Lance 1191

[TTBeachBum]

taking the plunge... Put a deposit on 2014....access to the bathroom without putting the slide out...priorities. 🙂

[bobndot]

The 1191 is my favorite floorplan , I wish I had one .
Part of the problem with the 1191 is, it has so much storage space, owners tend to fill areas that are empty . The real rolling down the road weights will vary from owner to owner.
When I went back-packing for a week I carried a 65# pack, often I think of just loading my back-pack into the tc. 🙂

in the link below, the Lance link on my post will not show, its the old 'get--a-quote' site, the rest of the post has some weight info.
more rv net 1191 weight info

[bka0721]

TTBeachBum wrote:
I understand that the weight from Lance is different due to the added options. The weight on the sticker reflected that as opposed to the online specifications.

I know that we will not barreling down any steep mountain roads. We will be going from landlocked central FL to coastal FL (not even on the sand).

I know dealers will do anything to make the sale (car and RV). Family has more to lose and I trust my BIL's certified professional expert opinions and years of experience with Fords, RV's, and towing/tires as a technician. His employer(s) trust him. I also trust a close family friend (also Ford dealer) from former home.

This will be our third truck camper, just my first new truck camper. I would not say I am an expert though.


I never wish anyone harm, but do like to learn from others and appreciate the feedback.

The next updates probably will not be until after the upcoming weekend.

You’re doing great and lucky to have people there, to advise you. There are lots of very experienced and knowledgeable people here and it is good you are checking everywhere. My current Truck Camper, is my first (and only RV ever owned) and I am far from being an expert, as well. I wish more would do their homework, as you and your DH have done. We are lucky too, to have you sharing with us as this topic is a common occurrence on this forum. There are many reading your comments and interested in your solutions, as well as the advisements you are receiving.

What will be an additional interest, to others here, are what your modifications are and your eventual field testing and impressions were/are. The only constant here, with myself and others that own a Lance 1191, is that the weight provided by Lance is wholly inaccurate, even before options. With my own Lance 1191, I ordered a very stripped down model, no mattress, no microwave, no TV/Stereo, no Fantastic Fan and many other options deleted. But I did order an A/C and Generator (which I don’t recommend now). My first scale weight showed it to be, 4300#, with water/propane/2 batteries and no personal belongings or equipment (I stopped at the scale immediately after taking delivery of my Lance 1191). Your upcoming visit, to a scale, should silence anymore discussion on weight and open up more discussion on what your modifications are and results are. Plus, don’t forget to share pictures of your new LANCE and Truck combination. In this forum’s sticky, there is a thread to post a picture of your rig there too.

Thank you for being so kind, and generous, with your postings and thoughts.

b

[bedrocker]

Have a nice trip beachbum 🙂

[JumboJet]

btggraphix wrote:
Does a new Lance 1191 really only weigh 3500? I think my tag shows something like 4300 and it really weighs more than that. I can't remember exactly what it weighs since I care more about GVW but it is more than 4300.

I can tell you a 2011 Lance 1050S with A/C, generator, and rear awning with full 20 lb. LPG tanks and no water weighs 4,550 lbs.

Add water, food, clothes, towels, sheets, toiletries, reading material, laptop computer, Kindle, cell phones and chargers, extra 12 volt battery and you will pass through 5,000 lbs. very easy. And I forgot me and the wife. OMG - don't even mention carrying my daughter and 1-1/2 year old grandson and his stuff.

I WAS comfortable with my 1050S on a 3500 SRW with 19.5" wheels and Load Range G tires with Stableloads and Hellwig sway bar. But it is much more comfortable on a 3500 DRW.

There is just NO WAY I would load a larger TC on a 2500 without 19.5" wheels and tires and other additions to handle the load. Plus, I would maintain a less than speed limit on most roads. I have traveled 200,000+ miles with a TC on a 2500 & 3500 SRW with a Lance 1030, 1055, & 1050S.

