At first glance, to most people, a good slide-on looks like an integral part of a traditional motorhome. The only real giveaway is the telescopic legs before you start to take a closer look. Given that the Lance units originate in America – cue size clichés – you can’t escape the fact that the rigs required to haul them are generally the US super utes such as the Dodge Rams in the photos here. And while they make terrific subjects for a photo, it’s not the full story in terms of the Lance Camper 855S, which is the focus of this review. 

The 855S is the second lightest Lance you can buy, (to 825S) but that’s about to change with the arrival of the 650 unit dedicated for Australia that can be carried aboard the range of one-tonne utes available in all the major local showrooms. 

If the idea of one of the larger Lance slide-ons appeals then you will either need to opt for a lazy-axle conversion to something like a Mazda BT-50/Ford Ranger or upgrade your licence to legally pilot something American, such as a Dodge Ram, a Chevrolet Silverado or possibly an Oz-spec Ford F-Truck, although the latter don’t have the payload capacity of the former despite their size. If you have ever driven one of these utes you will know how appealing a prospect they are – if not, do not be put off by their generous proportions; they’re a lot of fun. Domestic alternatives from Isuzu or Iveco can also be used. 

It was through the importation and conversion to right-hand drive of US trucks that the Davis family came to incorporate Truck Camper Sales following demand from its customers (and commentators) that the newly-converted trucks ‘needed something to put on the back…’ 

That was around six years ago and such a strong bond has been formed in the US-Australian partnership that supply lines and communication are assured, the campers arrive ready for Australian fi xtures and fi ttings and the 650 camper has been developed with this market in mind. 

The most obvious advantage to a slide-on is the flexibility they add to your travelling options. Being able to remove and ‘park’ your camper body leaves your vehicle free for you to explore unencumbered – this is especially relevant if you have a four-wheel drive and aspire to hit the tracks. In most cases a traditional motorhome unit would not allow this and where it did you may have to upscale to an expedition size rig, or stick with a campervan depending on your passenger numbers. However, a slide-on allows you to tow a trailer, a boat or a toy-hauler when you choose to, not as a full-time accommodation option and, unlike a ’van, a slide-on doesn’t incur separate registration costs, can be stored in the yard and still provides that spare room for guests. 

The loading and unloading procedure of the camper is straightforward. The Atwood electric, telescopic jack legs operate via remote control and can be individually set for height (there is a manual override, too). Once in position on the ground they can be pegged, or special ‘camel pad’ plastic feet can be placed under the base for spreading the load on soft ground. Either operation is a matter of having someone guide the vehicle under the camper body before the Torklift Turnbuckle restraints are undone and the vehicle wiring harness unplugged (unload) and the jacks used to raise the camper body to clear the vehicle or the reverse for re-loading. Once the vehicle is clear you can use the remote to lower the jacks and bring the camper down to ground level. Access is easy and via a step onto the bumper (an extended Ultra Deck option on the 1052 model provides a hard-fl oor outdoor area). Of course, you can fully utilise the camper without removing it from the vehicle, and grab handles are fitted to the rear wall to aid the climb using the fold-down step.

A Carefree rollout awning (if optioned) can be deployed from the rear wall and uses upper and lower telescopic arms, which is easier as a two-person job. 

An optional RV Lock camper door that can be locked/unlocked by setting your own PIN code employs a separate screen door. As the camper entry can be at varied heights the switches for exterior lights and the manual override for the jacks (and the slide-out) are just inside the door on the base of the dinette seats; reachable from the ground outside when the camper is still loaded. 

The dinette slide-out is to the right as you step inside and is activated by the remote control. Lift the seat base cushions out of the way and the table can be lowered to form a base for a double bed. The reversible cushions – to show vinyl trimmed or all fabric faces – are then arranged to form the mattress. In dining mode the area seats four. There is sliding window with insect mesh and a fabric shade and a blind is mounted beneath a curtain pelmet. There are two 12V LED dimmable lights above the dinette while beneath the seats are large pull-out drawers to the interior – dividers section storage bins that are accessible from lockable doors on the outside wall. The trim in the 855S matches the brown hues used throughout on the light ply timber with touches of grey accented in areas such as the kitchen worktop. 

Just inside the door is one of two ceiling vents. The one above the forward bed is a simple lift up and prop affair but the rear is a switchable 12V electric fan designed to draw warm air in from outside or expel it from a hot camper. 

