opinions please....on a old Lance
Me and my wife are considering buying a Lance Squire 8000 (10 foot, 9 inches). Today we sold our 1999 Fleetwood Angler. We have been truck camping for 2 1/2 years. The Lance that we are considering is...
Forum Discussion
We have had 3 Lance TC's since 1988 and 2 were/are 1997 models. A Lance Squire 4000 (9.5') and a Lance Legend 990 (over 11' floor length). All were ordered new and the 2 1997's were ordered at the same time. The Squire 4000 optioned out for our 2500 ext cab LB 4X4 truck and the Lance Legend 990 which only came as a totally optioned out including the 3400 watt PP generator for our 3500 ext cab LB 4X4 DRW truck.
Due to many medical mobility, back, and neck issues the wife had and the rougher ride with the DRW truck, our new Lance Legend 990 was only used once. Still had all the plastic protective coverings on everything including the floor carpet before being stored inside for 12 years and sold the DRW truck. Only used the Lance Squire 4000 on our SRW truck for 12 years all over the USA, Canada, and yes to Alaska and she could handle the ride and during the period she had many corrective operations that drastically improved her issues but is still legally mobility disabled. Where there's a will, there's a way!
Over 110,000 miles of traveling with the Squire on the truck with zero problems or leaks or repairs needed and was very comfortable for both of us and loved it. In 2009 a friend wanted to buy our 97 Lance Squire and we sold it to them for $6000 and they still have it, love it, and is still in excellent condition with no leaks or problems and has always been kept outside since new. The one piece seamless white painted aluminum roof is beyond superb as it doesn't leak and reflects the sun's rays keeping the inside so much cooler in summer and we don't even need to use the A/C. Contrary to the poster who said there were camper jack to frame issues, we never have had nor have heard of any such thing and we know a lot of Lance TC owners and have been to many TC gatherings!
We then took our still new 97 Lance Legend out of inside storage with our GM diesel SRW truck thinking we were going to sell it and buy a new Lance. Surprise! The SRW truck handled the very heavy Lance Legend excellent and because the blue book 12 year old age resale value of the 97 Legend which cost us over $27,000 new was only listed at around $8,000 retail so no way was it going to be sold for that or even $15,000 as it was showroom new. We are still using it and extremely happy with it and it's been perfect with no repairs needed or done other than my upgrading the converter this spring to the new style higher amp better converter. Just like the Squire we sold after so much use, it's still in excellent condition inside and out. Our legend now has over 80,000 miles of travel on it as it's used during the spring, summer, and fall and it's not remotely for sale! During the winter, we use our Carriage Carrilite 5th wheel for wintering in Florida for about 2 1/2 months while the Lance Legend sits at home in the back yard. Z E R O leaks and NO wing rot either occurred on any of our Lance TC's.
I noticed the 96 lance you are looking at doesn't have electric jacks which were optional and I don't know what other options it doesn't have but it's well worth the $3,000 price if it's in good condition and you inspect it carefully. Very comfortable TC's!
BTW, I have the original 1996 Lance TC brochure I saved and have scanned in color for all Lance models with all specs info and structure info that I can and will email to you if interested. You'd have to PM me an Email address on the forum so I can send it. Squire is the middle of Lance's 3 models. Lance Lite, Lance Squire, and the lance. The Lance Legend was the top of the line luxury largest only sold as a fully optioned out model as OEM made Lance had made in the 1990's. Of course, with lots of options etc comes a lot of added weight.
Due to many medical mobility, back, and neck issues the wife had and the rougher ride with the DRW truck, our new Lance Legend 990 was only used once. Still had all the plastic protective coverings on everything including the floor carpet before being stored inside for 12 years and sold the DRW truck. Only used the Lance Squire 4000 on our SRW truck for 12 years all over the USA, Canada, and yes to Alaska and she could handle the ride and during the period she had many corrective operations that drastically improved her issues but is still legally mobility disabled. Where there's a will, there's a way!
Over 110,000 miles of traveling with the Squire on the truck with zero problems or leaks or repairs needed and was very comfortable for both of us and loved it. In 2009 a friend wanted to buy our 97 Lance Squire and we sold it to them for $6000 and they still have it, love it, and is still in excellent condition with no leaks or problems and has always been kept outside since new. The one piece seamless white painted aluminum roof is beyond superb as it doesn't leak and reflects the sun's rays keeping the inside so much cooler in summer and we don't even need to use the A/C. Contrary to the poster who said there were camper jack to frame issues, we never have had nor have heard of any such thing and we know a lot of Lance TC owners and have been to many TC gatherings!
We then took our still new 97 Lance Legend out of inside storage with our GM diesel SRW truck thinking we were going to sell it and buy a new Lance. Surprise! The SRW truck handled the very heavy Lance Legend excellent and because the blue book 12 year old age resale value of the 97 Legend which cost us over $27,000 new was only listed at around $8,000 retail so no way was it going to be sold for that or even $15,000 as it was showroom new. We are still using it and extremely happy with it and it's been perfect with no repairs needed or done other than my upgrading the converter this spring to the new style higher amp better converter. Just like the Squire we sold after so much use, it's still in excellent condition inside and out. Our legend now has over 80,000 miles of travel on it as it's used during the spring, summer, and fall and it's not remotely for sale! During the winter, we use our Carriage Carrilite 5th wheel for wintering in Florida for about 2 1/2 months while the Lance Legend sits at home in the back yard. Z E R O leaks and NO wing rot either occurred on any of our Lance TC's.
I noticed the 96 lance you are looking at doesn't have electric jacks which were optional and I don't know what other options it doesn't have but it's well worth the $3,000 price if it's in good condition and you inspect it carefully. Very comfortable TC's!
BTW, I have the original 1996 Lance TC brochure I saved and have scanned in color for all Lance models with all specs info and structure info that I can and will email to you if interested. You'd have to PM me an Email address on the forum so I can send it. Squire is the middle of Lance's 3 models. Lance Lite, Lance Squire, and the lance. The Lance Legend was the top of the line luxury largest only sold as a fully optioned out model as OEM made Lance had made in the 1990's. Of course, with lots of options etc comes a lot of added weight.
