I have 5 or 6 boards that are about 1/2" thick x 3" wide that are evenly spaced from front to rear, fastened to the bottom (side to side)of my 2003 Lance 1161. Are these cross members factory or were these added by a previous owner to gain more cab clearance? I don't need the extra height over my cab and am wondering if I could remove them and lower my CG a little bit.

Hi 1161 owners,
I had to repair both sides below the trim line. The structure is so weak below the trim line that I use a piece of really good pine that went above the trim line about 2" above it and 2" below it. Above it there is good structure to hook to. I installed with caulk and screws, once it dried you can caulk above and below the new trim line. But is like you say it is a continual upkeep. I got water intrusion at each back corner, I detected it by the bottom of each corner was wet days after I put it in the dry. The great improvement that Lance made was to have no wood below the trim line. A 5 year old Lance is worth keep is a good camper and we really like ours. We traded because the sofa seating works much better with my back problems. I would welcome any questions about your 1161, it was our first slide in camper and we took it to Alaska.
Dave Mc

Evil Dave,
Sorry to hear about your "discovery". We too are the proud owners of a 5 year old 1161. We specifically focused on a side entrance unit because we pull a trailer. It never occurred to us there may be a moisture / structure issue with the side door / entry step. After close inspection, It looks like I'm going to join the repair of the month club! I see a real love / hate relationship develpoing. I've been told by others to use "the good stuff" when re-caulking. Any advice from anyone on which "good stuff" to use?
Good Luck

Our first disappointment was the discovery of our weakened lower step. I removed the rotted osb and replaced it with cdx plywood and filled the gaps between the tiny "floor joists" with 2x6's trimmed to fit each void between. "Here are the keys to your used, 5 year old, Lance 1161. You may now begin rebuilding it one project at a time." I have re-caulked all penetrations and seams in the door area, probably with the wrong material. Isn't this fun.
I plan to keep this camper inside my pole barn every night I'm not camping. I might have water damage in various states of decay throughout my camper, but at least it will be dry water damaged decay most of the time.

Hello Evil Dave,
I had a 2002 1161 and there were no boards on the bottom. I had problems with leaks around the door that required extensive repair. Keep the door jam sealed as water ran down and got into the step and rotted it out. I liked the 1161 but it is hard to keep the water out.

Dave Mc

I don't know why they were needed in the first place. The 2003 models were built to compensate for the extra height of some of the later model truck cabs. Maybe the previous owner used it on a utility bed of some type.

I've never seen a Lance with something like that from the factory. Both of the Lance's I've owned as well as all of the new ones I've seen at the dealer have a flat smooth bottom.

I think you are 100% correct in your assumption that it was to lift the camper for cab or bed clearance.

I'd take them off.