New AF - a few winter questions.

travelnutz wrote:
bka0721,

I'm confused by your stating that Lance TC's didn't have heated black and gray tanks until the newer models. Our first new Lance TC purchased in 1988 (29 model years ago and that's a long time) had heated gray and black tanks right from the propane furnace with a hot air duct going directly down to the enclosed insulated tanks and there was NO need to be plugged into A/C either. The furnace did it all and it's 12V DC. What are you referring to as not being heated tanks on a Lance TC? The same is for the last 2 newer Lance TC's we'd ordered also.

The Freshwater tank has never or could be a freezing problem when camping anyway because it's located inside the heated TC just below the cabover bulkhead and has heated air circulation constantly. Could you be referring to a different brand of TC or are you confused?

Also for the same many years the Lance TC had a hot air duct going directly up and into the cabover bed area and another going directly to the bathroom which most other TC brands did not have either.

O.K., so as not to hijack a thread I will answer the questions here, quickly. Heated tanks are just that, a heated element either inserted or the tanks rest on a heated pad to heat the tanks. While I understand what you are stating but a duct placed in an area is heating the area and not the tanks, especially in temperatures I was stating my tanks were in. Sorry for your confusion and any others. AF has the type of heating I just described, as do newer Lance models.

As for the ducted heat to the gate valve area and tank area, this is sorely not adequate for my Lance camper and many others I have spoken to. As for bathroom, too long a duct run, and the bunk (cabover), for which my duct has never worked bringing warm area due to the ducting being damaged during installation just like pictured in the btggraphix link and you will see some of the issues Lance has with ducting these areas. My own lance had two ducts not even connected to the furnace plenum (no tape or screws that were present on the other ducts (I always wondered why my stove and sink was so hot!)) Plus the duct running by my Propane compartment was pulled apart and not even connected (this was to my tanks).

In your Lance Camper and many others that are not "basement" TCs, this tank location is true, as long as you keep your furnace operating, near the bulkhead or near the Fridge. I would hope the reader could adapt my statements to their own TCs. Also I am glad your tank/s have been insulated as mine are not and I have not seen any that have. (I peeked with a remote camera) I do have pictures of Lance campers being manufactured, without insulated tanks, if you would like to see them. Or you may check in btggraphix’s link too. The walls of a Lance are insulated with different material but the tanks are not, except the water heater. Newer models, as I stated originally are manufactured with heating pads as is AF and other models. Simply checking with your manufacturer will answer whether you do or not. My 2009 TC does not have these heating pads, so it is my assumption earlier models would not, as well. I apologize for not being more specific in which Lance models I was referring to. I can’t be confused about my own TC, but I was in the case of your TC. Sorry.

Just a point, my gray water tank did freeze and had a lump inside it for a few days after that recent Artic Front that many of us just experienced. But because of my below zero methods, I was able to keep it from completely freezing solid and doing damage. One day I hope to remove my TC from my truck and complete a full basement rehab of insulating and heat pads..

I don’t profess to be an expert on TCs and in fact I often recommend that a reader check out other posts and weigh for themselves what works best. As well as I have only had 1 TC, with my only previous experience in backpacking tents. So I had a VERY steep learning curve and came to this forum for assistance. I only share my own experiences that I have garnered over time and use. Like you, I love my Lance TC and use it more often than many and in difficult and challenging weather and locations. I would not hesitate having another Lance camper. I also recognize the advantages of other TC manufacturers and models and don’t hesitate sharing this, as well.

Thanks for bringing these points to my attention so as I could provide more information and or clarification. Thus using my comments to adapt them to your own use and TCs.


b