Tundra w Lance 650/825

Anybody running a Lance 825 or 650 on a Tundra

What mods worked/what didn't?

How does it do?


Depending on the specs on the new tundra I'm thinking about one of them with a Tundra. (Tired of horrible resale with other trucks)

Also have looked at the Adventurer 80RB and Northstar Liberty

Pro's cons over any of these functionality wise etc.

I am sure someone is using a Tundra for a TC

 

Both will exceed the payload rating of a Tundra

 

Now that that is out of the way, does anyone have experience with these

 

I'm fully aware of the sticker and the weights that are on it, I came across a couple of articles where people were hauling a couple of these and was curious if they might be on here and have any feedback into making it work. I figure there are at least 4 or 5 more" its overweight " reply's before someone that is doing it everyday chimes in. 2 down...

 

I’ll be 3.

Those campers don’t work on our trucks. Make sure you’re well insured.

 

I didn't mean to get an attitude, but clearly hard sided truck campers have been successfully used on Toyota Tundras, I was seeking info from those that have experience with this or did not have a good experience with this. I knew that I would immediately have responses pointing out the challenges regarding payload etc.

Any truck camper conversation usually results in....nothing is safe without a 3500 dually. Using the axle ratings and stripping weight during a custom build of these shells, airbags/e rated tires and swaybar should be able to get a relatively safe situation.

It's been done I was just seeking first hand experience and opinion (been there done that if you will)

 

It was a dodge after all

 

Appreciate your concern for my safety, I'm good.

Any of these owners here?

Lance truck camper on Tundra
truck camper on tundra

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/what-kind-of-camper-do-you-have.10606/page-6#post-1721568
Paging @Gmillz85

 

Thanks!...interesting, the Lance 805 appears to weigh 1400 lbs, the layout seems similar to the 650 as well.

 

Payload dropped in the Tundra when the frame changed from Box to C-channel, but the tow rating increased. You would be better off towing a 5th wheel, but you seem to be set on the Lance in a Toyota, so go for it. Let us know what leaf springs, air shocks, sway bars, bed rail and frame reinforcements you end up with. You also might want to put some rubber bumpers between the cab and the bed so you don't scratch the paint too badly when they slam together over speed bumps.

 

I am not actually set on a Lance, I just used those as well known examples, I am actually open to any hard side or possibly pop up that has decent sized tanks and a wet bath. There are a few more out there that meet the criteria but not many, I am still hopeful a lighter option will come along. A 1500 lb or less dry weight would be perfect.

Even on a heavier truck it would more than likely use a combination of airbags/cradles and sway bars, its a good idea on any truck with a truck camper.

It will be interesting to see what is available when Toyota switches the Tundra to a rear coil suspension. It has the potential if they make available the right coils to have a heavier payload package spec'd, the question is whether they will do that or not. They tend to not have too many options in that department but maybe this time that will change.

You do have to pay a bit more attention when setting up a coil suspension, for example, a lot of people were kind of bummed when Ram went to a coil rear and they didn't realize that you had to be careful selecting the truck and the coil specs, some of their 3/4 tons have very low payload and were downright dangerous with a heavy load.

I would like to have a nimble package put together on a reliable truck, that has great resale value at the 70-100K mark. The Tundra fits that bill, in everything but rated payload, but time will tell what the next model brings. If they want to match or beat Ford with their "World beater" then there should be an option that could be put together for a heavy payload package like Ford.

The above posted link to the older Lance 805 is interesting as well, as it does have a dry weight of 1400 lbs. I have not dug too far into the older campers and weights yet as they are a little harder to find but that also is an option. In a lot of cases those are built better than today anyway.

 

Thought I would chime in and give the real life experience.

Yes, we have a 19 Tundra double cab 4x4 with a fully loaded Lance 650 (AC, microwave, TV, side awning, rear awning).

Does it work?
Yes. Our tundra can haul a fully loaded Lance 650 pretty OK. It can do 80mph on the interstate but I usually keep it under 65. You definitely feel the weight when cornering and I always slow down a bit. I am aware that it is exceeding the payload by a whole lot. But I felt that the truck actually drives and rides much better comparing to towing our 6000 lbs travel trailer.

I initially hauled the camper with stock TRD off road suspension, plus Firestone airbag and felt the truck is more than capable of handling the camper, even in snowy condition. Later I upgraded the truck with Bilstein 6112+5160 shocks and icon RXT leaf pack, also run bigger 34 inch BFG KO2 tires, and felt it needs more brake. It does rides better especially going over bumps and uneven road.

I am just sharing my own experiences and not suggesting you do this. Personally, I admit that it is not perfectly safe to haul the camper but I tend to be much more cautious when driving in this setup.

There are a number of people doing similar setup with their tundra. Some in the Facebook Lance group and one guy on YouTube. I met one guy even towing an additional 20ft cargo trailer with the Lance 650. So it is certainly doable.

 

How long are these trips with the 650? Any idea what your trans temps run if you don’t have the cooler installed?

 

Pretty long, like 5-8 hours. And also steep grade mountain pass. Trans temp is certainly one thing that I would keep an eye on since I know post-19 doesn’thave the external cooler. I have not gotten the high temp warning message at my trip with the camper but I got it when backing up the truck with the camper at my rather steep driveway. Think adding the external trans cooler is certainly the way to go. I did add a scan gauge to monitor the temp just recently.

 

With a bumper and winch to boot.

Welcome and thanks for the posts.

 

Thank you for your imput, that was very very helpful, how do you like the 650?

 

We like it a lot. The Nucamp Cirrus 620 would be a strong contender if it has a full bath but it is also a bit more expensive. There isn’t much of an option other than the Lance 650 (with a full bath, relatively light for a half ton). Although I almost pulled the trigger on a four wheel camper hawk, wife much prefers the full bath of a hard sided TC.

 

Yeah the selection is pretty slim, I have looked at the Northstar Liberty as well, I like the idea of the cassette toilet in that one, I think the weight is about the same as the 650 as well, I also looked at the Nucamp but was put off by same thing (bathroom) or lack of. Same situation, it makes it a lot easier on the Missus..

 

I heard Northstar is wood framed, and quality and longevity wouldn’t be as good as aluminum framed in the Lance. Also the Lance’s cabover facia is molded as one piece and has a great reputation of preventing the issue of delaminate. And imo it looks better too.

 

"Its overweight"

 

Hello Everyone!

I only signed up, with the intention of making this one post. I might do a couple, but not likely.

My Uncle has 2006 Tundra, and a 2013 Lance 825. He took the lance out on several trips. Loves it!! But the lance ended up being to much for the Tundra. Both frame rails of the truck, broke. He was stranded in Eureka CA, when he noticed. None of the reputable shops would help his situation, because of the liability. He found a backyard guy to do the job, and my uncle was able to drive back home without additional incidents.

Moral of the story, Tundras and Lance 825 is a definite no go. Probably the Lance 650

I hope this helps someone else out there!
~Dude

 

When you say "probably the Lance 650"... what do you mean by that?... maybe a workable alternative or still a no go in weight?

 

Sorry. I meant a workable alternative. Seems others have enjoyed their 650, and by weight specs it is lighter than the 825. I will say, the 825 is a nice rig. I slept in it a few times

Best of luck to all and enjoy your camper!
~Dude