Looking at Lance Lite 835 to buy
Hello everyone, First time poster looking at a 2000 Lance Lite 835 to purchase. I have some concerns as the front two jacks seem to be loose and tilting out a bit. Also on both sides of the TC I’m s...
Forum Discussion
I have a 2004 Lance 815 (almost same camper). The two dimples wouldn't concern me in the least if the inside paneling looks good. I've had one from the day I purchased my camper which was 12 years and over 100k miles ago. Hasn't changed one bit.
Now the jacks are a bit more of a concern. The caulking shows where the jack was originally and the black putty shows how much movement it has had over time. Sitting the camper like that for extended periods without something under neath isn't very good but shouldn't cause problems. I tried looking at the pictures to see what the metal in the front looked to see if it was still straight. This would help determine if the wood was pulling apart or just the screws coming loose. If the metal is still straight, odds are the wood is fine with the screws coming loose. This can be confirmed by trying to tighten the screws and see how much torque they can take. Don't try to pull the jack back in as even if the wood is perfect odds are they won't without removing the jacks and resealing.
In regards to the shavings, Lance leaves a lot of debris in the camper during construction. They completely build it then go in with a shop vac to remove what they quickly can so not worried about comparments and such that much. Doesn't surprise me you saw shavings, probably from cutting a whoe to run wires or plumbing. I'm still finding some in my camper.
Other place to check is just inside the door for soft spot or rot. IF there is any 1/4 round inside the door, that means work was done on the floor. Could just be a linoleum replacement but more than likely the plywood. Lance didn't use any 1/4 round so keep that in mind.
Also check inside the propane compartment as they sometimes leak. When this area gets wet, the tie down point tends to sag. Same under the water heater though that side is less prone to leak. In the pics, this area looks good as a little bit of sag is common.
$6,500 isn't a bad price if the inside is in good shape and there isn't any wood rot. My 815 is worth about $7,000 in todays market. I want to upgrade but the prices are ridiculous right now so I'm waiting a year or two.
Good luck with the hunt.
Now the jacks are a bit more of a concern. The caulking shows where the jack was originally and the black putty shows how much movement it has had over time. Sitting the camper like that for extended periods without something under neath isn't very good but shouldn't cause problems. I tried looking at the pictures to see what the metal in the front looked to see if it was still straight. This would help determine if the wood was pulling apart or just the screws coming loose. If the metal is still straight, odds are the wood is fine with the screws coming loose. This can be confirmed by trying to tighten the screws and see how much torque they can take. Don't try to pull the jack back in as even if the wood is perfect odds are they won't without removing the jacks and resealing.
In regards to the shavings, Lance leaves a lot of debris in the camper during construction. They completely build it then go in with a shop vac to remove what they quickly can so not worried about comparments and such that much. Doesn't surprise me you saw shavings, probably from cutting a whoe to run wires or plumbing. I'm still finding some in my camper.
Other place to check is just inside the door for soft spot or rot. IF there is any 1/4 round inside the door, that means work was done on the floor. Could just be a linoleum replacement but more than likely the plywood. Lance didn't use any 1/4 round so keep that in mind.
Also check inside the propane compartment as they sometimes leak. When this area gets wet, the tie down point tends to sag. Same under the water heater though that side is less prone to leak. In the pics, this area looks good as a little bit of sag is common.
$6,500 isn't a bad price if the inside is in good shape and there isn't any wood rot. My 815 is worth about $7,000 in todays market. I want to upgrade but the prices are ridiculous right now so I'm waiting a year or two.
Good luck with the hunt.
