The Best RV Battery for Dry Camping [6 Products Reviewed]

What is Dry Camping?

You may be asking yourself; what is dry camping, and what is the best RV battery for dry camping? Dry camping, also known as boondocking, is a type of camping in which your camper has no connection to any external sources of electricity, water, or sewer. Instead, you’ll rely on your camper’s internal tanks and power systems when dry camping.

The Best RV Batteries (Dry Camping) an Overview

Name of The ProductBest for CaseRating Out of 5
Renogy Deep Cycle AGM Battery 12 Volt 100Ah Best overall RV battery for dry camping4.8 out of 5 stars
Weize 12V 100AH Deep Cycle AGM SLA VRLA Battery for Solar System Best value RV battery for dry camping4.8 out of 5 stars
Optima OPT8016-103 Batteries D34M BlueTop Starting and Deep Cycle Marine Battery Best lead-acid RV battery for dry camping 4.7 out of 5 stars
CHINS LiFePO4 Battery 12V 300Ah Lithium Battery Best RV battery for short-term boondockers4.6 out of 5 stars
Ampere Time LiFePO4 Deep Cycle BatteryBest rugged option RV battery for dry camping 4.6 out of 5 stars
Universal Power Group 12V 100Ah Solar Wind AGM SLA DEEP Cycle VRLA BatteryBest rechargeable RV battery for dry camping4.5 out of 5 stars

Our Dry Camping RV Battery Buying Guide

There are several qualities to consider when choosing the best RV battery for boondocking or dry camping:

Lifespan

Except for lithium-ion batteries, all deep cycle batteries cannot undergo discharging below 50% without compromising their longevity. In other words, if you’re boondocking and use more than 50% of the power stored in your deep cycle batteries, your 12v RV batteries’ lifespan will shorten.

As a result, if you plan to boondock frequently, lithium-ion batteries will save you money in the long run. This is because you can use nearly all their charges without causing damage.

Price

Lithium-ion batteries can be up to ten times more expensive than other RV deep cycle batteries. Standard lead-acid batteries are the most cost-effective, regularly making them ideal for dry camping.

Durability

You need to maintain Standard lead-acid batteries regularly. In contrast, sealed batteries, such as AGM, gel, and lithium-ion, do not require much maintenance.

Charge Time

To get a full charge on standard deep cycle RV batteries, you’ll need to charge them for a long time. On the other hand, you can charge lithium-ion batteries in a short amount of time.

Amp-hours (Ah)

Most deep cycle RV batteries have a minimum 100AH rating, which means they can deliver up to 100 amps of power in an hour. You’ll need to know how many amp-hours you require from your battery and how many amps your RV consumes in a day of boondocking.

Types of Battery

The RV battery bank’s battery type is probably the most important decision regarding off-grid power. This will impact the number of discharges the batteries can handle. It will also influence their capacity, the space the battery bank takes up, close monitoring, and whether they need venting.

The most common type of battery is lead-acid, which is usually in a new RV. It is similar to a car battery.

Voltage

The best batteries for dry camping need to have a voltage of 12.6 volts. Since you use them to power items, the voltage will keep dropping as it gives up its energy. You will then need to recharge it.

Capacity

We can rate an RV battery at around 80 amp-hours, which would supply one amp for 80 hours. However, when camping, if you use a lead-acid battery by over 50% of its capacity, you will greatly shorten the lifespan of the battery.

checking the rv battery

The Different Types of RV Batteries

Regarding RV batteries, three primary varieties dominate the market.

Lithium-Ion Batteries

The most recent type of battery available for RVs is lithium. For a variety of reasons, they have quickly displaced other battery types as the favored battery, including:

  • They weigh about half as much as other types of batteries, which is crucial when traveling by RV.
  • They work nicely with solar panels, which is ideal if you plan on boondocking for a long time. 
  • Lithium RV batteries are exceptionally safe and virtually maintenance-free, thanks to their LiFePO4 technology.
  • They are more powerful than other batteries, store energy for longer periods, and you may discharge them up to 80%.
  • While these batteries appear too good to be true, one drawback is cost.
  • Lithium-ion batteries are substantially more expensive than other types of batteries. However, they may be worth it long-term because they last longer, provide more power, and make boondocking easier.

