Travel Lite vs. Lance (is quality worth the cost)

[jcphil]

I'm currently considering a Lance 2185 and the Travel Lite Falcon/Aura 24BH. I believe pricing on the Lance hits around $35,00; and the Travel Lite can be had for about $20,000. They are similar in size, and function (bunks); either would work for our family. I'm curious as to the opinions as to all the wise folks on rv.net as to whether the Lance is worth the extra $13,000 (or so). I do understand the opinion it is a better built camper, but is it worth the extra money? (For discussion, this analysis could be applied to any manufacturer comparison, not just the two I'm interested in)

Thanks

[mmm23]

I don't think Lance is necessarily 'better' - Rove Lites are built without any wood in frame, wood, floor etc. which makes for a really nice, long-lasting little trailer. I'm shopping for one come 2024. Wouldn't even consider a Lance personally. 

Note: started a Facebook page for Rove Lite (since there's next to nil info online) - check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1041814240439762

[K-9_HANDLER]

I recently looked at both the Lance and Travel Lite truck campers. After examining the quality of both I would buy a good used Lance before a new TL. One of the new TL campers already had a leak in the roof.

[Me_Again]

You might look at Laredo.

https://www.keystonerv.com/travel-trailers/laredo/floorplans/250bh-travel-trailer/

[PaulJ2]

I have a Lance. A family member has an Outdoors RV trailer. I look at it as a somewhat upgraded Lance.

[dmatt]

We are currently looking at TTs and Lance has been one of the front runners. If you can go to a dealer and compare them side-by-side with another brand, you will be able to see the difference is build quality. Drawers, slides, cabinets, are built solid, not with staples and fake wood. Is it worth the extra money for you??? Only you can decide that. My thinking is that $20-$25K is a lot of money to spend for particle board, staples and wood looking paper covering cabinets, doors, etc.

One dealer likes to show you how well the walls are made on the Lance, he will haul off and pound the wall to show you there is no give, etc. Not sure I want him doing that on the one I choose though :S

I'm lucky in that we live an hour from the factory and there are 3 dealers nearby, so I've spent a good amount of time going through them. Are there going to be issues? Yup, probably as there are with anything built in the RV industry. One thing I haven't seen or heard many complaints about are big issues like delamination, slide out issues, and frame and axle problems. Those are the things you will see and hear about with the Lites, and other brands.

Other vendor components like fridge, a/c, heater, slide motor, etc can fail and that is not something that Lance, or any other builder can control.

Just make sure you research the dealer you will be buying from/taking it to for service. They will make or break your experience.

Now, I add something you didn't ask about and that is for the same price as the Lance, you should look at Outdoors RV if there is a dealer near you. The quality is top as like Lance, they don't pump out thousands of units each year. In fact, they make a little over 2000.

They make their own chassis and each one is separately designed for the model it is going on. Many of the "Lite", Ultra Lite" trailers have very light weight frame and lower capacity axles. Down the road these weight saving cuts can cost you with frames flexing, under rated axles, etc.

One more example. It was hot (89 degrees) this weekend when we went to a dealer that carries Lance and Outdoors RV. All of the coaches were closed up with a/c off, etc. The Outdoors RV units were noticeably cooler when you first walked in than were the Lance, at least 10-15 degrees cooler. Shows you the quality of the insulation compared even to the Lance which is a better insulated coach than most.

[Clicck]

I looked at the travel lites when I was shopping, wasn't very impressed, not for the price anyway.

Is the Lance worth 13k more? only you can make that decision.

[Happytraveler]

Our friends have an 8 years old 26 lite travel trailer. The trailer is a piece of junk. I can't believe everything is falling apart like collapsing drawers, closets & cabinets. We had an Aljo back in the 80's for 15 years and never had that kind of problem. They're now in the market for a new trailer, but it won't be lite.

[badercubed]

I am looking at a F-24BH, what did you end up getting, if anything?

[jcphil]

Agreed on the Lance price. 2012Coleman, that $34 (ish) is already discounted off of MSRP. That was a price I got fall of last year on that model year.

I'm not sure I agree that "quality is always worth the price." I could do a lot with that $13k. dirt bikes, fishing boat, etc. Hence, the dilemma. But I do appreciate the opinions!

I'm now adding the Coachman Apex 208BHS and the Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite 2509S to the list. Priced close to the Travel Lite, but maybe a bit better in quality.

[goducks10]

$35K is about right for Lance 2185. MSRP is around $46K. Lance is currently back logged 9-12 months out. So what you see on the lot is what you get sorta. Thats a sellers market.

[SidecarFlip]

Problem is, not much quality in the industry today unless you go to the ultra high buck one off units.

[NWnative]

Quality is always worth the price. Especially in the RV industry.

[Johndanielscpa]

The demand for “inexpensive” RVs is at an all time high, and the RV industry is more than happy to meet that demand. Unfortunately, the demand is being served with “cheap” RVs, not “inexpensive” RVs. Given that there is no regulation on the industry, buyers have to be really careful what they buy. Bottom line - you just aren’t going to get anything worth buying and that will meet average expectations unless you are willing to spend some money. Unfortunately, even spending some money does not guarantee a problem-free unit, but you should expect that the problems are fixable oversights in the manufacturing process versus having your RV fall apart on you because the choice of materials was inadequate for the expected use. My recommendation is to walk through the unit you plan to buy, look at the quality of the materials being used, ask yourself if such materials will hold up to how you expect to use the unit. Look at how the wiring and plumbing are installed, open the drawers and cabinets and look at how they are built, look at the hardware, etc. Everyone’s expectations are going to be different. Personally, I would not buy a unit with pressed board cabinets; I know they are not going to hold up with how I use my RV. So I paid extra for solid wood cabinets. On the other hand, your usage may be different; you may be fine with that level of quality. Your original question - is quality worth the cost? No one here can answer that. You have to decide what level of quality you want, then be prepared to pay for it - - - - or not.

[Lwiddis]

Since Lance is competing with Forest River, where as along as a big check is mailed to Omaha every month FR management is good to go, quality won’t improve.