I'm considering purchasing a 2004 Lance Lite 915, but I had some questions that I got the typical "I'm trying to sell you this camper" answers, but I was hoping to get some outside perspective from you folks. 1.) There is no AC in the unit. AC is required for me and it appeared that the camper was already wired for a roof mounted AC (it had the junction box in the ceiling with the label about 120 VAC, 60 hz etc...). They offered to install a unit for around $1,000. How easy/hard is it to install a roof mounted AC? Does it have a dedicated circuit breaker already standing by for this, or will it share an AC circuit breaker? I'm fine with the roof mounted controls, it does not need to tie into the thermostat.2.) The camper has 4 speakers already installed in the ceiling, however there is no head unit for the stereo. Does this just mean it is pre-wired for a stereo? If so, where do those speaker wires meet?3.) The camper does not come with the propane generator, but there seems to be a bundle of three thick gauge (6-8) wires leading into the compartment, and three smaller gauge wires as well. Does this mean its pre-wired for a generator? I did not see a propane connection. Anyone have any experience with the Lance Lite series of these years?4.) Roof appeared in good shape with a seal job required sometime in the near future. No signs of any water intrusion though. Any opinions/thoughts on the Lance aluminum roofs?Any insight is appreciated. Thank you!Brian

If you are looking for that specific model and year with those options, I would suggest putting "Lance 915" into searchtempest.com and getting the one with the options you want.Otherwise, It sounds like it is prewired for a generator. There may have bee a LP line/plug way up in the corner of the compartment.I would assume the speaker wires end up where the stereo head goes. You would have to pick up a car stereo of your liking.I have never installed an A/C unit. Mine has its own dedicated circuit breaker.More answers/suggestions to follow.....Ben

I have a 2004 815 which is a 1 foot shorter version of the 915. Would love to upgrade to a 915 and have looked at a few.1) Yes the junction box is for a/C. Sometimes there is a roof vent there and all you have to do is remove it.2) The speaker wires should be run to a cabinet over the sink. If you look there, you should find a panel held in place with four screws. Open the panel and you will find four pairs of twisted wires, one for each speaker. You will also find a unused red wire for the power feed and heavy gauge white for the ground. Lastly, on the inside of cabinet above the monitor panel, it should also have the wood around the area for the radio to mount.3) Haven't looked the generator compartment so not positive. Sounds like it is prewired which was an option on the Lite series. Since you didn't see the propane line would probably need to be Teed and run to the back. This would be done in the corner of the wing so easy to do. I will do some digging and see if I can confirm.4) Love the one piece aluminum roof and you will not have any problems. One nice thing about lance is the rubber caulking you see on top is really just cosmetic as it is the stuff under the objects that does the real sealing. So just clean them up, recaulk, then once a year paint with a special paint. Shouldn't have any problems.I talked to the owner of a shop who likes to buy the older campers, fixes them up and resells. Usually doesn't make much money because he does it the right way and is just as interested in saving the campers. He said 2004 was probably the best year as it was a couple years after they moved to the new facility yet before they started making a lot of cost cutting not-so-good ideas.One place to check carefully is inside the wings as they usually aren't sealed the best and tend to be the first place to lot. If the unit is an aluminum skinned camper, then it becomes pretty easy to repair though still a job.

What kohldad said.I would note that you should probably look in the cabinets for signs of water intrusion. There are a lot of different options for AC with some using much more power than others. That's important when picking a generator. Many people here find having a portable generator works better for them since the propane generators are loud compared to portables and the portables can used without the TC. Also, they can use the "generator" compartment for storage when they know they aren't going to need the generator.Be sure to search for the AC topics and generator topics before you commit to a particular AC or generator.

Send the VIN # to lance and they can furnish you with the build sheet for your unit.Surprised it is not in the pouch w/all the rest of the manuals for the camper.

I installed my Polar Cub (9200 btu) A/C in 2005. Not at all difficult, and took me just over two hours as I recall. The hardest part was getting the A/C on the roof. Mine weighed just under 100 pounds, and I used a tractor with a front bucket.If as you posted, it the junction box in the ceiling with the label about 120 VAC, My bet is it has the circuit breaker as well. Is there a vent near the center of the roof from the junction box? If so, remove the vent and set the A/C on the hole. The A/Cs use the same size opening. If it does not have a vent, it is probably framed for it. Mine was framed, but I had to cut it out.In my opinion, the biggest concern is getting the proper size A/C. A 9000 to 1200 btu unit is more than big enough. An A/C this size typically will run with a Honda 2000 or equal. A larger unit will cycle more often, and from what I understand will be less efficient in removing the moister in the air. I will not say much more on the size of the A/Cs other than to my knowledge there are no advantages with an A/C larger than the 9000 to 1200 btu, but there are disadvantages.Wayne

Considering a used Lance, questions... | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

finsruskw
Explorer
Feb 13, 2016
Send the VIN # to lance and they can furnish you with the build sheet for your unit.
Surprised it is not in the pouch w/all the rest of the manuals for the camper.
jimh406
Explorer III
Feb 13, 2016
What kohldad said.

I would note that you should probably look in the cabinets for signs of water intrusion. There are a lot of different options for AC with some using much more power than others. That's important when picking a generator. Many people here find having a portable generator works better for them since the propane generators are loud compared to portables and the portables can used without the TC. Also, they can use the "generator" compartment for storage when they know they aren't going to need the generator.

Be sure to search for the AC topics and generator topics before you commit to a particular AC or generator.
kohldad
Explorer III
Feb 13, 2016
I have a 2004 815 which is a 1 foot shorter version of the 915. Would love to upgrade to a 915 and have looked at a few.

1) Yes the junction box is for a/C. Sometimes there is a roof vent there and all you have to do is remove it.

2) The speaker wires should be run to a cabinet over the sink. If you look there, you should find a panel held in place with four screws. Open the panel and you will find four pairs of twisted wires, one for each speaker. You will also find a unused red wire for the power feed and heavy gauge white for the ground. Lastly, on the inside of cabinet above the monitor panel, it should also have the wood around the area for the radio to mount.

3) Haven't looked the generator compartment so not positive. Sounds like it is prewired which was an option on the Lite series. Since you didn't see the propane line would probably need to be Teed and run to the back. This would be done in the corner of the wing so easy to do. I will do some digging and see if I can confirm.

4) Love the one piece aluminum roof and you will not have any problems. One nice thing about lance is the rubber caulking you see on top is really just cosmetic as it is the stuff under the objects that does the real sealing. So just clean them up, recaulk, then once a year paint with a special paint. Shouldn't have any problems.

I talked to the owner of a shop who likes to buy the older campers, fixes them up and resells. Usually doesn't make much money because he does it the right way and is just as interested in saving the campers. He said 2004 was probably the best year as it was a couple years after they moved to the new facility yet before they started making a lot of cost cutting not-so-good ideas.

One place to check carefully is inside the wings as they usually aren't sealed the best and tend to be the first place to lot. If the unit is an aluminum skinned camper, then it becomes pretty easy to repair though still a job.
MN_Ben
Explorer
Feb 13, 2016
If you are looking for that specific model and year with those options, I would suggest putting "Lance 915" into searchtempest.com and getting the one with the options you want.

Otherwise, It sounds like it is prewired for a generator. There may have bee a LP line/plug way up in the corner of the compartment.
I would assume the speaker wires end up where the stereo head goes. You would have to pick up a car stereo of your liking.
I have never installed an A/C unit. Mine has its own dedicated circuit breaker.

More answers/suggestions to follow.....
Ben

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Considering a used Lance, questions...

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