6 Best 24V Trolling Motors For Extended RV Trips Nomads Swear By

You’re parked at the perfect boondocking spot, a glassy lake just a stone’s throw from your RV door. The only problem? That prime fishing spot or quiet cove is 500 yards away, and your inflatable boat is sitting there with a pair of clumsy oars. This is where a trolling motor transforms your RV experience, turning your small boat into a capable exploration vessel and unlocking the full potential of waterside camping. For the serious RVer, a 24-volt system hits the sweet spot of power, runtime, and manageable weight, making it the ideal choice for extended trips.

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Why a 24V Trolling Motor is an RVer’s Best Friend

A 24V system is the pragmatic choice for the nomadic lifestyle. While a 12V motor is fine for a small pond, it will struggle against wind or current and drain its single battery quickly. On the other end, a 36V system offers immense power but requires three heavy batteries, a significant space and weight penalty in any RV.

The 24V setup provides a substantial jump in thrust and efficiency over a 12V, meaning you can stay on the water longer and handle more challenging conditions. This is crucial when you’re exploring a large lake or navigating a windy bay. It gives you confidence. You’re not just fishing; you’re exploring.

Best of all, it integrates cleanly with most RV power philosophies. You’re likely already managing a 12V system for your house batteries. Adding two dedicated 12V batteries for your motor, run in series to create 24V, is a straightforward extension. This setup is powerful enough for most inflatables, jon boats, and kayaks that RVers carry, without demanding a complete overhaul of your rig’s weight distribution or storage.

Minn Kota Terrova: The Nomad’s Reliable Workhorse

When you think of trolling motors, you probably think of Minn Kota. The Terrova is their flagship workhorse, and for good reason: it’s incredibly reliable and user-friendly. Its most famous feature, Spot-Lock, is a GPS anchor that holds your boat in place with the push of a button. For an RVer who might be fishing alone, this is a game-changer, acting as a virtual anchor that never drags.

The Terrova’s stow and deploy lever is another standout feature, making it easy to get the motor in and out of the water without straining your back. This matters when you’re launching from a makeshift spot by your campsite. It’s a motor built for repeated, hassle-free use, day in and day out.

While it’s not the absolute quietest motor on this list, its durability is legendary. More importantly, Minn Kota has the largest service network in the country. If something goes wrong in a small town in Montana, your chances of finding someone who can fix it are higher than with any other brand. For a full-time nomad, that peace of mind is worth its weight in gold.

MotorGuide Xi5: Precision Steering and Durability

The MotorGuide Xi5 is the Terrova’s fiercest competitor, and it excels in a few key areas. Its steering is famously responsive. Where some motors have a slight delay, the Xi5 feels instantaneous, providing a direct, connected feel that many anglers prefer for making precise adjustments around structures.

Like the Terrova, the Xi5 features a highly accurate GPS anchor system, called Pinpoint GPS, that holds your boat steady in wind and current. It’s built with a rugged composite shaft that’s virtually indestructible, a crucial feature when you’re exploring unfamiliar, shallow waters. Many users also rave about its wireless foot pedal and simple, intuitive remote control.

The main tradeoff is noise and serviceability. Some models can be slightly louder than their premium counterparts, which can be a concern for stealth-focused anglers. And while MotorGuide is a major brand, its service network isn’t as vast as Minn Kota’s. This is a key consideration for anyone living on the road, where access to parts and repairs can be unpredictable.

Garmin Force Kraken: High-Tech Angling Integration

If your RV is a basecamp for serious fishing expeditions, the Garmin Force Kraken is in a class of its own. This motor is less a standalone tool and more the heart of a fully integrated marine electronics system. Its brushless motor is incredibly powerful, efficient, and whisper-quiet, maximizing your time on the water.

The Kraken’s true power is unleashed when paired with a Garmin chartplotter. You can tell the motor to follow a specific depth contour, navigate to a waypoint you marked earlier, or hold its position with industry-leading precision. The entire system works together seamlessly, letting you focus on fishing, not on controlling the boat. Its unique pivot-style mount is also a brilliant solution for bass boats and other vessels with limited bow space.

This level of technology comes at a premium price. The Kraken is one of the most expensive options available, and its full potential is only realized within the Garmin ecosystem. For the casual boater, it’s definite overkill. But for the dedicated RVer who lives to fish and demands the best tech, the Kraken is the undisputed king.

