when it came to their AGM batteries.. Napa use to sell the Excide knock off of the Optima, called the "Spiral Cell". When I worked for Pacific Power Batteries we had a display of the internals on the 3 major AGM automotive starting batteries we sold. Lifeline, Optima, and Excide. Lifeline wasn't even the same design so I'm not sure why the owner wanted it in the display other than to showcase how well Lifelines are built.
While the 6 cells were almost identical between the Optima and the Excide, the Optima's connector segments between the cells were over double the size. So even though they were rated to carry the same current the Optima would deliver it more efficiently. Just food for thought.
| Brand | Manufacturer |
| ACDelco | Johnson Controls |
| Advance Auto | Johnson Controls |
| AutoCraft | Johnson Controls |
| Autolite | Exide |
| AutoZone | Johnson Controls |
| Bosch | Johnson Controls |
| Champion | Johnson Controls |
| Costco | Johnson Controls |
| Delco | Johnson Controls |
| Delco-Remy | Exide |
| DieHard | Johnson Controls |
| Duralast | Johnson Controls |
| Duralast | Johnson Controls |
| Equalizer | Johnson Controls |
| EverStart (Wal-Mart) | Exide or Johnson Controls, depending on model |
| Firestone | Johnson Controls |
| Interstate | Johnson Controls |
| Marathon | Exide |
| Motorcraft | Johnson Controls |
| NAPA | Exide |
| Optima | Johnson Controls |
| Orbital | Exide |
| Pep Boys | Johnson Controls |
| Sears | Exide or Johnson Controls, depending on model |
| Wal-Mart | Exide or Johnson Controls, depending on model |
https://www.cartechbooks.com/blogs/techtips/battery
I have always trusted Johnson Control more than Excide, especially when it came to their AGM batteries.. Napa use to sell the Excide knock off of the Optima, called the "Spiral Cell". When I worked for Pacific Power Batteries we had a display of the internals on the 3 major AGM automotive starting batteries we sold. Lifeline, Optima, and Excide. Lifeline wasn't even the same design so I'm not sure why the owner wanted it in the display other than to showcase how well Lifelines are built.
While the 6 cells were almost identical between the Optima and the Excide, the Optima's connector segments between the cells were over double the size. So even though they were rated to carry the same current the Optima would deliver it more efficiently. Just food for thought.
OP
Optima batteries are out period after my last experience with them.
I'm not opposed to putting Odyssey batteries in it but damn it's $700+ if I do. May just get the Les Schwab AGM batteries. Then I know I can get them serviced out here.
OP
Batteries are charged enough to start the rig.
My only reservation about Schwab batteries is they only exist so far to the east. Maybe talk to the manager at the store you normally do business with and ask if they have a nation wide warranty program. I know they used to, but it's been years since I worked for them.
Did you click on the link and read where they said it's "a short list"?
"Though a particular battery’s manufacturer can be identified though a manufacturer’s code number stamped into the battery’s case, here’s a short list of what’s made by whom:"
OP
Ya, I'll check before I make a choice.
I guess if I just buy some say from Amazon I'm still on my own if something happens also. So unless I buy them from someone like Battery+ or other national type store I still have warranty issues?
Interstate has AGMs but they're right up there on price with Optima... They have nation wide warranties, if you can fit them in the trays (height) the Group 31 batteries are built for commercial applications...
Ignore the AGM8D.... unless you want to replace all your house batteries with one big one...
Otherwise here's their Model specific AGM for a 2008 Super Duty.
https://www.interstatebatteries.com/product-search-results/2008-ford-f-350-super-duty-v864l
OP
It's got the MTP-65HD batteries in it right now and they were installed 07-2020 so 25 months old. Could have been the heat that killed them? I wonder if the warranty would cover them and if I could upgrade to the AGM's and pay the difference?
If you happen to know an interstate retailer I'm betting that they would do that for you. Without a receipt they'll go off of date code though, which may be up to or even more than 6 months before they were installed.
OP
The date is written on the batteries. I'm assuming it was written on there by the Interstate dealer that installed them?
North Star is Enersys I believe, same as odyssey. That list above doesn’t have any Enersys batteries on it, which is kinda weird
JC is the biggest producer of starting batteries in the world. Or they were, I think they sold all or a portion of that business to someone in Europe. Been a couple years since I’ve worked in that industry.
Oh, and for the record, @Wildman agm batteries are lead acid. Same chemistry but different construction to make them more robust.
Optima was a great battery before being purchased by Johnson Controls who moved production to Mexico. I won’t touch then now as I’ve had two of that era fail on me after just a year.
I run the Odyssey’s now in the Jeep and the truck. Expensive, no question. But the power and reliability are worth it for me.
I run the Odyssey’s now in the Jeep and the truck. Expensive, no question. But the power and reliability are worth it for me.