[tad94564]

btggraphix wrote:
Anyone remember the member who bought the pretty giant host and had a 250 and took long trip to pick it up? He got a lot of good advice (similar to the above) but was already committed to it and rolled with it. The reason I mention him is that he was very open and knew what he was getting into, and he followed up and filled us in on how it went and provided a pretty good perspective on it both beforehand and afterward. It would be a good thread for reference to the OP.

I carry a Host Mammoth on a 2001 F250.. The truck has been modded, the best thing I ever did was ditch the 16"/load range E tires and rims for 19.5" rims and load range G tires. Lots of the problems with weight is due to tire squirm - that's the fact that NO load range E tire has steel belts in the sidewalls of the tires, just in the tread area.

Yes, it has air bags, rear sway bar, bilstein hd shock, I went and purchased stable loads. Runs great, tires are still cold to the touch after several hundred miles at 65+ on the Interstate.

I am still waiting for the earth to open up and swallow me and the truck, for the fire and brimstones to start falling from the sky, and CHP to put out an APB when I take to the streets with this combo..

BTW, I'm below the tire, the rim, and the axle weight limits which is all that I am concerned about.

[TTBeachBum]

travelnutz wrote:
What he's saying is that that's the dry weight of a basic spripped 1191. Now add the weight of all options and they add up real fast. Any propane or water added. Water is 8 lbs/gal whether it's in the fresh water tank, the gray or black tanks, in the beer cans or wine bottles, canned goods etc. Anything you load in the TC or truck including the passengers. The TC hold downs even add weight. You will be over 4500 lbs when on the road even being conservative and very sparsely loaded!

You all are definitely right. I could not find on Lance's website their definition of dry weight. I know many manufacturers include propane, battery, generator, etc in their calculations and list it on the tag. Anyone find Lance's definition?? My deduction would be if it is not defined, not to include it.

I know how the weight added up on tt. I don't forsee us toting much water in the tanks as the CG will have full hook ups. So it will be drinking water for the humans and dog. Weekend food. The biggest weight will be DH's fishing equipment and tying down his poles so they are not on the bed.

[TTBeachBum]

bka0721 wrote:

Here is the clicky link to the link in your post;

Lance 1191 Specs {[\quote]

lol thanks for the clicky link...

bka0721 wrote:

I wish I didn't have to be the one to tell you, sort of a finding out about Santa Claus moment here; Many, but not all, Truck Camper Manufacturers are less than truthful about the weights of their campers . . .

Sorry you had to learn it here.

While many manufacturers will share that these are just estimates and adding options will increase the base weight of these campers. But you wonder how that could be a discrepancy of 500 to 1000 lbs.?

I understand that the weight from Lance is different due to the added options. The weight on the sticker reflected that as opposed to the online specifications.

I know that we will not barreling down any steep mountain roads. We will be going from landlocked central FL to coastal FL (not even on the sand).

I know dealers will do anything to make the sale (car and RV). Family has more to lose and I trust my BIL's certified professional expert opinions and years of experience with Fords, RV's, and towing/tires as a technician. His employer(s) trust him. I also trust a close family friend (also Ford dealer) from former home.

This will be our third truck camper, just my first new truck camper. I would not say I am an expert though.

bka0721 wrote:


Looking forward to seeing pictures of your new rig! And those important weights from your upcoming TA Scale visit. As well as a recap of what modifications you did do, to your truck.

b

I never wish anyone harm, but do like to learn from others and appreciate the feedback.

The next updates probably will not be until after the upcoming weekend.

[travelnutz]

What he's saying is that that's the dry weight of a basic spripped 1191. Now add the weight of all options and they add up real fast. Any propane or water added. Water is 8 lbs/gal whether it's in the fresh water tank, the gray or black tanks, in the beer cans or wine bottles, canned goods etc. Anything you load in the TC or truck including the passengers. The TC hold downs even add weight. You will be over 4500 lbs when on the road even being conservative and very sparsely loaded!

[bka0721]

TTBeachBum wrote:
Specs:
http://www.lancecamper.com/truck-campers/1191/lance-1191-truck-camper-specs.php?model=1191 (I am certainly not having 7 people sleeping in the camper with me.. :E )

I do not have the tag from the unit in front of me but is was only a bit heavier than 3505.

