Forum Discussion

pjay9's avatar
pjay9
Explorer
Jul 03, 2014

Lance rot and slide issues

Well, the thinking is starting to become action. I took the camper over to a very reputable RV repair place here in Tacoma. Lentz has been around for decades and I have seen their work. BTW, they have moved into Tacoma proper from being out on Mt Hiway. Same folks and so very helpful.

We had a frank discussion on what we could see...the nose is toast and would cost around 3 to 4K. Then the slide side rebuild would be about 7K.

I told him that I had seen their rebuild work from years past and was very impressed...he walked me around the camper and pointed to things that could be potentially issues..and said if you really like this 1161...then rebuild it and do the improvements you want.

I said if I did much of the work on the wood rebuild and rot issue would they consider skinning it for me...SURE!! If you can totally strip it fix all the rot and damage, they would be happy to install new roof membrain and side skins for a whole lot less money and I would know that she was sealed properly and built solid.

So the insurance company is coming Monday to see if the slide issue is something they can cover...not holding my breath! Anything would help.

Now the cost of doing this needs to be taken into consideration. Could those $ and the 1161 be used as a trade and purchase of a new unit? We have looked at the new TC's out there...they have their design issue we do not like, plus all the work I have done to the 1161 to make it ours would need to be done again as it is not standard on any camper. This would be the time for new carpet, get rid of the crack up dish, change to a really good fire escape hatch in the roof, add solar, maybe change water heater to on demand, add outside hatch to an unused space and enclose that space you get the picture.

Lentz told be that they totally rebuilt an Atric Fox for 18K, skin off and upgrades.

I would need a shelter, so I am looking into that and have found that I can get a RV style with side panels 14 x 26, 12 foot posts for under 3K. As for tools my wood shop is well equipped don't forsee any added costs there.

So if I did this, I'd gain a shelter, always a good thing and have a well found camper.

Any thoughts would be helpful. Oh if I got frustrated by the work, then Lentz could finish it for me.
Truck Campers
  • sleepy's avatar
    sleepy
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2014
    PJ... I remember watching your eyes light up when you came to our house on you way back home drom Miami, Fl.... you stepped into our Lance 1161.

    You had a very nice truck camper parked beside ours. But the advantages that the 1161 has are very special.

    You said that you were going to get a 1161 for yourself... I took it with a grain of salt. Your wife was on a cruise ship heading home through the Panama Canel... what would she think when she got to see an 1161.

    Well, you showed me!

    You phoned me a few days later from a dealer... you asked a few questions... and then traded your perfectly good TC for your 1161... Mrs PJ had no idea.

    ................

    I talked to Lance about stripping our 2003... 1161 earlier this year... I wanted the adzel skin.

    It would be technically difficult... and to recover the whole camper would with Filon would cost about $15,000

    If you doing the stripping and removal of all traces of the filon... I'd suggest that you ask your rebuilder if he could use Adzel for the rebuild.

    The reason it is so expensive is... every window, storage door, furnace, water tank, fridge, etc has to be removed, the frame repaired, new skin, routed, all of those removed itemd replaced and sealed.

    Also, you should plan on modernizing the track system for the slide room.

    I'll be interested...

    ... maybe have ours delivered, then fly out to pick it up.

    Chet
  • Wagonqueen_Truc's avatar
    Wagonqueen_Truc
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2014
    I am at the tail end of a COMPLETE tear down and re-build of a 1976 Amerigo TC. When I tell you 'COMPLETE TEARDOWN" I mean we completely re-framed the TC... only kept the roof (1 piece fiberglass) and the front cabover (also fiberglass) We even re-build the back end tip out (snap n nap)The entire electrical was run and replaced. New lights (inside and out), new plumbing, All new appliances, vents replaced. Aluminum re-hung with thousands of new stainless steel screws and miles of butyl tape. Then we tackled the inside. New walls, New ceiling, wall paper, custom cabinets, stain, poly, converter, fuse box, propane system. Basically we "built" a camper. I tell you all of this as in the end, it was "worth it" to us, as we fell in love with the Amerigo and didn't want any other camper, but this process took us 9 months at least 6 hours a day during the week and 12 hour on the weekends. Would I do this again? Probably for another "vintage" camper with all the unique features that out Amerigo has. If you feel as strong, then go for it!!!
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Jul 03, 2014
    pjay9 wrote:
    popeyemth wrote:
    Spend your time enjoying a camper instead or rebuilding.
    JMO


    How can you enjoy when a new one doesn't fit what you expect or want or even match what you had.


    Get a little perspective here. Are your needs really that special and/or that inflexible, that you can't "get used to" or "put up with" a new camper, even for a while, as you customize it to your liking?

    Rebuilding your existing camper means no trips for this year. At least. Probably next year too. A new camper can be lived in right off the lot, even if it's not perfectly to your liking. You can take your trips and work on your modifications as you go.

    So is what you have in this 1161 *REALLY* that unique and special?
  • noteven's avatar
    noteven
    Explorer III
    Jul 03, 2014
    We bought a somewhat tattered but good OEM quality trailer (Carriage) from a seller who "didn't have the time..." - I figure my refurbishment time has netted me about $1500 a day for my work. After 4 original days of work we had a trailer we could use and work on the rest as we go. Used it 43 days last year.

    I would go for the overhaul if the basics of the camper are how you like them.

    It sounds like your plans and angles make sense.
  • shellbackcva59's avatar
    shellbackcva59
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2014
    When you are done you will know what you have. Buy a new one, and you'll never know if one of the workmen were having a bad day and cut corners, or didn't give a crap. If you are capable of doing the job, I'd say go for it.
  • popeyemth's avatar
    popeyemth
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2014
    pjay9 wrote:
    popeyemth wrote:
    Spend your time enjoying a camper instead or rebuilding.
    JMO


    How can you enjoy when a new one doesn't fit what you expect or want or even match what you had.


    What I was trying to convey since you asked for opinions was to enjoy the experience of camping not to be as focused on the camper.
    I have no wish to argue or to convince you simply expressing my opinion as asked .
    That is what I have learned from rebuilding three-a pop up, a hybrid and a slide in.
    Good Luck, Mike
  • pjay9's avatar
    pjay9
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2014
    942, Thx for tying to put it in a differnt prespective. The cost of a new one is outrageous to get what the 1161 is. Then like you stated you got to do so much to get it where you want and it still doesn't have the same storage or usability.
    It is a challenge.
    The part I don't like is the dismantling...fixing I can do...maybe I'll hire some labor from the local HD.
  • pjay9's avatar
    pjay9
    Explorer
    Jul 03, 2014
    popeyemth wrote:
    Spend your time enjoying a camper instead or rebuilding.
    JMO


    How can you enjoy when a new one doesn't fit what you expect or want or even match what you had.
  • AnEv942's avatar
    AnEv942
    Nomad
    Jul 03, 2014
    Wow Pj the proverbial rock & a hard spot
    Dont think the pros & cons could truly be weighed by any other than yourselves.
    You do have the advantage if you decide to tackle, knowing what you'll end up with structurally. Whether a few more years to use what you have for the time & effort is a fair trade? It is for us. Though if I got a new one I'd be trying to duplicate what I have -makes these kind of decisions that much harder.

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