Do Lance trailers leak?

By Elaine Knight
Page last updated: 16/03/2022 | Next review date: 16/03/2024
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Elaine Knight
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In this blog post, we will answer the following question: Do Lance trailers leak? We will help you understand where trailer leaks come from and how to prevent and fix any water issues. We will also discuss whether there are any travel trailers that don’t leak and what makes them better. 

Do Lance trailers leak?

Yes, the Lance trailer can leak, and this is in fact, one of the most frequent complaints when it comes to this brand. Overall, Lance trailers are good quality trailers, easy to tow, with plenty of space and storage options for such small trailers. Most of the Lance trailer models also have a wet bathroom, a kitchen, dinette and a queen-sized bed. 

Trailer leaks are one of the hardest aspects to evaluate, especially when buying a used trailer. Water infiltrations into the trailer structure are not easily identifiable, especially for an inexperienced user, and fixing this imperfection after a purchase can become very expensive.

When you come across a Lance trailer with signs of water infiltrations, in our opinion, it is better not to continue the negotiation because, even if the problem is easily solved, we do not know how long the trailer has been subjected to the elements and how much water has embarked inside it.

The trailer is built mainly with multilayer wooden panels, it is very likely that a small drop in a crack can propagate in the structure of the trailer, creating patches of water in the most disparate parts or worse the appearance of mold.

Lance trailer leaks: how to know if you have a problem

Unfortunately, there is no 100% safe way to check for leaks in a trailer. If a trailer, a trailer, or a van are subject to infiltrations, if you are a private individual and you do not have the suitable equipment you will struggle to find them. The scientific method tells you to use a tool called a digital humidity tester like this one that you can buy on Amazon.

The tester does nothing but measure, through the two probes at the end, the level of humidity of the surface and report the value on the display. All you have to do is place it on the internal walls and in the internal joints of the trailers and see that it is always at 0 or almost. This system will provide you with a general indication. Of course, we know that we are not talking about a professional tool but it is always a valid starting point.

In addition to using the digital humidity tester, you can check the following aspects:

  • check that the mattresses or the seating in the dinette are not damp
  • check that the floor has no flexures or bubbles due to humidity
  • check that all windows and portholes have a dry perimeter and that the gaskets are properly pressed by them. The same goes for the door.

Lance trailer leaks: how to find the source of the problem

To find a leak in your Lance trailer you will have to do some detective work and search for clues in order to identify the source of the issue. Thus, you will have to search for cracks, worn and damaged spots, thinning or any other type of damage in the following places:

  • On the roof and the skylight of your trailer;
  • Near the windows, doors and vents;
  • Check the water heater and the AC;
  • The portable water tank and the city water tank.

To know if there is water infiltration without having a hygrometer, you will have to check the four corners of the interior walls of the RV as well as the corners of the extension from the floor to the ceiling including the cabinets. 

Are there any travel trailers that don’t leak?

Yes, there are travel trailers that don’t leak. There is no brand name or model that we can guarantee is perfect and that will have no issues because the promise that an X brand won’t leak is just this – a promise.  Owners that do not have water leaks problems aren’t lucky, they just know how to prevent any future issues. 

It is important to know why the water is leaking on the roof so you can prevent and repair them in time. In general, leaks are born by:

  • Water accumulation on the travel trailer roof (fibreglass roofs can hold up to 550 lbs water accumulation);
  • The age of the trailer (all materials have an estimated lifetime) 
  • Climatic conditions (depending on the weather conditions, the roofs can last more or less time.) 
  • Lack of maintenance (they deteriorate in an accelerated way so it is essential to do regular repairs)
  • Low-quality materials (it is important to invest in the best materials) 
  • Broken pipes and leaks (regular maintenance will prevent this). 

As you can see, there is no luck, just proper maintenance and care for your travel trailer. 

We know how annoying leaks can be, ruining floors, furniture and causing annoying noise throughout our trailer. That is why we bring you some tips to avoid these horrible leaks.

Make regular checks. It is important to do a periodic review from time to time to ensure that there is no type of damage to this material. This periodicity should increase in rainy seasons since this is when our roofs tend to receive the most damage. Remember that minor damage is always easier to repair.

Constant maintenance. It is very important to make sure that our sheet roof is clean, so we recommend cleaning the area so that the water continues to flow out of your trailer. It is also important to repair any detail that we notice before it becomes a big problem.

Review the drainage process. Sheet ceilings are placed in an angular position so that the water can go down and does not get stuck on the ceiling. We must check that this drain works correctly to prevent water from stagnating damaging our roof.

Check the corners of the walls. The corners created between the ceiling and the walls are the main ones in showing us damage to our ceiling. It is essential to check that there are no cracks in this area that could become a leak. In case of finding deterioration, we must cover the crack with cement or a sealer.

Cover the leaks. If we find holes in our fibreglass roof through which water can pass, we must place a layer of cement in this area, this will block the passage of water, protecting our home from the rains.

Replace excessively damaged blades. In case of finding many leaks, or one with a large size, the ideal is to change the sheet that protects our trailer.

Final thoughts and tips

If you don’t manage to find the leak source in your Lance trailer, you could take the vehicle to a service or motorhome specialist. They would be able to find the source of the leak and repair it.

In some (very) rare cases, the source of the leak can be behind the tank which is a place hard to access. Sometimes the whole thing needs to be taken apart in order to find the source of the leak and fix it.  

In the long term, water can cause significant damage: detachment, buckling, blistering. Mould can also form. That’s why it’s better to prevent water leaks by regularly maintaining and cleaning your caravan. 

If you have any comments or questions on the content, please let us know.

FAQ on Do Lance trailers leak?

Are Lance trailers good quality?

Yes, Lance trailers are good quality and easy to tow trailers. They also have plenty of space and storage options for such small trailers. Most of the Lance trailer models also have a wet bathroom, a kitchen, dinette and a queen-sized bed. 

The most popular Lance travel trailer is the Lance 1685. It is 21 feet long, has a dry weight of 5,000 lbs and it is the best sold Lance trailer in a decade.

Is Lance better than Airstream?

Lance has better value than Airstream trailers. However, Airstream has a longer lifespan and are generally easier to tow. 

What travel trailers are comparable to Lance?

The following travel trailers are comparable to Lance:

  • Airstream;
  • Winnebago;
  • Happier trailer;
  • Grand Design
  • Oliver.

Other FAQs about Travel Trailers that you may be interested in.

Does Casita make a 13-foot trailer?

Does Featherlite make steel trailers?

Does towing capacity include the weight of the trailer?

References

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