Hi, this is a little photo essay on our new 2007 Lance 1181 which incorporates a lot of changes over the 2006 and early 2007 models.
This is the left side view. We’re at the Imperial Sand Dunes, Glamis California.
We ordered it with almost all of the options. It took only 3 weeks to build and deliver to the dealer’s lot.
Here is the 2007 slideout option worksheet with a list of the various options along with the MSRP’s. Note that they shuffled the options for 2007 so the 1181 is no longer the “Lance Max” but the “Lance 1181” with the Generator being optional. I think that they a trying to achieve a lower price point for those who don’t want a Generator.
This is the right side view. It’s no longer a one window slab. It has a cab over window.
And… it also has a full wardrobe, standard! This is what sold my wife on the 2007 model, even though we could have purchased a 2006 1181 for 25% off MSRP.
Here is a shot of the Rear. Note the big, optional roll-out awning and the now standard outside speakers. Very Cool!
You can see how they split the ladder to allow for a full width awning.
This shot gives you an idea of the rear awnings size. It’s very strong and will keep the rear door area dry in the rain.
The crank-out side awning is now standard. The roll-out awning is no longer an option. I like the crank-out because it’s very fast to deploy which means I’m more likely to use it.
This is the new optional BBQ. It comes in a cardboard box without assembly instructions. You will need to figure out for yourself how to assemble and mount it. The good people at the Lance factory mounted there’s on the bumper. For me, that gets in the way, especially if you tow a trailer. I mounted mine on the right side basement door. Be sure to use a backing plate or you will crush the foam core.
This is a close up of the mounting bracket. The legs and the platform fold up, and it all fits into a carrying bag. The BBQ will fit into the basement storage if you load it regulator first. The gas tap on the camper is low pressure. The gas line is long enough to allow you to remove the BBQ from its platform and place on a nearby table. Also the BBQ comes with a high pressure regulator that plugs in instead of the hose so you can operate it anywhere with a one pound propane bottle.
As for the interior, it has the new Corian like one piece fiberglass sink with a high spout faucet so you can fill up those big pots.
Gone is the Convection/Microwave oven. Back is the good old stove/oven, microwave combo. Also note the light fixtures have switched places. I prefer that the florescent light is on the ceiling. It provides better lighting there.
This is the 1181’s control center. On the right is the outside speaker select switch. It will route the “B speakers” output from over the dinette to the outside. Next is the Jensen AM/FM/CD/DVD player. It can send video to, and receive audio back from the TV so that you can listen to whatever source that’s playing on the TV through the campers speakers. Note that when you cut power to the camper the Jensen will forget the time and the radio station presets. Next is Lance’s deluxe monitor panel. The water heater switch is non-functional because, for 2007 the Gas/Electric DSI Water Heater is now standard. It has its own switch (below). Last is the Blue Sky Solar Boost 2000e charge controller that I installed myself. If you have standard lead acid batteries than its factory set float voltage of 14.0 volts is just fine. However, if you have AGM batteries like I do than you will need to adjust it down to 13.43 volts to prevent possible water loss and damage.
This is a view with the slide-out retracted and the bunk deployed. As you can see it’s a tight fit. If you’re camping at a truck stop you will need to deploy it at least 8 inches to make life livable. Also note the extra ceiling light over the thermostat, very handy to read its setting.
Also new for 2007 is the deluxe queen innerspring mattress with pillow top.
We skipped the $945 15” LCD TV option and purchased this 23” Samsung HD LCDTV ($599) along with the bigger articulating arm ($89) at Costco. It draws 100 watts at 120VAC. I can run it with the generator or an inverter along with the satellite receiver which also needs 120VAC.
Speaking of the generator. Gone is the AC Auto-transfer switch, now the generator output is routed to an outlet that you plug the shore power cord into.
For you weight police, this is one HEAVY camper!
This is what our 2004 GMC Sierra 4x4 weighs right off the dealers lot with full water, propane and diesel tanks, without any occupants.
