Travel Lite vs. Lance (is quality worth the cost)

Problem is, not much quality in the industry today unless you go to the ultra high buck one off units.

Quality is always worth the price. Especially in the RV industry.

The demand for “inexpensive” RVs is at an all time high, and the RV industry is more than happy to meet that demand. Unfortunately, the demand is being served with “cheap” RVs, not “inexpensive” RVs. Given that there is no regulation on the industry, buyers have to be really careful what they buy. Bottom line - you just aren’t going to get anything worth buying and that will meet average expectations unless you are willing to spend some money. Unfortunately, even spending some money does not guarantee a problem-free unit, but you should expect that the problems are fixable oversights in the manufacturing process versus having your RV fall apart on you because the choice of materials was inadequate for the expected use. My recommendation is to walk through the unit you plan to buy, look at the quality of the materials being used, ask yourself if such materials will hold up to how you expect to use the unit. Look at how the wiring and plumbing are installed, open the drawers and cabinets and look at how they are built, look at the hardware, etc. Everyone’s expectations are going to be different. Personally, I would not buy a unit with pressed board cabinets; I know they are not going to hold up with how I use my RV. So I paid extra for solid wood cabinets. On the other hand, your usage may be different; you may be fine with that level of quality. Your original question - is quality worth the cost? No one here can answer that. You have to decide what level of quality you want, then be prepared to pay for it - - - - or not.

Since Lance is competing with Forest River, where as along as a big check is mailed to Omaha every month FR management is good to go, quality won’t improve.

Who says you have to pay MSRP? If you are willing to negotiate, then go into the Lance dealer and let them give you the current "sale" price. Then stick them with 30% off 35K which brings you to $24500 on the Lance. That's not so bad - right? If they say no, then tell them to call you when they reconsider. Then leave.

Yes - I took my own advice and negotiated 30% off my new Grand Design fifth wheel. And if you don't get the deal with them, go to another dealer or look for newer model year used.

While your at it, compare Grand Design's line of travel trailers (Imagine) outshine the Lance. The GD - IMO outshines the Lance and the company has a great reputation.

Find out more on the Grand Design Owners forum

If the Travel Lite trailer is anything like a Travel Lite truck camper (and it probably is, in as much as they come from the same plant and are built by the same crews, I'd run away from anything branded Travel Lite. There are literally volumes on here and elsewhere about how poor their stuff is.

Not sure about how good Lance is either. They just changed hands (REV Industries bought them out) so that is a crapshoot too. I had a Lance a while ago and the quality was questionable but then every RV today, except the ultra high end ones are questionable to some extent.

Having said that however, I'd avoid a Travel Lite. Cheap is usually just that and if you want it to last any length of time, go with something less questionable in overall quality and customer satisfaction.

goggle them up and read how bad they are.