Lance 650 again in the spotlight.

[Mundo4x4Casa]

Interesting piece on the Lance 650 on Mike Smith's Truck Camper Adventure on-line magazine. I had a feeling this offering would take off. It's a good read. Clab the new Nissan/Cummins diesel pickup to the 650 and you have quite a rig. jefe
http://truckcamperadventure.com/2016/12/hellwig-lance-ultimate-adventure-rig/

 

[Rax]

The Titan (1,722-pound payload) needed a lot of upgrades. The F150 & Lance 650 (with upgrades) previously marketed as "adventure" vehicle was a 2 wheel drive. Why not just go with a 1 ton short box 4x4 diesel? I'm not suspension expert - just putting it out there for feedback. They seem to be chasing increased payload above OEM rating with after market parts. I like the Lance 650, however would want to be able to haul it safely within payload weight spec of the vehicle.

 

[UHAULER]

I think they should have listed the weight of that rig if they want to be honest about hauling a camper on a 1/2 ton.

 

[Theoretician]

I share the concern about staying within manufacturer spec for payload. I bought my F150 with the HD payload option to give it a 3000lb rating so that it could carry a camper in the future. Sticking 2500lb onto a truck rated for 1700lb just seems to be asking for trouble.

 

[kris]

I had high hopes for the 650 when I first heard of it but won't be considering one, and not just because it doesn't fit on my SuperDuty short bed. It can always be moved back a few inches. Not ideal but it is a solution.

It's only 200lbs lighter than the 825, but taller and with considerably less storage space. The addition of an over dinette cabinet or bunk could have alieviated some of the storage issue, but it's not even an option. No 4season package available either. Not a deal breaker but spending a fair amount of time in the desert southwest with +100* summers and below freezing winters the option would be nice. Marketing towards the 1/2 ton crowd but only having a small number of trucks in that category capable of handling the 1600+ pound dry weight as delivered with no options makes me think they missed their mark but went ahead with it anyway.

I'm also not convinced the sales are as good as the article claims. I'd be surprised if their figures didn't include the units sold to Cruise America. I've seen several Cruise America units on the road this year but not one personal unit. There's a new 650 that's been sitting on a lot here in SoCal with a sub 17k advertised price that's been there since the spring.

I really hope they stick with it though. A few tweaks can make it much more than it is right now. Ditching the wings so it fits f250/350's would be a good start.

k.

 

[grogie]

First of all, there is a video on YouTube showing this setup off, however, the article provides more information.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGpn6ErVm5g

I’ve been looking at TCs for awhile now, as my current setup (a Tepui on an over-built Jeep trailer) is not long term. At the recent Expo East, I saw my first Four Wheel camper. Nice setup, but of course hard top campers have added benefits.

I did see a video recently on YouTube where a guy’s wife is recording him with his hardtop camper as he drove over what my Jeep would have no issue with, and the camper caused the truck to slide a bit to the right. For the guy behind the wheel, it was definitely a pucker moment I’m sure! But really, how many people that a hard-sided truck camper on off camber trails? My ideal setup is like a 2500/3500 truck with a hard-sided truck camper and then tow my Jeep for when I go places with actual Jeep trails...

Anyway, I admire Lance going after an emerging market...

 

[Mundo4x4Casa]

Grogie,
Some of us have prepared for off camber by using Camper Guides, the black triangles in this pic:

I'm using the Lance version that came out a decade or more ago, but there are going forward many better setups. The guides keep the box from moving from side to side thus taking the stress off the tie downs.
As for off camber, not a problem if you have a wider track, camper guides, a thin, sticky mat, and nothing heavy up high. I also have 2" angle aluminumed the bottom side seams spreading out the shear.

This is not even close to going over. On the Mojave Road:

 

[Regcabguy]

Tiltin' Hilton. That's amazing it doesn't come over.
Those camper guides rule. I've got the Happijac guides up front and use small wood blocks in the rear under the wing doors.

 

[IdaSHO]

I think they should have listed the weight of that rig if they want to be honest about hauling a camper on a 1/2 ton.

agreed.

 

[Rax]

Nice set up Jefe.

 

[grogie]

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Wow! That's great! Thanks for sharing.