Mike@Asheville
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/28/2004
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Hi all, I've never owned or even camped in a TC but I do love rving. I currently have a 36' fiver which I plan to keep but I'd like to have a TC for easier solo camping and so I can tow my Harley. I'm very familiar with 5th wheel brands and know pretty much what to look for when buying one but I don't know much at all about TCs. So I'm hoping some of you nice folks can help me get educated.
I'm interested in a quality unit that will hold up well with low maintenance. I'm unsure about new or used until I can decide what I need and do some pricing but money is important. I'm familiar with Lance, Arctic Fox and Alpenlite and have read here recently about Eagle Cap. I have also read about issues with both Lance and AF which I thought were top of the line products. I know all brands have issues but I hope to avoid any known issues.
I plan to use this for solo bike trips, most often of a few days but occasionally trips of a few weeks. Unless the weather is terrible I'm never in the camper except too sleep, cook or toilet. I know I want a shower and bathroom, a comfortable bed and enough room my DW can join for a short trip if she would like. Any long trips with her we would use the fiver. I don't know if I need a built in generator, I use a Honda 2000 with my fiver. What are features that are a must? What are good brands at a fair price? What's the benefits of a rear door vs a side door? Any and all suggestions are appreciated. The truck is a F450. Thanks all!
2003 36.5' HitchHiker Champagne Quad Slide
2004 F450 Lariat 4X4 PSD Crew Cab
Fontaine Classic Hauler Bed 25K Pullrite
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xnorp
Spokane Washington
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Joined: 07/29/2004
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First off you have the right truck you can haul most campers and tow your M/C with no problem. There sure are lots to look at and decide on. One that you did not mention is North Star they make hard side and pop up campers. And are a very good product with good customer service. A T/C is not going to be a big 5er like you have now but it will serve what you are asking. I use a Honda 2000 for my camper. Do your research and check them all out sounds like you are not in hurry so just take your time and make sure you get what YOU want in a camper. Good luck have fun in your search that is part of the fun or at least was for me.
xnorp
2000 F-250 SD PS 04 Snowriver 9'6" Rancho 9000X Super Springs Vision 19.5 w/Toyo M608Z
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Eycom
Fl to NY
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Joined: 09/12/2004
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As you mentioned, any camper can have problems. That said, both Lance and AF are good brands. Lance is the 800 lb. gorilla in the industry. Subsequently, you're likely to see more of them. The side entry camper offers 2 advantages that I can see. First, your entry way is beneath the side awning, and secondly, if towing, the hitch doesn't impede entry into the camper.
I have an on-board genny. But if I had to do it again, I'd go with a smaller a/c that could be run with a honda 2000. Just the way I've evolved into using the TC.
F-350 PSD
Lance 1121
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Shipper
Lower Alabama
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Joined: 02/12/2003
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We have the same wants (see my profile). I have an 1181 Lance which suits DW just fine, but if your wife doesn't always travel with you when you are biking I would consider a shorter, no slide version such as the Lance 1055. I would just as soon use the 2000 rather than the built-in Onan, but you might need to stepdown on the A/C to the 9000 btu. With your truck you can pretty well do as you please. Definitely get the rearview camera-helps hookup and watching your bike trailer when traveling.
I hope you use an underbed hitch so it can be removed as needed-if not you will need to change. I like my 18K B&W, but my 5th only weighs 13K and your Champagne might be considreably heavier.
I mention Lance because they build a decent unit and are strong enough to be around when you need them (at their convenience). We used our TC to tow our bikes to Nova Scotia for a month-worked great on the Cabot Trail.
We still use our 5th wheel when we take longer trips, but haven't figured how to take the bike  . Enjoy!
This message was spell checked before posting with IeSpell!
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BradW
Flat Rock, Alabama
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Joined: 10/29/2001
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Mike@Asheville wrote: I have also read about issues with both Lance and AF which I thought were top of the line products.
Keep in mind that Lance and AF sell more TC than all the others brands combined. So you will likely read more posts about them, both good and bad. If you went to a car forum, you will likely read a lot more complaints about Chevys and Fords than you would about Bugattis, because there are just a whole lot more of them sold.
Brad
Internet forums only exist to serve their members; never the other way around.
