Lance Camper RV Exposed: Leaks, Slide Issues, Weight Surprises & Warranty Delays

Introduction: What Shoppers Should Know About Lance Camper

AI-powered research tools have systematically collected and analyzed public information to produce this report. Lance Camper, founded in the 1960s and based in California, is best known for aluminum-framed, laminated truck campers and lightweight travel trailers marketed as premium builds with composite wall panels and attention to detail. In 2018, Lance Camper was acquired by REV Group and operates within the REV Recreation Group portfolio. While Lance has a loyal following among truck camper enthusiasts and a reputation for innovation and lighter-weight construction, public records, owner forums, complaint boards, and review sites also show consistent patterns of quality-control misses, water intrusion, system failures, and lengthy warranty-service delays that materially impact owners’ safety, time, and finances.

Below, we synthesize the most-reported issues and risk areas, link to sources where you can independently verify the claims, and provide practical steps to protect your money before you buy.

Lance Camper Product Lines and Models

Current and recent Lance product categories include truck campers and travel trailers. Model availability changes by year; always verify specs with a dealer and the manufacturer.

Truck Campers (examples include)

• 650
• 825
• 850
• 855S
• 975
• 995
• 1062
• 1172

Travel Trailers (examples include)

• 1475
• 1575
• 1685
• 1875
• 1985
• 1995
• 2075
• 2185
• 2285
• 2445
• 2465

Historical/discontinued offerings have included specialty floor plans and a toy hauler; check year-specific brochures for details before purchasing used.

Owner Communities and Where to Research Unfiltered Feedback

• BBB complaints and business profile: Search here for active complaints on Lance Camper: BBB search for Lance Camper.
• YouTube owner experiences and teardown videos: Use this query: YouTube search: Lance Camper Problems.
• Google reviews and long-form posts: Scan patterns with: Google search: Lance Camper Problems.
• Reddit discussions (multiple communities):
  • r/rvs search for Lance Camper Problems
  • r/RVLiving search for Lance Camper Problems
  • r/GoRVing search for Lance Camper Problems
• RV forums: Search by brand and model on these long-standing communities:
  • RVForums.com (use onsite search for “Lance Camper”)
  • RVForum.net (search for “Lance Camper Problems”)
  • RVUSA Forum (search header for “Lance Camper Problems”)
  • Good Sam Community: Lance Camper Problems
• NHTSA recalls: Check safety recalls and defect investigations: NHTSA recall search for Lance Camper.
• Owner review aggregators: RVInsider search: Lance Camper Problems.
• Complaint portals: PissedConsumer main page (use the site’s search for “Lance Camper”).
• Facebook groups (dozens exist): We recommend joining brand- and model-specific groups to read owner posts and search archives. Use this Google query to find them: Google: Lance Camper Facebook Groups.

One consumer advocate who frequently exposes RV industry quality issues is Liz from the Liz Amazing channel. Search her channel for brand-specific videos and inspection advice: Liz Amazing on YouTube.

Before You Buy: Get a Third-Party RV Inspection

A professional, independent RV inspection is your best—and often only—leverage before signing. Once the dealer is paid, the service queue can move you to the back of the line, even for safety issues. We’ve compiled dozens of owner stories describing cancelled camping trips and months-long delays waiting for parts and warranty authorization. Hire a certified inspector to perform a full systems check, roof and sealant inspection, IR scan for electrical hot spots, moisture readings at all corners and penetrations, and verification of weight and payload. If the dealer refuses a thorough inspection before delivery, consider walking.

• Find local inspectors: Google: RV Inspectors near me
• Bring a written checklist and demand fixes in writing before payment.
• Confirm “out-the-door” weight with a CAT Scale slip if possible, especially for truck campers.

For visual primers on what inspectors catch in new units, search consumer advocates like Liz Amazing and others on YouTube. Her content regularly documents PDI finds that dealers miss or minimize: See quality-control walkthroughs on Liz Amazing. If you’ve experienced inspection hurdles or dealer pushback, would you describe what happened in your case?

Patterns of Consumer Complaints and Risk Areas

The following sections synthesize recurring problems reported by Lance Camper owners across BBB submissions, forum threads, Reddit posts, YouTube testimonials, and consumer review sites. Each subsection includes research links so you can verify patterns and decide whether the risk fits your tolerance and budget.

