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Lance Camper Manufacturing Corporation

🇺🇸 Made in USAHard Sided Slide-In
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Lance Camper Manufacturing Corporation truck camper

Photo: Lance Camper Manufacturing Corporation

What is Lance Camper Manufacturing Corporation?

Lance Camper, built in Lancaster, California since 1965, is North America's most prolific hard-sided slide-in truck camper maker. Their three most overland-friendly short-bed models start with the half-ton-capable 650 at 1,813 lbs and step up through the 825 and 865 for 3/4-ton rigs.

About Lance Camper Manufacturing Corporation

Lance Camper Manufacturing Corporation has been building truck campers in Lancaster, California since 1965, and by most measures the company has turned out more hard-sided slide-in campers than any other manufacturer in North America. The Lancaster campus now spans more than 141,000 square feet on 22 acres, and the assembly process covers frame fabrication, cabinetry, wiring, plumbing, and final inspection all under one roof. What rolls off the line is a camper that leans toward livability: queen-size cab-over beds, full wet baths, ducted heat, and countertops that feel closer to a small apartment than a camping tent.

The truck camper lineup runs from the compact 650, which at 1,813 lbs is Lance's lightest offering and fits on a properly equipped half-ton short-bed, up through the long-bed 1172 for dually-equipped one-ton rigs. The sweet spot for overlanders is the short-bed trio: the 650 for half-tons, and the 825 and 865 for 3/4-ton short beds. All three share the same aluminum-framed, laminated fiberglass construction with a one-piece TPO roof membrane, block foam insulation, Azdel composite interior walls, and standard Truma or Dometic heating. Optional lithium batteries, solar panels, and Starlink connectivity let buyers dial up off-grid capability well beyond the base spec.

Lance sells through a wide dealer network rather than direct, so buying is a traditional RV process with dealer-negotiated pricing. That distribution model also means Lance campers show up in the used market with regularity, and parts availability is strong. For buyers who value a known quantity, a large owner community, and factory warranty support, Lance is the benchmark the rest of the hard-sided slide-in market measures itself against.

Key Features

  • Built in Lancaster, California since 1965 in a 141,000 sq ft production campus with in-house frame, cabinetry, wiring, and plumbing
  • Lightest short-bed model in the lineup, the 650, comes in at 1,813 lbs dry, opening the category to properly equipped half-ton trucks
  • Aluminum-framed laminated fiberglass construction with a one-piece TPO roof and Azdel composite walls resists rot, delamination, and moisture better than traditional wood-framed builds
  • Full wet bath, queen cab-over bed, ducted heat, and solid-surface countertops are standard across the truck camper line, not upgrades
  • Optional lithium batteries, solar panels, and Starlink support extended off-grid use; the large dealer and owner network means parts and support are easy to find

Models & Specs

Lance 650

Photo: Lance Camper Manufacturing Corporation

Lance 650

Lance's lightest truck camper and the only model in the lineup that opens the hard-sided slide-in category to properly equipped short-bed half-ton trucks, with a full wet bath and queen cab-over bed at just 1,813 lbs dry.

1813 lbFits: Short-bed F-250/2500 series or larger properly equipped trucks. At 1, 813 lbs dry, some half-ton owners also run it on upgraded short-bed F-150 & moreView
Lance 825

Photo: Lance Camper Manufacturing Corporation

Lance 825

Lance's most popular truck camper and the lightest model in the lineup with 30 gallons of fresh water, built around a residential queen bed and a best-in-class dinette for a short-bed 3/4-ton rig.

1795 lbFits: Short-bed F-250/2500 series or larger trucks. Lance rates this for 3/4-ton and heavier short-bed platforms.View
Lance 865

Photo: Lance Camper Manufacturing Corporation

Lance 865

Lance's lightest short-bed truck camper to include a full oven, with a U-shaped dinette and the same 60 x 80 in queen cab-over bed, stepping up from the 825 with a more complete kitchen for longer off-grid stints.