Lowrance Ghost: Quiet Power for Serious Anglers

The Lowrance Ghost‘s name says it all. Its revolutionary brushless motor was engineered from the ground up to be the quietest motor on the market. It produces zero electromagnetic interference, ensuring your sonar screen remains crystal clear and free of the "static" that other trolling motors can create. If spooking fish is your primary concern, the Ghost is your answer.

Beyond its stealth, the Ghost is a top-tier performer. It offers powerful thrust, incredible efficiency, and a robust construction that can handle years of hard use. The fly-by-wire steering provides a smooth, cable-steer feel without the physical cables, and its integration with Lowrance fish finders is, as expected, flawless.

Like the Garmin, the Ghost is a significant investment targeted at the serious angler. Its major advantages are most apparent when you commit to the Lowrance ecosystem. It’s a specialized tool for those who value silence and sonar clarity above all else, making it a perfect choice for the nomad who methodically stalks their catch in quiet, clear waters.

Rhodan HD GPS Anchor+: Unmatched Position Holding

Before "Spot-Lock" became a household name, Rhodan was pioneering GPS anchoring technology. The Rhodan HD GPS Anchor+ is a specialist. While other motors try to do everything, Rhodan focuses on one thing and does it better than almost anyone: holding your boat’s position. Its GPS system is famously precise and tenacious, locking you onto a spot with incredible accuracy, even in rough water.

This single-minded focus makes it refreshingly simple to use. The remote is straightforward, and the system is designed for pure utility. If you primarily use a trolling motor to electronically "anchor" while you fish a specific reef, wreck, or drop-off, the Rhodan is an exceptional choice. It just works.

The tradeoff for this specialization is a lack of broader features. It doesn’t offer the deep chartplotter integration of a Garmin or Lowrance. It’s a purpose-built tool. But for many RVers, that’s a strength, not a weakness. It provides the most critical GPS function without the complexity or cost of a fully integrated system.

Haswing Cayman B: The Affordable GPS Performer

Let’s be realistic: not everyone can justify spending thousands on a trolling motor. The Haswing Cayman B is the answer for the budget-conscious RVer who still wants modern features. This motor offers GPS anchoring, route memory, and remote-control steering at a price point that is often less than half of the premium brands.

Is the GPS as precise as a Minn Kota or Rhodan? No. Will it hold you within a three-foot circle in a 20 mph wind? Probably not. The build quality, while decent, isn’t on the same level as the top-tier options.

But that’s missing the point. The Cayman B delivers 80% of the functionality for a fraction of the cost. For the weekend warrior or the nomad who just wants to get out on the lake, fish a bit, and not worry about drifting away, it’s an incredible value. It makes GPS-enabled boating accessible and is the perfect entry point for discovering just how useful a trolling motor can be.

Battery and Power Setups for Your Trolling Motor

A great motor is useless without a solid power source. For a 24V motor, you’ll need two 12V batteries connected in series. The type of battery you choose will have a massive impact on performance and convenience.

• Lead-Acid/AGM: These are the traditional, affordable options. They get the job done, but they are incredibly heavy. Two 100Ah AGM batteries can weigh over 120 pounds, a significant payload for a small boat and your RV. They also have a shorter lifespan and you should only discharge them to about 50% to preserve their health.
• Lithium (LiFePO4): This is the ultimate solution for nomads. Two 100Ah lithium batteries weigh less than half of their AGM counterparts and can be safely discharged to 80-100%, giving you far more usable energy. They also last thousands of cycles. The upfront cost is high, but the weight savings, performance, and longevity make them a worthwhile investment for anyone using their motor frequently.

Charging these batteries while boondocking is the final piece of the puzzle. You can use a standard onboard charger when you have shore power, but for off-grid use, a DC-to-DC charger is essential. This device uses your vehicle’s alternator to charge your trolling motor batteries while you drive between campsites. For the ultimate setup, you can integrate them with your RV’s solar system, using a dedicated charge controller to keep them topped off with free power from the sun. Never skimp on your power system; it’s the engine that drives your on-the-water adventures.

Ultimately, the best 24V trolling motor is the one that aligns with how you spend your time on the water. Whether you’re a high-tech angler needing total integration or a casual explorer looking for an affordable GPS anchor, there’s a motor that fits your nomadic lifestyle. By pairing the right motor with a robust battery and charging system, you’re not just buying a piece of equipment; you’re unlocking a whole new dimension of exploration and freedom right outside your RV door.