We have a 2021 model and to resolve the sewer hose storage I added a storage tube along the rear bottom edge below the propane compartment. The stock storage was way too short for a decent length hose anyway. For overhead storage above the table I extended the shelf about 4 inches, built a front frame and added doors. Always room for improvements. Happy camping!
Hi Guys We just got one of the Lance650 and just agree with all of your 10 dislikes. also, we are living in a colder climate, and it would be really nice since this is a 4 season camper to have all waterpipes insolated. it's impossible to do this once the camper is assembled. Again this would be very easy to do and very cheap.
Your horizontal propane bottle is not a standard 20 lb propane bottle. Do not use a standard propane bottle in the horizontal position. The safety vent line inside a horizontal tank is routed to the top side of the tank. When tank needs to vent, do to over pressure, this vent allows gaseous propane to vent. You do not want liquid to be coming out. You could get a propane extender hose, then run standard propane bottles. Hook the standard bottle upright and attach it to back of camper.
My thoughts exactly. Hard to believe he thought horizontal and vertical tanks were the same. Good news, horizontal tanks don't fall under recertification requirements like the more common BBQ tanks do.
Looks like they should have done a better job of assessing the camper before they purchased it. As far as the bed mattress, manufacturers will not spend the money on high end mattresses as consumer preference varies so wildly. They simply put a usable mattress in knowing no mattress at all would make the unit much harder to sell.
Good reminder that cassette toilets are really the best option. Being able to dump the tank in a public toilet at a rest stop came in handy often on our cross country trip.
Thank you for your insights. I'm considering purchasing this model in the next couple of weeks. I sure appreciate someone with experience posting 'gripes'.
I compared the Lance with the Northern Lites I great detail and the NL’s are so much better designed. But NL doesn’t p provide a camper for a 1/2 ton truck, so Lance wins here if that is important.
Thank you! I just bought a 2018 and am excited to get a few of these “dislikes” modified if possible while they are upgrading the truck suspension etc. You are awesome.
We enjoy our 650 quite a bit, but have some of the same 'dislikes'. Fortunately, we don't have the rear awning, so we don't have to deal with that issue!
Number *11* for me would be the fact that you have to use some kind of lighter to *manually* light the stove. It does not have a self-ignighting stove. You can't just turn the knob to light the stove like practically every other hard-sided camper. Number *12* would be the back window. It's not clear, so if someone knocks on your door you can see a figure, but that's about it. You can unplug the backup camera and hook it up inside the camper though. That way you can use it to see what's outside of the rear of the camper.
Great video thanks!!, I am pretty sure you mentioned that you are using the Toyota Tundra half ton to haul this? I was looking on you channel to see your mods you mentioned in one of your videos that you did on the Tundra but did not see it? After I watched your video I decided I wanted this same camper. I made a post on Truck Campers page on FB and I got bashed pretty much saying I wanted to get a half ton truck for this. They all said I needed a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck to haul this safely? What are your thoughts?
Same here -- I want a Tundra and the Lance 650 is marketed by Lance as appropriate for the Tundra but any discussion of it on forums or Facebook results in people saying it is not safe. Would love to hear the man in the video explain his experience and what mods he did to his truck.
@@AllenManor I'm betting on any forum the concern by many would simply be the weight. The Lance 650 has a Dry Weight of 2,061lbs w/Std. Equipment and a Wet Weight of 2,264 lbs w/Std. Equipment. A 2022 Tundra has a maximum payload of 1,745lbs to 2,290lbs depending on truck configuration. I'll take a SWAG that a crew-cab 4x4 will run on the lower end of that and the 2wd is on the higher end. That said, even the dry weight of the Lance 650 it is likely too heavy for the typical 4x4 crew cab that most folks want in a Tundra. And even if you can do some mods to your Tundra (at additional expense) you are still pushing the limits, which can be a safety concern. Note that one of the big differences between a standard 1/2 ton and the HD 1/2 tons, 3/4 ton and 1 ton is the braking capacity. Throw 2,000lbs of camper on the back of a Tundra and it behaves very differently when trying to stop it. Can it do it? Yes. Most certainly, but with a Tundra your are operating on the maximum end of its capability with little to no margin for error. I think that's probably why many would advise against that combination of camper and truck. I'm not saying anyone is right or wrong and there aren't work-arounds. Just speculating on where some of that concern may be coming from on the forums.
