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Lance Lance Travel Trailers 2281

Travel trailerbuilt 2011–11Better build tierScarce on the used market
WHAT ONE COSTS
$8,300est. used (2011, 15 yr old)

Sticker was $19,466 in 2011. Out of production since 2011, so the used market is the only way to buy one. Estimate assumes a 2011 unit.

WHAT IT WEIGHS BEHIND YOUR TRUCK
~4,725 lbestimated as towed, for 2 people

dry weight 3,675 lb + fresh water (30 gal, full) 250 lb + propane + battery 200 lb + gear for 2 600 lb. Brochure dry weight omits water, propane, batteries and your gear; this estimate doesn't.

You want a tow rating around5,250 lb (10% margin)
GVWR (the sticker maximum)5,700 lb
Tongue weight, loaded~476 lb (10%)
Cargo capacity1,985 lb
WHICH TOW VEHICLES IT FITS: 73 OF 95

Judged the way the app judges: estimated loaded weight against each vehicle's rating less a 10% margin, per model year, because the 2281's published weights held steady.

VEHICLETOW RATINGVERDICT
Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon (2.7 Turbo HO, tow pkg) '23-267,700 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon (2.8 Duramax) '15-227,700 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 1500 (6.2 V8, max tow) '19-2613,300 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 2500HD (Duramax, max tow) '24-2622,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 2500HD (Duramax) '20-2318,510 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 2500HD (Duramax) '11-1918,100 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 3500HD (Duramax DRW, gooseneck) '20-2636,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 3500HD (Duramax DRW, gooseneck) '11-1923,300 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (max tow) '14-1812,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado EV (4WT) '24-2612,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Suburban (5.3 V8, max tow) '21-268,300 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Tahoe (5.3 V8, max tow) '21-268,400 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Dodge Durango (5.7 / 6.4 Hemi, tow pkg) '14-268,700 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford Expedition (3.5 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '25-269,600 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford Expedition (3.5 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '18-249,300 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford Explorer (3.0 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '20-265,600 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-150 (3.5 EcoBoost, max tow) '24-2613,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-150 (3.5 EcoBoost, max tow) '15-2013,200 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-150 (3.5 EcoBoost, max tow) '21-2314,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-150 (3.5 EcoBoost, max tow) '11-1411,300 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-150 Lightning (max trailer tow) '22-2610,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-250 Super Duty (6.7 diesel, gooseneck) '20-2222,800 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-250 Super Duty (6.7 diesel, tow pkg) '17-1918,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-250 Super Duty (6.7 diesel) '11-1616,600 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-250 Super Duty (6.7 HO diesel, gooseneck) '23-2623,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-350 Super Duty (6.7 diesel DRW, gooseneck) '17-1932,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-350 Super Duty (6.7 diesel DRW, gooseneck) '20-2237,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-350 Super Duty (6.7 diesel DRW, gooseneck) '11-1621,600 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-350 Super Duty (6.7 HO diesel DRW, gooseneck) '23-2638,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-450 Super Duty (6.7 HO diesel DRW, gooseneck) '23-2640,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford Ranger (2.3 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '19-237,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford Ranger (2.7 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '24-267,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford Transit (HD tow pkg) '15-266,900 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
GMC Hummer EV Pickup '22-267,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
GMC Sierra EV '24-2612,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
GMC Yukon / Yukon XL (5.3 V8, max tow) '21-268,400 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Jeep Gladiator (3.6 V6, max tow) '20-267,700 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Jeep Grand Cherokee (5.7 Hemi) '11-217,200 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Jeep Grand Cherokee (WL, tow pkg) '22-266,200 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Jeep Grand Cherokee L (5.7 Hemi) '21-267,200 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Jeep Grand Wagoneer (Hurricane, max tow) '22-269,850 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Jeep Wagoneer (Hurricane, max tow) '22-2610,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Kia Telluride (tow pkg) '20-265,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Land Rover Defender '20-268,201 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Land Rover Discovery '17-268,201 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Lexus GX 550 (tow pkg) '24-269,096 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Lexus LX 600 '22-268,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter '19-267,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Nissan Armada (3.5 twin-turbo, tow pkg) '25-268,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Nissan Armada (tow pkg) '17-248,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Nissan Frontier (3.8 V6, tow pkg) '22-267,150 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Nissan Pathfinder (tow pkg) '22-266,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Nissan Titan (5.6 V8, tow pkg) '17-249,760 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Nissan Titan XD (Cummins diesel) '16-1912,710 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 1500 (3.0 Hurricane, max tow) '25-2611,610 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 1500 (5.7 Hemi eTorque, max tow) '19-2412,750 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 1500 (5.7 Hemi, max tow) '11-1810,620 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 2500 (6.7 Cummins HO) '19-2620,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 2500 (6.7 Cummins) '11-1817,980 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 3500 (6.7 Cummins DRW, gooseneck) '13-1831,210 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 3500 (6.7 Cummins HO DRW, gooseneck) '25-2636,610 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 3500 (6.7 Cummins HO DRW, gooseneck) '19-2437,090 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram ProMaster '14-266,910 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Rivian R1S '22-267,700 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Rivian R1T '22-2611,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Tesla Cybertruck '24-2611,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Toyota 4Runner (i-Force Max) '25-266,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Toyota Land Cruiser (i-Force Max) '24-266,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Toyota Sequoia (i-Force Max, tow pkg) '23-269,520 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Toyota Tacoma (i-Force Max, tow pkg) '24-266,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Toyota Tacoma (V6, tow pkg) '16-236,800 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Toyota Tundra (5.7 V8, tow pkg) '11-2110,200 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Toyota Tundra (i-Force Max, tow pkg) '22-2612,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
The 22it doesn't fit

