Dual Battery All the Time?

[ryand]

last season I purchased two group 27 batteries and installed them on my TT for some extra reserve during dry camping. Even though i have a generator its nice not to have it run all the time. Anyhow-really only need them as a set once possibly twice a year. My question is, to conserve weight I am thinking of running the original group 24 battery that came with the RV for the majority of the summer separate of the dry camping trips. I have not treated this battery well....its dropped below 50% a few times. It holds a charge but nothing like the dual set up...you really notice a diff. The Group 24 (OEM Batt) sat in my garage pretty much from March to September with out a charge. The liquid level never exposed the plates and charged up normally but it has been abused. My question is... am I asking for trouble or do I forget about the added 70+ lbs of the additional battery and tray and just run the dual's all the time? I should note that I have taken much better care of the dual set up and charge them as a pair. They have never seen anything south of 90% charged.

[RPAspey]

Here's my take on your situation. I would scrap the old battery, and just leave the dual set up in service. It would be my luck that I would blow out my back moving the setup back and forth. Also, there's storage of two batteries, and remembering to charge them as well. I doubt you'll notice the extra weight of the dual setup.

Also, for me at least, we often decide at the last minute to head out. Switching batteries would be one thing less to remember to do.

2000 Cherokee, LEDs, solar, inverter, etc. '07 Tundra 5.7L DC-LB, modded as well.

[garbonz]

I agree with the above, but if you are going to be plugged into power, the condition of your old battery will not matter, so you can use the grp 24 if you want.

[glen1971]

Don't mess with whats working, IMO... You have an older battery that hasn't been properly maintained and is sitting in the garage.. You have 2 newer better maintained batteries already installed on your trailer.. I wouldn't want to be out for a weekend and find out how crappy the single battery is..
Also, if the 70# of the second battery is that big of an issue, you have more problems ahead than whether or not to use a 2nd battery... Might wanna revisit your tow vehicle size and how much other cargo you are bringing that may not be used..