@@ronaldb4885 Yes, I think you are correct. I was just wondering if the man in the video did major modifications (different brakes, frame reinforcement, upgraded suspension, etc.) to make it safe on his Tundra. My plan was always to buy a Tundra due to its build quality and reliability and I hoped to be able to use it for a truck camper, but after much research I have decided it is not wise, though there are several Tundra owners who have mounted the lighter Lance campers like the 650 and 825 and claim to have driven them extensively without issue.
@@AllenManor Can't argue with Tundra's build quality. I've owned a 2000 (first year) since 2004. But probably a wise move to look away from in-bed campers excepting some of the ultra-lite models closer to 1,100lbs. Yea. I'd be curious too to see what the Tundra owners have to invest in their trucks to make putting a top-heavy 1,800lbs of payload in their truck safe.
@@ronaldb4885 2010 rock warrior with extra leaf, air bags, rear sway bar, drilled and slotted rotors with high temp ceramic pads... thoughts? Supercharger? My thoughts lead me to believe it could not only hual this but also a small enclosed trailer with a snowmobile and dirt bike no problem.
Thanks for the video! Where’d you get your mattress? Looks like it fits well! I have the same complaint about the refer location. A bit inconvenient with a larger mattress getting into the fridge but the mattress that comes with the camper is no bueno.
Just fyi, a tight door means a good seal especially when it comes to campers. Also, for the love of god, dont put a standard propane tank in there. Vertical tanks are made to be operated in vertical position. Hirizontal are made to be used in horizontal. Besides those 2 things, some good points though.
Hello, my name is Mauro Endara and I am from Panama, I liked the Lance 650 model a lot, since I have an F-150 super crew, 5x5 short bed, but since I saw your video, I was as they say in is baseball, still in first base, I will continue looking for another camper tor RV that fits in to my truck, I have seen that for the price of this Camper Truck Lance 650, I can buy a much larger and more comfortable RV Trailer, thank you very much for the video, congratulations to both of you and continue enjoying life, that is one and is short, hugs from Panama.
#11 - The newer model years no longer have the glass cover for the cooking burners, which make using it for additional counter space while the burners are not in use very difficult. They should bring that back. #12 The weird placement of the kitchen power outlet. It's in the front which means stringing the electric cables right through the middle of the counter. It should be moved to the back right corner on the right side wall, where the cords can lie sensibly out of the way.
Unhook the bottom of the awning to access your sewer line storage, on my 2021 650 its a quick disconnect and when un hooked you can leave it hang its still bolted on via the horizontal supports. its much easier and quicker then messing about with the awning.
Looking at the pictures of yours, it does have a latch on the bottom to release the legs of the awning to get to the sewer hose compartment. Those legs are made to come off the camper to secure the back awning to the ground in high winds.
Stove does not have vent hood, how is cooking in the camper. Does it get hot and Smokey easily? Also how do you deal with storage? Like perhaps a kayak. Roof is not walkable or reinforced. Hence no latter.
All of this is a deal breaker for me. It just seems so poorly designed -- and quality control appears non-existent. Did anyone at Lance test any of this? Obviously not.
Just curious,can one stay in the camper if it’s not mounted in a truck and just on the ground? That might be a stupid question so forgive me.Thanks for you all telling about the camper,it’s very helpful to know the little gripes of an investment like this.
I noticed you have a Tundra. Did you have to do anything to your truck for carrying capacity? Any problems with braking capacity as well? What year is your truck?
