Adventurer 89RB/ Lance 855 Comparison

Nice. Manual labor CAN NEVER compete with CNC/robotic/computer-controlled fabrication (as Travelnutz noted: errors can't be compounded, and can't get easily through the production line flawed). Statistical printouts (feedback from the processes) give you minute-by-minute parameters, where a mis-adjusted process is immediately flagged as flawed.

Many years ago, I was involved with nuclear gauging systems, developed by a physicist at McGill University: gamma-backskatter (I had to be certified and accredited to carry nuclear materials on the road; I demo'ed them right on live production lines at medical web product manufacturers, jet fighter fuel tank manufacturers and other sheet extruded product and blown poly film lines). Waaaay back when, many manufactures could only guess at their extrusion/web/hull walls consistency, and seeing how variable the product was in real-time was a shock and a revelation (you can guess what second-by-second feedback from gauge to the process was doing to product consistency/quality, and not to mention COST SAVINGS).

My point is: in today's manufacturing milieu, anyone wanting to compete in the world must meet ISO standards, and provide statistical proof (ie. that their product coming off the line comes with a full printout summary of each roll of polyethylene sheeting, each plastic pipe, each roll medical gauze, etc,) and this isn't possible by mere guessing or by pure analog experience. The more the automated line is, the more confidence that the product will be consistently made, eliminating all the accumulated errors from human hands (humans aren't perfect, neither are automated process manufacturing lines, but errors are almost fool-proof because of feedback controls from an automated line).

Granted, truck campers must have some manual labor input, however, automating key critical components, like laminated shell components, can save the manufacturer (and, consumer) a potentially huge catastrophe (a recall; catastrophic warranty claims; untold headaches for consumer)...

heres some shots of Lance making walls out of Styrofoam and then tach welding square aluminum tubing into them

I have only owned a TC since April of 2012 but have owned fiberglass molded and popup trailers and a toy hauler previously. After researching TC's, Lance and Northern Lite looked the best on paper with Adventurer and Arctic Fox following. Once I saw them in person, the Lance fell to last place (worst fit and finish and low capacities) and lack of living room without a slide dropped the Northern Lite to third (fit and finish was the nicest but capacities and space were low). This brought the two lower expectation TC's to the top of the list. The options and capacities of the Arctic Fox won us over the rest with Adventurer following closely behind.

I don't expect your needs will mirror mine. But until you actually sit in and look into the cavities and corners of each TC you are considering, you are just comparing specifications...

There were other manufacturers, but they did not have a good dealer support network in our area or they did not meet our requirements for a high capacity 4-season TC designed for a short bed truck.

silversand wrote:

If you live in the New England area take a drive over to NH and visit Truck Camper Warehouse...

...I hope Truck Camper Warehouse is getting more Wolf Creek 850s into inventory; they show only 1, and it is sale pending status!

That Sale Pending is now Sold. To me.
Definetly worth the trip to NH. Dealing with the guys at Truck Camper Warehouse was a pleasure. They deliver hundreds of truck campers in a year. The whole crew is extremely knowledgeable and customer satisfaction driven. No-pressure sales with a tremendous amount of patience.
I know there are (were) Adventure models on the lot, cause I checked one out. Very nice. If they have a unit you like and you're ready to write the check, deals can be made before the end of the year, rather than waiting for the show. Either way, they'll treat you right.
This was 10 days ago. They must have 3 dozen, or more, truck campers there:

I don't want to get into a peeing contest with radical loyalist of a certain brand. Everyone has brought up some very valid points about construction , integrity and longevity.. I really am comparing 2 specific brands. And there 2 specific models .That I believe compliment each other in some differant ways. Good and Bad. You all have helped enlighten my thought process in looking into my new camper. I will say I have been a Lance believer for some time. However, the Adventurer brand with that Model the 89RB has peeked my interest.Bigger is not always better . Simplicity has its advantages. I use my current truck camper while duck hunting. 4 season is important. I also use it running hunt test with my dog. My portable home on wheels. Storage other than food. Cargo . Guns where they fit when traveling. Labrador retriever resting for the night on the floor without being totally in the way. You can only get so much blood out of a stone. I need funtion and versatility. Which one of these two brands brings that? Only I can decide for myself ultimatly what will serve me best. However you have all help me think more about what I want and need and should expect from these two manufacturers . Thanks.