Water Intrusion: Front Caps, Windows, Roof Seams, and Slide Toppers

Even with composite wall panels and claims of superior sealing, owner reports still document moisture ingress around front windows, roof penetrations, and slide structures. Travel trailers with large front windows and truck campers with complex seam lines are repeatedly cited. Water issues often appear within the first year and can require extended service time for diagnosis and dry-out. Once moisture enters a laminated wall, delamination and soft spots can follow.

• Verify patterns here: Google search: Lance Camper Water Leaks
• Forum discussions by owners: Reddit r/rvs: Lance Camper Leaks
• Video examples and fixes: YouTube search: Lance Camper Leaks

Owners frequently describe:

• Drips and staining at the front window corners after heavy rain.
• Moisture readings along roof-mounted accessories (fans, skylights, solar cable entry points) due to sealant failure or missed coverage.
• Slide toppers channeling water behind the flange when not pitched correctly.

Because water intrusion undermines structural integrity and can drive mold growth, this is a safety and resale-value issue. Use a moisture meter during inspection, and demand a complete re-seal and water test if any readings exceed ambient levels. For further owner experiences, browse long threads in hobbyist forums: Good Sam: Lance Camper Leaks and RVInsider: Lance Camper Leaks. If you battled a leak early in ownership, could you share when it started and how it was resolved?

Slide-Out Mechanisms and Alignment (Schwintek/Lippert Systems)

Reported problems include out-of-square openings, motor sync issues, racking, and seal damage that leads to water ingress. Many owners link these issues to long repair times due to parts availability and the need for specialized adjustment. In some travel trailer floor plans, slide room sag also creates rub marks on flooring or cabinets.

• Owner complaints and how-tos: YouTube: Lance Camper Slide Problems
• Community troubleshooting: r/RVLiving: Lance Camper Slide Problems
• General forum coverage: RVForums.com (search “Lance slide”)

Inspect slide seals for uniform compression, check that all motors start and stop together, and confirm the slide room is not scuffing the flooring. A pre-delivery slide timing check by an independent inspector can identify early faults before signing.

Fit, Finish, and Assembly Quality

Despite Lance’s positioning as an upscale brand, owners report recurring punch-list items more consistent with industry norms: staple pops, misaligned cabinetry, unsecured wiring runs, crooked trim, and sloppy sealant work. The experience often includes multiple dealer visits or extended warranty waits to resolve what should have been caught at the factory.

• Sample 1-star and 2-star narratives: Google: Lance Camper complaints
• Aggregated owner reviews: RVInsider: Lance Camper Problems
• Discussion of dealer prep failures: Reddit r/rvs: Lance Camper Quality Issues

Expect to spend several hours on a line-by-line inspection. Document everything with photos at delivery, and ensure your “we-owe” list is signed by a manager. Videos from advocates like Liz Amazing show how quickly punch lists grow on new RVs; her walkthroughs teach owners what to check: See pre-delivery check examples on Liz Amazing.

Electrical and Solar Packages: Wiring, Fusing, and Underperforming Systems

Owners who opt for factory solar/lithium packages and inverters describe inconsistent wiring practices (undersized cables, long runs without adequate fusing, questionable grounds), leading to voltage drop and tripped breakers under modest loads. Several threads also cite problems with converter/charger profiles not matching lithium chemistry out of the box, resulting in undercharged batteries or early degradation.

• Research solar/inverter complaints: YouTube: Lance Camper Electrical Problems
• Community advice on rewiring: r/GoRVing: Lance Electrical Problems
• Forum tech threads: RVForum.net (search “Lance solar wiring”)

Insist that the dealer demonstrates the inverter powering each advertised circuit, verify charge rates with a clamp meter, and confirm all fuses/breakers are correctly sized. If you’ve had to rewire a factory “solar-ready” or lithium setup to meet specs, what did you find when you opened the compartments?

HVAC and Propane System Reliability

Reports include furnaces failing to ignite, propane pressure regulator issues, and air-conditioner short-cycling—often tied to component supplier defects and installation quality. In cold-weather camping, furnace reliability becomes a livability issue quickly; improper ducting or poor return-air paths can cause overheating and safety shutoffs.

• Owner experiences and repair logs: Google: Lance Camper Furnace Problems
• Safety recalls impacting LP components across brands (check applicability to your VIN): NHTSA: Lance Camper recalls

Have an inspector leak-test propane lines, confirm regulator output, and test CO/LP detectors for function and dates. Component recalls are common industry-wide; the question is how promptly dealers complete them and whether parts are available.