1996 Lance 500 and 2006 F-350 PSD 4X4 DRW
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Super_Dave
Sacramento, CA
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Joined: 01/19/2007
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Because all TC's look so similiar from a distance, it is the small details that make the difference in making a wise choice. I looked at all the brands and for me, Eagle Cap made the most sense because of the gel coat finish and the end cap construction that wraps the corners of the camper. Since you own a 5'er, you know about areas that are subject to weakness. Check those same areas and you see some with drastic differences in quality and engineering. If you were to visit the EC owners forum, you'd also see where their customer service is top notch. I'm obviously biased as an owner but in the end, we'll all just be giving you testimony of our own experiences.
Truck: 2006 Dodge 3500 Dually
Camper: 2007 Eagle Cap 850
Boat: 2003 Jetcraft 2125 - Yamaha 150 HP & 8 HP Kicker
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wnjj
Cornelius, Oregon
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Joined: 01/11/2007
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Off the top of my head...
Rear door advantages:
- No "hole" in the floor over near the door to fall into and more interior floor space.
- No/less rear overhang (if you buy a short enough camper).
- Can reach the ladder from inside the camper. We hang our bottle/can and diaper bags out there.
- Slightly closer to driver's seat. You'll notice this if you stop to get something or check on something, particularly if you have a trailer hitch to climb over to reach the passenger side.
Side door advantages:
- Curbside door leads to curb in town.
- Unique floorplans with rear couches, beds, etc.
- Trailer hitch doesn't interfere with the door.
- No easy view into whole camper from outside.
- Less external steps needed.
- Faces most camp spots best since they're designed for side-door RV's.
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Geterdone
Bel Air, Md
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Joined: 07/18/2007
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I have my Lance 1121 on for wing repair as we speak...I have requested assistance from Lance given the problem is a "mfr defect" well known on Lances built in 2003. So I will give you my final recommendation when I get my response from them, but I can say my Lance 1121 is an 03, and I purchased it used with a Dodge 2003, dually, HO diesel...both were well taken care of and my wife and I liked the used Lance better than newer models from other mfrs. Key to any purchase is the customer assistance not only in warranty but during times when the dealer and mfrer must step up and correct problems that were there when new....Walk thru how you would use it day to day, and look close at the details of construction...sealants, appliances, layout, roof, accessories etc I am a hunter and fisherman and Florida traveler in winter and ours has been great so far....
Steve and Patti,03 Dodge Ram 4x4,Quad Cab,Duelly,HO Cummins Diesel,Firestone Air Bags; 03 Lance 1121,all ops but solar, Torklift w/48"ext,Bodiak front mount hitch,Lowe Boat 17'w/90hp ETEC Jet, getting retired Army guy fishin and huntin wife still workin!
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Wasatch Lance
Park City, Utah
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Joined: 02/11/2005
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Mike,
I also have a 2003 Lance 1121. I had some water intrusion issues and though I wasn't the original owner (and thus no warranty) Lance stepped up to the plate and repaired it at no cost to me.
While many folks on this site have purchased their campers new I bought used and saved a ton of money. I would do so again.
I'm pretty tall (about 6'4") and therefore headroom is crucial to me. The newer Lances have a basement and though they are taller, they have less headroom.
While I occasionally tow a boat, I haven't found the trailer hitch issue to be significant, and there is a separate awning which covers the rear door.
2002 F-350 CC 4X4 PSD, Stage II Injectors, Garrett BB Turbo, AFE Air Cleaner, Chip, 4" Exhaust, Gauges, Extra Leaf Springs, Air Lift Bags, Hellwig Sway Bars, Rancho RS9000XL shocks, American Racing Wheels, Toyo M/T Tires (4,300 lb rating),
2003 Lance 1121
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wjkdan
youngsville nc
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Joined: 09/07/2009
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MOST RESPONSES ARE FROM LANCE OWNERS WHICH IS WHAT I HAD LOOKED AT BUT FOR ME I WANTED A POPUP AND LOOKED AT ALL POPUPS AND SETTLE DOWN TO THE NORTHSTAR AND OUTFITTER. SETTLED ON NORTHSTAR DUE MAINLY TO SALES AND SERVICE IS WITHIN 10 MILES OF MY HOUSE HERE NEAR RALEIGH. HAVE ONLY TAKEN ONE TRIP SO CAN NOT COMMENT TOO MUCH BUT SO FAR LOVE IT. LOVE THE DRIVING PART DUE MAINLY THE HANDLING REALLY CAN'T TELL THE CAmper is on except when getting up yo speed.
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