RE: Purchasing new TT, question of length...
We have 3 kids and were looking for something with the same requirements as you. We really didn't want to go any longer that we had to. Our Lance 2185 has been great for us. Out total length is 25.5', with the interior length of about 22'. While it doesn't have a separate bunkhouse, the bathroom door can be fastened open so that the bunks are closed off from the rest of the trailer. We have the sofa/bed option, so between that and the slideout, it gives a very roomy feeling, and has a huge wraparound dinette.
Good luck with whatever you choose!
Pat
RE: Storage in small bunkhouse & rear slide TTs
We're a family of 5 and had looked at many of the rear slide models, but storage was one of the issues that was a problem (plus the fact that I wanted a front window). I remember one salesman suggested we use the outside storage for clothes - like that was going to happen!
We have the Lance 2185 and find it has really good storage for us. My 2 girls each have a cabinet under the dinette and my son puts his clothes under the sofa. DH and I each use our wardrobe cabinet and under the sofa for storage.
RE: Lance 2011 Model 1985
Check out the Lance Owners website. There are lots of people there who can answer any questions you might hjave about Lance and the 1985 model. By the way, the slides are a bit noisy, but normal.
http://lanceowners.hoop.la/
Good luck!
Pat
RE: Need help finding a family camper for wilderness & travel
We are a family of five also. We have the Lance 2185, which has 3 bunks in the rear, a huge slide-out dinette and a queen bed, so it sleeps 7. It's length including the tongue is under 26'. There's an all-season option as well. It's been a great trailer for us. It does seem to sit low, but you might be able to flip the axles.
I see you're from Washington, too. There are 3 Lance dealers in the state.
Good luck with your search!
Pat
RE: Any Opinion On Lance Travel Trailers?
We own a 2011 Lance 2185. We looked long and hard before we purchased ours. Part of that was that we needed to be able to sleep six, but we didn't want a full bunkhouse with all the extra length. The 2185 layout gives us a lot of living space in a 21.5' box.
Fit and finish was also huge for us - we saw too many out there where nothing fit or matched up correctly. Doors were crooked, trim didn't fit right, etc. With Lance's manufacturing process, everything fits like it's supposed to fit. When I walk into many TT's, the first thing I think is "This just feels cheap". Not with the Lance.
The third thing I really liked, and it's unforunate that crcr didn't find this out, but Lance is very willing to work with it's buyers. We didn't want the single round sink either, so Lance replaced it, at no extra charge, with a double sink. The TT had an open cabinet for a TV and an open space for a DVD player. We didn't want either of those. I asked for cabinet doors on those, to make them usable space, and Lance added them, again at no extra charge. Lastly, Lance had a darker wall color in the slide and on the front wall and in the cabinet doors in the slide, as an accent. I wanted the lighter wall color on everything, so they made our TT without all that. What other RV manufacturer will do that for you, without having to pay for a custom unit?
The Lance also has an option of a front window, which was a must for me. I want to see out, and most of the TT's these days don't have one.
We've had a couple issues with our TT, but they've been resolved. Our biggest problems have been with our dealer, but when I have a question about something, I call Lance, and they've always been very helpful and responsive.
RE: Another bike rack ?
Armalite, we have the Arvika, made in Canada (www.arvika.ca). Ours was an option with our Lance and was installed by our dealer. He didn't have any problem putting it on. It attaches to the frame and sits above the batteries and propane tanks. They're expensive, but we felt it was worth it to us. I saw somewhere not too long ago that someone had made their own. It might have been on this forum.
Just found the post on another forum - send me a PM and I can give you the info.
RE: Another bike rack ?
Armalite, we have the Arvika, made in Canada (www.arvika.ca). Ours was an option with our Lance and was installed by our dealer. He didn't have any problem putting it on. It attaches to the frame and sits above the batteries and propane tanks. They're expensive, but we felt it was worth it to us. I saw somewhere not too long ago that someone had made their own. It might have been on this forum.
RE: Another bike rack ?
We had a 2" receiver welded to the frame at the back of our previous TT, and that worked great. The bikes didn't bounce like they do if the rack is mounted to the bumper. With our current TT we have the bike rack that mounts on the tongue, above the batteries. We really like that we can always see the bikes, and it's a breeze to put the bikes on the rack.
RE: Suggestions?
We have a Lance 2185 that works well for us and our 3 kids. It has 3 rear bunks, a wraparound dinette slide, with a walk-around queen bed/sofa combination. Total length is 25' and ours came in at 4600 lbs with all our options. It gives us a lot of sleeping space without a huge trailer to pull.
RE: Powercaster TT Mover
Friends of ours have a dolly to move their trailer. Their house is in a very tight cul-de-sac, at the bottom of a long, steep hill, so there was no way for them to back it into their driveway. This way they can go down, unhook the truck and then move it where it needs to go. I'm not sure what brand, but it connects to the battery on their trailer for power. It's pretty slick.