Plumbing, Tanks, and Sensor Failures

Frequent complaints include loose PEX fittings, under-sink leaks, and tank sensors showing false full/empty readings. Owners also report venting or fill problems that limit usable fresh water capacity. In travel trailers with rear bathrooms, long runs can leak in hidden cavities, leading to soft floors if not caught early.

• Complaint patterns and fixes: Reddit: Lance Camper Plumbing Problems
• General how-to cleanup: YouTube: Lance Tank Sensor Problems

During inspection, pressure-test the system, run showers for several minutes, and look for drips under the unit. Tank flush ports should be labeled and demonstrated at delivery to avoid backflows or cross-connections.

Weight, Payload, and Towing/Carrying Reality

Buyers often discover that “dry weight” marketing numbers are far from real-world camping weights. For truck campers especially, a fully equipped Lance with water, propane, options, and gear can exceed a half-ton truck’s payload by a wide margin. Owners report white-knuckle handling, suspension sag, and premature tire wear when trucks are mismatched to camper weights. For travel trailers, complaints include tongue weights heavier than brochure values, pushing tow vehicles beyond capacity when loaded.

• Payload and towing discussions: r/RVLiving: Lance Camper Payload Problems
• General towing concerns and case studies: YouTube: Lance Camper Towing Issues

Insist on actual scale weights. Many seasoned owners refuse delivery until they see a certified CAT Scale ticket with the unit in “camp-ready” configuration. If you must upgrade suspension to travel safely, factor that cost before negotiating price. Understated weights are not unique to Lance, but the risk is significant due to buyer assumptions about “lightweight” marketing.

Claims vs. Reality on Off-Grid Capability

Marketing often highlights “boondock-ready” packages. Owners report that small solar arrays and limited battery capacity do not sustain air conditioning or high-demand appliances for practical periods. In addition, stock inverters may only power a subset of outlets. Without upgrades (larger battery bank, higher-output inverter, additional solar), many off-grid claims feel aspirational rather than usable.

• Owner upgrades and frank reviews: RVInsider: Lance Off-Grid Problems
• Video tests of real off-grid runtimes: YouTube: Lance Camper Off-Grid Test

Demand clear documentation on which circuits the inverter feeds, and perform a 30–60 minute demo under load at delivery. If the dealer refuses, assume additional cost to meet your off-grid goals. For straight talk on boondocking expectations, see experienced owner commentary such as that found via consumer advocates like Liz Amazing’s channel.

Axles, Alignment, Tires, and Frame-Related Complaints

Some owners report premature tire wear, off-center axle alignment, loose U-bolts, and inadequate weight distribution causing porpoising. For truck campers, bed and tie-down stresses can telegraph into the truck frame and suspension if not properly matched and outfitted.

• Check recurring patterns: Google: Lance Camper Axle Problems
• Forum reports on tire wear and alignment: Good Sam: Lance Alignment Problems

Insist on an axle alignment check, verify tire load indices, and ask for wheel-torque documentation. For truck campers, budget for suspension enhancements (airbags, shocks, sway bars) if your payload margin is slim.

Delamination and Adhesive Bond Failures

Although Lance highlights its laminated construction and composite substrates, owners still report localized delamination after leaks or heat cycling. Bubbles or soft spots can appear months into ownership. Repair costs are high because panels are not easily reworked.

• Owner photos and repair stories: Reddit: Lance Camper Delamination
• Video walkarounds: YouTube: Lance Camper Delamination

Run your palm along walls during inspection. Look for ripples, bulges, or areas where the skin sounds hollow when tapped lightly. Any sign of delam before delivery should be a deal-breaker unless completely remediated with warranty documentation.

Warranty Approval and Service Delays

Across BBB reports and forum threads, owners describe protracted waits for warranty authorization, limited dealer networks willing to service units not purchased locally, and multi-month repairs for parts on backorder. Many note that management communication is sparse, with repeated promises of callbacks. Even small fixes get deferred during peak season, effectively sidelining the RV for the summer.

• Review patterns and timelines: BBB: Lance Camper
• Broader complaints at scale: Google: Lance Camper Warranty Problems
• Peer advice on escalation: Reddit r/rvs: Lance Camper Warranty

To reduce risk, negotiate a written service SLA in your purchase agreement (response time, parts ETA commitments, and loaner options). For buyers far from a Lance dealer, confirm in writing that non-selling dealers will accept warranty work. If you experienced extended downtime for warranty parts, how long did your RV sit at the dealer?