2012 lbFits: Short-bed F-250/2500 series or larger trucks. Lance rates this for 3/4-ton and heavier short-bed platforms.View

Specs

Weight

Dry weight
1,813 lb
Wet weight
2,016 lb

Dimensions

Floor length
6'10"
Overall length
15'6"
Exterior width
86 in
Exterior height
8'1"
Interior height
81 in
Cab-over bed
60 x 80 in

Capacity

Sleeps
3
Fresh water
22 gal
Grey water
15 gal
Black water
16 gal
Refrigerator
3 cu ft
Propane
5 gal

Build

Slide-out
None
Frame
Aluminum
Exterior walls
Laminated fiberglass
Interior walls
Azdel composite
Roof
One-piece TPO membrane
Insulation
Block foam
Country of manufacture
USA (Lancaster, CA)

Review Videos

Independent Review

Contact

Address

43120 Venture Street, Lancaster, CA 93535

Southwest

Visit contact page

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • The 650 is one of the few full-featured hard-sided slide-ins light enough (1,813 lbs dry) for a properly equipped half-ton short-bed truck
  • Aluminum-framed laminated fiberglass with a one-piece TPO roof and Azdel composite interior walls holds up well against delamination and moisture
  • Full wet bath, queen bed, ducted heating, solid-surface countertops, and keyless entry are standard, not optional add-ons
  • Massive dealer network across North America makes sales, service, and used-market purchases straightforward
  • Strong parts availability and a large owner community with decades of collective experience troubleshooting and modifying
  • Optional lithium, solar, and Starlink upgrades let buyers tailor off-grid capability to their trip profile

Cons

  • No manufacturer MSRP published; pricing is dealer-negotiated, which makes comparison shopping less transparent than direct-sale brands
  • Heavier than purpose-built lightweight competitors at comparable floor lengths; the 650 at 1,813 lbs sits well above ultralight pop-tops in the same bed-size class
  • Built on a traditional RV production model: wood-look cabinetry, stick construction details, and interior aesthetics that feel more RV than overland compared to newer design-forward competitors
  • Owner forums report water intrusion at roof vents, slide-out seals, and entry door seams on older units if not regularly maintained
  • Dealer-sold model means pricing, inventory, and service quality vary significantly by location
  • Large overlap with RV-oriented buyers means resale inventory and community focus skews toward campground use rather than backcountry or technical overland travel

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Lance truck camper cost?
Lance does not publish MSRP on their manufacturer website; pricing is set by the dealer network and negotiated at the point of sale. Contact your nearest Lance dealer or use the dealer locator at lancecamper.com to get current pricing for the model you are interested in.
What is the lightest Lance truck camper and will it fit a half-ton?
The Lance 650 is the lightest Lance truck camper at 1,813 lbs dry weight. Lance describes it as compatible with a properly equipped short-bed F-250/2500 series or larger truck, though some half-ton owners run it on trucks with upgraded suspension and adequate payload. Always verify your specific truck's published payload capacity against the wet weight of the camper with water, gear, and batteries loaded.
What is the difference between the Lance 825 and the Lance 865?
Both fit short-bed 3/4-ton trucks and share the same 60 x 80 in queen cab-over bed. The 825 at 1,795 lbs dry is actually slightly lighter than the 865 at 2,012 lbs and emphasizes a best-in-class dinette as its centerpiece. The 865 adds an oven to the galley and a U-shaped dinette configuration, making it Lance's lightest model to include a full oven. Floor lengths are similar (825 at 8'6", 865 at 8'7").
Are Lance truck campers four-season capable?
Yes. All Lance truck campers ship with an all-weather package including ducted heating (Truma or Dometic system), double-pane thermopane windows, laminated insulated floor and roof, and block foam insulation. Optional upgrades include lithium batteries for cold-weather power reliability and MaxxFan roof vents with covers. Hard-sided fixed-roof construction means no fabric to seal or degrade in winter conditions.
Where are Lance truck campers made?
Lance truck campers are built at 43120 Venture Street, Lancaster, CA 93535, where the company has manufactured campers since 1965. The Lancaster campus includes a 141,000 sq ft main production building on 22 acres. Factory tours are available by appointment on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday mornings of each month.
Does Lance make a slide-out truck camper?
Yes. Several Lance truck camper models including the 850, 855s, 960, 1062, 1172, and 1191 feature slide-out rooms that expand interior living space when parked. The overland-focused short-bed models, the 650, 825, and 865, are non-slide for simpler mechanical maintenance and better off-road weight distribution.
How do I find a Lance dealer or get a price quote?
Use the dealer locator at lancecamper.com/find-dealer/ to find the nearest authorized Lance dealer. Because Lance sells exclusively through dealers, pricing and inventory vary by location. Contact the Lance sales department at (661) 941-9255 if you have questions the dealer cannot answer.