Lance Camper-Travel Trailer RV Exposed: Leaks, Slide Failures, Quality Control Gaps & Service Delays

(Serious Concern)

Water-related defects are among the most costly and destructive. Even laminated, Azdel-backed walls and “four-season” claims cannot prevent damage when sealant gaps, roof terminations, or window frames let water in. Owners have reported soft floors, swollen cabinetry, and delamination after unnoticed leaks. The theme is not unique to Lance—but it appears in enough Lance-owner threads to warrant caution.

• Reports often cite early sealant failures around roof penetrations and front caps.
• Some owners allege leaky windows or slide-out fascia allowing water intrusion during rain-driving.
• Consequences include mold risk, electrical shorts, and long-term structural damage to subflooring.

Research and verify owner reports here: YouTube: Lance Camper-Travel Trailer Water Leaks, Google: Lance Camper-Travel Trailer water leak problems, Reddit: Lance leak threads.

(Moderate Concern)

Even with Azdel cores touted as moisture-resistant, owners still report localized wall bubbles or exterior rippling, generally tied to water intrusion or adhesive issues. While not rampant, these cases are expensive, time-consuming, and can total a unit’s value if widespread.

• Typical signs: soft spots on walls, “wavy” fiberglass, trim gaps—often near roof edges or openings.
• Delam repairs involve major wall sections, adhesives, and skilled labor—lengthy and costly.

Explore complaint trails: Google: Lance delamination problems, YouTube: Lance delamination, and owner reviews on RVInsider (search Lance Camper-Travel Trailer).

(Serious Concern)

Slide-outs are a chronic pain point across towables. Owners cite slides going out of alignment, binding, tearing seals, or stalling mid-extend, sometimes traced to rail/synchronization issues or motor/controller failures. Even minor misalignments can allow water intrusion or drafty conditions.

• Symptoms: uneven extension, squealing, crooked retraction, puddles after rain.
• Knock-on effects: damaged flooring, trim, or seals; camping trips cut short; devaluation if uncorrected.

See community reports: YouTube: Lance slide-out problems, Google: Lance slide issues, and search slide topics on RVForums.com and RVForum.net.

(Serious Concern)

Owners across brands complain that published weights don’t reflect real-world, ready-to-camp weights—sometimes leaving tiny cargo-carrying capacity (CCC) or unbalanced loads. Reports involving Lance include concerns about tire quality, axle alignment, and premature wear. An overloaded or misloaded trailer is a safety hazard.

• Confirm sticker weights and weigh the rig loaded (CAT scales); verify axle ratings vs. real payload.
• Watch for bent axles, uneven tire wear, or blown tires—often an alignment or load issue.

Research patterns here: Google: Lance axle problems, YouTube: Lance tire blowout, and any applicable safety actions on NHTSA recall search.

(Moderate Concern)

Intermittent 12V failures, dead batteries after short storage, and converter/charging hiccups surface regularly in owner forums. With modern Lance units packed with electronics and USB ports, weak connections, undersized wiring, or defective components can show quickly.

• Frequent complaints: lights flickering, outlets not powered as expected, tripped GFCIs, or shorts after rain.
• Solar controllers and lithium upgrades can expose wiring workmanship issues or misconfigurations.

Verify via owner logs: Reddit: Lance electrical problems, Google: Lance converter issues, and RVInsider: Lance Camper-Travel Trailer owner reviews.

(Moderate Concern)

From PEX connections behind walls to poorly supported tanks, plumbing flaws can create water damage and miserable trips. Lance owners have reported intermittent leaks behind sinks, shower pans, or underbeds, and tank sensors reading inaccurately.

• Common triggers: loose fittings after travel, under-tightened clamps, or vibration-related failures.
• Impact: rot risk, mold, and ruined storage; inaccurate sensors complicate waste management.

See examples: YouTube: Lance plumbing leak, Google: Lance tank sensor problems, and community fixes at Good Sam: Lance plumbing problems.

(Moderate Concern)

For a brand positioned as premium, owner expectations are high. Yet multiple complaints cite cabinet doors not aligned, trim falling off, loose fasteners, drawer slides detaching, and squeaks/rattles. While many defects are minor, they add up and can foreshadow deeper QC misses.

• Watch for mica delamination on countertops, peeling adhesives, and misaligned latches.
• Minor hardware failures frequently discovered during the first few trips.

Look up photo evidence: Google: Lance fit and finish complaints, YouTube: Lance quality issues, and BBB complaint narratives: BBB search.

(Moderate Concern)

Lance markets four-season capability, yet owner experiences vary with camping conditions. Some report drafts, condensation on windows and in storage compartments, and cold floors. Others say furnaces work but ducting and insulation in critical areas (like pass-throughs or slides) feel under-engineered for true winter use.

• Common complaints: thermal bridging at metal frames, inadequate insulation at hatch doors, noisy ACs.
• Practical advice: add skirting in cold weather, insulate hatches, and monitor humidity to reduce condensation.

Research testimonies: YouTube: Lance four-season claims, Google: Lance condensation problems, and ask owners in groups you find via Google: Lance owner Facebook groups.