12V Cummins,

Had you followed the full story behind "lancecampersucks" and his buddies, you'd know the details and the why Lance won't have anything to do with them after having spent a small fortune trying to make them happy with their frivelous garbage. I won't go into detail on here because the mod's etc will close the thread and the thread's OP is totally innocent of anything. It's my understanding and there's web pages stating that there's pending legal action being taken against some of these leeches and we are not allowed to discuss legal actions on this forum. That's all I'm going to say about it!

First, the materials used being similar are only part of the RV's equation. How they are used is just as important along with true tight, must be forced in, high density CNC cut foam so there are NO air voids for moisture etc. CNC machining is extremely accurate and precise down to the thousandth of an inch so the finished assembly fits tightly together and exhibits constant repeatablilty from RV unit to unit. A very standardized component assortment has been accompolished by Lance now that can carry from model to model. That's the only way highly accurate precision interchangable fixturing and jigs can be used to insure butt to butt assemblies each and every time. No gaps partially filled with welds that fatigue and break with normal TC flexing when hauled! Exactly how the automotive industry etc is doing to ensure true repeatability from vehicle. Perhaps, you may have noticed that using this manufacturing method is producing vehicles and engines that aren't ready for the junkyard at 100K miles anymore. 200K, 300K, 400K and they just keep on going!

Why do you think Lance spent millions of dollars for state of the art design capability and the CNC machining centers along with the trained employees to acheive this build quality, standardization, and repeatability? NO other TC manufacturer has anything like the Lance setup nor will they as Lance owns the patents to most of it and besides, the cotst Lance incurred for doing what Lance had done would be prohibitive. Lance had invested well into the future, not the past, for the ability of producing very high quality lasting true repeated fit and finish TC's and TT's that are really 4 season capable RV units.

Take Nothwood for example. They are a relatively small RV company offering many different lines etc under several different product name divisions that they make many less of each product division line. Therefore, they hardly have a snowballs chance in ____ of standardizing same framings, builds, and cabinetry etc. The cost to do so would be astronomical even if it were possible.

Do you realise how few Eagle Caps, for instance, are actually made each year? Are they a good TC? Yes, but very expensive and extremely heavy when they do NOT have to be! Not only do you pay a higher price for the TC but you also use more fuel for every mile it's hauled. Will an Eagle Cap have a longer service life than an equal year Lance? Not a chance! Because of the constant flexing that naturally occurs when driving which takes it toll on the component joints, the gaps in manufacturing due to stacked up component's tolerance variables, and that compromises weather sealing in affected areas.

With most TC manufacturers, the use of welded tubular etc framing is quite new which means the jury is still out on actual service life of the welded frames. Does the Lippert "bright idea" breaking frames debacle so many RV'ers have experienced ring a bell? They are made with steel just like the other frame makers were but they certainly were not even remotely close to the same strength or service life.

If you do not understand RV design, engineering, and manufacturing and the result thereof with the products produced, I'd certainly call your's or others simply "opinions" since they don't rely on actual facts!

The OP deserves facts and honesty and then it's up to him the make his own decision.

We love our 80W Adventurer. We use it all year and spend most of the winter at the beach fishing and crabbing. here in the Pacfic NW we get ALOT of rain and have never had a leak problem. We also had a crazy drive in North Dakota during a storm with 60 mile an hour head wind (trying to find the family farm for a reunion) and it rode well and no leaks. My husband says it's built well and we chose it over Lance for weight, cost (my husband also wanted a new boat)and construction.

I have a Adventure TC and really like the way it was build.
This is info right from them on how they are build
My 980 RDS has a welded aluminum tube frame I do not know if the model you are looking at has check spec out at there home page some interesting info and Adventure will save you a few thousands of dollars over a Lance.
I looked at both sure the lance had some good points and some bad points I just did not see paying so much more for a Lance
I am very happy with my Adventure after using it for 2 years now.
And very glad I when this way.