Lead-Acid Deep Cycle RV Batteries

Lead-acid batteries are on the other end of the range. These are the most common RV battery kinds and usually, come with purchasing a new recreational vehicle.

Lead-acid batteries have plates immersed in sulfuric acid and water-electrolyte solution. These deep-cycle batteries are available in both 6-volt and 12-volt models and can make the best battery setup for dry camping. 

The most affordable of the three battery kinds are lead-acid batteries. Weekend campers and those who don’t mind running a generator many times a day should consider them.

However, they have significant drawbacks, including

  • To keep the plates immersed, you must water them regularly.
  • You should only discharge them to roughly 50% of their maximum capacity; else, permanent damage could occur.
  • They’re a little heavier than Lithium-ion batteries.

AGM Batteries

AGM (absorbent glass mat) are lead-acid batteries with seals. They use glass fibers in a mat instead of lead plates. AGM batteries, on the other hand, have a few advantages over flooded lead-acid batteries:

You can discharge the battery to a larger percentage (with some models, and a deeper discharge will negatively affect the long-term life). They don’t necessitate the same level of upkeep. 

Which Size Battery to Get for Boondocking

What is the best RV battery? Suppose you’re only using basic electrical devices and appliances. In that case, 100 amp-hours (ah) of battery capacity should comfortably power your RV for a day of boondocking. 

You can expand your battery bank by adding more batteries for a longer-lasting power supply. When you need to recharge, turn on your generator or rely on solar power.

We prefer to keep things straightforward. However, we can use some arithmetic if RV owners want a more precise answer. To figure out how big of a battery you’ll need for boondocking, first figure out how much electricity you’ll require.

Begin by listing the devices you intend to use daily and how long you intend to use each. Then look at the device to see how many amps it uses. Simply convert the watts to amps if you can only find the watts for a given device.

Watts/volts = amps.

Then multiply amps by ten to convert from 120-volt AC to 12-volt DC electricity. You can skip this step if your appliance or device is 12v. If we look at an example, it becomes much clearer:

On 120-volt AC, a coffee pot consumes 200w. So, divide 200 by 120 to get 1.67 amps. The coffee pot consumes 1.67 amps per hour when powered by 120-volt AC power. 

Because you’ll be running everything from a 12-volt DC source (your RV batteries) while boondocking, increase the amps by ten to convert them to 12-volts. So, 1.67*10=16.7 amps per hour will suffice. If you use your coffee pot for one hour per day, you’ll need 16.7 Ah only for it.

Repeat all the items you expect to use while boondocking (lights, phone charger, laptop, etc.). This will help you get an accurate estimate of the total amp-hours you’ll consume and the size of RV house battery (or batteries) you’ll require. Keep in mind that if you’re using a lead-acid battery, you’ll only be able to utilize roughly half of it before recharging it.

charging battery

The Benefits of Dry Camping

No Limit on the Number of Campsites

The space is, in our opinion, one of the most important advantages of boondocking. We’ve all arrived at a campground only to discover that the campsites are extremely crowded. We’ve even stayed in situations where you could reach out and touch the RV next door from the comfort of our vehicle!

If you’re searching for some extra space to roam and explore, boondocking might be the way to go. Because you mostly boondock in undeveloped areas, you can camp wherever you choose, away from your neighbors if you prefer. 

Privacy

Privacy, in addition to the spaciousness, is a nice benefit of boondocking. You’ll often be the only person in the vicinity, with no other people, houses, or vehicles in sight! If you want to get away from it or use that outdoor shower, boondocking provides more solitude. As opposed to camping at developed parks, boondocking provides a unique experience.

Fantastic Camping Option for Families with Children

It might shock you to learn that boondocking is a fantastic choice for families or anyone traveling with kids. Boondocking is a true camping adventure for the young and young at heart, thanks to the wide-open landscapes and freedom to explore.

When boondocking, families are typically relieved to learn that they are not required to confine their children to a tiny place away from other campers. Children have more freedom to explore without bothering others, and they are free to be as loud as they wish!

Camper Battery Uses

Most RVs, and travel trailers have deep cell camper batteries, which are big 12-volt batteries. Lights, 12v power plugs, ignition of a propane RV fridge, propane furnace fan, water pump, and other systems in your camper are all powered by 12v RV batteries. 

