We have enjoyed a Lance Truck Camper on many occasions, including one of the 16-day Mexico Copper Canyon RV Caravans that are offered by Fantasy RV Tours. Securely attached to the top of a flatbed railroad car, our Lance Camper (mounted in the bed of a Chevy Silverado truck) provided a full service domicile with all of the luxury appointments and comforts of home.  For five days we lived in and enjoyed this Lance Camper while being pulled by locomotive through Copper Canyon (a canyon that is five times larger than the Grand Canyon), from La Junta in the Mexican state of Chihuahua to the city of Los Mochis on the Sea of Cortez.  In all three cases, the Fantasy RV Copper Canyon RV Caravan, the Lance Truck Camper, and the Chevy Silverado proved to be superior products.    

Based upon our previous experiences, when we heard that Lance once again was leading the charge in truck camper technology with their new state-of-the art Max truck camper, we felt compelled to investigate.  Available in four floor plans (881, 981, 1181 and 1191) the new Max design and the construction processes used to create this truck camper, represent a major departure from conventional truck camper wisdom. Yes, once again Lance Camper leads the charge with their new state-of-the art Max.  

The Max utilizes an all aluminum tubular frame.  Where there are corners or right angles (for example the wings on the camper and the corners where the walls, roof and floor) that come together, an extruded aluminum member is used to permanently marry these right angle connections via a patented process Lance Camper calls LanceLock. The welded sections simply slip into the sleeves on the extruded corner pieces.  Once inserted, the members are mechanically fastened to create a joint free of play over the life of the unit.    

At all points where frame members intersect they are welded together. Foam core insulation is cut to fit and placed in the grid pattern created by the structural members.  Gel coat fiberglass is laminated to the outside; while vinyl dressed wood panels are laminated on the inside.  Walls, partitions, floors and roofs are laminated for maximum strength.  

Lance Camper incorporates other innovations as well.  Most significant is the interior floor that is raised to the same level as the top of the wheel wells in the bed of the truck. This provides the Max with basement storage for water and waste tanks as well as room for a large roll out storage drawer. Better weight distribution of holding tank fluids along with more tank capacity for increased livability, are the results. 

A centralized utility bay in the 1181 Model features pass-through storage that runs the width of the camper.  With the raised interior floor Lance locates the holding tanks such that the weight of the fluids does not shift as water is transferred from the fresh water tank to the gray and waste tanks. And with the tanks located forward, the full dry-bath can now be located forward on some models, a major departure from the conventional truck camper floor plan.  

The raised interior floor has permitted a break through in slide out design.  The 1181 features a single large slide-out extending from the queen size cab-over bed back to the end of the camper. The slide room mechanism is electric. The dinette, refrigerator and wardrobe slide in and out as a single unit.  With the interior floor raised, the step-up into the dinette and the cab-over bed has been minimized. The increased exterior height makes the cab-over interior headroom a whopping 44.5”.  The hatch in the center of the roof over the bed has also been enlarged.

Depending upon the climate, the forced air heating provided can be from either a 15K or a 22K BTU forced air furnace. Heat is ducted into the cab-over bed, the bathroom and main cabin.  An optional 13,500 BTU roof air conditioner and an LPG powered auxiliary generator are available.  Other options include a rear-view color observation camera that mounts in the truck, a luxurious wrap-around sofa/bed, a 15-inch LCD flat-screen TV, solar panel and a satellite dish.    Happy Traveling and “Happy New Year.”

Lance Truck Campers

Telephone: 888-274-2267.