Travel trailer reviews: Lance vs Keystone Springdale

pegwillen · January 12, 2017

Looking to get a bit more comfort/room than I currently have and pondering these two models-the Lance 2185 and the Springdale 189. I would appreciate any input from you all good and bad, regarding these models/brands overall. Thanks

RangeMaggotBob · January 14, 2017

I don't know much, but I can tell you- Lance is top-of-the-line.

theeyres · January 14, 2017

Don't know about either trailer. We had a Springdale and was very happy with it but it is entry level. Lance is top of the line in it's class--equal to Arctic Fox, which we also owned in the past. You will get more insulation, better cabinetry, heavier frame in the Lance. But you may not need that...

DuneElliot · January 14, 2017

As others have mentioned there are differences in quality. If I had the money I would have gone with Arctic Fox or something on that level. However I didn't and now own a 2007 Keystone Springdale that was well taken care of. I have had no issues with it so far. The prior owners must have overloaded it at some point because the springs were pretty flat so I had a friend build me a sub-frame and replace the axles with heavier ones, but that wasn't a Keystone issue that was an owner issue. Everything else was in really good shape when I bought it.

pegwillen · January 14, 2017

Thanks all, the Springdale that peaked my interest has been on display here at the Pima Cty Fairgrounds for the two RV shows that have been held here since last month, and while I like the layout, indeed the quality of the materials isn't there, and that is reflected in the price. I'm going up to Mesa to look at the Lance next week, it has more bells and whistles then I want to manage/pay for, e.g. who needs electric stabilizer jacks when you have a drill, and the awning mechanism is strange (YouTube video on the 2185 model) and has a wind sensor whereby it rolls itself up, another needless feature for people with common sense! Another option is the Camplite 21BHS but I can't see one of those until I get back north as there are no local dealers.....so probably that is a good thing aa it will be easier to sell my current TT in the north.

Pappy Yokum · January 14, 2017

Must haves -vs- nice to haves.

Some of us remember when even color televisions had a *manual* channel selector.

Remotes were for folks to lazy to get off their duffs and change the channel......yeah, right.

There was one "telephone" in the house......an extension was a luxury, go answer the phone....kid!

("Junior" is the answering machine/voice mail)

A portable phone in your home? - or a phone you could take anywhere = Buck Rodgers stuff.!!

BTW - for that TT - "common sense" says you may sell it sometime.

Those whistles and bells YOU don't need are no brainers for others - - think resale value.

But - whatever rings your chimes or fits your budget.

oscarvan · January 15, 2017

Don't know these specific units but I did own a Lance recently. I was very happy with their build quality.

RangeMaggotBob · January 20, 2017

With all that above being said, when it comes down to money, I imagine there's a big price difference between the two. Find what you can afford, and you'll be happy.

DuneElliot · January 20, 2017

I'm actually interested to know the difference in quality of build from now and 10 years ago when mine was built. I have wood cabinets and other pretty durable build materials in mine which I've heard mention isn't common in the lower-priced trailers.

pegwillen · January 20, 2017

I'm actually interested to know the difference in quality of build from now and 10 years ago when mine was built. I have wood cabinets and other pretty durable build materials in mine which I've heard mention isn't common in the lower-priced trailers.

Just the one I was perusing at the RV show, which was a 2017, the wall board was very thin, I know this because an edge had bowed out from the wall; the cushions and mattresses were thin, the mattress was more like a foam pad, any underlying wood support was all splinter rough....that's all I noticed with a rather cursory inspection.

DuneElliot · January 23, 2017

Just the one I was perusing at the RV show, which was a 2017, the wall board was very thin, I know this because an edge had bowed out from the wall; the cushions and mattresses were thin, the mattress was more like a foam pad, any underlying wood support was all splinter rough....that's all I noticed with a rather cursory inspection.

Thanks for that info...definitely less robust and of lower quality than mine by the sounds of it.