How many batteries?

[PattyDave]

Hi, we are new to the forum having just purchased an influence 3503 GK with solar plus package, our first fifth wheel. We took a shakedown trip a few days ago and run into a number of issues that all seem battery related. It’s back at the dealer for resolution, but I’m trying to establish whether I should have one or two batteries. I have one and most RV friends were adamant. We should have two especially as we have a 12 V fridge. I called grand design and they say they don’t ship the units with batteries in them and the dealer handles that, which the dealer has confirmed. I’d appreciate any thoughts as I think my dealer is gonna push back on the second battery.

 

[triplethreat]

Most dealers will provide the very minimum that they can in order to satisfy the minimum requirements of an operational trailer. In other words, unless you, as the buyer specify a certain number of and type of battery(s), you will almost certainly get one battery and it will usually be a relatively inexpensive Flooded Lead Acid (FLA) battery. If you want something different, say LiFePO batteries instead of FLA, most of them will do that for you but at an additional cost. I'm not sure what the "solar plus package" entails on your trailer, but it seems safe to assume that you are likely going to need more battery Amp Hours (AH) if you are already running into issues with battery related problems.

 

[Jomani]

I think the answer to your question really depends on how you plan to use your rig. Consider the fact that your solar panel(s) are essentially a battery charger and only work when they have access to the sun. If you never plan to boon dock and are always connected to power, adding an extra battery or two will do little for you. Yes, that 12v refrigerator is a power hog, but the combination of solar and tow vehicle charging (minimal but still helpful) will supplement power while traveling.

An extra battery will come in handy if you ever wanted to spend a night or two without being connected to pedestal power (think Harvest Hosts). It will also come in handy if you need to level and deploy the slides without pedestal power and/or 12v tow vehicle power.

Since I added a lot of extra battery capacity to my Reflection, we have had two power outages. Since it lives alongside the garage with the batteries always 80% or higher, we can just jump in and ride out the power outage in comfort.

 

[CedarCreekWoody]

One battery is pretty much standard unless your contract called for more. As stated above your intended use determines your need. I have a solar package and only one battery but that is fine as we never boondock. The battery and my truck power the fridge on the road.

 

[huntr70]

Grand Design does not spec for 2 batteries on the units. Their stance is "we put space for 2 batteries in as a convenience for our customer to upgrade, if desired".

I just had this exact conversation with my Rep last week.

 

[Soundsailor]

Hi, we are new to the forum having just purchased an influence 3503 GK with solar plus package, our first fifth wheel. We took a shakedown trip a few days ago and run into a number of issues that all seem battery related. It’s back at the dealer for resolution, but I’m trying to establish whether I should have one or two batteries. I have one and most RV friends were adamant. We should have two especially as we have a 12 V fridge. I called grand design and they say they don’t ship the units with batteries in them and the dealer handles that, which the dealer has confirmed. I’d appreciate any thoughts as I think my dealer is gonna push back on the second battery.

First, welcome to the forum. What issues were you having? As others have said, if you're expecting the dealer-provided battery to do much, then you'll be disappointed. You might consider swapping the stock battery for a LiFePo4 battery.

 

[PattyDave]

Thanks for all the great responses! So one battery seems to be standard which is what I needed to know going into discussions with my dealer. I think I have a bad battery as it does not seem to hold charge for very long and I also wonder if the solar/controller/invertor may be an issue too. It’s supposed to be looked at this Friday but I’m not holding my breath! I will update when I know more.

 

[rlbenz]

We have bought 3 RVs from different dealerships since 2016 and they all provided 2 batteries. Wouldn’t leave with 1.

 

[Flynn and Ollie]

Hi, we are new to the forum having just purchased an influence 3503 GK with solar plus package, our first fifth wheel. We took a shakedown trip a few days ago and run into a number of issues that all seem battery related. It’s back at the dealer for resolution, but I’m trying to establish whether I should have one or two batteries. I have one and most RV friends were adamant. We should have two especially as we have a 12 V fridge. I called grand design and they say they don’t ship the units with batteries in them and the dealer handles that, which the dealer has confirmed. I’d appreciate any thoughts as I think my dealer is gonna push back on the second battery.

I bought our 2023 310 GK 18 months ago and also got the solar plus package. It should have two 330 watt panels on the roof along with the 2k inverter, 40mppt solar controller. We already had two Battleborn 100ah batteries that we had from our trade in.
You should definitely have at least 200ah of batteries. I do recommend Lifepo batteries and will be adding 1 more 100 ah in January at Quartzsite (good deals there).

100ah is not enough to run everything that you want to use but you should definitely do a draw test and make sure you have enough amp hours. One 100ah lead acid cell is not going to be enough to run anything in your big rig for very long (experience).

 

[txloser]

I don’t know what my dealer would’ve left me with without my request for more, but I left the lot with two 100ah LiTime batts to go with my 100/50 solar controller, and the two 330w panels. This on ‘24 310gk. My last FW came with two 12v LA marine grade and no solar. They didn’t do well on long travel days with a residential whirlpool fridge running off a 1200w inverter. That was a power hog combined with the inverter.

We don’t boondock, but we do some long travel days in the summer. This allows me the long travel days with a large 12v fridge in its “off grid” mode. Also enough if I need power while doing anything at my storage lot. Like opening a slide or powering the leveling system. I never use the 2000w inverter. It’s off/disconnected. I’d imagine if I boondocked and used that I may want 3-400ah worth of batteries.

 

[Flynn and Ollie]

I bought our 2023 310 GK 18 months ago and also got the solar plus package. It should have two 330 watt panels on the roof along with the 2k inverter, 40mppt solar controller. We already had two Battleborn 100ah batteries that we had from our trade in.
You should definitely have at least 200ah of batteries. I do recommend Lifepo batteries and will be adding 1 more 100 ah in January at Quartzsite (good deals there).

100ah is not enough to run everything that you want to use but you should definitely do a draw test and make sure you have enough amp hours. One 100ah lead acid cell is not going to be enough to run anything in your big rig for very long (experience).

I currently have 2X100ah battleborn batteries, adding a third in January at the Quartzsite big tent