Need opinions between models

I have not seen a Lance that was not fully usuable with the slide in. We actually prefer the wet bath since it gives us so much more storage space and a quick wip down after the shower with paper towels and your bathroom is always sparkling clean. The 1191 looks great, just make sure that you have a big dually to haul it, preferably a 450 or 550. It will weigh over 5,000 lbs when loaded for camping.

My vote is for the Lance 1191. But, I have one and have no complaints.

Since you haven't shared what your plans are for the use of your Truck Camper, I probably shouldn't go into a lot of details about my Lance, as what I am doing with mine might not be relevant to your use. Like btggraphix, tank size and capacities were important to me. My solution was to provide my own solutions to compliment what was already available in my Lance Camper.

Having a slide and dry bath were an important choice for me. As was a side entrance. Again, for my needs. I use my slide out, maybe 3/4 of the time. When it is really cold (below freezing) or when it is really windy (more than 50 MPH), in the desert, I tend to keep the slide in as well as when I am stealth camping.

I haven't had any major issues and the ones I have had, I have fixed myself, while on the road.

Recently I was at the Seattle RV Show and they had a number of Adventurer Truck Campers there and they were spectacular. But to be honest, none of them were an improvement to cause me to even dream of trading mine in for one. Plus there were no side entrance TCs in the Adventurers being shown. (Do they make one?)

No matter what you decide, if you are like me, as well as most of us here, you are going to be happy with a truck camper.

b

Seeing the models in person is definitely a key. I don't think I could buy a camper without seeing it for real first. We went to the Denver RV show every year over the course of the last 10 years, and for the years leading up to our purchase (of a used unit mind you) the two camper models out there that fit our needs to a T were the Lance 1191 and a Host (cant remember the model) that had the exact same floorplan (one dinette slide, a side door, big tanks, a rear dry bath, and an open layout. LOTS OF WINDOWS! (another key for us!) We looked each year and when the time came to get one we went with the Lance (it was including the flatbed truck so an amazingly perfect fit for us.)

After we bought it, we continued the tradition of going to the RV shows and until the last couple of years where Lance and others have come out with a rear slide with a couch, not a single camper we saw would even tempt us to go with a different camper. After 7 or so years and 450 or so nights of camping, we now live in our 1191 and are still very happy with it.

It is all about layout and how you expect to use it.

It fully works with the slide in, though 95% of the time it is out anyway. This is nice but isn't a dealbreaker to us. The cat likes it better with the slide in because he can jump on top of the slide, and he likes to do the army crawl, upside down under the bottom of the slide. But he gets no say in the matter ;)

In fact, most of the individual options are not that big a deal.....it was layout more than anything. The tanks are good size for us 45/38/37 but these sizes change over time and sometimes even get smaller. Our model year is 2006 though so I am sure it is different now. Big tanks were a relatively big requirement.

Dry bath, all about preference; I'd guess the more long-term camping you spend in it, the more important the dry bath probably is. Truth be told, the wet bath is often easier for a big guy like me to shower in, but having wet clothes or rain gear, wet ski gear, or even just extra storage when not in use is really useful. Hanging clothes to dry in there is good too although they don't dry well fast here in the east. So I'll put up with the tight shower in exchange for it. Dry baths take up more of your floorplan for a bathroom too so make sure you want one.

I would also really want the 30# propane tanks (2)....since we winter camped a lot. In the summer, unless using the generator much (they are a propane hog) we can go months without adding propane, so for summer only, maybe not a big deal.

Our Lance has overall held up very well, through a TON of use and abuse. Heck, it went to Argentina and back on a bruiser of a truck. I know all brands can have issues, but there is nothing we have experienced with ours to be anything less than satisfied.

Good luck in your decision; I've certainly known at least one really happy camper with his adventurer, but that was also a model from at least 12 years ago so not really applicable either.

If you are going through a dealer somewhere, don't forget you are also shopping for dealers. Make sure you are comfortable with the one you use, regardless of brand. They are super important both for the PDI stuff/sending you out the door, and service after the sale especially in warranty issues. If a dealer has been with a brand for a while, that is probably a good sign. (We bought ours used and have never had to really deal with a dealer at all, but we did also have a very big Lance dealer nearby just in case, which was some good reassurance.

KD4UPL wrote:
The floor plan of the lance allows you to have full access to the inside without moving a slide. You can also get to the bathroom without moving a slide. We tend to make lots of quick stops for bathroom breaks, lunch, etc. and I wouldn't want to have to be putting the slide in and out all the time. Adventurer says you can get to all areas but it doesn't say how big the gap is to squeeze thru.
The refrigerator in the Lance is not in the slide so it should vent up and out thru the roof. The ref. in the Adventurer most likely has upper and lower vents for the ref. in the wall. This results in reduced efficiency for the ref. however, a small fan will usually help this out.
The Lance is also lighter with larger LP tanks and larger waste tanks. The fresh water tank is smaller but that doesn't matter as much to me. I often camp with water and electric hook up but no sewer so the waste tank size is a bigger concern.
Overall I really like the 116DS, it's a nice camper and I'd love the king size bed. For me the wet bath is the deal breaker. We use our dry bath all the time and wish it was even larger.

There is a video on YouTube showing full access with slides in, I really like the floor plan just need to go see them in person.

JJ

The floor plan of the lance allows you to have full access to the inside without moving a slide. You can also get to the bathroom without moving a slide. We tend to make lots of quick stops for bathroom breaks, lunch, etc. and I wouldn't want to have to be putting the slide in and out all the time. Adventurer says you can get to all areas but it doesn't say how big the gap is to squeeze thru.
The refrigerator in the Lance is not in the slide so it should vent up and out thru the roof. The ref. in the Adventurer most likely has upper and lower vents for the ref. in the wall. This results in reduced efficiency for the ref. however, a small fan will usually help this out.
The Lance is also lighter with larger LP tanks and larger waste tanks. The fresh water tank is smaller but that doesn't matter as much to me. I often camp with water and electric hook up but no sewer so the waste tank size is a bigger concern.
Overall I really like the 116DS, it's a nice camper and I'd love the king size bed. For me the wet bath is the deal breaker. We use our dry bath all the time and wish it was even larger.

Do a search in the forum here on the 116D. I know we have a new owner of one here and he would be a good source to PM on his unit.