Truck suggestions for a Lance Lite 815

I didn't see this post in time but will still show my Lance on three different F250/diesel. The thing you have to watch out with the Ford trucks is the cab height. I've had my Lance 815 since new(2002) had on two 2wheel drive and 4x4(present truck).
Our first F250/2003/6.0 PSD/ 2whd. Notice the good cab clearage, the TC is setting flat in the truck bed.lost this truck in a flood.



2004 F250/6.0PSD/2Whd. Due to the taller cab I had to raise the TC up to have good cab clearage.



our present truck 2007 F250/6.0 PSD/ 4x4. I built a 4-1/2" platform for cab clearage and also install two large slidinf storage trays in it.
Lance 815 is a well built TC.

Thank you!

I was thinking the same thing about the turning radius, as there are times when I may have to drive it. I drive an Excursion so used to a big vehicle, but a crew with a long bed.... ugh!:E

Modifications wont be a problem as my husband has been a diesel mechanic for 30 some years. Oldest son (24) is too, so he has a built-in helper! :)
We also have a "pit" in the driveway for working under vehicles.

Re: sleeping..The 815 has a drop down bunk over the dinette which our toothpick of a daughter can use. Son, 16, can use the dinette and on the rare times when son, 21 comes along we can pitch a tent outside (for the boys) or buy a thick foam to lay on the floor at night for one of the boys. Foam can be stored up in the fold down bunk, I figure.

I appreciate all these tips! I am the type who likes to educate myself and think everything through before making a big decision.

No need for the expense of a diesel engine for any camper of any size and any weight. Diesels make sense when towing a 13,000 lb. or heavier trailer, otherwise a gas engine and 4.10 gears are all that is needed. With a used truck I would look for one with a 5 or 6 speed transmission as well as the 4.10 gears.

A 2500 will easily carry the load. The 1-ton trucks have an extra set of leaf springs and may have higher load rated tires. Easy to add Supersprings if needed and easy to change tires. Regardless of the truck you are likely to need to replace the shocks with new and better ones (Bilsein 5100 or Rancho 9000XL).

Good idea to upgrade the shocks and add the tie-downs and wiring harness for the Lance camper in advance and then when you find the camper you can pick it up and load it and drive away.

The 815 has a Lance specified weight of nearly 1800 lbs. but it is likely that the one you find will weigh closer to 2200 lbs. and by the time you load it up it will weigh around 3,000 lbs. and this is still within the capabilities of a 3/4 ton pickup. The 1-ton trucks use the same rear axle and wheel bearings and only have extra leaf springs to carry more weight.

A crew cab or extended/super/mega cab will hold three passengers in the rear seat. The overall truck length and wheel base is longer with a long bed truck and longer still with a crew cab. I would never own one with their very large turning radius that makes getting around town a pain and getting into many campsites a lot more difficult.

Check the actual sleeping space available in the 815 carefully. Our Lance 845 is supposed to sleep 4 but actually can sleep 2 adults and two short people.

Thank you everyone! All good information to consider. Will pass this on to my husband.
I certainly appreciate the fact that the 815 will be cramped. If we go the short-bed route with the shorter, lighter campers we will just have to extend the "living space" using our screen-room close to the outside of the camper. Up until this point, we've always "tent camped" so we have all that equipment.
He wants the F350 but trying to find a crew cab,long bed, used, within 250 mi of our home that hasn't been beat (worktruck) or used for plowing snow is not an easy task!
Husband has been taking the f-150 4x4 (w/o a camper) fishing on the beach for years, so he knows all about the air in tires and such. He is concerned that an underpowered truck for the camper weight will be an issue driving on the sand.

Thanks again. Any other info would be appreciated as we are very much in "the learning process".:)

Unless you drive a lot of miles and can afford the higher maintenance costs of the diesels, look at the V10 powered Ford F350 in 4WD, crew cabs. I've hauled my camper, which is a lot heavier then the Lance 815 you're looking at, with no problems whatsoever. In your search of a V10 powered truck, try to find a 4.30 axle ratio for maximum pulling power. The diesels won't haul your camper any better then the V10 trucks, just not enough weight to make any difference.

It is no longer so simple as 1/2, 3/4, 1 ton, you have to look at payload, some 1/2 tons are more capable than many 3/4 ton. There are a lot of 250/2500 that can haul more than the 350/3500s

In fact the whole part of a ton thing is obsolute.

I was looking at a tricked out F 450 that had a lower payload than the gas F 250 sitting next to it.

One thing to keep in mind at least on the GM trucks and it might be the same on ford and dodge as well is the 3/4 ton short bed CC has a shorter wheel base and a little better turning radius than the 1 ton long bed CC, if this truck is a daily driver that might make a difference with it being a little more maneuverable. When I bought my 3/4 ton they did not offer the 1 ton CC in a short bed model.

Both 3/4 and 1 ton could haul the 815, but, the 1 ton will give you more options.

If I was looking to haul 4, possibly five, people, I would look at 1 ton (crew cab, 4X4, SRW) trucks, and campers with slide outs.

The Lance 815 floor plan is similar to my Maverick 8801. It gets crowded with more than two people.

I would go with a 1 ton over a 3/4 if you can also. If your thinking about a used Ford Diesel, please do your research on 6.0 and 6.4 diesel engine problems before you purchase.

Crew cab for sure since there 4+ people.

as for gas or diesel, depends on what your budget is and how much driving the truck will see.