I’ll try and make a video for some of these. But the table mostly fits behind the upright cushion that is under the bed. It sticks out like 2 in. And the mount fits in the cubby so it’s almost flush. The poll I put up above in the storage area. For the bed sliding. Yes super annoying my dog is still scared from it and him falling because it’s not secure. But if you flip the cushions and use the larger square one on the outside it stays no problem.
your video is really ridiculous you can remove the post from the awning with the button at the base of the pole. you can leave the button of the water heater open you have another control inside you don’t have to go outside. before you change your mattress you need to measure the space you have so that the refrigerator can open. the propane bottle cannot be changed for a normal bottle because it is a special bottle that goes horizontally. i have a lance 650 for two years and very satisfied.
Hello @ThisIsUnlimited! My boyfriend and I are on the road 80% of our time and we are thinking about buying a truck and a truck camper. We have a quick question; what kind of gas mileage do you get on highway/city?
What is your vehicle payload limit? I have a Toyota Tundra with a 5.5 foot short bed, with a 1360 pound limit, so I don’t think that I have the payload for this camper…though it is called Lance’s “lightest” camper. Thank you.
True. If a camper purchase was on your horizon you probably should have got a truck that is capable of doing what you need it to. It took me 6 months to find the exact truck with the features and specs I needed. 🤷♂️
Truck bed campers are hunting and fishing shacks for the back of a pickup That's all it's intended to be. The long shelf with a cargo net is for a hunting rifle or a 2 piece fishing rod. It is not really a camper in the same way as others.
@@JoeJacksonGT3 Yes! If they can’t even take care of themselves by getting a real home/apartment.... .... how can they take care of themselves and the dog? Such a small space “Is” Animal Cruelty! Unless you are retired or on vacation only; .... ... you have No Right Living full time in a RV!
My dogs live in this model with me full time and have a way better life then any other dog on the planet! They have the whole outside as there back yard and have seen the whole country! This is way better then people with a house and a dog that work full time and ignore the pets! You are way ignorant!
@@bill7605 Wrong! Illegal ! and Selfish! 1...Get yourself out of a camper into a house first before getting a dog..! 2. You and your Dog has no right to run around in public .... that property tax payers pay for to maintain... “Public property is Shared.. No Pay... No Use...! 3. The vet care for dogs is a lot $$$$ It’s Not for you to say your dog has good care when you both are Poor and living in a truck camper..! 4. Again “Animal Abuse And Cruelty”
You can sit up in bed. You can actually lean your back against the fridge and watch the tv or sit on the edge of the bed and visit with other folks sitting at the table.
I actually don't mind the fridge location. It's a lot better than many campers that have them sitting on the floor. Who wants to get down on their knees every time you want to get something out of the fridge.
The Lance 650 is awesome. Most of these complaints are nitpicking. You can tell they like their camper because of the 10 "issues" they list, only two of them are legit. Complaining about the refrigerator location, for example, is a pretty stupid complaint considering the manual and website both explicitly state that the reason for it being there is because it's been designed to sit in the bed of a smaller truck and weight distribution is extremely important. Besides, they bought it like that. They knew what they were buying. If it's such a dealbreaker, take it out and problem solved. The modification to the closet made me puke a little in my mouth. The hooks on the ceiling can be fixed with some gorilla glue or epoxy. Maintenance like that is to be expected. Storage for the table is not an issue either. The table itself can literally go under your mattress or one of the cushions and the table leg can go in the bathroom. The only legit complaints should be about the position of the propane tank, and its awkward flat shape, and the rear awning blocking the door to the hose in the back. Are those 2 things really deal-breakers for you people? That's absolutely ridiculous. The Lance 650 may not be perfect, but there is hardly a better option on the market. If I were making a nitpicking video to dissuade people from buying a Lance 650, I would start by saying issue #1 is that its too expensive. The next obvious issue is the wear and tear its going to put on your vehicles suspension. But again, both of these "issues" are things you go in understanding so they end up not being issues at all. There's plenty to love about the 650. Don't let some minor annoying features keep you from getting one and going out and exploring the world around you.
The video should be name bunch of whiny complainer. The table is inconvenient for the dogs??? the dogs sleep on the table??? Why did you not look at the camper before spending 40000$ on a camper
