Original Harris Batteries

[bevedfelker]

There had been quite a lot of chatter on this forum about the standard Harris batteries that had been used by Thor as the OEM house batteries -- especially in the early 2014 - 2017 Axis and Vegas. I think Thor is using a different battery now.

I just want to comment that my 2015 Vegas went in to my RV technician's garage today for battery replacement. My house batteries will no longer charge or hold a charge. So I managed to get 6 years out of those original Harris batteries.

Guess that's not too bad.

[Bob Denman]

Congratulations!

[MJC62]

6 years on the OEM battery in anything is doing great!

[EA37TS]

Traded in the Challenger after 5 years with the original Harris Batteries.

I believe the batteries got a bad rap because the dealers repeatedly discharged then and they were not adequately maintained. After being repeatedly discharged they were shot by the time an owner bought the coach and the batteries were then assumed to be junk.

[Muggs]

I am still on oem batteries. 5 years 39,000 miles. They do not last as long as earlier times, maybe 60 to 70% of what they with inverter for tv. Still do through night running heat when not plugged in. Likely change for next winter as in a/c season we stay on generator all night when overnight at track.

[taylorbob1]

Originally Posted by bevedfelker

There had been quite a lot of chatter on this forum about the standard Harris batteries that had been used by Thor as the OEM house batteries -- especially in the early 2014 - 2017 Axis and Vegas. I think Thor is using a different battery now.

I just want to comment that my 2015 Vegas went in to my RV technician's garage today for battery replacement. My house batteries will no longer charge or hold a charge. So I managed to get 6 years out of those original Harris batteries.

Guess that's not too bad.

Yes, you are one of the few who had an original sales dealer that stayed on top of keeping the house batteries in tip-top shape.

When I purchased my rig as “new” in 2018, the dealer had already changed out the OEM Harris to Interstate Deep Cycle.
Unfortunately, my dealer must have swapped in used batteries. So within 3 months they could no longer keep a charge.
It was easiest for me to purchase 2 of same from Costco as we were on a long trip (and I was not willing to stand in line for several days at an out of state dealership).

But my Costco Interstate’s lasted 3 years, then a cell went bad so I recently swapped out for new Duracell FLA’s.

Knock on wood...I still have the original & reliable Motorcraft battery on my 2016 Ford built chassis.

[MJC62]

Those Motorcraft batteries are well made. I got 9 years out of the OEM Motorcraft battery in my little 4 popper Ford Ranger. Started everyday for nine years, winter or summer and one day it said no, not today.

[Lt Keefer]

As others have said the batteries are at the mercy of the dealer for the start of their life. If the dealer takes care of the batteries and the owner maintains the care, they will last for a while.

[musicflog]

Likewise for my chassis battery. 2015 Axis 24.1 and the battery just died. Motorcraft battery, replaced with a AGM.

[atreis]

Heh.. My 2021 came with the sort of batteries that are used in cars as starter batteries - not wet, not AGM, not sure what that sort is called (valve-regulated?). Unlabeled, so I don't know if they're actually deep cycle or not. My guess is I'll get 2-3 years out of them and then I'll replace them with AGM.

[lwmcguire]

I have the original sealed chassis batteries, OEM 2015 in the Tuscany

Changed out the house to AGM with 4 years service on OEM, as I needed enough battery to boondock with heat, fridge, light etc overnight

Also got rid of compartment corrosion and battery cable corrosion

I havent had a failure yet of any AGM, OEM in my Ford vehicles