(Moderate Concern)

Sticky entry doors, misaligned latches, leaky windows, and step mounts loosening after bumpy roads are not unusual. Some owners attribute this to frame flex or fastener issues; in any case, these create security and water-intrusion risks.

• Run the trailer over uneven terrain during PDI, then recheck door alignment.
• Inspect window weeps and seals; test in a drive-through car wash if the dealer allows.

Owner threads: Reddit: Lance door problems and video examples: YouTube: window leaks.

(Moderate Concern)

Many breakdowns stem from third-party components shared across brands. Owners cite early failures in AC units, furnace igniters, water pump noise, or water heater control boards. While not uniquely “Lance,” the inconvenience is the same—and service delays make it worse.

• Demand full burn-in during PDI: run AC and furnace for extended periods, test hot water recovery, and check fridge temps.
• Check warranty coverage for each component’s brand and route of service (dealer vs. manufacturer).

Explore failure stories: Google: Lance appliance failures and search by component on Good Sam forums.

(Serious Concern)

RV recalls frequently involve propane systems, brake components, windows, and awnings. Lance units across various years have been subject to safety actions—some minor, some serious. Always run your VIN on government databases and confirm all recall work is complete before payment.

• Ask the dealer for a printed recall status and proof of completed work.
• Some recalls only the dealer can process; schedule in advance to avoid long waits.

Start with the official database: NHTSA recalls for Lance Camper-Travel Trailer, then review related video reports: YouTube: Lance recall and owner notes: Reddit: recall discussions.

(Serious Concern)

A consistent pain point is service. Whether the fault lies with the dealer or the manufacturer, owners often report long waits for authorization or parts. Meanwhile, trailers sit on lots, trips are cancelled, and warranties tick down. Some consumers describe multiple service attempts for the same issue.

• Insist all warranty promises are in writing. Get clear timelines for parts sourcing.
• Consider mobile techs for non-structural repairs if the dealer backlog is severe.

Read complaint logs: BBB search for Lance Camper-Travel Trailer, Google: warranty complaints, and owner diaries on YouTube: warranty problems. An independent voice raising awareness is Liz Amazing’s consumer advocacy content—search her channel for Lance to see community feedback.

(Moderate Concern)

Owners often highlight pricey option bundles that add little practical value, or features that don’t match the marketing hype (e.g., “four-season” comfort claims vs. owner experiences in real cold and heat). Premium pricing raises expectations—yet repeated fit-and-finish lists and early defects sour that value proposition for some buyers.

• Audit each paid option—ask for an itemized list and independent market pricing.
• Cross-shop similarly equipped competitors and read real-world owner reports.

See owner cost-benefit debates: Google: Lance overpriced options and general complaint threads: Reddit: GoRVing complaints.

(Serious Concern)

We repeatedly see owners discovering problems on the first trip that should have been caught before delivery: leaking fittings, dead outlets, failing slides, or misadjusted doors. Dealers vary widely in PDI thoroughness; many owners say PDI felt rushed.

• Hire your own inspector: Find RV Inspectors near you.
• Do a full wet-bay test, plug into shore power, run all appliances for at least an hour, and test slides multiple times.

See PDI checklists and horror stories: YouTube: Lance PDI issues and community lists at RVUSA Forum and Good Sam: PDI threads. If your PDI missed critical items, will you share what went wrong?

(Serious Concern)

Owners describe sacrificing entire seasons as their trailers sit at the dealer. Even when the defect is straightforward, parts or scheduling cause weeks-long pauses. Some report being bounced between component manufacturers and the RV builder for responsibility, prolonging resolution.

• Document all communications; keep a calendar log of downtime and cancelled trips for possible reimbursement discussions.
• If the dealer will not prioritize you post-sale, escalate to the manufacturer and explore mobile service options for non-structural issues.

Corroborate: BBB complaint narratives, Google: service delay, and owner rants at Reddit: warranty delay threads. Independent investigators like Liz Amazing often cover how service bottlenecks affect families planning once-in-a-lifetime trips.

(Serious Concern)

Water intrusion and slide failures have a direct safety dimension: slippery floors, mold exposure, electrical shorts, and slides that won’t retract can strand you away from home. Axle and tire problems can cause dangerous blowouts at highway speeds. Electrical faults risk fire, especially if aftermarket modifications were done to compensate for poor factory charging behavior.

• Carry a fire extinguisher and regularly test CO/propane detectors.
• Weigh your trailer loaded and inspect tires for irregular wear before long drives.
• After storms, recheck sealant and visible joints; water finds the smallest gaps.

(Serious Concern)

Early-life defects and service delays impose out-of-pocket costs: hotel stays while the rig is in service, lost campsite deposits, and unpaid time off work. Significant water damage or delamination can severely reduce resale value. Recurring problems depress owner satisfaction and can complicate future sales disclosures.

• Buy only after an independent inspection: Search RV Inspectors near me.
• Negotiate price concessions or extended warranties contingent on the inspection findings.