The camper is formed from an aluminium frame for the wall, floor, bed and ceiling that’s block foam insulated. Everything is contained in a laminated TPO (Thermoplastic polyolefin) skin with the interior walls made from Azdel, which is a insulating and sound deadening material that’s rot resistant and most importantly in this application light and strong. 

Given that US campers are likely to experience far greater climatic extremes than Australian ones, Lance has subjected them to Alaskan conditions and insulated them accordingly. If you specify the All Weather Package this adds insulation to the battery and gas compartments and all hatch covers and under the bed. The optional ducted diesel or gas heating system directs warm air to the underbody area to make sure the water tanks and valves will all function in extreme cold. With the interior cabin vents for the heating system placed in upper and at floor level positions it means the airflow is such that the thermostat reacts consistently to the interior temperature and is not constantly switching on and off. 

House battery power is provided by two 100 AH AGM batteries that in standard form are managed by a CTEK battery charger. For the 855S two 150-amp solar panels can be optioned and managed by a Redarc monitoring system, which may become standard in the future. Honda 20i generators can be fitted in an external hatch for remote area camping so that the aircon can be used when away from mains power. 

Opposite the dinette, behind a sliding timber door, is the bathroom/toilet. It’s an all-in one unit, in that the whole room is lined to be the shower cubicle. It has a vent for the ducted heating system and an opaque acrylic skylight and a ceiling vent. There is also a removable clothes rod for the ceiling that can be used to hang dripping wet clothes or outdoor gear and dried with the aid of the heating system. A three-shelf mirror door bathroom cabinet, dry cubby for the loo roll and a ceiling light complete the bathroom. It’s an adequate, light space given the camper dimensions. One stand out is that the elevated position of drains for the water tanks means that they flow straight down into a dump point. 

While the heater can be a diesel or gas system it’s a gas-only option for the three-burner cooker in the kitchen that’s next on the nearside – separated by a timber clothes hanging space and two drawer stack from the bathroom – there’s also an oven. A Sphere microwave lives above the rangehood. The galley wall is protected by a chrome effect splashback that extends to the sliding window behind the twin sinks. These sinks have a mixer tap that extends on a flexible hose and a chopping/prep board can be slotted into place over the sinks. The folding glass lid on the cooker extends the preparation area. Facing you above the sink area is a single cupboard, two 240V outlets and the monitor for battery and all water tank levels and the switch for the water pump and heater. There is a two-shelf cupboard under the sink, triangulated to cater for the step to the bedroom to its right. 

The step to the bedroom is carpeted and lifts to reveal the battery compartment, wiring and has the fuse panel on the outward face of the step. All electric fittings and fixtures such as the NovaKool (or Waeco) fridges are sourced and installed in Australia. 

The bedroom is separated from the living area by a curtain when privacy is required and is well lit by a generous skylight and windows either side of the bed. On the nearside there is a bedside shelf with a laminate top and the window doubles as the kick-out emergency exit panel. Opposite, the area beneath the window has been devoted to a horizontal cupboard with lift up door, while a wardrobe fills the rest of the wall to the bulkhead with the fridge. Opposite the wardrobe is the Jensen entertainment system and the TV/DVD (on an adjustable arm to be viewable form dining- or bedroom). The test camper was also fitted with a Satking satellite system.

VERDICT

Opting for a larger US slide-on demands more thought about vehicle choice than simple motive power, especially if you source a US vehicle to carry it. It presents as a lifestyle choice and if you’re at that point when a larger rig option is on the cards then any of these combinations may suit you. Lance has a Number One status in the US and a 50-year heritage as a manufacturer of quality and solid units. 

There’s no doubt that a slide-on unit affords you huge flexibility and the 855S (and 1052) we sampled are well-executed, spacious and strong campers. Ventilation and natural light are well served and with the addition of the heating and All Weather Package insulation you’re set to travel anywhere, plus Australian equipment installations mean complete peace-of-mind. 

CONVERSION FACTORS

John Davis runs Trucks N Toys in conjunction with son Ben and converts the US Dodge Rams to RHD from the same premises as Truck Camper Sales, the outlet of Australian Lance Campers. They can also organise the lazy axle conversions for Aussie utes and all associated engineering work required to your specification with regards to trays, tow bar extensions and suspension upgrades. 

P: 02 9652 2056

www.trucksntoys.com.au

Category: Reviews
Written: Tue 01 Mar 2016
Printed: March, 2016
Published By: