Bought my TC when it was 5 years old and have had it 8+ years. It had a very slight separation in the area of the front passenger side tie down when I bought it. It grew larger as I put around 80K miles on it. Tie down bolt didn't move when turnbuckle tightened, just sagged lower each year (see first pic). Decided I'd better get it fixed. I don't have an inside area to work on it and also lack the motivation needed to do it myself. Fortunately, I'm only 200 miles from the Lance factory. Took it there to get fixed. While they were inspecting it for a quote, they also noticed the rear passenger wing had a problem.I asked them to take pictures after removing the aluminum sides (remaining 3 pics below). They did and emailed them to me. Glad to see exactly what the problems were. Unfortunately, forgot to ask for "after" pics until the sides were back on.After the repairs to the side areas were made, I had them do a pressurized leak test. Several areas needed resealing, but not the large front window or roof, which surprised me a bit. I've never done a full re-caulk, just some infrequent "spot caulks". All 3 small windows needed to be removed and resealed along with other miscellaneous smaller areas.At $119/hr shop rate, the total increases quickly, but I'm glad to have a camper in better shape now. Except for a $500 electric jack, I've never spent more than $100 on any previous repair (all done by me). All went smoothly dealing with Lance. After returning home and taking the camper off my truck, I think I heard it say "Thanks for getting me fixed. Now I'm ready for Road Trip 2014 when you are". :)

Thanks for posting the pictures, it is always amazing how our campers are built... Hope you have many fun trips in the repaired unit.

Hi Ralph! Can you give us a description of the repair work? Did they replace damaged wood in-kind? Did they add any reinforcement?Where you headed in 2014? Alaska? That would be one way to check out the new tiedowns. Not likely you'll be headed this way, but if you do, drop me a note and we'll meet at a fishin' hole.

Good for the camper and good for you.Sleepy

I recently did a repair in the same front right tye down point, just like what yours did. I ended up greatly re-enforcing this area and was rather disappointed in the way Lance had joined the framing at this high stress point. Good for you for getting everything repaired before any further damage could occurr.

Somebody has been tightening that front holdown way too tight to pull the frame that far down. They only have to be snug enough so they don't rattle and must be spring loaded to allow for bed/truck frame flex.Very little wing rot actually for 13 years old as it's just basically along the bottom and looks like caused by wicking water up from around the screws into the wood for 13 years. The rest of the inner lauan panel still looks new as does most of the aspenite (OSB). It's NOT chipcore!Good to go now for another 13+ years...

TC back from the hospital | Good Sam Community

Richandtd
Explorer
Apr 01, 2016

This is my investigation picture

This is my planned reinforcement piece

As I get further into my project I'll add more pictures. I figer the reinforcement from the corner with 1/8" steel welded to a 1/8" angle should beef up the tie down area.
ti-jean
Explorer
Mar 31, 2016
Hi From North of Montreal Laurentides place sorry for my english spelling I'll do my best .

Ok my camper is a Lance 1001 2001 same as yours and i got the same front tie down issues can you show me how to remove the side aluminium panel and windows .cant find nothing on the net .

thanks have nice day :)
kohldad
Explorer III
Feb 27, 2014
With the repairs and pressure test, you should get another 8 years out of it. Being able to easily repair is exactly why I love the aluminum sided campers.

Yes, very poor design having a high stress point that is relatively impossible to re-enforce.

Concerned with doing the same seperation damage, I've greatly backed off the tension on the tiedowns. Figured since my camper is so light, I don't need as much tension as a heavy camper would require. Therefor, instead of using a 1/2 hole tension as suggested by TorkLift, I only use about 1/8. Never had a problem with movement or rocking even though it goes off-road.

If I do have to repair the area, it will get a 1/8" stainless steel plate screwed to two uprights behind the LP compartment and the front corner under the jack.
Ramblin__Ralph
Explorer
Feb 27, 2014
jefe 4x4 wrote:
Luckily, I have a couple RV gurus in our little burg, and one of them took care of it at a very reasonable price.
Jefe, too bad for my pocketbook that I don't live close to you. :)

Ralph
jefe_4x4
Explorer
Feb 27, 2014
The important thing to know here is mine was like this on the pass forward side when i took possession 13 years ago in sunny so. cal. To my knowledge the tie downs were never over-tightened, at least not on my watch. I knew there was something wrong when the side started to sag more. Just below the propane tank hole seems to be a weak place in the stucture.
Luckily, I have a couple RV gurus in our little burg, and one of them took care of it at a very reasonable price. My guru was well versed in commercial stapling and structural strength.
I wonder if there are any other small Lance hard side folks out there with this seeming Lance centric problem?
jefe
SpknTC
Explorer
Feb 27, 2014
Ralph & Jefe thanks for the pics!! I'll be filing these away for the future.
Bigfootchevy
Explorer
Feb 27, 2014
I always like a post where I learn something. Thanks for sharing. It sounds like your camper is ready for 2014 and hopefully you are too.

Paul
jefe_4x4
Explorer
Feb 27, 2014
Ralph,
A similar spot on my Lance. Must be Lance centric.

and the result before they buttoned it up: Yep, still with industial staples;

jefe
Ramblin__Ralph
Explorer
Feb 27, 2014
To answer some questions:

1) Here's what was on the detailed invoice regarding the repairs to the side (less obvious steps):

Tie Down Repair, 7 hours: Replace dry rotted wood and add bracing to substructures for added reinforcement.

Wing repair, 10 hours: Remove skirt section and reconstruct with new wood and panels with bracing for added rigidity.

2) I was surprised, too, that in the tie down area only staples appear to connect the horizontal and vertical member!

3) I've followed TorkLift advice on how tight to set the FastGuns. None of the other 3 tie down areas show a problem. Since a slight separation was already there when I bought it, that area was probably already weaker than the rest. In any event, I've backed off on my usual setting a bit.

4) The camper may be good to go for another 13+ years, but my old 72 year old body probably won't (at least for TCing).

5) Gripnriprod: If I come to AK again, it will be on a plane. :) Thanks for the fishing offer, though.

Ralph
cewillis
Explorer
Feb 26, 2014
Money well spent, I'm sure -- after 80K miles, and 13 total years.

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