Just read this thread and the only thing I'm concerned about with the 1685 is the TPO "rubber type" Roof. I, too, wish they had some of the 1575 features.
EKW
I did research on the roofs on the 1685's. There was anecdotal evidence of sagging at the A/C, and you could not walk on it.
According to the Petaluma dealer, the roof is redesigned for 2012. They in fact now offer a ladder on the back so you can get up on it, and two of the inventory there did have the ladder. I climbed up and looked and saw the roof, it was as you said, a single sheet of white. But at least it is strong.
Thanks for the tip on the Edge. I looked it over and it too has some nice features. There is no couch in the Lance, and no dinette in the Edge. The Lance is wider, and has more closets.
There is always a trade off I suppose.
And I never thought about it but CPAHarley is right. They charge you more for the tolls with an extra axle. But I will tell you that having towed the Casita in AZ at 75 MPH I liked it better at 65-70. That extra wheel is comforting if you have a blow out. Good properly inflated tires will not usually blow out though.
Before I had my Nest Egg, I had a Lance 1880, which has been discontinued. It had a TPO roof like the 1685 and I did not like the maintenance issues. After owning a fiberglass trailer, I was not going to go backwards. But I wanted the insulated windows and insulated walls. Thus when the Lance came out with the 1575 with fiberglass roof, I had to investigate.
Dan, another item is the smaller 9200 Coleman Polar Cub which Lance offered and can be operated off a 2000 watt Honda, the bigger 13,500 unit can not. But you can get 12v pads on both the 1685 and 1575 holding tanks if you want it.
As far as the axles, the tolls seemed to be triple of a single. If the toll was $4 for a car with 2 axles, you would think it would be another $4 for a trailer, but no, it is more like $8 and you can not sit and discuss the issue while in line.
I found out this weekend, camping in single digits you will need to use your propanefurnace. It ran about 15 minutes every hour. I cracked a vent and there was absolutely no condensation to be found anywhere inside. There was some frost on my compartment doors interior. I have thermometers in the storage areas under the bed where it was 27 while outside it was 9 and inside it was 60. I found a couple of cold air leaks which will need to be closed off in winter, like the refer exterior vents, operate off 12v or electric while hooked up and around the wheel wells will need some fiberglass.
Otherwise it was was toasty and the digital antenna picked up 27 stations, I watched the playoffs while camping! I was a happy camper!
The Edge is a nice trailer, but dual axles and tpo roof. It does have the nice windows but un heated tanks. Some trade offs.
Another item I found out "Winter Camping" is the inability to wind my power cord when it is so cold. I had to throw it in the car to warm it up first, PIA.
The Edge is a nice trailer, but dual axles and tpo roof. It does have the nice windows but un heated tanks. Some trade offs.
Another item I found out "Winter Camping" is the inability to wind my power cord when it is so cold. I had to throw it in the car to warm it up first, PIA.
Jim
I used some 10/3 SO cordage to make my power cord instead of the "RV" power cord that usually comes with a new unit. It becomes a little stiff at 0 and below but is orders of magnitude more flexible than the OEM stuff or the Marineco aftermarket cable.
I don't know if you saw my post recently, but we sold our Casita last Friday and we're seriously looking for the same issues you did. We saw the Lance TT's at an RV show here in Denver last Thursday and really like them. I love the 1575 but that Bathroom is just too tight for me. So the Lance 1685 is at the top of our list now. I'm looking at a lot of things and have discovered the Heartland EDGE M-21. If you go to < | Heartland RVs, you can see it. They may have stopped production, but I hope not. Will find out next week. Also, I don't think it will work, but check this out. www.livinlite.com
I'll be interested in how your new unit works for you.
Regards,
Keith
So far I have no regrets as the trailer has exceeded my expectations for winter camping. After Spring and Summer hopefully I'll still be happy. It is the spaciousness and the 6 windows that make this trailer so nice.
Probably more than most people are interested in, but some general information on cord:
S types without the "J" are 600v Extra Hard Usage Service Grade.
SJ types are 300v Junior Hard Service Grade.
Code does not specify which cord type (S or SJ) is required for an RV, only length (minimum of 25'). Although SJ cords are lighter & less expensive, they are more easily damaged. Type S cords have thicker jackets, more fillers, and are much tougher (most could be used as a tow chain).
Either can be made with a thermoplastic or synthetic rubber jacket. Thermoplastic insulations are less expensive, but get very stiff when cold, while synthetic rubber are flexible warm or cold, but cost quite a bit more than thermoplastic. To add even more confusion, there are Thermoset cord types that can have good cold flexibility.
The "O" stands for oil resistant and can be added to either weight cord.
An additional "O" stands for oil resistant jacket & insulation, a "W" for weather resistant. If there is a "T" in the cord description, it will be thermoplastic, however some thermoplastic cords leave out the "T".
Carol Wire produces both an S & SJ "Super Vu-Tron" rubber cord, however #10 is the largest size available on a standard order. This is an extremely flexible cord even below freezing.
Coleman Wire manufactures Seoprene 105 SEOOW & SJEOOW cord that is rated as extremely flexible at cold temperatures. (this link also explains some of the different letter codes).
Lastly, most of the cord you can purchase at your local big box hardware store will be thermoplastic. You will need to go to a real electrical supplier to get the better quality cords, and they will not be inexpensive.
There is a medicine cabinet in bath with 4 shelves for toiletries plus any suction cup holders for in the shower. There is a towel rack under the medicine cabinetand a neat tp holder built in.
Here is a picture of the closet, maybe 20 wide by 40 deep and 60 tall. There is also a large pass thru space in the front. Also Lance installs some drawers under the sink, nice touch.
Us too....we moved to the Dark Side, Other Side, Different Side, S.O.B. Side (Some Other Brand) today. I put a deposit down on a Lance 1685 here in Denver (Right-on-CPAHarley). I paid a bit more, but after looking at all issues, we decided it was in our best interest to do so. We are absolutely in love with this trailer and feel that, all things considered, it's the best for us. And most of all, for me, is that SWMBO loves it! First RV we've ever had (7 now) that SWMBO really wanted. If she's happy, I'm freaking thrilled. Lance 1685 light weight travel trailer - Lance 1685
So, stand by for progress reports and we plan to be at Quartzite next month, after all. Looking forward to seeing all.
BTW, I also ordered one of the new ANDERSEN Weight Distribution Hitches today. Check this link out. Andersen 'No-Sway' Weight Distribution Hitch It's quite revolutionary and I hope it works as well as it looks to.
I just made a similar switch to a Lance 1881. It is a little longer than the 1585 [23'] and does not have a slide out. We had our Scamp 16 for 1 1/2 years and it was just too small for 2 people and 2 labs. From our search we settled on the Lance because of it great reputation for making well built campers. We also considered an Escape but the Lance was a better buy and had more room.
Now hold up just a dadgum minute! Another one??? Before long they're going to have to change this forum to "Fiberglass and Lance RV."
Chris and I have an eye on the 1685 too. After our three week Feb trip which starts at Quartzite, we will know if the Casita is big enough for the two of us.