Dealer Delivery and PDI Shortcuts

Many unsolved problems trace back to rushed dealer prep: batteries not secured, loose LP fittings, uncalked roof fixtures, or missing fasteners. Owners often find these issues only after their first trip. This compounds frustration because dealers may claim the unit left in “good condition.”

• Reports of delivery misses: YouTube: Lance Camper PDI Problems
• Inspection checklists shared by owners: Good Sam: Lance PDI Checklist

Hire a third-party inspector and make payment contingent on a clean sign-off. If the dealer balks, consider a different dealership. You can search for qualified inspectors here: Google: RV Inspectors near me.

Published Recalls and Safety Bulletins

Like all RV builders, Lance Camper units have been subject to recalls over the years—some originating with component suppliers (LP regulators, refrigerators, furnaces, axles), others tied to build or labeling. The safety issue is not just the recall itself but how quickly parts and appointments are coordinated. Delays can leave owners camping with known hazards or foregoing use altogether.

• Verify active recalls for your year and model: NHTSA recall database for Lance Camper
• Cross-check community reports of recall completion times: Reddit: Lance Camper Recall
• Owner timelines and dealer communication issues: Google: Lance Camper Recall Problems

Ask the dealer to print the VIN recall status from NHTSA during negotiation. Refuse delivery until all recalls are completed and signed off, especially those involving egress windows, brakes, LP gas systems, or electrical shorts. For documentation, collect repair orders listing parts replaced and tech signatures.

Legal and Regulatory Warnings

Recurring complaints about warranty denials, slow authorization, or repeated unsuccessful repairs can rise to the level of legal exposure under state and federal consumer-protection frameworks:

• Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (U.S.): Requires warranties be honored as written and prohibits unreasonable restrictions. Multiple failed repair attempts for the same defect may establish grounds for action.
• State Lemon Laws: Often apply to motor vehicles; coverage for towables varies by state. Some states extend protections to travel trailers; check your jurisdiction’s statutes.
• Uniform Commercial Code (UCC): Implied warranty of merchantability may be at issue if the RV is not fit for ordinary use due to pervasive defects.
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Misleading advertising claims around weight, capability, or warranty terms can draw scrutiny.
• NHTSA: Safety defects in braking, LP, or electrical systems fall under federal recall authority; report unresolved hazards promptly.

Owners who encounter persistent defects should document every repair attempt with dates, photos, and correspondence, and consider filing complaints with the BBB and appropriate state agencies. Start your paper trail here: BBB search: Lance Camper and submit formal safety concerns to NHTSA. If you escalated legally or through your state’s consumer office, what outcome did you see?

Product and Safety Impact Analysis

When combined, the documented issues above can harm both safety and finances:

• Water infiltration compromises structural integrity, can degrade insulation, and raises mold/air-quality concerns—especially dangerous for sensitive individuals.
• Slide failures risk pinch hazards, water ingress, and immobilization of critical living space. A stuck slide can make the unit un-drivable or unlivable.
• Electrical miswiring can cause overheating and fire risk. Undersized conductors and poor grounding increase hazard potential.
• LP system issues risk carbon monoxide exposure or propane leaks—both life-threatening if undetected.
• Axle/alignment problems affect road safety through poor handling and blowout risk.
• Weight mismatches directly impact braking distance, stability, and component longevity. Overloaded trucks or tow vehicles are a leading cause of catastrophic incidents.

From a financial perspective, even “minor” defects cascade: months-long service delays prevent use during peak seasons, while repeated trips to the dealer drive out-of-pocket costs and lost reservations. Units with a history of leaks, slide repairs, or electrical issues often fetch lower resale values, trapping owners in underwater loans. These risks are visible in public complaint narratives and aggregated reviews: RVInsider: Lance Camper Problems, Google: Lance Camper Problems, and YouTube: Lance Camper Problems.

