Lots of battery misinformation here.....
Equalizing charges do a lot to maintain batteries in good condition. Equalizer charges are performed to drive the sulfates from the plates. Over time, as you use the battery, the sulfates fail to absorb back into the acid with normal charging procedures. The sulfates build up on the lead plates reducing the specific gravity of the solution and the reserve capacity of the battery. Most of the high end chargers take very good of the batteries.
If you want them to last - then do not discharge to more than 50% life (~11,9VDC), maintain water levels (distilled water) after charge or monthly, check specific gravity and perform equailizer charge when necessary.
There is a lot of information on the net if you care to read about it.
I am one of those "Sub" guys... EM1(ss) and looked after batteries for more than 10 yrs on them
FWIW