I was a Casita girl for the longest time, and while I still love that RV brand, I’ve accepted it’s time to expand my horizons and try other manufacturers. That especially became true as I’ve gotten more heavily into off-roading.
I’ve had person after person recommend me the Lance Enduro, between those I’d meet at RV campsites to some of you lovely readers. So, I finally decided to give it a try, renting one for a long weekend and putting it to the test.
Are you ready to learn about my experience and other takeaways that will help you decide if this trailer is for you? You’re exactly where you need to be, so sit back, get cozy, and let’s begin.
My Experiences in the Lance Enduro
You have two floor plans to select from, the 1200EK and 1200IK. Personally, I chose the 1200EK, but both weigh the same, have the same length, and are designed for the same number of passengers: two.
As soon as I heard that this is a cozy camper for two, my heart lit up. Hubby and I love camping close, experiencing the wonders of the world from a small, rugged trailer, and the Lance Enduro fit the bill.
I think what struck me first was how unabashedly simple it is. With newer travel trailers and RVs released these days, it’s all about maximizing features, sometimes at the expense of a clean design.
Lance doesn’t skimp on features, but there’s a roominess to this travel trailer that I found refreshing.
Despite that it’s only for two, the 80-inch by 72-inch bed was more than large enough for hubby and I. We both remarked about how much leg room and arm room we had, and any other body part room. To say the bed is generously sized feels like an understatement.
It’s also insanely comfy, since it’s a combination of an air and memory foam mattress. It feels like sleeping on clouds. After a long day spent hiking, fishing, and roughing it, this is the best creature comfort you can come back to. Trust me, I longed for the bed somedays when camping!
The adjoining U-shaped dining table with bench booth seating on either side has a rustic and stripped-back kind of look, with a wooden surface. The sink is also wood, which I thought was cool.
Besides using this space for dining, hubby and I have found it makes a great workstation. You can also chill and watch movies on the bed, angling your laptop or portable TV toward the mattress.
The back of the RV is where the fun stuff is. There’s a small bathroom with a five-gallon cassette toilet and a wet bath with an included shower pan. The adjoining sink has counter space because it’s pulling double duty. You can use it as a kitchen and bathroom sink.
Then, there’s the last feature back there, the 12-volt dual-zone cooler and freezer. It’s large enough to store a few days’ worth of food for two, keeping drinks and food fresh and frosty.
Oh, and I have to mention the storage space at the front. There’s plenty if you’re traveling alone or with a second person and you both pack light. Hubby and I are great at that by this point.
As a whole, I find this camper has just enough space for two people. The layout doesn’t stack appliances and items on top of each other, and even everything in the back is spaced out well.
You might notice there’s no dedicated kitchen, but the vehicle does include a two-burner propane stove, so it’s not like you’ll have to roast your meals on sticks the entire time. However, your food might not be as homemade as what other RVs offer.
I was so excited to take this camper off-roading. Its radial tires are built for going off the beaten trail, and they performed beautifully. The wheels look heavy-duty but are built with aluminum, so they’re not as weighty as you would expect.
Practicalities of Owning the Lance Enduro
I only rented the Enduro for a long weekend, but after my five-star experience (and my husband agreed), I feel like it’s only a (short) matter of time before I end up owning this beauty.
If you’re in the same boat, you might have lingering questions about this trailer before you pony up and plunk down your hard-earned cash.
I hope to help you with that decision by providing information on the practicalities of life in this trailer.
How Big Is the Lance Enduro?
The dimensions between both Enduro floorplans are the same. The floor is a very generous 12 feet long, and the entire camper is 20 feet, five inches. That’s a great length for a trailer, as if you have a bigger truck or SUV, you don’t have to worry about your rig being too big to enter parks or get under bridges and overpasses.
The interior height is 79.5 inches, the exterior height is 118.5 inches, and the exterior width is 101.5 inches. It’s a cozy and not overly large trailer, which is what I love about the Enduro.
How Much Does the Lance Enduro Weigh?
Its dry weight is 3,500 pounds for both models. It can carry 1,000 pounds of cargo. When I saw that figure in the owner manual, I had to do a double take, because it felt like a lot. The GVWR of the Enduro is 4,500 pounds.
You can tow this trailer with some cars, although I personally recommend an SUV or truck for the job.
Does the Lance Enduro Have a Heating and Cooling System?
I love camping beyond the regular season and into the winter, so I’m happy to report the Enduro has ducted heat in the bathroom and a water heater for warm water. However, the camper doesn’t have an air conditioning system by default.
I stayed a weekend in the Enduro with my husband in the fall. The days were both bright and sunny and a little warm. I was comfortable in this camper, but I can see how a lack of AC in the heat of summer might leave you sweating.