What to Inspect on a Lance Camper Before Signing

Use this punch list (and expand it with your inspector’s checklist) to catch the most common problems:

• Roof and seals: Examine every penetration. Look for skipped sealant, voids, or gaps. Hose test—with someone inside checking for drips at corners and fixtures.
• Front window/forward cap: Inspect edges for sealant coverage, check for hairline cracks, and run a moisture meter around the perimeter.
• Slides: Operate fully several times. Check seal compression, timing, and floor scuffing. Inspect topper pitch and attachment.
• Electrical: Open compartments. Verify wire gauges on inverter runs, check for chafe protection, and confirm proper fusing. Test GFCIs and all outlets under load.
• Solar/inverter: Confirm inverter feeds advertised circuits; verify charge controller settings match battery chemistry.
• LP/HVAC: Test furnace cycles multiple times, ensure regulators hold pressure, and confirm CO/LP detector dates and operation.
• Plumbing: Pressurize and run all fixtures. Inspect for weeping at PEX fittings and valves. Verify tank fill and vent functionality.
• Chassis/axles: Check alignment, U-bolt torque, and tire date codes and load ratings.
• Weight confirmation: Weigh the unit “camp-ready.” Confirm truck payload compatibility or tow vehicle margins.
• Fit and finish: Check all cabinet latches, drawer slides, and trim alignment. Crawl inside pass-throughs and look for sawdust, loose fasteners, or unsecured wiring.

If you don’t have a trusted inspector, start here: Google: RV Inspectors near me. If you’ve added items to this checklist based on your experience, which inspection steps saved you the most money?

Where the Evidence Lives: Verify Before You Buy

To validate everything in this report, we strongly encourage you to browse these sources and read real owner narratives and repair logs:

• BBB: Lance Camper business profile and complaints
• NHTSA: Lance Camper recall search
• Reddit r/rvs: Lance Camper Problems
• YouTube: Lance Camper Problems
• RVInsider: Lance Camper Problems
• Good Sam Community: Lance Camper Problems
• Google: Lance Camper Facebook Groups (join multiple groups to compare experiences; do not rely on a single group)
• RVForums.com and RVForum.net (use onsite search)
• RVUSA Forum (search “Lance Camper Problems”)
• PissedConsumer (search “Lance Camper” on site)

For additional context on systemic RV industry issues and buyer protection strategies, review consumer advocate videos and channel playlists such as Liz Amazing’s RV quality and inspection content. And if you’ve owned a Lance Camper, will you add your experience to help other shoppers?

Acknowledging Improvements and Official Responses

To maintain balance, some owners report positive experiences with Lance’s lighter construction, attention to cabinetry compared with mass-market competitors, and good performance in certain truck camper models when matched to appropriate trucks. There are also reports of recalls being resolved promptly by proactive dealers. Manufacturers evolve, suppliers change, and some issues described above may be addressed in later model years. Nonetheless, the volume and specificity of public complaints around water intrusion, QC misses, and warranty delays mean buyers must approach with deliberate caution, rigorous inspection, and a strong paper trail.

Negotiation Tips That Protect You

• Make inspection a contractual condition: Include a clause allowing you to cancel or delay funding until an independent inspection passes without major findings.
• Demand recall clearance: No delivery until NHTSA shows “no open recalls” on the VIN and the dealer provides proof of completion for any prior campaigns.
• Ask for a service SLA in writing: Response time, part-order timelines, and a policy for urgent safety defects.
• Get weight documentation: A CAT Scale ticket showing the real-world tongue weight or truck-camper axle distribution with full tanks and gear.
• Budget for immediate upgrades: Roof sealant inspection, better tires (if needed), and electrical system corrections if you plan to boondock.

Final Summary and Recommendation

Publicly available owner reports and complaint data show that Lance Camper, while respected in truck camper circles and marketed as premium among lightweight travel trailers, exhibits persistent patterns common to the RV industry: water intrusion around critical seams and front windows, slide-mechanism issues, inconsistent fit-and-finish QC, underwhelming or misconfigured electrical/solar setups, and significant warranty-service delays. These problems carry real safety and financial risks, particularly for first-time buyers who assume “lightweight” equals low maintenance or that a recognized brand will necessarily provide quick, no-hassle warranty care.

Lance’s acquisition by REV Group underscores that it operates within a large corporate portfolio where supplier constraints and dealer-network realities can shape the ownership experience. Buyers should assume that a robust pre-delivery inspection, precise weight verification, and in-writing service commitments are essential—not optional—to avoid months of downtime or unexpected out-of-pocket costs.

Given the breadth and persistence of verifiable complaints and the stakes around water intrusion, slide function, and warranty delays, we cannot broadly recommend Lance Camper without a rigorous third-party inspection and a dealer willing to commit to documented service standards. Risk-averse shoppers should comparison-shop other brands with stronger recent QC trends and proven dealer service performance before committing.

If you’ve owned a Lance Camper—good or bad—your insight helps future buyers make safer decisions. Add your detailed story in the comments.