1 Our composite fiberglass walls are constructed by laminating a welded aluminum tube or wood frame between an outer fiberglass shell and an inner laminated panel. The void created by these two panels is filled with closed cell block foam insulation.

2 All units use flush-frame safety glass radius windows with gusseted corners. Solar reflective windows are standard on most models, provide greater privacy and reflect UV rays keeping the interior at a comfortable temperature.

3 The heated enclosed holding tank area is insulated with reflectics. Heat ducts in the holding tank area ensure a warm area when the furnace is in operation, leaving the zone warm & dry at all times.

4 A sturdy powder coated aluminum ladder provides easy access to the roof. (standard most models)

5 Generous exterior storage space.

6 Tie-down brackets are bolted to the main wall and wing wall for extra reinforcement and strength.

7 Our front jacks are completely bolted through the wall corners to achieve a strong and stable platform when the camper is not on the truck.

8 The Happi-Jac® camper jack system continues our tradition of quality manufacturing. Providing over 34”of lift, the Happi-Jac® screw jack safely raises and lowers the camper with ease, ensuring optimum efficiency and performance, while enhancing the look of your camper. The unique concave footpad design reduces movement and offers improved stability over convex footpads.

9 Stylish graphics enhance the look of all Adventurer Truck Campers and coordinate with today’s popular truck colors.

10 All external walls are insulated with high density styrofoam for all-weather insulation, sound dampening and structural strength.

11 Large emergency egress window.

12 Floor on overhead bed is TCC® constructed and insulated for maximum strength and comfort.

13 At Adventurer we order our own exterior fiberglass to exact specifications to ensure our products are always up to our high standards. We use only the best building materials, from aluminum tubing to quality solid wood cabinet doors; absolutely no particle board is used.

14 A fully framed composite panel roof is fully load bearing and walkable. A one-piece roof membrane with a 12-year limited warranty is tightly sealed and is standard.

15 Full front fiberglass nose wraps are standard on all Adventurer TCC® constructed campers, making them more aerodynamic and use automotive styling to complement today’s popular trucks.

travel nuts if lance is so good why is there the websites lancecamperssucks and pissed of lance consumers don't see that really with any other manufactures? They advertise their product very well, but most of the features that they have now other companies have been using for years and they claim that it was their great idea. New solid cap design? what about eagle cap, Host, Okanagan. Lite ply & the dometic thermal pane windows. Northstars been using both for years. Eagle cap uses Azdel siding. You very rarely hear of aluminum campers having structure failures so everyone obviously has that down to a science. Not bashing on lance, but everyone has their pros & cons. Your really need to sit down and go in all manufacture & models of campers and see which one YOU like. They will all last you years to come.

Lance makes a good product - I own one. If I were buying a new camper I would definitely look at the ones from Wolf Creek and Arctic Fox which are both made by Northwood Manufacturing.

Weight is important for most trucks and if a camper weighs 500 lbs. less that means you can carry an extra 500 lbs of gear and also water with the same load on your truck's rear axle and tires. Some provide room for two batteries and two propane tanks and this is advantageous if you do extended travel or spend time off the grid at campsites without hookups.

Layouts also differ along with usable storage space. I would not get a camper without a North-South bed - one that is parallel to the bed of the truck, so that either my wife or I can get in and out without crawling over the other person. Refer capacity also varies and I would want a 6 cu ft or 8 cu ft. fridge. Holding tank capacities vary and our black water tank is usually the limiting factor on when we need to find a dump station or stay at a full hookup campground. Some bathrooms have a toilet arrangement that is best suited to little people and something to dry test when looking at campers. Stove cooktop and sink arrangements and counter space also varies with different campers and with such small spaces a gain in efficient space utilization is quickly noticed. Insulation and dual pane windows and winterizing of the holding tanks and water lines also varies by model and manufacturer.

New is nice but a three year old camper of the same make and model will save you up to 40% compared to a new camper. Part of this is that the older camper probably sold for 10-20% less than the current model. We bought a 5 year old camper that was barely used most of the time by its original owner and we saved 50% compared to the price for a new version of the same Lance camper. The cash saved paid for a three year old bass boat so the amount spent was the same, only I got the boat for "free".