Does the Lance Enduro Include Solar Power?
Since it’s off-road-friendly (and thus ready for dry camping), the Enduro has one 200-watt solar panel. There’s also a prewired receptacle on the side for additional solar panels.
It’s always best to have more than one solar panel, as you’ll get more electricity out of your camper, but one is all you get as a default.
Does the Lance Enduro Offer Add-Ons?
Yet that’s why add-ons exist. You can tack on an additional 200-watt solar panel. If you want a backup camera for better driving safety, Lance offers one with a wireless monitor. You can also double up on 100AH lithium batteries.
All the add-ons are valuable in their own way, but none more so than the 12-volt air conditioning system. Spring and summer are prime camping seasons, and there’s no way you can get through a balmy July or August in your camper without AC. It’s not safe or smart.
How Much Does the Lance Enduro Cost?
The 2024 Lance Enduro goes for $77,000. Yeah, ouch, I know. Considering even the most expensive travel trailers besides Airstreams are $50k at most, this is a good deal costlier than that.
However, considering it’s an off-road camper, it doesn’t surprise me to see it’s priced beyond average.
Lance Enduro – All the Pros and Cons You Need to Know
I had such a blast renting the Enduro, enough so that before I buy it, I might decide to rent it for even longer and take it in deeper off-road conditions.
Before I do that, I want to share my favorite and not-so-great experiences in this vehicle.
Pros
- Excellent Size
I’m obsessed with the Enduro’s size. It was one of the smoothest, easiest towing experiences I’ve ever had, and I’ve towed a lot of trailers over the years. It also feels so much more cavernous inside than it looks on the outside, especially if you choose the 1200EK layout.
- Ready for Off-Roading
This is an off-roading travel trailer if I’ve ever seen one. That’s a big part of why I rented it, and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s rugged, durable, higher off the ground than your average trailer, and has off-road tires for traversing all sorts of terrain.
- Full Bathroom
Three cheers for a full bathroom! That’s truly not common enough, especially in travel trailers, where space is often limited. Sure, the Enduro has a kitchen/bathroom sink, but that’s a concession I don’t mind making for one second if it means having access to a shower and toilet.
- Plenty of Cargo Space
The 1,000-pound cargo capacity and loads of cargo space in the front of the Enduro provide ample room for keeping clothes, supplies, shoes, food, and whatever else you want to stow away from prying eyes.
- Two Layouts
There’s no difference between the 1200EK and 1200IK models regarding their features; only their layouts diverge. I personally found the 1200EK cozier during my experience in this trailer, but the fact that you have two layouts to choose from is fun.
Cons
- No AC By Default
Moving on to the negatives of the Enduro, its lack of AC is certainly a glaring error. You can’t even say this is a cost-cutting measure, because the Enduro is about $20,000 more expensive than most trailers.
Sure, you can add the air conditioning, but that will increase the cost even more.
- Could Use More Solar Panels by Default
For an off-roading camper, a single, solitary solar panel feels a little sparse. That’s likely by design considering you can add a second one, so Lance wants to give you that nudge to purchase the second panel. Still, even two by default and then the option to buy a third one would be better.
- Expensive
By far, the biggest detriment of the Enduro is its cost. Even if you get lucky and find a used Enduro, the cost is only around $70,000. And yes, I know because I looked into it after I rented this trailer. I’m still on the hunt.
- Need to Use an Outdoor Kitchen
The kitchen scenario can also disappoint some of you reading this. I personally didn’t mind it, but even I’ll admit that an outdoor kitchen isn’t always fun. For example, when it’s raining or just cold, you don’t want to be out there cooking your dinner.
You could always enjoy your meal inside, but there is no option to prep it indoors in the Enduro.
Is the Lance Enduro Your Next Travel Trailer?
Now that you’ve seen the Enduro from all sides, warts and all, from someone who had the pleasure of spending time in it, the question becomes – is this the next travel trailer you drive off in?
The Enduro isn’t for everyone, that’s for certain. If you travel with a large group, or if you have kids, it only works if you’re willing to bring someone with you and leave the others at home. That’s not a great situation to be in, as you’re playing favorites.
This Lance trailer works out perfectly for me because it’s just my husband and I. And no, this isn’t one of those situations where you can finagle extra space for an additional guest. No one wants to sleep on the seats, and that’s the only other available resting surface.
If you don’t off-road or boondock, you’re better off looking at another Lance trailer or even a different brand altogether. You can probably find one in a more reasonable price range than the Enduro.
However, although maybe not perfect, the Enduro is altogether a mighty trailer with a cozy layout, more spaciousness than you would expect, and appliances to promote creature comforts where it counts.
If you can get past the price, you will have a very dependable camper to take you on many exciting adventures!