Truck Camping: Is The Lance 825 Worth The Cost?

The Lance 825 truck camper is one of the company's most popular models. It is lightweight, has a compact size, and can be used with a variety of trucks, including the Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan, and F-150/1500 series short bed trucks. The base MSRP for the 2012 model was $16,337, with the fully equipped model priced at $21,629. The 2024 model is also advertised at a base price of $21,629. The camper features a practical interior design, including a galley, a residential cab over the queen-size bed, a convertible dinette, and a spacious wet bath. It offers comfortable accommodations for up to five people and is well-regarded for its quality and affordability.

The Lance 825's weight and compatibility with smaller trucks

The Lance 825 is a lightweight truck camper, with a dry weight of 1795 lbs and a wet weight of 2113 lbs. It is designed for use with short-bed trucks, and is known to be compatible with the following models:

• Toyota Tundra
• Nissan Titan
• F-150/1500 series
• F-250/2500 series

The Lance 825 is also marketed as being suitable for "larger series trucks", but it is unclear whether this refers to larger trucks in the same series as those listed above, or to larger trucks more generally.

The Lance 825 is one of the company's most popular models, owing to its thoughtful interior design and lightweight construction. The floor plan centres around the Lance best-in-class dinette, which opens up the reasonably-sized interior. The camper features a practical galley, a residential cab-over queen-size bed, a convertible dinette, and a spacious wet bath.

The camper's interior design and features

The Lance 825 truck camper's interior design and features are well-thought-out and practical, with a focus on comfort and functionality. The camper comfortably sleeps 3-5 people, with a residential cab-over queen-size bed and a convertible dinette. The dinette is a key feature, opening up the space and providing a versatile area for dining, socialising or sleeping.

The interior has a simple, efficient setup, with a practical galley, a spacious wet bath, and ample storage space. The galley includes a single-bowl sink, a two-burner stove, a microwave, a 3-cubic-foot refrigerator, and ample countertop space. The wet bath has a toilet and shower, with a clever sliding/folding door design that saves space.

Storage is a standout feature of the 825, with a range of options inside and outside the camper. The bed is flanked by a carpeted floor space and a wire rack shelf, and there is an optional overhead cabinet above the dinette that can be used for storage or as a bunk for a lightweight occupant. The exterior features two generous-sized storage compartments, as well as compartments for plumbing and propane.

The interior of the 825 is also notable for its use of lightweight, sturdy construction methods and high-quality materials. The camper is framed with aluminium and features polystyrene foam insulation and laminated construction. The countertops and tables are lightweight, and the cabinets are constructed with Lite-Ply. The interior height is 77", providing ample headroom for most occupants.

The 825 also offers a range of modern conveniences, including LED lighting, a DVD player, a Bluetooth stereo, and a TV. The camper is pre-wired for a range of additional features, including a roof air conditioning unit, a solar panel, and a satellite dish.

Overall, the Lance 825 truck camper offers a well-designed, comfortable, and functional interior space, with ample sleeping, dining, storage, and bathing facilities for a small group of occupants.

The camper's exterior design and features

The Lance 825 Truck Camper is a sleek and contemporary-looking camper with a laminated smooth fiberglass exterior. It measures 16 feet 3 inches in overall length, with an 8-foot 6-inch floor length, and an exterior width of 86 inches. The camper is designed for short-bed trucks, such as the Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan, or F-150/1500 series, and has a dry weight of 1,730 pounds, making it the smallest slide-in camper model in the Lance catalog.

The exterior of the camper is smooth and uncluttered, with a pair of external speakers and optional wireless remote jacks that make mounting and dismounting easier. There are two exterior storage compartments on the curbside side, which can hold items such as hoses, level blocks, and other hardware.

On the street side, you'll find the single 20-pound propane tank, water heater panel, 30-gallon freshwater fill, and external shower. There are also two generous-sized storage compartments in the rear corner, providing more outside storage space than some larger campers.

An optional roof access ladder and rear-wall awning are available for the aft end of the camper. The entry to the camper is via a fold-down step assembly, which may require an additional ground-level step or block depending on the height of the model pickup.

The exterior also features full-torque frameless tinted dual-pane windows, a one-piece formed TPO cab-over front cap, and LED tail lights, running lights, and a license plate light. The camper's exterior design is well-balanced and less intimidating for less adventurous drivers.

The camper's price

The Lance 825 truck camper is a popular model, known for its lightweight and compact design. While prices may vary depending on the year, model, and additional features, we can explore the cost of this camper to help you make an informed decision.

Firstly, it's important to note that Lance Campers do not publicly list the prices of their truck campers on their website. However, I was able to find information on the 2012 Lance 825 truck camper, which had a base MSRP of $16,337. This was considered a modest starting price compared to other lavishly-equipped campers on the market at that time. With additional features, the price of the 2012 model could go up to $21,629 MSRP, still positioning it as a bargain compared to other truck campers in the $30,000 to $40,000 range.

When it comes to newer models, sources indicate that prices can vary based on various factors. For example, a 2024 Lance 825 truck camper is advertised as having highlights such as a queen-size bed, a convertible dinette, and frameless windows, but the price is not listed. Similarly, a 2025 Lance 825 is described as the lightest camper featuring 4-season comfort technology, and while no price is given, it is advertised as being available at a dealership in Colorado Springs, CO.

It's worth noting that some sources mention "no sales tax" and "lowest prices", indicating that there may be room for negotiation or that prices can vary depending on the dealership or location. Additionally, some websites, such as RV Trader, offer a wide range of Lance 825 truck campers for sale by both dealers and private sellers, with prices varying based on the year and condition of the camper.

To get an accurate and up-to-date quote for the Lance 825 truck camper, it is recommended to contact authorized Lance Camper dealerships or refer to their website for more information. It is also worth considering that additional costs may be incurred for maintenance, accessories, and other related expenses.

The camper's sleeping capacity

The Lance 825 truck camper can comfortably sleep four to five people. The interior features a residential cab-over queen-size bed, a convertible dinette, and an optional overhead cabinet bunk. The queen-size bed is located at the front of the camper and is oriented fore-and-aft, allowing each sleeper to enter and exit the bed without having to crawl over the other. The convertible dinette can be converted into a bed, and the optional overhead cabinet bunk can accommodate a lightweight occupant.

The Lance 825's sleeping capacity is impressive, given its compact size. It has a floor length of 8'6", an overall length of 16'3", and an interior height of 77". The camper is designed for short-bed trucks, such as the Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan, or F-150/1500 series truck.

The convertible dinette not only provides additional sleeping space but also offers a practical dining area. The dinette table can comfortably seat two adults, with smaller guests accommodated on the outside wall seating. The U-shaped design of the dinette allows for a more social dining experience.

The optional overhead cabinet bunk not only provides additional sleeping space but also serves as a convenient storage area when folded up. It can accommodate bulkier items, making it a great spot to store items like camera equipment or other gear when not in use.

The queen-size bed also has ample headroom, with approximately two feet and nine inches of space above it. This allows for average maneuvering and ensures a comfortable sleeping experience. Additionally, the fore-and-aft orientation of the bed makes it easier for sleepers to enter and exit without disturbing their partner.

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