I have gone to the dark side....

[cpaharley2008]

Well, I did it again. I purchased a new 2012 Lance model #1575 shipped from California. I think I got the first one on this side of the Mississippi. I toyed with the idea of getting an Escape, but for $10k less I think I got a better one. Yes, it is obviously not a molded fiberglass, but is it 100% all six sided fiberglass construction. No wood in walls for delamination issues, aluminum frame with Azdel composites. The roof and underneath is smooth fiberglass. All seams have been sealed with Dicor, Lance also installs the vents without screws, the new Fantastic Fans have clips to hold them in so there are no screw heads for leaks. What turned me on are the Dometic thermopane windows and tankless water heater and insulated holding tank. It is a 4 season trailer. I can winterize it in 15 minutes if need be with a built in winterizing kit. The slide makes it 10' wide when camping.
I toyed with installing themopane windows in the Nest Egg, but the window manufacturer said I was waisting money. With 3/8"-5/8" thick walls there was little insulating value in the trailer. The Lance has 1.5 walls/2" floors and ceiling.
I wanted an all season trailer and this was the closest I could find for less than 2500#. Even the Escape with all the options, was approaching 3000# and $30k
so I took this route.
We went camping this weekend in the mountains, down to 20 at night, we were toasty with no condensation on walls,windows. The fantastic fans had some on the covers.
I hope the forum members here can accept a renegade member and I'm sure they can appreciate the quality once they see one.
We took a shakedown trip to an operating grist mill over 250 years old. They had the best home made food.

[cpaharley2008]

Another one of Noelia with her new stargazing scope, the cg was in the moutons and perfect for stargazing. The sites are over 100' long and would allow for up to 4 Eggs on each if need be. I'm thinking of a fall rally in September would be perfect here. Plus you can see what kind of sandwiches look like. all the bread is home made right on premises from their own grains. Great food and scenery and great weather made a great trip.

[Donna D.]

Jim. I'm one of the first to admit that molded trailer ownership isn't for everyone. Either size or $$ or features can sometimes be more or less than people are looking for. I hope you make many, many memories and have lots of good times.

But, you also know... I'll tell you to seek answers on a non-molded forum if you run into problems or questions....

[Alf S.]

Hi: cpaharley... Lance certainly makes a nice slide-in truck camper so I suppose their trailers would be the same. Yes you sure can get some good deals on non molded trailers as the lots seem full of them but for my $$$'s you can't beat the life cycle of fiberglass.
Does your journey to the "Dark side" mean there's a position open for a new moderator?
There's always someone who can build something cheaper and people who shop by price are that mans lawful prey.
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[honda03842]

I don't think I'd call it the dark side, just another side.

Certainly wish you well in your new rig. Definitely a step up in size from the molded variety of trailer, there's no doubt that the addition of a slide out changes the whole interior of a trailer, though at the cost of weight.

Definitely keep us tuned into your experience. Wishing you the best of adventures.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Alf S.

Hi: cpaharley... Lance certainly makes a nice slide-in truck camper so I suppose their trailers would be the same. Yes you sure can get some good deals on non molded trailers as the lots seem full of them but for my $$$'s you can't beat the life cycle of fiberglass.
Does your journey to the "Dark side" mean there's a position open for a new moderator?
There's always someone who can build something cheaper and people who shop by price are that mans lawful prey.
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

The Escape was the only trailer that could have been made comfortable for winter use but at a much higher cost and weight. Even Airstreams have their own winter issues. Lance, being a truck camper manufacturer was able to replicate the truck camper hardiness into a trailer. Cost was not the issue, weight was. This Lance weighs only 500 lbs more than my Eggcamper, but is much more cozy.This will be my 6th camper, each one had their own issues and I feel this one has most of those issues answered.

[Ed Harris]

I like the way you didn't mention this until you were already in it?
Maybe you feel Guilty?
If that isn't the dark side........

I feel a little dirty just thinking about it.

But really Jim I hope you enjoy it and it endures.

Ed

[Karalyn]

What I would like to know is how much more in MPG you used when traveling compared to a Scamp/Casita type camper. Did you notice a difference when towing?
How about the Mountains of Pa, my Casita handled it ok, Was there a big difference in towing?

[SherryNPaul]

It looks like a nice, really nice trailer. There are some great advances from a select few manufacturers who recognize the issues with toothpick-built trailers. (I hate to say "stickbuilt" as they use so little lumber in the frame in many...)
I hope all works very well for you. In all the non-molded trailers I've looked at, I'm always looking at seams and attachment points, and especially, roofs. I haven't seen the Lance.
Happy travels, and don't be a stranger here!
Sherry

[Daniel A.]

Jim good to have an open mind for what is available in the market.

[cpaharley2008]

A couple of interior pictures

[cpaharley2008]

bath

[Matt in SV]

There are some nice videos posted to youtube by a Gilroy, California trailer dealer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1ZD6...e_gdata_player

They get into a lot of detail. This is the overview of the 2012

[Greg H]

Although this is a fiberglass forum and we all love fiberglass eggs, I don't blame anybody for switching. I like my egg but I really like small compact stick built trailers too.

[DavidSo]

Who cares? All of us who travel or live in a small trailer have too much in common to quibble over arbitrary lines in the sand. It's a beautiful trailer Jim, and I'm really impressed by the weight.

David

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by Alf S.

Does your journey to the "Dark side" mean there's a position open for a new moderator?

Jim is not setting any precedence here; He's not the only Moderator that has a non-molded trailer.

[Sharon G]

Jim, it's beautiful and looks like a quality rig. Congratulations on finding a trailer that's right for you!

[BillPatB]

Congratulations Jim. We hope you have many happy camping trips with your new RV.

Bill and Pat

[Mike Magee]

Karalyn, this Lance is almost the same size and weight as my KZ Escape. I lost 2 mpg compared to my 17' Burro widebody. So I'll guess that Jim is facing about the same difference vs his Eggcamper on fuel economy.

Jim, can you open the bathroom door when the slide is in?

I like the look of the 26 gallon water tanks, and the cabinetry appears well built. I see it has a tankless water heater, too!

[Don W.]

Jim, Congratulations on the new rig. I wouldn't call it the dark side. I think we are all after the same concept, compact, light weight, fiberglass rigs. Heck your lance weighs less than the escape 19 we talked about. Looks like Lance has put together a well thought out camper. I love the winterizing kit, the tankless water heater, and the storage. Man those compartments look huge!

I do have one question. Does it have only 1 propane tank? Did you find yourself needing more while winter camping? We have two tanks on our casita and I don't recall even using one up all camping season.

Also, how about batteries and battery life? I noticed Lance offers a solar option did you get it?

What kind of mileage are you getting with this rig vs your egg camper?

Happy travels,

Don and Brenda