I found a TA that has a scale last night. Hopefully on Friday, we will be able to get the TC and truck weighed. We can weigh the truck separately at another time.

So you have your camper? GREAT NEWS!! Congrats!

Here is the clicky link to the link in your post;

Lance 1191 Specs

I wish I didn't have to be the one to tell you, sort of a finding out about Santa Claus moment here; Many, but not all, Truck Camper Manufacturers are less than truthful about the weights of their campers . . .

Sorry you had to learn it here.

While many manufacturers will share that these are just estimates and adding options will increase the base weight of these campers. But you wonder how that could be a discrepancy of 500 to 1000 lbs.?

Looking forward to seeing pictures of your new rig! And those important weights from your upcoming TA Scale visit. As well as a recap of what modifications you did do, to your truck.

b

[travelnutz]

We are still thinking about adding a Lance 1191 to our RV's but I WON'T do it without a 3500 DRW truck. Our 11'4" lance scale weighing 3842 lbs loaded to travel without a slide out is all our 2500 HD enhanced to a 3500 HD SRW truck can handle. Ford's no different! Ours has handled great for over 70,000 miles and to Alaska and all over the USA and Canada so far but we do NOT ever drive drive over 60 MPH and won't with that much weight on only 2 "E" Michelin at that back tires with 3415 per tire cap and a combined rear wheel weight capacity of 6830 lbs at 80 psi. Loading everything weighty at all (canned goods, liquids, anything, etc) in the TC as low and far forward as we can and the real heavy stuff in the rear seat of our CC truck helps put some of the carrying weight on the front tires. In our case, it adds about 400-450 on the front axle/tires which means it's not being supported by the rear axle and tires. You wllbe way over on your rear tires and asking for a blowout form felxing heat build up and especially in hot weather or hot blacktop as heat destroys a tire's structure fast.

I think you are really taking a very iffy chance by putting the gorgeous spacious heavy Lance 1191 on your SRW F-250. We have always had a min of one TC since 1965 so we have lots of experience with them on trucks and driving so I'm not talikng about something I don't really know about. The 1191 can be fully used with the extra deep sized slideout in and that's huge to us as few slideout TC's of size are. If we didn't like our present Lance so much, we'd sure buy an 1191 and a DRW truck dedicated to the 1191 only. We'd keep our present wonderful truck just for our 5th wheel. Wouldn't have to change our then and at 72+ and getting older, it's getting increasingly so harder to do each year.

[TTBeachBum]

Specs:
http://www.lancecamper.com/truck-campers/1191/lance-1191-truck-camper-specs.php?model=1191 (I am certainly not having 7 people sleeping in the camper with me.. :E )

I do not have the tag from the unit in front of me but is was only a bit heavier than 3505.

I found a TA that has a scale last night. Hopefully on Friday, we will be able to get the TC and truck weighed. We can weigh the truck separately at another time.

[btggraphix]

Anyone remember the member who bought the pretty giant host and had a 250 and took long trip to pick it up? He got a lot of good advice (similar to the above) but was already committed to it and rolled with it. The reason I mention him is that he was very open and knew what he was getting into, and he followed up and filled us in on how it went and provided a pretty good perspective on it both beforehand and afterward. It would be a good thread for reference to the OP.

Does a new Lance 1191 really only weigh 3500? I think my tag shows something like 4300 and it really weighs more than that. I can't remember exactly what it weighs since I care more about GVW but it is more than 4300.

As far as I know it is not possible to re tag a truck once the tag is put on. It can only be done before that tag goes on to begin with. I didn't do extensive research but it quickly became clear to me that it was a dead end. My 4500 is rated at 17500 and the 5500 is 19500 with the only difference being the rear springs and I really wanted to make the spring change and get it tagged because I run about 19k. Can't happen. No big deal.

Anyway, just make sure to weigh it all like Bka suggest, the numbers don't lie and having that data is what you need to check against the tire capacity which is your first order of business for safety sake. I expect the single best thing you could do after driving it away as a unit would be to think about 19,5 tires.

