Best and Worst Truck Batteries?

do you have a costco membership? Good prices on interstate batteries

 

I'm partial to AC Delco myself.

 

Seems like everyone has one they like over another. Me, I've had good luck with Interstate. More importantly though, going off road a lot creates a lot of vibration = bad for batteries, among other things. Cushion those batteries well, along with securement. Also, change out all the battery cables if they have any age/corrosion to them, your starter will thank you...

 

I just bought 3 new batteries about a month ago. I ended up buying the house brand from Advanced Auto Parts. Price and availability being the key factors...next being a nationwide exchange policy as AAP can be found all over.

I've used Interstate, Optima, Walmart brands, Tractor Supply, and other house batteries and what I will tell you is to buy from somewhere you can easily make returns instead of the name on the battery. Some places like Tractor Supply won't take the battery back even if it's bad, you'd have to call the manufacturer.

So, my point is customer service and return policies should be paramount...in my opinion.

 

I have had excellent luck with Cat batteries. They take abuse/vibration very well and seem to go at least 5 years with no problems. I suppose it is different in modern trucks though trying to run tons of electric gadgets while engine is off, but they have proven durable for us.

 

I personally haven't had much luck with Optima batteries. Worked incredibly awesome in the cold the first 2 years, after that they went downhill quick. Took it back for a new one, same story. Thought they claimed they were good for 10 years.

 

I’ve run Cat batteries (made by East Penn I believe) for years in just about everything and I’ve always had great luck. And there seems to be a Cat dealer pretty much everywhere you turn.

 

That's all I will ever buy is Cat batteries
I have had very good luck with them