So you’re thinking of buying a travel trailer and hit the biggest question of them all; what size battery do I need!?
First, let’s determine what kind of camping you will be doing. If you are staying at campgrounds with full hookups then you will only need a small 12-volt battery to run your lights, water pump and TV.
However, if you are boondocking or dry camping (camping without hookups) then you will need a bigger battery to run your lights, water pump, refrigerator and maybe an air conditioner. A group 27 or 31 deep-cycle RV battery should do the trick!
What Size Battery is Needed for a Travel Trailer/RV?
The average travel trailer requires a battery that is around Group 24 or 27 in size. Larger trailers will need a larger battery, while smaller trailers may be able to get away with a Group 20 or 21 battery.
Now that we have established what size battery you will need, let’s take a look at how to determine what size battery you need.
1- According to Amp Hour Rating
The first thing you need to do is find out the amp hour rating of your appliances. This is usually listed on the appliance itself or in the owner’s manual.
For example, a typical RV water pump might be rated at 4 amps. That means it will use 4 amps of power per hour.
Now, let’s say you want to run your water pump for 6 hours total. That means you will need a 24 amp hour battery. (4 amps x 6 hours = 24 amp hours)
2- According to Voltage
The next thing you need to do is find out the voltage of your appliances. This is also listed on the appliance itself or in the owner’s manual.
For example, a typical RV water pump might be rated at 12 volts. That means it will use 12 volts of power per hour.
Now, let’s say you want to run your water pump for 6 hours total. That means you will need a 72-volt battery. (12 volts x 6 hours = 72 volts)
3- According to Wattage
The last thing you need to do is find out the wattage of your appliances. This is usually listed on the appliance itself or in the owner’s manual.
For example, a typical RV water pump might be rated at 50 watts. That means it will use 50 watts of power per hour.
Now, let’s say you want to run your water pump for 6 hours total. That means you will need a 300-watt battery. (50 watts x 6 hours = 300 watts)
If you are planning on running other appliances like a fridge or air conditioner, you will need to multiply the wattage by the number of hours you want to run them for as well.
For example, if you want to run a fridge for 8 hours and an air conditioner for 4 hours, you will need a 2400-watt battery. (300 watts x 8 hours + 1200 watts x 4 hours = 2400 watts)
I hope this helped you determine what size battery you need for your travel trailer. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to help.
RV battery size calculator
FAQs – Travel Trailer Battery Size
What is a good size RV battery?
The size of the battery you will need for your RV depends on a few factors, such as:
- What type of camping you will be doing (boondocking/dry camping vs. campgrounds with full hookups)
- The amp hour rating of your appliances
- The voltage of your appliances
- The wattage of your appliances
How long should a travel trailer battery last?
A travel trailer battery can last anywhere from 2-10 years, depending on how often you use it and how well you take care of it. If you are using your RV regularly, you should expect to replace your battery every 2-3 years.
However, if you are only using your RV occasionally or if you don’t use it at all for long periods, your battery may last up to 10 years.
Do I need two batteries for my travel trailer?
You may need two batteries for your travel trailer, depending on how often you use it and what type of camping you will be doing. If you are planning on doing a lot of dry camping or boondocking, it is recommended that you have two batteries so that you can have enough power to run all of your appliances.
However, if you are only planning on using your RV occasionally or if you will always be hooked up to campgrounds with full hookups, one battery should be sufficient.
How many amps can a 12V battery supply?
A 12V battery can supply up to 1000 amps. However, the amount of time it can supply this much power will depend on the size of the battery and the discharge rate. A small battery may only be able to supply 1000 amps for a few seconds, while a larger battery may be able to supply 1000 amps for an hour or more.
Conclusion:
The average travel trailer battery size is Group 24. This size will work for most trailers, but if you have a large or luxury model, you may need a larger battery.
PRO TIPS: A battery that is at least 105 amp hours is needed for a travel trailer. This will give you enough power to run the appliances in your trailer as well as start the vehicle. You may also want to consider an extra battery or two if you plan on using a lot of electricity while you’re traveling.
- When choosing a battery, it’s important to consider the climate where you live and how often you plan to use your trailer. If you live in a hot climate, choose a battery with high cranking amps. If you plan on using your trailer frequently, select a deep-cycle battery.
- Battery maintenance is important for keeping your trailer running smoothly. Be sure to check the water level and clean the terminals regularly.
Now that you know what size battery is needed for a travel trailer, it’s time to start shopping! Keep these tips in mind when selecting your perfect battery and be sure to take care of it properly so that it lasts for years to come.