You will probably love the camper. We sure do. Compared to BKA we hardly use our camper but we do have something like 500 nights in ours. Good luck and let us know how it goes please.

[zb39]

You have gotten some great advice. I would hit a CAT scale when you are fully loaded and ready to go. Then check rear axle weight rating, rear tire rating, and your rear wheel rating. I would be interested in knowing what exact tire you have on the truck now. People here just want you to be safe and enjoy the ride.
Just so you know, I went this route once with a 2500 truck. I put 19.5 tires and wheels on it before ever loading the camper(1150). Along with a bunch of other items. I soon got a 3500DRW and I love it. Stress free driving. Good luck.

[bwc]

bka0721 wrote:
Thanks for the information. We can only respond with the information provided, in a thread. Going back and looking at your profile, or previous threads is something few do, and in your case, none provided.

Kudos to your RV Dealership, for stressing the importance of the Truck hauling this beast of a Truck Camper. (Oh, yeah, I own one too!! & Love it.) Why would the Lance Dealer be doing this? Easy, the Lance 1191, like many TCs, is a lot more weight than what they are posted as. I would encourage you to;


1. Weigh Your F250 before loading your new Lance 1191. Put fuel in the tanks and stop at a Cat Scale, or something.

2. Weigh Your F250 after loading the Lance 1191, after you have a full load of Potable Water and Propane. Be ready for a surprise.

3. Compare the difference with the original weight of your F250 and now with the loaded Lance 1191, with your Ford Door Pillar Tag, for weight and axle weights. Then add 1000 lbs (this figure has been derived by others, on this forum for the SWAG wt) for all the clothes, food, junk, jacks, levelling blocks and cooking stuff one would normally load. Be prepared for an even bigger revelation.


This situation comes up, here in the Truck Camper Forum, often. Too much camper for the truck and then the person spends more money on the truck to make it work, than the few hundred dollars difference between the cost of a F250 and F350. One poster, on this forum, began the same discussion and information here went back to his Ford dealer and swapped out to a larger Super Duty. He said later he was glad he did.

I don't wish to start one of the frequent debates, either, on whether SRW or DRW would be the better Truck, as you already have made that choice. The next two things to consider, the difference in the Brakes between the F250 and F350. I am not that familiar with the newer trucks, but when I had my three F350s, the deciding factor then, was the larger brakes. The second is tires and wheels. Many doing what you are doing, immediately change to a more capable wheel and tire combinations. Many threads here on that discussion. Many opt for the 19.5s, by the way come standard on the larger Ford Super Duties.

The next item, re-certifying your suspension and Fed Door tags. Not Possible. No matter what anyone will tell you. Maybe your Ford Dealer is telling you to do this to increase the safety factor and margin. Kudos for them. But no, they can't change your certifications. Some have tried and have done extensive research. Check with another person here; btggraphix, as he had a recent thread on this.

Warranty, yes, the dealership you are dealing with will probably work with you, in getting things capable. But here is the rub. If you travel away from this Dealership, like out on the road, and need service at another Ford Dealership, they won't give you the same perspective (garnered from 18 years of vintage racing around the country with F350s pulling heavy race trailers) if you have some warranty issues with your drive train. Also, the type of wear that occurs by over-stressing your suspension will begin occurring far down the road, 45-60k miles. In the area of transmission, differentials, spindle bearingss and steering components.

The great thing is, your situation is very well documented in many threads pertaining to doing just what you and your DH are attempting. You came to the right place for information and help. But you will hear things you might not want to hear, from some of these people trying to help, (like I am doing now) then maybe this forum is not for you. But at least you will get great information from a whole bunch of people, like the moderator, Steve29 and many others.

I love my Lance Camper 1191 and spend a lot more time in it than many. Love my Ford Super Duty and came here to get an education 2004 to 2008, before loading the Lance. You will probably enjoy the change and freedom you will have, in switching to a Truck Camper, over your previous Camper choices.

Hopefully you will report back what those weights turn out to be and the type of modifications you did and your impression of them.



Excellent Advice!
b

[Gary3]

A few days for sure we are leaving for home today after over 5 months in it and we do this every winter for 15 years.