
by Lance Campers · 2025
Lance's short-bed hard-side camper. Full standing height, bathroom, and kitchen in a compact package.
The Lance 650 packs a remarkable amount of livability into a short-bed hard-side camper. With a full wet bath, kitchen, dinette, and cabover bed, it's like a tiny apartment on your truck. At around 2,000 lbs dry, it requires a solid 3/4-ton or better truck. The trade-off is weight for comfort — and most owners think it's worth it.
Based on 15 reviews and 8 owner submissions
Extended trips and full-timing, couples who want a real bathroom and kitchen, cold-weather camping with full insulation and furnace, people upgrading from tent camping who want real amenities.
The wet bath — having a real shower and toilet is a game-changer for long trips. The build quality and fit/finish are among the best in the industry. The kitchen is genuinely functional with a real fridge, stove, and counter space. Lance's dealer network means easy service.
Share your real-world data to help other buyers make informed decisions.
Generally no. The Lance 650's dry weight of ~2,000 lbs plus gear puts you at 2,500+ lbs, which exceeds most F-150 payload ratings. You need at least an F-250 or equivalent 3/4-ton truck. Some heavy-duty F-150 trims might technically work but it's not recommended.
Wind handling is one of the common concerns. The hard-side profile catches wind, especially crosswinds on highways. Most owners recommend driving 55-60 MPH max in windy conditions and using a good sway control setup. A 1-ton truck handles it better than a 3/4-ton due to the added weight.
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Half-ton truck owners — the 650 is too heavy for most half-tons. Weight-conscious overlanders who prioritize going light. People who want to run forest service roads — the extra weight and height make rough roads harder. Budget-conscious buyers — the 650 is a premium-priced camper.
The Lance 650 is consistently rated as one of the most livable short-bed campers. The wet bath, full kitchen, and dinette/bed conversion mean you can comfortably spend days inside during bad weather. Standing height throughout makes a huge difference compared to pop-ups.
Weight is the Lance 650's biggest challenge. At roughly 2,000 lbs dry, it needs a 3/4-ton or 1-ton truck. Many owners report real-world loaded weights of 2,400-2,800 lbs with water, food, and gear. This rules out most half-ton trucks and means you need to pay attention to payload.
The wet bath is the Lance 650's killer feature. It has a cassette toilet and a shower with hot water from a 6-gallon water heater. The space is tight but functional. Many owners say having a bathroom changes the camping experience completely, especially for couples and families.
The Lance 650 sits in the premium price tier at $30,000-40,000+ depending on options. Owners generally feel the quality justifies the price, especially compared to the cost of a trailer or Class B van. Resale values hold well. The main value complaint is that options add up quickly.
The stock battery setup (single AGM) is limited to 1-2 nights of careful use without shore power. Most serious boondockers upgrade to lithium batteries and add solar panels. With 200-400W solar and 200Ah lithium, you can boondock indefinitely in good weather.
Weight and the MPG hit are the two most common complaints. Owners typically see 10-13 MPG with the camper loaded, and the overall height limits where you can drive and park. Some also mention that the entry step is high and awkward for shorter people.