Even if you never dry camp, you’ll spend much time on the road without plugging in your battery; thus, a deep cycle RV trailer battery is essential in your travel trailer.

Your deep cycle batteries will take over whenever possible, ensuring that you have lights, running water, and a working refrigerator at the very least. In many modern RVs, you can find an inverter that converts 12-volt power to 110-volt power. 

To electrify specific 110-volt systems in your RV, an inverter will utilize the power from your RV’s 12-volt deep cycle batteries. You can also carry a gasoline-powered generator when dry camping to recharge your batteries and extend your dry camping period.

The Best RV Battery for Dry Camping Reviewed

Renogy Deep Cycle AGM Battery 12 Volt 100Ah: Best Overall RV Battery for Dry Camping

Amazon’s Choice in Automotive Replacement Batteries by Renogy

Brand: Renogy

Amp: 100Ah

Voltage: 12 volts

Battery cell composition: Lead-acid

Item weight: 66 pounds (29.9 kilograms)

Item dimensions: 13 x 6.8 x 9 inches (33 x 17.3 x 22.9 centimeters)

Unit count: 1 count

Battery Type: AGM

Warranty: 1-year warranty

About This Item

This 200Ah AGM trailer battery from Renogy, a household name in the industry, would be ideal if you own a luxury Class A or Class C motorhome with much domestic-grade equipment. This is the best battery setup for dry camping with low power demand and a fair price.

Exclusively treated plate grids and custom quinary alloy plates are the particular features that enable superior power capacity. They provide low internal resistance and large discharge currents of up to 10 times the battery’s rated capacity. This allows you to run power-hungry domestic appliances that consume a lot of amps from your battery.

Another feature that earned this Renogy AGM battery 4.6 stars on Amazon is its unrivaled self-discharge rate of less than 3% per month at 77°Fahrenheit (25°Celsius). Furthermore, several customers have appreciated its AGM battery’s charge efficiency or quick charging time.

Recommended Uses

  • This RV battery is best for dry camping regularly with shorter stays.

Weize 12V 100AH Deep Cycle AGM SLA VRLA Battery for Solar System: Best Value RV Battery for Dry Camping

Amazon’s Choice in Automotive Replacement Batteries by WEIZE

Brand: Weize

Amp: 100AH

Voltage: 12 volts

Battery cell composition: Sealed lead acid

Item dimensions: 12.99 x 6.73 x 8.34 inches (32.9 x 17.09 x 21.18 centimeters)

Battery type: AGM

Weight: 63 pounds (28.6 kilograms)

Warranty: 1-year warranty 

Unit count: 1 count

About This Item,

We recommend the lithium battery above. Depending on your camping needs, the best RV battery for dry camping isn’t always the most costly. It also doesn’t have to be a lithium battery. Weize 12V 100AH Deep Cycle AGM Battery is the best RV battery for dry camping. 

This is regarding value for money if you want to save money and frequently travel in extreme cold. Over 1,500 pleased customers have given this battery a perfect 4.5-star rating on Amazon alone, with similar reviews across the board.

This battery is also available in a Gel-battery version at an affordable price. Still, now that the two are nearly identical in price, the AGM models offer more in boondocking applications in terms of shock and vibration resistance on the open road, charging efficiency, and the ability to withstand fast charging or overcharging without permanent damage.

Recommended Uses

  • This battery is ideal for campers on a tight budget traveling in harsh temperatures.

Optima OPT8016-103 Batteries D34M BlueTop Starting and Deep Cycle Marine Battery: Best Lead-Acid RV Battery for Dry Camping

Amazon’s Choice in Automotive Replacement Batteries by Optima

Brand: Optima

Voltage: 12 volts

Battery cell composition: Lead-acid

Item weight: 43.5 pounds (19.7 kilograms)

Item dimensions: 10 x 6.88 x 7.8 inches (25.4 x 17.5 x 19.8 centimeters)

Amp: 55 AH

Unit count: 1 count

Battery type: Lithium-ion

Warranty: 24 months free replacement for non-commercial use

About This Item

The Optima OPT8016-103 is a 12-volt lead-acid battery for RV and marine applications.

The SpiralCell architecture in Optima batteries provides clean, consistent power that is also vibration resistant.

You may put these batteries in any position, so you won’t have to worry about mounting troubles. And while you haven’t tested it, Optima boasts that these batteries can hold up to three times the charge of regular marine batteries. A 2-year free replacement warranty is available with blue-top Optima batteries.

