Lance 825 or 865?

[Slick_Rick]

We're gonna make a choice between these 2 TCs in the next 24 hours, the dealer has both. We like both but I think we like the 825 a little better...maybe.
I guess I'm a little OCD.
The 825 has a little more countertop space and the walkway seems a bit less crowded, the 865 bench seat sticks out a little. The 825 doesn't have an oven but we won't miss that, I don't think (OCD). The 825 has 3 gallons less grey tank, no biggie. The bathroom in the 825 seems a little bigger due to no sink. We can brush our teeth in the kitchen.
Any other differences? How do you all feel about your unit?
Thanks for the advice.
Rick

[bikepsych]

And so...which one did you go with?

BG

[Vinsil]

lonegunman wrote:
I went with an Arctic Fox 865, we also looked closely at an Adventurer 86FB. A front bath gives you a tighter entry into the bedroom, but you get windows for 180 degrees in the rear. For boondocking and in poor weather it is nice to be inside, toasty warm, baking something in the oven and be able to see what is around you.

Let us know how it went. Everyone has a reason for picking their camper, mine was the view and the nice workmanship. For some reason the nearest Lance dealer won't tell you the price until you drive 60 miles and see him in person, hence my Arctic Fox purchase.

Great floor plan, same as my 840 and we bought it for the same reasons as you.

[lonegunman]

I went with an Arctic Fox 865, we also looked closely at an Adventurer 86FB. A front bath gives you a tighter entry into the bedroom, but you get windows for 180 degrees in the rear. For boondocking and in poor weather it is nice to be inside, toasty warm, baking something in the oven and be able to see what is around you.

Let us know how it went. Everyone has a reason for picking their camper, mine was the view and the nice workmanship. For some reason the nearest Lance dealer won't tell you the price until you drive 60 miles and see him in person, hence my Arctic Fox purchase.

[bikepsych]

You could get a convection/microwave combo instead of an oven.
BG

[Jfresh]

if anyone is ever going to sleep in the dinette the 865 has a insert to make it wider. I see a lot of people on the forum saying that they don't need the oven. I can only assume they do not do a lot of winter camping or do not like to cook. Plus I think you only get one burner. I like to cook the same meals I would have at home and some times you need a oven. Is the fridge smaller? Might want to consider resale? The 865 rear dinette with the windows is very nice when the weather is not.

[billtex]

We use our oven every trip...usually several times! Pizza, sticky buns, garlic bread...we could not do w/out oven.

But that's us...do you like to cook when you camp?

Micro we could do w/out...we usually dry camp...but we love our oven!

Like the rear windows also...makes for a cozy place on a chilly day...with something cooking in the oven!

Good luck, Bill

[Old_Days]

One thing that we did like about the 865 is the rear window. We are going to get rid of the frosted glass in the door and put in the tinted glass door kit that camping world sells.

[B-n-B]

I have no experience with an 865, but hear good things. We have the 825 and love it. The counter top space is great and after 4 truck campers never needed an oven, so it's not missed. Slightly lighter I believe as well.

[Old_Days]

They are both great campers,but we liked the 825 more. I like having the outside storage and the shower is bigger.We didn't need a oven either. I have a picture of the camper on my profile.

[GpnAZ]

We have the 865 and chose it over the 825 because we wanted an oven and we liked the dinette in the back of the camper. You won't go wrong choosing either one, we really enjoy ours. We did a 3 week trip last summer and we never had a problem with tank sizes or propane or having enough space.

[Artum_Snowbird]

It's nice when the bedding doesn't hang in the sink. Do you need a bathroom sink to qualify for the "second home" interest deduction? An oven is a good spot to put the pots and pans, and it's very useful for cooking too. Check the size of the tabletop, and the length of the dinette/bed to see if you can be happy with the difference.

It's also nice to have the dinette at the back so you can look out the window at the back. Putting the bathroom there really closes it off from the back view. How does the bathroom door on the 825 work. It seems to hinge inward?

865 for me please, even with the bedding in the sink. Build a plastic barrier or something like that. I like the back window to look out.