Camper loading + unloading

How easy is it to load or unload a camper with the jacks?

The standard four ball-screw jacks at each corner of the camper are operated individually with an easy-to-operate hand crank. To remove the camper, remove the tie-downs, disengage the safety latch on each jack and the jacks easily extend to the ground without cranking. A few turns of the crank and the camper is standing on the jacks, off the bed of the truck. Just drive out from under the camper and crank the camper down to the ground. The jacks are designed to hold the camper without any additional support. Loading is done by reversing the procedure. The two provided jack handles allows for two people to accomplish loading and unloading quicker.

The optional electric jacks are operated with a remote control similar to a TV remote. Jacks can be raised or lowered individually or all at once with the push of a button. They are quick, convenient and reliable.

Camper sleeping accomodations

We're considering a truck camper but need to know if any model can sleep two adults and four children (ages six to 15)?

Most of our campers have the ability to sleep five or possibly six. If you were to sleep three people (two adults and possibly a small child) in the cabover you can have two sleep at the dinette bed and one more in the dinette overhead bunk bed. We’ve heard of some customers using the cab of the truck to sleep extra people if needed (they leave the pass through window into the cab of the truck open so some heat/air will get into the truck).

An optional awning or the fold-down back tent in the Lance 1131 can provide significantly more room for enclosed outdoor dining or sleeping.

Center of gravity 

What's center of gravity and how is it measured on campers?

The center of gravity (or "CG") is the balance point of a camper, from front to rear with standard equipment, full water and propane tanks and no options.

The posted center of gravity of a camper is determined by measuring from where the camper contacts the rear of the truck bed (taillights) measuring forward.

To find the center of gravity dimension, click on the model that interests you.

Cold weather camping

Can I use a Lance camper in wet winter weather and freezing cold?

Absolutely! Lance campers are widely recognized as the best-constructed campers available. They are well insulated, efficiently heated and can withstand severe environmental conditions. Ask your dealer about an optional All-Weather Package for added comfort.

All Lance campers are equipped with large forced-air furnaces with ducted heat to the bathroom. Some models also feature ducted heat to the cabover area, as shown in the illustration.  When an optional All-Weather Package is ordered, warm air is ducted to the holding tank enclosure to prevent freezing.

Lance has been awarded the Alaska-Tested-Tough designation by Alaska Magazine. 

Construction

How is the roof constructed and can you walk on it?

The roofs on all Lance campers are constructed to the highest standard. They are foam filled and completely laminated for strength and maximum protection from weather. The roof covering material is a single piece of marine grade thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO). It's a long-life material that has excellent insulation qualities, resists cutting, easy to clean, does not streak or bleed color, is less slippery when wet, resists hail damage and overall an excellent premium roof material.

You can walk on any Lance roof without the fear of damage. And our exclusive rack system in conjunction with optional Yakima® rack systems allows for carrying equipment as large as kayaks on the roof.

What materials do you use for Lance camper frames and how are they assembled?

In our Lance Lite, Lance and Lance Slideout Series models, we use premium-grade, kiln-dried fir and pine for our structural framing - as we have done for four decades. These intricate lattices of woodwork are hand-assembled and glued together - with as much as six gallons of non-toxic wood glue per model - to form amazingly solid structures. Interior walls are glued to the frame structure for shear wall strength. The walls are then completely insulated with high-density rigid block foam - including exterior compartments. Fiberglass sides are cemented to the camper with special adhesives and bonded under pressure. Critical areas, including corners and tie-down brackets are reinforced with steel.

With the additional structure needed in the new Lance Max Series to support full-wall slideouts and sub-floor basement compartments, aluminum framing was chosen as the optimum framing material because of its rigid properties, consistent strength and low weight. To build an aluminum-framed camper to match the strength and reliability of our wood-framed campers, we use a proprietary design, construction and assembly process called LanceLock. The LanceLock™ process assures precision assembly by using welded aluminum frames fastened to a series of specially designed aluminum extrusions within a state-of-the-art, high pressure bonded lamination structure. Simply put, it`s unbelievable strong - and built to stay strong and retain value for many years. 

Frame-mount vs. bed-mount

Can you explain the difference between a frame-mount and a bed-mount method for securing the camper?

"Frame-mounts" include bars bolted to the truck frame extending out past the truck bed. The camper is attached to this bar with a chain and turnbuckle.

"Bed-mount" anchors have a steel plate between the cab and the bed of the truck. The front turnbuckles are spring loaded for shock absorption. The rear-mount attaches to the rear bumper of the truck with turnbuckles that mount to the eyebolts of the camper. This bed-mounted system is made by Happijac and is the only system we recommend. 

Optional features 

What's a DSI water heater and what is its advantage?

DSI stands for "Direct Spark Ignition." With a DSI water heater, you can turn the water heater on or off from the monitor panel inside the camper instead of from the outside water heater compartment. Temperature control is automatic. 

If I get the generator option, do I also have to get the generator-ready option?

No. If you order the generator you will not need to purchase the generator-ready option.

"Generator-ready" means that the factory has already installed all the pre-wiring necessary for you to hook-up a generator you've purchased later on. 

Safety

Can people ride in the camper?

Laws vary from state to state on this issue, but regardless of legality, it's not recommended because there are no seat belts in the camper – and in the case of an erratic move or impact, objects within the camper could cause injury. 

Can the camper be used while it’s off the truck?

Most definitely. Campers are stored on our dealers' lots for weeks at a time while people move all around them.

It’s important to lower the camper as much as possible. The camper can move in the heavy winds so the lower the better. Also make sure the ground is firm. If the ground is sandy, soft dirt or loose gravel you would want to use a plywood pad about 8"x8"x1/2" under each jack for more stability. Raise the nose of the camper about 1/2" to 1" higher than the rear so the camper will not be nose heavy.

Security + theft prevention

What provisions are there for security of a Lance camper set up at a remote campsite and left for few days?

Theft of a truck camper is rare. However, if someone wants something bad enough, they`re going to get it. We recommend that you insure your camper with your truck insurer. Never leave the camper unattended in the up position. Lower it to the ground and take the electric jack remote control with you (and/or the jack crank-handles). Use the battery disconnect switch or remove the positive battery cable.


Standard cab vs. extended cab

What are the advantages of a extended cabover bed?

The difference is only 12 inches between the extended cab and the regular cab. You gain more storage with the extended cab. It will help move the center of gravity forward (approximately three inches), and you sleep front to rear. The standard cab is a little lighter weight but you sleep sideways with less storage. (Please note that the standard cabover is not available on all models).  

Truck campers vs. other RVs 

Is downsizing from a motorhome to a truck and camper practical?

Over the years, we've received hundreds of letters from former motorhome owners who've purchased a Lance.

A Lance camper offers many of the features of a motorhome in a compact package that's easy to handle, economical and can be used anytime, anywhere. You can unload the camper and use the truck to go anywhere. Most who try it, love it. In addition, you can park just about anywhere you can park a car, and the truck and camper is well within most length restricted requirements.

Truck campers seem higher priced than a comparably equipped travel trailer. Why?

Truck campers must be built stronger because they don’t have a steel frame for support and are built to withstand off-road travel. Feature for feature, truck campers have more and usually better features and a roof strong enough to walk on. Truck campers are equipped with four corner jacks that add cost. The life span and resale value of a truck camper is much better than a travel trailer because of better construction.