Narrowing it down...

[ruthiebaby88]

So here are some campers I am trying to choose between - would love to hear any thoughts you have. My use will be boondocking in Idaho (or on occasional trips across USA) with 7 months summer, 5 months winter, probably 30 nights a year.

1. (5,000$) 2002 Lance 815 - My current fav! Wet wt only 1875# which will make finding a suitable truck much easier. The price is right and although it does look used inside, the only structural concern I have is the owner said they were afraid that the roof might develop a leak because they saw a pool of water on it and they were planning on getting everything resealed in spring.
The curtains in front of the pass through window had water marks as though water had seeped up from below - I did not see any water damage around the window though. Owner states window does not leak, thinks it may have been steam from when she was canning in there.
I will call a mobile RV mechanic and plan to ask for a prepurchase inspection.

2. (6,995$) 2000 Lance 880 - wet weight (2450#) 2 concerns -
A. panel under camper bathroom pulling away (underneath camper) - shined flash light inside but could not see what was going on in there - rodents? dry rot? or does the panel just need to be refasteded?
B. front pass through window - the 2 outer sections bow out - owner states they came that way and it just has rounded windows - however I have not noted this in any of the other Lance campers and they did not feel evenly round but a little wavy.

3. (13,000$) 2006 Northern Lite - Missoula (7hr drive) - Owner states this had some leaking around a window, but was professionally repaired.

[Reddog1]

ruthiebaby88 wrote:
Do the rubber rooves all require replacing at some point? Is it just a matter of time? Or do they last indefinitely, but are just warrantied for 12 years?

I have no personal experience (an choose not to) with the rubber type roofs, but have read many posts relating to them over the years. I do not think it has has been mentioned they occasionally become delaminated from the TC roof, and have some pretty large bubbles. Seldom does an aluminum roof needs replaced. I have never heard of a molded fiberglass needing to be replace.

ruthiebaby88 wrote:
So far Lance is winning, I like their style. Have found a couple of shorter models in town that are in good condition.

I am of the belief the Lance TCs are a pretty good TC overall.

ruthiebaby88 wrote:
One did have some water damage to the wood under the fridge - odd looked like water had been running out of the fridge. It was about a 6-8' spot - I could probably live with that.

That could be a problem. If it is water stain from the fridge, why? It is possible, but not likely, that rain enters the lovers on the fridge door, and then runs into the TC below the fridge.

ruthiebaby88 wrote:
Just gotta decide on a size and big truck or little truck.

Size of what? Does not explain much to say, "big truck or little truck".

ruthiebaby88 wrote:
1 has aluminum roof, the other looks like TPO I'm guessing.

I am not a TPO fan. I do not recall you mentioning the siding, Aluminum or felon. A Northern Lite or Bigfoot will be molded fiberglass. From what I have read, de-lamination is fairly common on the felon. I do not recall ever reading about a problem with the Aluminum or molded fiberglass.

ruthiebaby88 wrote:
Called on the Northern Lite, person selling was wonderful, but not willing to come down to my budget range - also saw a newer one selling for half that price in a far away town so it seems overpriced.

Here is where it gets tough. If you have to hire caulking done, you may want to check the price. If you need any re-roofing, replace/repair a de-lamination, it can cost several thousand dollars. Easy to have dry rot in an aluminum or felon TC, and several thousand dollars in repair. This is why I am partial, and looked for years for a molded fiberglass TC. Minimal caulking on a molded fiberglass, window needing caulk will usually only stain the inside wood, with little or no dry rot due to very little would used for structural purposes. Personally, I think a molded fiberglass TC is worth more than the other types. Much less long term maintenance overall, and more durable in my opinion.

[bighatnohorse]

jimh425 wrote:
Reasonable guidance is always to find the camper you want and then find the truck that can haul it. This especially applies given that you don't have a truck!

X2
This is good advice.

[kohldad]

The rubber roof will need to be replaced sooner or later though usually you can expect at least 15 years from one if it has been maintained decently. Can stretch it to 20 if you paint it a couple of times.

The aluminum is good for 50+ years. Just need to keep the seals around the penetrations maintained.

TPO was questioned at first but after 20+ years of use seems to be holding up very well and may match aluminum.

I would take a look at the Northern Lite even if the one near you is over priced. Would let you see what the floor plan is like. You may like it and want to keep looking for other units.

My first camper I drove 350 miles to look at it. My next one I may end up driving 500-1000 miles to get it. Down here, truck campers are rare and my floor plan selection has been narrowed down to a couple which makes the pickens even slimmer.

[tonymull]

You may also find some Pastime models. They are built in Oregon. Good quality, still use metal skins. Mine is sturdy. Not as pricey as some.

