Lance 815 TC.
The wife and I decided to sell the half ton truck and buy a 2011 Ford F250 extended cab. Now we are looking at Lance campers,I really like the 825 but 18 to 20 grand is out of our price range. We have...
Forum Discussion
Buying new is one thing, I am an original Lance owner and happy with my unit, I maintain it semi annually and bought it only because the Lance dealer took my trade.
A lot of used units get sold because people have gotten past the pretty curtains, woodwork and counter tops that they were fooled by and are now into the problems of the structure. This is what you have to look at because this is what you might be getting into, potential structural issues.
Do you have the experience to know what you are looking for in a used unit ? If not , hire someone. It might be money well spent and you might not need to go to California or anywhere else.
When you buy used you should look at and consider track records. Consider the build quality in those areas that we can't see.
You are buying a used camper and mention the plant in California ? Are you anticipating having to repair it, where the dealer is not able or willing ? :?
A recent poster posted 'they are Mfg. in one CA. location and repaired at another.'
IMO, that's no different than going to a dealer, skill level might be equal/worse .
the dinette : just something to consider
IMO, a 'sofa dinette' with storage below, seems to be more comfortable on extended stays or during inclement weather .
From personal experience, (DW took a header off the top step, she went down on her head n shoulder and I don't mean the shampoo) in case you suffer an injury (even minor where you have difficulty in bending or whatever) while on the road , the sofa dinette is easier to use opposed to the conventional dinette for eating as well as an emergency place to sleep, it happens more often than we like to think about .
I second the NS units for buying used or new .
Search around...You will have to look hard to find an unhappy Northstar owner and most find the cassette a very worthwhile option. You can dump it at any bathroom or porta-john if you had to.
If I was buying used : I like the idea of a family run business where the owners are not afraid to answer the phone to talk to a customer.
******Unlike other Mgf.'s , Northstar gives a lot of trust to it's network of dealerships as far as a green light to authorize and make a needed repair....something important to think about when you're on the road after you have plopped down a lot of cash purchasing it.
Limit potential aggravation, I wish you both all the best.
Bob
A lot of used units get sold because people have gotten past the pretty curtains, woodwork and counter tops that they were fooled by and are now into the problems of the structure. This is what you have to look at because this is what you might be getting into, potential structural issues.
Do you have the experience to know what you are looking for in a used unit ? If not , hire someone. It might be money well spent and you might not need to go to California or anywhere else.
When you buy used you should look at and consider track records. Consider the build quality in those areas that we can't see.
You are buying a used camper and mention the plant in California ? Are you anticipating having to repair it, where the dealer is not able or willing ? :?
A recent poster posted 'they are Mfg. in one CA. location and repaired at another.'
IMO, that's no different than going to a dealer, skill level might be equal/worse .
the dinette : just something to consider
IMO, a 'sofa dinette' with storage below, seems to be more comfortable on extended stays or during inclement weather .
From personal experience, (DW took a header off the top step, she went down on her head n shoulder and I don't mean the shampoo) in case you suffer an injury (even minor where you have difficulty in bending or whatever) while on the road , the sofa dinette is easier to use opposed to the conventional dinette for eating as well as an emergency place to sleep, it happens more often than we like to think about .
I second the NS units for buying used or new .
Search around...You will have to look hard to find an unhappy Northstar owner and most find the cassette a very worthwhile option. You can dump it at any bathroom or porta-john if you had to.
If I was buying used : I like the idea of a family run business where the owners are not afraid to answer the phone to talk to a customer.
******Unlike other Mgf.'s , Northstar gives a lot of trust to it's network of dealerships as far as a green light to authorize and make a needed repair....something important to think about when you're on the road after you have plopped down a lot of cash purchasing it.
Limit potential aggravation, I wish you both all the best.
Bob