That weight also includes a 60 pound bed mat along with the 100 pound TorkLift Super Hitch and the 75 pound 42 inch Super Truss extension.
We did have a few issues with our new Lance. The Heki Midi Skylight was leaking copious amounts of water onto the bed. The slide-out would not deploy without stalling multiple times. The water pump would come on at 3 o’clock in the morning and fail to prime until I got up and turned a faucet on.
We drove to the Lance factory service center in Lancaster and spent the night in the parking lot (they have hookups!). The service staff was top notch and fixed everything while we waited. The Heki Skylight was missing the sealant on the leading edge. The solution was to remove, reseal and replace. The slide-out has tensioning bolts that keep it from coming out while your on the road. These bolts were readjusted and dry silicon lubricant was applied to the seals. Now it works great. Take note that they did not lubricate the rack and pinion because the rack is exposed to the elements and would attract dust and grime which will ultimately destroy it. For the water pump, there was an air leak on the input side with the winterizing valve. This was also fixed and a new pump was installed “just in case”.
Yes! We are very happy with our new Lance, especially with its balance and way it behaves in high winds. One handed driving at 65mph on the California 395 with a 25mph crosswind and on coming big rigs!
Well I hope this was helpful. ..Mike
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2004 GMC Sierra 3500 4x4 D/A EC LB DRW
Ride-Rites, RS9000X, TorkLift, Fast Guns, Superhitch
2007 Lance Max 1181
Glamis was great! The temp was in the low 80's and the wind was calm. It's one of my favorite places. Here's an expanded picture with the Sand Rail. It’s a long travel 4 seat’er with a supercharged 3.8 liter V6. Total blast to drive! ..Mike
* This post was
edited 11/06/06 06:08am by an administrator/moderator *
Heavy Hauler,
We are shopping for a gas grill and like the idea of one that will attach to the outside propane connector on our 1181. Your grill looks huge! In their brochure, Lance offers two sizes. Is yours the larger or smaller one? If it is the small one, could you give us the dimensions of the unit as ready to store (lid closed, etc.)?
Also, do you happen to know whether the camper's exterior gas outlet is already pressure reduced for direct connection to a grill, or does a pressure regulator need to be placed between the outlet and the grill burner?
Thanks for any help you may offer, and your rig looks great!
Dick
2005 F450, CC, 4X4, Lariat, Superhitch, FastGuns, TransferFlow Aux Tank
Nicely detailed write-up and pics. That is a beautiful rig you have there! I've also been looking at Lance '06 left overs. However, the '07's do have some nice changes. I'm very happy they put the right side cabover window back as standard along with the wardrobe. I see they also went back to the crank out windows rather than the sliding ones in the '06. I think I'll have to wait a year and get an '07 left over.
2006 Ford F350 Lariat CC LB DRW
6.0 PSD w/TorqShift 4x4 4.10LSD
Airlift Airbags/SureSet Controller - Timbrens
2007 Lance 1181 - All the Options
Torklift Superhitch/Tiedowns/Fastguns
Looks like Lance has been reading on the Eagle Cap Owners web site and looking at the Eagle Caps kitchen counter tops. They are trying to fix what for me was a very cheap counter top and it looks like they got it right.
I also see that they are getting even heavier. these things should only be offered to folks with an F-450/550.
Heavy Hauler what does your truck weigh empty but full of fuel? Looking at the weight ticket and the front axle weight I would guess you are lifting the front quite a bit.
Sad to hear that they still will do stupid things at the factory (forgotten sky light window seals, and slides not sliding out ) even when these units are over $40,000.
Glad to here they fixed it for you though.
Now the hard part.... Where to go camping first
Enjoy
Allen
2005 Ford F-350 CC Dually 6.0L Diesel 4x4 King Ranch loaded, Supersprings, Coolant filter, Oilguard bypass filter.
Offline
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these things should only be offered to folks with an F-450/550.
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