Recommended Uses

  • You can use this battery for all your RV needs during dry camping. It is among the best batteries for replacement. 

CHINS LiFePO4 Battery 12V 300Ah Lithium Battery: Best RV Battery for Short-Term Boondockers

Brand: CHINS

Voltage: 12.8 volts

Battery cell composition: Lithium

Item weight: 68 pounds (30.8 kilograms)

Item dimensions: 20.47 x 10.59 x 8.66 inches (51.9 x 26.9 x 21.9 centimeters)

Amp: 300 AH

Unit count: 1 count

Battery type: Lithium-ion

Warranty: 5-year warranty

About This Item

This is a deep-cycle battery. The CHINS LiFePO4 battery has a cycle life of 2,000+ cycles, whereas a lead-acid battery has a cycle life of 300-500 cycles. LiFePO4 batteries have an 8 to 10 times longer service life than lead-acid batteries. The lithium-ion phosphate battery is 30 percent lighter than a lead-acid battery of equivalent capacity. 

Due to lithium iron technology, the CHINS deep cycle lithium-ion battery features higher energy density, more consistent performance, and more power. 

When overloaded, over-discharged, overcurrent, or short-circuited, a LiFepo4 battery will not burn and can resist high temperatures without decomposition. It is capable of quick charging as well as solar panel charging. This LiFepo4 battery is a green battery that contains no heavy metals or rare elements, making it safer for the environment.

Recommended Uses

  • This RV battery is ideal for backup power, home energy storage, and off-grid applications.

Ampere Time LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery: Best Rugged Option RV Battery for Dry Camping

Brand: Ampere Time

Amp: 100AH

Voltage: 12 volts

Battery cell composition: Lithium-phosphate

Item weight: 24.25 pounds (10.9 kilograms)

Item dimensions: 13 x 6.82 x 8.48 inches (33.02 x 17.3 x 21.5 centimeters)

Battery type: Lithium-ion

Unit count: 1

Warranty: 1-year warranty

About This Item

Ampere Time lithium-ion batteries have remarkable quality because they contain Automotive Grade LiFePO4 Cells. It has a higher energy density, more steady performance, and more power. The highest level of safety for the cell inside the battery is based on a UL Testing Certificate. 

Because there is no acid in the battery, you can put it safely in any position. Li-ion batteries are therefore ideal for solar homes, RVs, campers, motor homes, and other off-grid applications. In comparison to 200,500 cycles and a 3-year lifetime in lead-acid batteries, the Ampere Time LiFePO4 battery gives 4000+ cycles (10 times longer) and a 10-year lifetime.

Recommended Uses

  • This item is the best option for outside camping power and inside installation convenience. Without memory, you can use the battery as soon as it charges, regardless of its state.

Universal Power Group 12V 100Ah Solar Wind AGM SLA DEEP Cycle VRLA Battery: Best Rechargeable RV Battery for Dry Camping

Brand: Universal Power Group

Amp: 100Ah

Battery cell composition: Sealed Lead Acid

Unit count: 1 count

Voltage: 12 volts

Item weight: 63.93 pounds (28.9 kilograms)

Item dimensions: 12.17 x 6.61 x 9.16 inches (30.9 x 16.8 x 23.3 centimeters)

Battery type: SLA/AGM

Unit count: 1

Warranty: 1-year warranty

About This Item

This is an SLA/AGM maintenance-free, spill-proof battery that you can use whenever you are going for dry camping in your RV. It is a  rechargeable battery that you can mount in any position. It usually resists shocks and vibration.

Recommended Uses

  • You can use this battery best in your RV during dry camping because it is rechargeable, and you can easily mount it in any position.
checking battery

Our Final Verdict on RV Batteries for Dry Camping

The ideal RV battery for dry camping depends on your budget, how frequently you plan to dry camp, and which RV systems you want to power with your RV’s deep cell batteries. When it comes to the time you expect to boondock, the optimal battery configuration for your RV is one where you carefully analyze your demands on the road.

The best RV battery you can use for dry camping is the Renogy Deep Cycle AGM Battery 12 Volt 100Ah. With it, you will have the best experience in your RV. It is affordable and has a superior power capacity. Try it next time you are going dry camping.

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