RV Lifestyle Magazine Road Test:
2022 – Lance 1995 Travel Trailer
Ultra Light, Ultra Quality!
Text and photos by Norm Rosen,
Video by Paul Wright.
We had the opportunity to visit Andy Thomson, the 2021 Canadian RV Dealer of the Year, at Can-Am RV Centre in London, Ontario, to road test the brand new 2022 Lance model 1995 travel trailer.
The 1995 is a high-end travel trailer – the top selling Lance model in the line. The company has an excellent track record for producing precision-built, ingenious travel trailers and truck campers – the new model 1995 travel trailer is an outstanding example of Lance innovation and quality.
Sleek and modern on the outside, clean and well planned on the inside, this travel trailer is an interesting choice between the larger 2375 and the smaller 1685 models, which are both very popular. We suggest that you visit your local dealer and spend some time inside each model to see which length best fits your needs. Over the years, we have found that spending half an hour in an RV helps to decide if the model is too large, too small, or “just right”. Large windows and a clear line of sight between the dinette area and the bedroom often helps to reduce the feeling of being in a small environment – just imagine how you would feel if you were inside the trailer during a storm – some floor plans, like this Lance 1995, offer an open and spacious living area, which is much less likely to induce a feeling of “cabin fever” than most trailers of this size.
We selected the 1995 for this road test as it checks all the boxes for most families – easy to tow, great design and build quality, and an excellent long-term investment for people who want to travel on a regular basis, this is an RV that will enhance your vacation and leisure lifestyle for many years to come.
Among the key features that drew us to the Lance 1995 is the U-shaped dinette, nestled into a 42-inch deep “super slide” section. You may notice that the slide has a step up into the dinette – this gives the engineers the opportunity to design the floor plan to accommodate a wheel well, that lets the trailer ride with a lower centre of gravity.
Construction
Lance builds a very high-quality travel trailer, utilizing state of the art materials and manufacturing procedures, while keeping a constant eye on fit and finish. The 1995 features aluminum framed sidewalls, floor, and ceiling, with block foam insulation throughout the unit, and Azdel interior panels, which are impervious to many of the environmental and ecological problems that affect the typical wall materials. The aerodynamic exterior shape slices through the wind, and the tapered roof sheds water and road dust and dirt, making the trailer very easy to keep clean.
The Lance RVs are built with the best materials and assembled with precision – take a look at the Lance factory tours on YouTube, and you will see the difference that careful manufacturing makes in the resulting quality of the vehicles – here’s a link to one of our favourite Lance factory tours: https://youtu.be/bjHjWv5wJWY
Lance is the largest manufacturer of truck campers in the world, and no RV is more weight sensitive than a truck camper – so when Lance engineers design a lightweight unit, they are well aware of the need to engineer balance and build quality that will produce a vehicle that embodies quality, durability, and reliability.
On the Road
We towed the Lance 1995 with a Chrysler 300 sedan, a well-proven tow vehicle, powered by a 3.6L V6 300hp with the 8-speed ZF transmission. CanAm RV has been using the Chrysler 300 sedans as tow vehicles since 2005, and the design was refreshed in 2012, and you can still buy a similar car today. If you drive with a gentle foot, you can get 36-37 miles per gallon on the highway, and you can get 15 mpg while towing a streamlined trailer like the Lance 1995. The Chrysler rides very stable, with a low centre of gravity. It comes from the factory with four-wheel independent suspension, and the perfect size wheels and tires for towing. You just need the hitch and the wiring for towing, and you have a perfect tow vehicle.
Of course, most people who buy a travel trailer these days will tow it with a pickup or an SUV, like the Chevy Traverse, Buick Enclave, Ford Explorer, or similar vehicle, which make an excellent combination.
CanAm RV hitches the Chrysler with an off-the-shelf class III hitch like the Draw-Tite or Curt model, and they strengthen the hitch by extending the hitch attachment arms between the rear wheels, so there is a reinforced structure to take the weight distribution force.
Regardless of your choice of tow vehicle, the Lance 1995 tracks beautifully thanks to excellent weight distribution fore and aft, top to bottom. It is an ultra light trailer with very refined aerodynamics, and road manners that set the benchmark for the category.
Key Features
The Lance RV experience is evident from the first step you take – the optional Revolution 25-inch aluminum entry steps are easy to extend and retract, with very good gripping surfaces for safety in wet weather. The trailer entry door is a one-piece European design, molded to perfectly fit the sidewall of the trailer. The door has an integral screen that pulls out when needed and stows away when not in use. The windows throughout the Lance trailer are European double-layer Lexan with an ingenious screen system that pulls up from the frame, with both mesh and pleated fabric window coverings.
The floor plan features lots of storage closet and drawer space at the entrance, ideal for all of your outdoor clothing.
In the Campground
Once you have arrived at your campsite, you can enjoy the set-up standard equipment – touch the control on the electric tongue jack to unhitch, use the electric stabilizer jacks to level and stabilize the trailer, and extend the 16′ power awning… after dark, you can switch on the LED awning lights to add mood to the campsite.
The Lance 1995 features many clever and convenient design elements that make camping a pure pleasure. We were very impressed with the front exterior storage compartment on the curb side, which is equipped with a slide-out tray that spans almost the full width of the unit. The portion of the storage compartment on the driver’s side is closed in, with a special storage space for a Honda 2000-watt portable generator. You can carry the generator without worrying about fumes entering the trailer – you can carry the portable generator there, but you cannot run it while it is in the compartment – but there is a special cable lock attachment point so you can secure the generator while it is in use.
