frobey
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Joined: 09/18/2001
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Hi,
I'm looking to purchase my first truck camper and I'm asking for some advice. I've found a nice used 1998 Lance 186EC camper that's pretty well loaded. He's asking a bit more than I think the camper is worth if I look at the nada book. I'm working on that...
I've also found a 2001 Lance 845 that's more expensive than the '98 (like $3.5k) but it has a couple different options (electric jacks instead of A/C, etc.)
My big concern with buying the used camper is that apparently the 12-year roof warranty is not transferable. Do many folks out there have problems with their roofs on their Lance campers?? I like the fact that if I buy a used camper most of the depreciation is already built into the price. Anything else I need to be looking for?
Thanks for the help!
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priart
Mission, Texas
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Joined: 03/23/2001
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We bought a 1987 used Lance camper years ago and we got a good deal we think. It never leaked. It was about five years old when we bought it. One thing about these Lance campers, they are really built. We had no problems with the roof leaking at all. We were in a hurricane in Alabama and we did have to take it back to the factory to have it gone over. We also had been in a 70 mile winds with it in a campground in South Dakota. We were on top of a mountain so to speak and a storm came thru with a lot of wind and rain. Not once did that camper leak.
We now own a 2000 1121 Lance with the slideout and are very happy with it. These campers are really built.
Mabe that is why the price seems high to you, even when you are going for a used one. You are looking at quality.
Happy camping and good luck whichever you choose.
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BillS
Mount Pleasant, TX
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Joined: 12/01/2000
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We're on our 3rd Lance camper and have had Lance campers since the mid 80s. Our previous Lance was 7 years old and we've never had a roof leak. The Lance is built very solid and probably has the strongest roof of any truck camper built. If the camper doesn't show obvious roof damage, I wouldn't worry about it leaking.
Bill
'03 Lance 1121
'03 Dodge 3500 Diesel Dually
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camachinist
Central California
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Joined: 10/03/2001
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New versus used truck camper
IME, the camper you're considering is well-built and holds its value well, which can be both a positive and a negative, with the negative being that the price point on used vs new isn't as great (not as good a perceived "deal") *G*
We bought a Fleetwood Caribou (first model year) used a number of years ago and I heartily recommend that folks steer clear of Fleetwood's campers. We still have it and it's a good weekend camper but by no means "top of the line"...
I would surmise that, with Lance building slider campers now, the non-slide campers will become more attractively priced as high-end users upgrade, much as has been the trend in the TT and fiver markets...so, if you find a used camper that has what you want and it's in good shape, you might just get a decent deal, even on a Lance.
We'll be moving to a fiver soon so I won't be in the camper market, but if I was, the brand and models you're looking at would be at the top of my list.
Good luck in your search!
Pat
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EricD
Santa Ana, CA
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Joined: 08/22/2001
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I would strongly recommend that you get electric jacks on whatever you buy. Unless you are going to full time load the camper. If a new one is only 3.5 k more I would get the new one. Over the 12 year warranty on the roof that is only 291 dollars a year. I have a 99 1010 Lance and I love it, I was shopping other makes and models but the choice was easy in the end...
Eric
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