Lance Trailer Build-Out and Road Trip

Adding Luxury and Convenience to Proven Off-Road Capability

201812-20190718

  Final Update: 20190721

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  Lance 1685 Travel Trailer in Tucson, AZ.  Soon to be mounted on Thor (our 1017A 4x4).
Sony A7RM3: 1/250 sec, ISO 100, 24mm at f/6.3
All photos copyright, Bill Caid 2019. All rights reserved.

Background 

Both Kathleen and I had been whining about various failures on the HiLo trailer that we mounted on Thor (our Mercedes 1017A 4x4 truck) back in 2010.  That build-out is documented on my site.  And as can be seen from our various trips since 2010, we have gotten good use from our efforts.  That said, the HiLo design was less than fully robust and we had a number of failures over the years including shelves coming loose from the roof and other mechanical failures.  These failures were getting worse over time and it was clear that sometime in the near future, likely in an inopportune time, a major failure was happen.  We had been discussing a replacement strategy for  over a year when a conjunction of events caused us to be in Tucson where we spotted a new Lance 1685 trailer for sale at an RV dealership.  The trailer was last year's model, but unused.  The dealer had deeply discounted the unit so things were in alignment for a replacement.  We inked the deal and returned a week later to pull the Lance home to San Diego.

Along the way, we had a large issue to address as my BMW M5 sedan was stolen from my driveway by my next-door neighbor's "friends".  We know what happened as we saw it on our security video.

The sections below detail the build-out actions necessary to get the Lance ready for mounting on Thor; the removal of the HiLo from Thor and the mounting of the new living quarters on Thor.

Details

The link table below contains links to the photos and dialog for each of the days of the effort.  This table will be updated as the effort progresses.  A variety of cameras were used to document this effort including a Sony A7RM3 and a Fuji XH-1.


Links to Daily Adventures
Part Dates Adventure Locations
1
20181226-20180113
Delivery of Lance and BMW Theft Resolution
2
20190110-16
Water filter installation and preliminary electrical fabrication
3
20190117-0202
Inverter and Solar Installation
4
20190205-15
Entertainment System and Shelving
5
20190411-16
San Diego to La Junta and Train Derailment
6
20190418
Removal of HiLo Camper
7
20190419
Lance Camper Disassembly
8
20190420
Frame Adjustments
9
20190422
Sub-frame Fabrication
10
20190423
Continued Sub-frame Fabrication and Propane Mounting
11
20190425
Propane and Battery Box Fabrication
12
20190426-29
Battery Box Completion and Tool Box Mounts
13
20190430-0502
Tool Box Mounts and Trailer Attachment
14
20190503-09
Final Assembly and Tire Handler
15
20190510-13
Tire Handler Completion and Completion
16
20190512-18
La Junta, CO to Laramie, WY
17
20190519
4014 Big Boy Departure from Laramie, WY
18
20190520-25
Laramie to Cody, WY
19
20190526-0603
Cody, WY to Victor, MT
20
20190603-06
Victor, MT to Hungry Horse Reservoir, MT
21
20190607-12
Hungry Horse Reservoir and Glacier National Park
22
20190613-15
Tuchuck and Yaak, MT
23
20190616-19
Yaak, MT to Grand Coulee Dam, WA
24
20190620-23
Grand Coulee, WA to Plain, WA and NWOR Rally
25
20190624-26
Hanford Engineering Works Tour
26
20190627-0702
Richland, WA to Bend, OR
27
20190703-09
Bend, OR to Coos Bay, OR
28
20190710-18
Coos Bay, OR to San Diego, CA

 


Conclusions and Advice to Prospective "Build-Outs"

This is a large undertaking requiring a broad range of skills.  I would not suggest attempting this sort of effort unless you had a range of skills at your disposal, either personally or via personal/professional relationships.

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Photos and Text Copyright Bill Caid 2019, all rights reserved.
For your enjoyment only, not for commercial use.