[okan-star]

In your area I would guess you may see some Northland campers , since they are built in Nampa , they have similar layouts as Lance and are a well built camper, been building them a long time

I have a Lance 500 Legend , its real close to a 1010 in size and layout , loaded they can be about in the near 4000 lb range , if loaded with care maybe 3600 lbs
Aluminum roof , will still need some attention at the front and rear seam , and at penetrations , but the field of it is good for a lot longer than I would ever have to worry about ( my life )

[ruthiebaby88]

Do the rubber rooves all require replacing at some point? Is it just a matter of time? Or do they last indefinitely, but are just warrantied for 12 years?

So far Lance is winning, I like their style. Have found a couple of shorter models in town that are in good condition.

One did have some water damage to the wood under the fridge - odd looked like water had been running out of the fridge. It was about a 6-8' spot - I could probably live with that. Just gotta decide on a size and big truck or little truck.

1 has aluminum roof, the other looks like TPO I'm guessing.

Called on the Northern Lite, person selling was wonderful, but not willing to come down to my budget range - also saw a newer one selling for half that price in a far away town so it seems overpriced.

[okan-star]

bobndot wrote:
Double check where the lance 1010 would sit in the trucks bed. If I remember correctly the lance 1010 model has a COG that's behind the rear axle and it effected the handling.
I can remember reading some posts regarding this issue where one of the lance models was not the popular choice and the 1010 comes to mind.
People really noticed the difference once they switched campers on the same truck.

Not sure where you might have heard that, the 1010 has a COG measured from the rear , near the trucks tail lights of 58 " , putting way in front of the axles
It was a real popular camper , only out done probably by all the short bed truck models

see all the old info here

[ruthiebaby88]

Went to see the Bigfoot and it is off the list - one of the worst examples I have seen so far. They had not even cleaned it. The bottom was caked with hydraulic fluid, there was a hole in the fiberglass bottom, it smelled, there was water damage to the wall paper around every window, the mattress coils had rusted and caused red staining on the mattress, there was a bare lightbulb hanging outside the door - hard to believe they thought this unit was ready for sale - waste of time

[jimh406]

Reasonable guidance is always to find the camper you want and then find the truck that can haul it. This especially applies given that you don't have a truck!

[ruthiebaby88]

wintersun - What's your vehicle's recommended payload capacity?

I was going to choose the camper and then buy the truck to fit the camper, but in order to truly know my payload capacity I guess I will need to buy the truck first in order to weigh it.

In my budget I feel like it's easier for me to find a camper than it is a good truck.

[billyray50]

kerry4951 wrote:
We boon dock a lot and no way would I want a TC without a shower.

Id also be leary of a TC that needed front jack repair due to major water leak.

For me two of the 4 options would be out the door.

X2 on having a shower. I prefer taking a shower in my own TC. Some KOAs have nice showers but would never have a camper without a shower and good size grey tank. Like having the option.

[kerry4951]

We boon dock a lot and no way would I want a TC without a shower.

Id also be leary of a TC that needed front jack repair due to major water leak.

For me two of the 4 options would be out the door.

[Dave_Pete]

nomadictxn wrote:
Ruthie, I don't know, but that chevy/ northland combo might be the ticket. Truck and camper all in one. If this is your first RV this might be the way to find out inexpensively if this truck camping and RV business is right for you. I never need my 4wd with the camper on the truck on any road or path I have driven on so far. Never use my shower either.
I bought a camper/truck combo for cheap on my first go round and after 2 years with it I sold it for near what I paid and had that question answered for me..........Yes I like Truck Camping!
Can't wait to hear what you decide on. Good Luck!

Agreed. That's what a friend of mine told me about our first boat and it was a great way to go; learn if we liked it, not a lot of depreciation, and older to learn how on (with the associated damages we caused).

We always bought older used RVs too and kept upgrading to better and various types. BTW we're also back to truck campers.

[bcbouy]

i boondock only,no campgrounds. i've used a portable camp shower from cabelas,125 bucks, for years.just put the outside shower nozzle thru the window. much better having the extra floor space in the camper.if you go 2 wheel drive,get a winch.i have a 4x4 and i got stuck twice this year.once when i was launching the boat and got stuck on the muddy shore.i sank up to the axle.if i had to get tugged out it would probably have killed the camper.

[nomadictxn]

Ruthie, I don't know, but that chevy/ northland combo might be the ticket. Truck and camper all in one. If this is your first RV this might be the way to find out inexpensively if this truck camping and RV business is right for you. I never need my 4wd with the camper on the truck on any road or path I have driven on so far. Never use my shower either.
I bought a camper/truck combo for cheap on my first go round and after 2 years with it I sold it for near what I paid and had that question answered for me..........Yes I like Truck Camping!
Can't wait to hear what you decide on. Good Luck!