Learned Error Of My Ways

[Grodyman]

After leaving truck campers and trying a 5th wheel and a travel trailer, I corrected a mistake and re-acquired a mint 2012 Lance 830/tent after selling my 2011 a year ago.

I simply don't like towing trailers, and for a family of 5 the 830 is a thing of beauty. This one has just about every factory option including micro, awning, solar, satellite dish, Heki skylight, tv/dvd etc. I also love the redesigned tent end vs. the Thermarest on previous models, it has very large screen windows and great airflow. Combined with the large Dometic acrylic windows and the Heki skylight, the camper is very open and stays cool with outstanding ventilation.

With the tent bed, side entry, large dinette, and massive storage, I think this is one of the best campers ever made. Too bad it has been discontinued.

I have already installed two new batteries, oxygenics showerhead, led bulbs and the trimetric 2030rv battery monitor.

I have missed being able to operate every component on a single Honda 2000.

I started here in 2006 when I bought my Arctic Fox 990. I have come home, hopefully to stay. Truck campers rule!:B

PS, the only thing better would be a fiberglass camper with a pop out....

Gman

[F350mule]

Maybe Lance will take the hint and start building the tent option again,perhaps on a limited basis.

[maxum1989]

Vinsil wrote:
We went the Wolf Creek but thanks for letting me know. I can't be tempted, but we do like the dual propane tanks and dual batteries in the WC over the Lance. Its a great design!

Just in case someone is investigating the Lance 830 it does have the room set aside for 2 batteries under the dinette seat inside. The single on-board propane tank though is one of its shortcomings.

[Vinsil]

We went the Wolf Creek but thanks for letting me know. I can't be tempted, but we do like the dual propane tanks and dual batteries in the WC over the Lance. Its a great design!

[Grodyman]

Vinsil wrote:
We are a family of five and looked for an 830. Nationwide search, none for sale. Great design, hold onto it it is like finding hens teeth!

Meeks RV in Cal has a very clean 2011, unless it has sold already. Asking price is a little high, but it is clean.

Gman

[Grodyman]

H2oSprt wrote:
Your post is very timely for me, I was very close to selling mine for a trailer but keep coming back to how much I love my 830!

If I sell mine eventually it will be for another truck camper. I like the Lance 855S for two people traveling. I also like the Northstar STC 12' camper.

Gman

[Vinsil]

We are a family of five and looked for an 830. Nationwide search, none for sale. Great design, hold onto it it is like finding hens teeth!

[H2oSprt]

Your post is very timely for me, I was very close to selling mine for a trailer but keep coming back to how much I love my 830!

[jimh406]

Welcome back. I have to agree that the TC although small is a lot more convenient.

[Grodyman]

There is a small cult following of 830/1040 owners out there and resale for clean units is pretty good.

anutami, I have enjoyed your trip reports and may get adventurous and wander out to the desert sometime. I considered the Wolf Creek 850 prior to buying my 2011 830 and it is still high on my admire list. I think in one of my earlier threads you gave me advice that the WC might be too crowded for 5, much appreciated.

Rick&Yvonne, If I had a long bed, the 1040 for sure, xtra storage is always welcome, as is xtra counter top. Those are even more rare than the 830, hold onto it.

Maxum, enjoy the Northern Light, I envy the fiberglass hard shell campers. It seems as time goes by I am gravitating towards these types of campers/trailers, and even, maybe, one day, probably never, an Airstream....

I'll post some photos just for the heck of it.

Gman

[maxum1989]

I have to agree that the 830 is an awesome camper. I recently sold mine to get something a little lighter and smaller as I'm alone with the truck camper most of the time. If I regularly had people coming with me I would have kept it for sure and upgraded my truck. I think its one of the best designed campers ever but obviously I'm in the minority as it was only made for 4 years I think. I love my Northern Lite but I do miss the 830 quite a bit.

[anutami]

that is awesome you went back to another 830, I am on my second wolf creek! Now you have over 500 miles of jeep trails in Anza Borrego with unlimited campsites at your fingertips. what a great design and use of space it is pretty much ideal, I looked at them and didn't like only having one propane tank and how the pass through window was way off centered. If I had a 3rd kid, I would own the 1040.

It is such a pain to tow in CA, with all the potholed freeways, inconsiderate drivers, and being forced to only use the 2 right slow lanes. Now you are free to drive where ever you want even in the carpool lane.

[Rich_Yvonne]

I've got the 830s big brother, the 1040 and agree, it is a great design.

[WyoTraveler]

I had TCs for years and loved them. In CA I wasn't limited to 55 MPH. Plus you can take TCs places TTs and MHs can't get into. However, as we get much older climbing into a cab over bed became more difficult.