Third OEM battery in less than 24 months

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Ram Year
2018 Crew Cab 4x4 Big Horn
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Hemi 5.7 V8
Bought our 2018 RAM 1500 Crew Cab AWD Big Horn as a Certified Preowned in August 2020 from Baxter in Omaha NE (bigtime dealer). OEM battery replaced under remaining 36 mo. warranty by small town RAM dealer.

Fast forward to 2021 and retirement in southern Colorado, several trips from Nebraska to CO towing UHauls and a small travel trailer. Replacement OEM battery crapped out, replaced under warranty (despite above small town RAM dealer NOT putting dates on second battery).

Fast forward to 2022 and #2 OEM replacement battery crapping out. "Service Battery" warning on dash followed by red battery icon. Appointment made with local RAM dealer (who's been outstanding BTW); we bought FCA Certified Maximum Care warranty because of the complexity of this vehicle's systems. Full disclosure - I was a ACMT for several decades (Apple Certified Macintosh Technician), happy to work on Mac laptops, iMacs etc. but I leave auto computers to the pros.

ANYWAY: we will get our THIRD OEM battery replaced under warranty, but asking the RAM Forum hive mind... what should we replace THAT battery with when it inevitably conks out?

Truck is stone stock and will likely remain that way. We tow a 2,800 lb. travel trailer a few times a year - truck has factory trailer brake controller - and will probably tow a rented flatbed full of tree limbs and the like to the local landfill a few times.

Just want a battery that will last longer than 12 to 18 months and that works well with Uconnect etc., towing trailers and all that.

Thanks in advance!
 

PolarisCobra

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My OEM battery lasted to about 50000 miles, then died overnight. I installed a delco, because my nephew sells them, didn't do any real research. Coming up on three years, 30000 miles, so far, so good.
 

crash68

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either you have the worst luck in the world with batteries or there is something causing the batteries to fail. I wonder if there's a problem with the IBS on the negative battery terminal, it reports information on the state of the battery to the ECM for controlling the charging.
 

BuschLatte420

chill water by day, drink beer by night
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I always went with optima yellow tops, never had a issue in any vehicle I put one in. Last 5+ years of abuse (car audio needs)
 

Scottly

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When i worked in an aftermarket repair facility, we sold batteries, tires, etc...That kinda place. We sold A LOT of batteries, and those things were a crap shoot. 13yrs there, so enough time to see some customers cycle back around....And some of them would need pro-rata adjustments on those things every year and some didn't. The manufacturer gave us lists of issues that could cause it....Stop-and-go driving, driving in commuter traffic(slow) on a lot of rainy days, hot days, hot climates, short trips, corroded terminals, etc...
 

CamperMike

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Something seems off... My 2018 1500 still has its OEM battery. My wife's 2018 Pacifica still has its OEM main battery although we did have to replace the auxiliary one for the start/stop. My 2018 1500 even sits sometimes for a week or two at a time because if I'm not hauling my trailer or some stuff in the bed, I often drive my car during warmer weather. I suspect something in the electrical system in your truck is "cooking" the battery. As for replacements, I've had just fine luck with walmart batteries... have a 4 year old one in my 05 Mustang that is still working great... and that car is notorious for a crappy charging system. If you do have issues with their batteries you will have no issue finding a store to get the warranty taken care of at.
 

HEMIMANN

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Concur - you got a parasite hiding somewhere sucking the juice. Get a scan, check codes first - like @Wild one says, you can track batt condition to watch voltage daily. An OEM scan software may show a shorted sensor.

@DILLIGAF - really cool old guys go with the H7.
 

turkeybird56

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either you have the worst luck in the world with batteries or there is something causing the batteries to fail. I wonder if there's a problem with the IBS on the negative battery terminal, it reports information on the state of the battery to the ECM for controlling the charging.
What I was thinking, some parasitic drain in there, OR, worst luck forever.
 

turkeybird56

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Tell that to my winch. :cool:
Me thinks I got no stinking winch on MY 19, lol, yup, that added draw makes sense to get an H8 battery.
 

turkeybird56

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duckman631

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Has to be something causing the issue. I replaced the original battery in my 2014 and 2016 in 2021. So 7 year lifespan on the 2014 (which had about 60k mi) and a 5 year life on the 2016 (which had about 85000 mi)
 
OP
OP
BlueGuyRedState
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Quick update: dealer replacing battery (pro-rated I think, will know Friday) AND replacing the alternator as many of you suggested i.e. non-battery electric/electronic gremlin.

Glad we got Mopar 8/100 Certified Maximum Care! Will report back how much Maximum Care saved us this time - last covered repair was exhaust gasket AND manifold bolts... little over $500 if out of pocket.

Still open to favorite battery type/brand - we are in SOCO (southern corner of Colorado, New Mexico only 12 miles south) so might skip the AGM/Optima/etc. for something more mainstream. Retiree truck/tow vehicle so not a heavy hauler or even daily driver.
 

Burn2k12Ram

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Quick update: dealer replacing battery (pro-rated I think, will know Friday) AND replacing the alternator as many of you suggested i.e. non-battery electric/electronic gremlin.

Glad we got Mopar 8/100 Certified Maximum Care! Will report back how much Maximum Care saved us this time - last covered repair was exhaust gasket AND manifold bolts... little over $500 if out of pocket.

Still open to favorite battery type/brand - we are in SOCO (southern corner of Colorado, New Mexico only 12 miles south) so might skip the AGM/Optima/etc. for something more mainstream. Retiree truck/tow vehicle so not a heavy hauler or even daily driver.
If is your choice go with interstate. As long as the gremlin is caught it may be the last battery you need in the truck.
 

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