Our Lance will celebrate its 30th birthday next year. Aside from a leak around the front window, and a black tank that jettisoned itself after hitting a huge bump, it has been flawless for us and for the previous owner (a family friend). We are looking to upgrade to newer camper with electric jacks, A/C, generator, etc., but our budget puts us in the market for campers over 10 years old. Few people would argue that Lance built a fabulous product in the 80's and our camper is a fine example. We rarely come across newer campers that are as nice as ours on the inside.This brings me to the questions of what makes one camper better than another. Since manufacturers are using the same appliances and building materials, it must be something in the assembly that makes the difference. Lance didn't use magic wood, special aluminum, or exceptional appliances when they built my camper. I can buy anything on it from any RV store (except a black tank, geesh) because they all used the same stuff.So what is the difference? What do we need to look for to make sure our next one is as good as the last one?

In my opinion one of the big points to look at is the roof. I like metal roofs and very much dislike rubber roofs, even more so if you intend to keep it a long time. They tend to dry and shrink and leak all the way around and destroy the whole camper. Metal roofs don't shrink. The "good" campers tend to have a large refrigerator and larger holding tanks. If I were after a used camper (but newer than my rather well-made old Vacationeer, now an orphan brand) I'd take a good look at a BigFoot. I like the two-piece fiberglass construction, far fewer seams. It's hard to find a good deal on one but there's a reason for that! I don't think you'd go wrong getting another Lance either.

Som what is the difference? What do we need to look for to make sure our next one is as good as the last one? Don't look at another Lance :) after over 10 years on this site I believe Northstar as having the best quality of build and customer satisfaction record in the industry .

I'd contact the RV Consumer Group for more objective appraisals for what is out there. www.rv.org.

From the standpoint of quality, I would look at Northern Lite fiberglass truck campers.

From the standpoint of quality, look at Northern Lite fiberglass truck campers.

So what makes a "quality" camper? | Good Sam Community

mdo
Explorer
May 09, 2014
Hello, I'm new here but not new to truck campers or Good Sam. I bought a new Fleetwood Caribou in 1994, it eventually developed leaks in the roof, repaired many times and was great until it was left outside in the pacific northwest for too long. I purchased a very lightly used 2001 Lance 1010 in '06. It has been great, until this year I noticed the caulking is looking brittle and oxidized. I found evidence of a leak near the left front jack and looking closer I found small separations around some seams.
First, to stay on topic I think the top brands for quality are Lance, Bigfoot, Artic Fox and perhaps Eagle Cap, I hear they are back in business...
Second, I am looking for advice on caulking material for my Lance, I have had two different RV techs tell me to use 100% silicone for the side back and front seams, yet all the youtube videos I found said to NOT use silicone and use Dicor elasomera product. Can anyone shed some light on this? Should I post this on a different thread? Thanks
lovemytt
Explorer
May 09, 2014
Post a new topic to get more responses to caulking.
DoneItAll
Explorer
May 09, 2014
I would also suggest that how well whatever you purchase is taken care of after the purchase can determine what is best. Any top brand which isn't properly maintained won't be best for long.

John
67avion
Explorer II
May 09, 2014
I'm in agreement with my fellow Avion TC owner - 69 Avion. My Avion is astonishing in terms of its build and quality. Unfortunately, they don't make them anymore.

Recently, at the Mid Atlantic Truck Camper Rally, a number of us discussed a similar question - what is the best NEW camper. You have a different twist in that you are asking what is the best used camper. Am I right?

The consensus with the group I was in tended to be Bigfoot and Northern Lite. Livin Lite was another choice. But, in my opinion, there is nothing made as sturdy and long lasting as the Alaskan. It is the closest to the values and attitudes that developed the Avion and other classics. We had a fellow there with a brand new Alaskan and he was pleased as punch.

I'm sure other's opinions and experiences will differ. And well they should. Best of luck.
Camp__Forrest__
Explorer
May 09, 2014
67Avion, you are correct, my question relates to used campers. I am trying to identify the "universal truths" related to quality, or more specifically, longevity.

Walking up to any old used camper, what visual clues could one look at to determine if we have a good one? I am thinking beyond the obvious things like stained ceilings and appliances that don't work. Are there specific methods of managing seems, certain types of window sealants, interior materials, construction methods, etc., that will indicate that this manufacturer cared about it's product.
garryk6
Explorer
May 09, 2014
67avion wrote:
I'm in agreement with my fellow Avion TC owner - 69 Avion. My Avion is astonishing in terms of its build and quality. Unfortunately, they don't make them anymore.

Recently, at the Mid Atlantic Truck Camper Rally, a number of us discussed a similar question - what is the best NEW camper. You have a different twist in that you are asking what is the best used camper. Am I right?

The consensus with the group I was in tended to be Bigfoot and Northern Lite. Livin Lite was another choice. But, in my opinion, there is nothing made as sturdy and long lasting as the Alaskan. It is the closest to the values and attitudes that developed the Avion and other classics. We had a fellow there with a brand new Alaskan and he was pleased as punch.

I'm sure other's opinions and experiences will differ. And well they should. Best of luck.

I am in agreement with my fellow Avion owners, but I have a slight twist... The "best" camper is the one that "you use". If you use your existing camper, and you are just looking for a few nice extra's, it is better to start with a used camper that you know, than a used camper that you don't know. This site is full of examples of hidden rot and damage found when purchasing a used camper, that "looked good". Even brand new ones have been purchased with water damage....

Even if you are not a handy man, but you know you have a TC that is in good shape (regardless of age), I would find a reputable shop to install your items you wish to upgrade, and keep what you have, and use it! If you can do the upgrades yourself, you are even that much more money ahead!

Good luck in your search, but you may want to start in your driveway!:W

Garry
Photomike
Explorer III
May 10, 2014
Some good points and ideas. I am really hard pressed to say who is better or what is better. A friend just sold his 2 year old 5th wheel that he paid $50,000 for to buy a bigger and nicer 5th wheel that cost over $75.000. He is picky and did a LOT of research before his purchase to find the BEST make and model. Went to do a predelivery inspection and found a cupboard that was attached with only one screw and was pulling away from the wall and a couple of the hanging lights were loose (one actually fell down when he touched it). You would think that with spending that much you would get some quality but does not appear that way.

I am happy that I bought my NL used as I figure that I am still in good shape with the extra work that I have done. I have thought of buying a TT or a 5th and decided that I would buy used so at least I am not paying the new price to have problems.
69_Avion
Explorer
May 10, 2014
There are very few folks on this forum that use their campers to the extreme that garryk6 does. It just shows that a quality camper can last decades and still provide great service.
garryk6
Explorer
May 10, 2014
69 Avion wrote:
There are very few folks on this forum that use their campers to the extreme that garryk6 does. It just shows that a quality camper can last decades and still provide great service.

Thanks of the vote, but I think jefe and his friends are a bit more extreme than I. But with a bit of work, and some sound planning, an older TC can be just as effective as some of the newer much more expensive units.

I really like how there are more and more people posting here their restoration, renovation, and resto-mod of their older TC's here. It gives lots of ideas and do's and don't's on these TC's.

Garry in AK
jmtandem
Explorer II
May 10, 2014
But, in my opinion, there is nothing made as sturdy and long lasting as the Alaskan.

I have owned three truck campers. One was a 10-foot center dinette Alaskan. I kept it ten years and lost $500 in depreciation and had over that time the need to replace the four top strut seals at a cost of about $2. I always felt it was the Airstream of truck campers as it relates to quality.

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