Comfort and Convenience
This year, Lance has moved to a ducted roof air conditioning system, which is very quiet and energy efficient. Lance provides insulated vinyl snap-on lumidome covers that keep the unit warmer in the winter and block the exterior light – a major plus for those who prefer to sleep in near darkness. The bedroom lumidome has a Fan-Tastic power vent, and you can add an optional fan in the living room lumidome.
Lance offers pre-wiring for optional solar panels. Can-An RV generally installs solar panels depending on the needs of the customer. You can select up to a 380-Watt solar panel system and go pretty much anywhere, anytime… we towed the trailer when it was -10°C and the furnace warmed up the unit in a matter of a few minutes.
In the Galley
The fully equipped galley includes a Suburban stove and range, and a highpoint microwave that is concealed behind an overhead cabinet door. A microwave convection oven is available as an option. We really like the way the glass top of the stove folds up to form a backsplash. The generous galley counter is equipped with a large under-counter sink that has two covers to increase your working counter space. The single faucet is an upgraded residential style with integrated spray.
The Norcold refrigerator is an RV absorption gas model, very popular among serious campers who like to boondock… the 12-volt compressor models found in many other travel trailers are fine for use in fully serviced campsites, but not so convenient when you are camping in areas without electrical hookups.
Many of your RV controls are placed on a convenient panel in the galley, with everything clearly marked and easily accessible.
Interior Décor
For 2022, Lance has upgraded the interior décor and materials, with a choice of three interior colour schemes – Grayson (gray), Lapis (blue), and Bronzit (light beige). To view these options, please visit the Lance website at www.lancecamper.com/travel-trailers/1995/features/ – click on the little camera icons to view the gallery of interior and exterior photos.
We like the leather-like upholstery and the the diamond-stitch pattern in the dinette – it feels very soft yet promises excellent durability. The fabric wrapped dinette storage doors are a unique feature that we have not seen on other RVs – the travel lock prevents the storage drawers from opening but press the release and the drawers slide out with very little effort.
Entertaining in the Lance 1995
Our road test unit came equipped with a standard AM/FM/DVD stereo with speakers and a subwoofer. It’s an easy connection to play your favourite tunes from your personal music device. For campsite entertainment, there is an exterior 12V/120V patio outlet/cable TV hookup.
In the Bedroom
The 1995 we reviewed was outfitted with a walk-around Queen-size bed with a deluxe innerspring pillow top mattress, matching bedspread, and ample under-bed storage. The gas-assist lifts on the bed support let you lift the mattress with one hand – it’s almost effortless. There is an option to have your Lance outfitted with a convertible sofa bed instead in place of the queen mattress.
We like the way Lance designers have utilized the space in the bedroom area. There are shelves on either side of the queen size bed that have been cut into the closets – this maximizes the usable space in the area. There are tiny, but bright, LED reading lights on both sides of the bed, easily reachable without stretching. The bedroom has 120V, 12V, and USB outlets on both sides of the bed.
While the floor space in a trailer of this size is somewhat limited, the 1995 features a privacy curtain that separates the bedroom from the rest of the interior.
In the Bathroom
Lots of details in the bathroom show that the Lance designers have extensive camping experience – for example, the headroom in the shower is more than enough for a six-foot plus individual, with a dual pane skylight above the shower, and the folding cloth shower door has a magnetic strip for easy opening and closing, as well as a good seal against water. We really liked the way the vanity and sink are placed so you have ample space in the bathroom, and the LED lighting is bright and convenient. The bathroom sink has a residential quality high-rise single lever faucet.
The bathroom stays cozy thanks to ducted heat, and the porcelain foot-flush marine toilet is as comfortable as a “comfort station” can be. Your black water tank is equipped with a flush system for easy maintenance.
Popular Features
You can order the solar panel kit with a single panel or go for a second 190-Watt panel.
To stay cool during the summer, the Lance 1995 comes with a standard 15M BTU model with convenient wall control.
For the least stressful towing experience we suggest that you equip your Lance with the optional backup camera with tow vehicle monitor.
Like many modern RVs, the Lance 1995 rear ladder is offered as standard equipment, and you can order the Lance Load Roof Rack system to make stowing your gear much more convenient.
Electrical system options include single or dual Lithium batteries, and a 1500W inverter.
The standard 24-inch LED TV mounts on a swivel that lets you watch from the bedroom or the dinette.
The option list includes a mountain scene exterior graphic – that’s an interesting item, which may appeal to you – it certainly makes your Lance a distinctively different travel trailer.
The Bottom Line
For the couple or small family who want to explore the RV roads to adventure, the Lance 1995 offers an ideal combination of features, towability, and quality that makes this upscale travel trailer an excellent long-term value for your RV lifestyle.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Dry Weight 4950 Lbs.
Hitch Dry Weight 500 Lbs.
Axle Weight 4450 Lbs.
Cargo Carrying Capacity 2035 Lbs.
GVWR 7000 Lbs.
Floor Length (interior) 19’2”
Overall Length 24’1”
Exterior Width 96-3/8”
Exterior Height w/standard 15M A/C 10’5”
Interior Height 80”
Convertible Dinette Bed 54” X 78”
Fresh Tank 45 Gal
Grey Tank 40 Gal
Black Tank 40 Gal
Refrigerator 6 Cu. Ft.
Propane 3×5 Gal.
Furnace 25M BTU
Sleeping Capacity 4
Tire Size ST205/75R15
MSRP – please see your local dealer
Many thanks to Andy Thomson and the team at Can-Am RV Centre in London, Ontario, for their assistance with this road test feature. Visit the website at: www.canamrv.ca
For more informtion on the full line of Lance travel trailers and truck campers, please visit:
Watch the Road Test Video:
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