Picking up a new Renegade Valencia RV in April or May of 26, and the factory wants $6000 for their lithium package. Since we'll be using it in cold weather below 32F, particularly in Alaska, AGM seems like the better choice anyway.
Planning to have the dealer install 2 large AGM batteries on the opposite side of the coach where the stock battery is located. Need a realistic cost breakdown before I talk to them - what should I expect to pay for quality AGM batteries, installation labor, and any additional wiring/parts needed?
I'm estimating $1500-1800 for everything. Want to know if this is actually a better value than the expensive factory lithium option, especially when purchasing and installing in the lower 48 before bringing the RV to Alaska.
Dealer AGM battery installation typically costs 600-1000 total. Batteries are 300-600 for quality pair, labor 125-350, and additional parts 50-150. Much better value than 6000 factory lithium option, especially for cold weather use.
Your estimate of $1,500-1,800 for having the dealer install two large AGM batteries on the opposite side of your Renegade Valencia is actually quite reasonable and likely accurate. You're looking at approximately $600-800 for two quality Group 31 AGM batteries (like Lifeline or Odyssey), $200-400 for heavy-duty 4/0 AWG cable runs across the coach, battery boxes, fusing, and miscellaneous hardware, plus $600-700 in dealer labor costs. Getting this done at the dealer in the lower 48 before heading to Alaska is smart planning, especially since you'll be operating below 32°F where AGMs perform much better than lithium batteries.
You're making this upgrade because the manufacturer's $6,000 lithium package is grossly overpriced for what you get, and more importantly, lithium batteries have significant cold weather limitations that make them unsuitable for Alaska use. Lithium batteries typically shut down or perform poorly below 32°F, and many have built-in Battery Management Systems that won't allow charging below freezing. AGM batteries, on the other hand, perform better than lithium below freezing but begin experiencing reduced capacity around 40°F with significant reduction below 32°F and can be charged at much lower temperatures.
Installing the batteries on the opposite side of the coach from the factory battery creates a more balanced weight distribution and provides redundancy. If you wire them properly with an isolator or combiner, you'll have your house batteries separate from your chassis battery, which is the proper setup for extended boondocking in Alaska's remote areas.
For a dealer installation, they'll handle all the tools, but here's what the job requires: Heavy-duty cable crimpers for 4/0 AWG cable, drill with various bits for mounting battery boxes and routing cables, torque wrench for proper terminal connections, multimeter for testing connections, and basic hand tools for mounting hardware. The dealer will also need specialized tools for potentially modifying storage compartments or adding ventilation if required.
Materials include two Group 31 AGM batteries (190-230Ah total capacity), marine-grade 4/0 AWG cable (likely 15-20 feet for cross-coach run), heavy-duty battery boxes with tie-downs, ANL or MEGA fuses with holders, battery combiner or isolator, and various terminals, heat shrink, and mounting hardware.
The dealer installation process starts with disconnecting the chassis battery negative terminal for safety, then surveying the opposite side storage compartment to ensure adequate space and structural support for two large AGMs (each weighing about 62-69 pounds). They'll need to plan the cable routing path, avoiding heat sources, moving parts, and potential damage points while maintaining proper clearances.
Next comes mounting the battery boxes with proper ventilation and securing hardware that can handle the weight and road vibrations. The critical part is running heavy-gauge cable (4/0 AWG minimum) across the coach frame, properly secured and protected from abrasion. This cable run is what drives much of the labor cost, as it requires careful routing and protection.
Finally, they'll install proper fusing at both ends, connect to your existing charging system through a battery combiner or isolator, and test the entire system. They should also install a battery monitor so you can track your house battery bank separately from your chassis battery. The whole job typically takes 6-8 hours of labor at dealer rates.
Having the dealer do this installation is absolutely the right call for your situation. This isn't a simple battery replacement - it's a complete secondary battery system installation requiring heavy cable runs across the coach frame, proper load calculations, and integration with existing charging systems. Dealers have the right tools, experience with your specific Renegade Valencia model, and can ensure everything meets safety codes.
More importantly, having the dealer do the work means it's covered under warranty and they're familiar with any Valencia-specific quirks or optimal installation locations. Since you're taking delivery and heading to Alaska, you want this system bulletproof from day one. The peace of mind and professional installation quality easily justifies the labor costs, especially when you consider the remote locations you'll likely be camping in Alaska where a charging system failure could be more than just inconvenient.
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