opinions please....on a old Lance

Just got back from the dealer ... I killed the deal.
I backed under the camper to see how my truck would handle the weight
and after I saw the way the truck squatted with the weight off the legs I bailed out.
I don't know who was more disappointed him or my wife...the guy with the right truck is
probably going to get that thing for a song !

Thanks for the info and help guys !

We had a one owner Lance 2001 845 that we purchased for $4,000...

Here is a link: 96 Lance Brochure

The brochure shows a dry weight of 2533 and then you have to add for options, water, propane. This should be about 700 pounds heavier than the Angler pictured on your truck. My guess a wet weight of around 3,000 pounds. But then you still need to add your stuff and you.

I don't know about the weight and your truck I'm sure some one will give input on that but when I was looking at truck campers a year ago everything I looked at in that price range needed a lot of repairs and a lot of cleaning. If it is clean inside and everything works I think it's a good price but if it's a car dealer I'm sure they would come down on the price some. I would suggest you set it on you truck first just to see how it sits.

Thanks for all the info and opinions and help on my questions...

Here is a picture of my truck it is a F-250 and the since this picture was taken the tires have been replaced with a slightly larger size and I also installed Torklifts Stableloads ...still that Lance is a big camper. I hope this is enough truck for a rig that size.

I bought an old 94 Lance 480 for 4900 dollars 2 years ago and couldn't be happier. Everything worked, didn't leak and solid as a rock. I felt good about how much I paid for it and would do it again.
Bought an 86 Lance 300 a couple of years before that for 2500 dollars and same story there. I couldn't attest to Lances current quality, cause I can't buy a new one, but I will be there in 10 years to buy an 850 when I find the right one.
Those older Lances had the best RV roof ever......Aluminum! Easy to maintain and durable.
Just seeing the apparent maintenance of that roof says a lot about that Squire.

Checked the NADA blue book valueLance 96 Squire 8000

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.

The tie down eyes are correct. They simply screw into a metal catch plate wrapped around the bottom 2x2. Check the seams of the corner trim directly above the tie downs. If the 2x2 is weak, this seam will crack.

The stuff they used on the old stuff is top notch. It cracks on the surface but underneath stuff it will remain gooey and seal well.

Biggest place to check is below the front window. Would expect a bit of discolation due to condensation running down the window, but shouldn't have any soft wood. The other place to check is about 6" below the front clearance lights.

Expect the insulation to be a tad bit better than the Angler you have and construction to be much better. The jacks can be an issue, but usually if the caulking and seal is good you don't have much of a problem.

Does look very clean and seams like a reasonable price. Any clean hard side camper without water damage is worth at least that much.

Thanks for the replys guy... I will try to negotiate the price .