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Jeanie and I have been agonizing over a replacement for our 21 yr. old Lance Lite 165-s camper which has served us very well, and we still like it; but it’s getting long in the tooth especially for an industrial stapled together, wood frame camper. The systems are still good, and we keep the maintenance up, but little niggling things keep popping up and parts wearing out. It’s still the least tall; narrowest; and lightest weight camper of its time with the features it has.
The Lance has a LOT of storage space because it was the stripped model when it came out in 1998 with only a front window and 4 mechanical jacks as extras. It’s only 134 pounds heavier than the 1808 pound wet base model and the spaces for all those appliances it doesn’t have is covered by more drawers and cabinets.
We’re zeroing in on the Cirrus 820. Yes, a bit too heavy for our up-suspensioned Dodge Ram, but we’re trying to get some user feedback on the thing. Anyone have 1st hand knowledge of one?
jefe2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
Hi Jeff,
I’ve been following your threads and comments here and on other forums about a replacement camper. I think you’ll find that the Cirrus 820 is too big for what you like to do. And it seems like the Lance 825 and Lance 865 don’t meet your needs either. IMHO, the only off-road campers that really fit the bill are the Lance 650, the Northstar Laredo SC (the camper we have) and the BunduVry by Bundutec, but the latter have cassette toilets. It doesn’t look like there’s a off-road camper out there that really fits with what you like to do, so I would go with a custom build by Bundutec. Tell Rory you want something like the Laredo/BunduVry but with a black tank. He’ll be more than happy to accommodate your needs and build the wood-framed camper you really want. Better yet, it won’t cost an arm and a leg to have one built either.Good luck!
MikeMike, thanks for the advice. It is either fortunate or unfortunate that we have gotten used to a very light weight TC that still has a black tank. I know you like the cassettes, but it’s a no-go (no pun intended) for Jeanie. Jeanie was an RN delivering babies and the cassette looks too much like a bedpan on wheels for her. Otherwise, the Cirrus 720 looks like a shoe in for us. AFA the Lance 650; I emailed Lance’s hot line and the reply back was that it will not fit on a 6-1/2 foot short bed, only a 5, 5.5, or 6 foot short bed. The problem is where the black dump drops down below the bottom of the camper right at the end. Originally, it was our first choice.
We’ve looked at a lot of campers in the last 2 weeks, but not the Northstar Laredo SC. No dealer around central california. We watched your SC tour and Jeanie said, “O.K., if you think we could get by with a cassette, let’s look at the N.S.S.C. Since I’ve had no bites on the sale of the old gal, we may just ride it till it drops. jefe2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
Mike,
Further discussion Re: replacement for our aging Lance Lite camper.
I had a thorough look at the specs for the Northstar SC and it’s looking better and better all the time. What sent me over the top was your review of said TC where you mentioned the Lance 825 was a clone of the N.S. SC That’s exactly where we started with this whole camper search: The Lance 825. But, no sink in the wet bath, which Jeanie cannot abide. In looking at your walkthrough of the N.S.SC we noticed it does have a lot of storage, which was all deleted on the newer Lances. As i said above, Jeanie is now amenable to a cassette toilet which opens the door to getting a new Northstar. I searched all dealers in CA/NV/AZ and no one deals with the SC, even the ones who deal with Northstar. It must be a markup thing with too low a profit margin. So, should I call the factory and see what’s what, and maybe order one direct? I’m sure I’ll have to special order one. I’m willing to drive all the way to Iowa to pick it up. I do have reservations. 1. Is this a wood frame camper? 2. What kind of insulation? fibreglass batts or closed cell foam blocks? 3. Is there no heated basement and tanks? 4. Can i get it without AC/microwave/TV? and can I get it with removable plug connected jacks? 5. What does the 4 season package include? This is getting interesting.jefe
2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
Jeff,
To answer your questions re: NS Laredo SC…
1. Yes
2. Closed Cell Foam
3. Yes, heated gray tank (the 40 gallon fresh water tank is in the cabin beneath the step)
4. Yes, you can delete all if you want.
5. 4-season package includes foil insulation in the ceiling, walls, and beneath the floor. Well worth it for about $150.We really like our Laredo, however, if we were to buy again we would buy a Laredo clone through BundutecUSA, which is also based in Iowa. The main reason why is because they offer the Truma Combi combination water heater furnace. This saves on a tremendous amount of storage space and is more efficient electrically. I would also upgrade the electrical system to include an integrated inverter with a transfer relay.
Bundutec’s owner, Rory Willet was a part owner at Northstar for many years and builds his campers essentially the same way as Northstar with several improvements including aluminum siding, better cabinets finishes, and the aforementioned Truma Combi. BundutecUSA is more amendable to customization than Northstar, too.
You have thought this through. Saving space with a Truma Combi is not important to me. More space for stuff, under Fergeson’s Law means you will fill it up with more stuff. I sent Northstar an email today with questions about special orders.
Northstar Laredo SC truck camperRex Willet proprietor
no microwave oven
no air conditioning
no TV (but wired for cable interface)
no steps
removable electric jacks
no rear bumper
2 inch extender brackets
2 propane tanks
dual battery compartment
pull out grab handle
Lagun table
memory foam mattress
Dometic 3-way fridge
add extra insulation package
add 240 watt solar with MPPT charge controller
You know, this is what you currently have, except for the Dometic 3-way. If you really want the Bundutec you can upgrade and sell me your old one. 8<)
I’ve gotten a couple calls on our old 165-s, so we’ll see how that goes. Here is the add for you dining and dancing pleasure:
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/rvs/d/nevada-city-1998-lance-truck-camper/6876063313.html
You have been a big help to me and many others in sorting out what is worth what in dealing with a new TC. Thanks again. jefe
M
2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
Another thing about the Combi. With a periodic maintenance required with a refill of some fluid reservoir, probably ammonia, it reminds me too much of the DEF tank on newer diesels. We only use our heater when getting out of the sack in the A.M. and only for a short period of time before the coffee pot takes its place. The last little while we’ve been using a small 3500 btu propane bottle portable catalytic heat maker on the floor near the door of the TC. As long as it’s above, say, 20 deg. F, it works out. Below that, all bets are off. jefe
2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
Mike, the more one digs down deep into the weeds of the world of lightweight hardsides, the more questions pop up, so to speak. We have looked at the few campers that fit that description of late, and have zeroed in on a couple brands with caveats. Our problem is we already have an ideal lightweight; not wide; not tall camper. It’s just getting old and needs replacing. We have gotten used to a small wet bath and lack of major add-on appliances to keep the weight down but long for a new rig that won’t need major servicing for at least a few years and has what we lack in the Lance 165-s: namely more storage space; a full 4-season capability; a wet bath with black tank; more solar power. You touched on a prime element in staying not tall: the lack of a basement. Most 4-season capable campers have a basement to keep the tanks and plumbing out of frozen’s way. This automatically adds 4-6 inches to the eventual height of the TC. I spied a 2015 NorthStar SC for sale locally with a new better mattress; 2 batteries; 160w solar; and 12v compressor fridge, but it was built for a long bed with the side pods X-ed out to fit and had two awnings. Close. But would we miss the storage the pods provide?
So, for the moment we’ll keep the old gal afloat for our next adventure in the dirt, keeping an eye out for that perfect (for us) TC. jefe2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.
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