These verdicts assume 2 people aboard with typical gear. See the margin for your truck and your crew →

THE SPECS
Length27.0 ft
Height (incl. A/C)9.9 ft
Width8.0 ft
Interior height6.7 ft
GVWR5,700 lb
Dry weight3,675 lb
Dry tongue weight370 lb
Cargo capacity1,985 lb
Sleeps6
Slide-outs0
Axles2
Fresh water30 gal
Grey water30 gal
Black water30 gal
Air conditioning13,500 BTU

A missing row means the maker never published that figure: unknown, not zero.

WHERE PEOPLE SLEEP
  • 1× Front queen bed(Permanent)—
  • 1× Dinette converts(Convertible)—
  • 1× Sofa converts(Convertible)—
HOW IT'S BUILT: 5/5
WallsAzdel composite
FrameAluminum
RoofWalk-on
UnderbellyEnclosed

Lance (Better tier): Lance Camper Manufacturing Corp.

YEAR BY YEAR: WHAT CHANGED
  • 2011Launch-year floorplan, built for one season
FINDING ONE

Scarce: months of watching; be ready to fly and drive it home. Why: only one model year; 15 years out of production. Estimated from build volume and production span, not a count of live listings.

OUR TAKE

Longest of the 2011 launch trailers; replaced the next year by the 2285.

OTHER LANCE TRAVEL TRAILERS FLOORPLANS
1274 · 3,500 lb · sleeps 41475 · 4,500 lb · sleeps 31575 · 4,600 lb · sleeps 41685 · 6,300 lb · sleeps 51875 · 7,000 lb · sleeps 41880 · 5,200 lb · sleeps 71881 · 5,200 lb · sleeps 41885 · 5,700 lb · sleeps 41985 · 7,000 lb · sleeps 41995 · 7,000 lb · sleeps 42075 · 7,000 lb · sleeps 42155 · 6,000 lb · sleeps 42180 · 5,500 lb · sleeps 82185 · 7,900 lb · sleeps 8the whole line →
Find one for sale

Live listings for the 2281 on the big marketplaces. Each search opens pre-filled with this exact floorplan:

RV Trader ↗Camping World ↗FB Marketplace ↗Google ↗

Inventory varies by site and day. Slim pickings? search the whole Lance Travel Trailers line ↗

Is the 2281 your #1, or just a spec sheet?

These are the facts. Whether it beats the other six thousand rigs for you depends on what you care about. Set your priorities as sliders, switch on your hard limits, and watch the whole market re-rank around them. Every exclusion explained, every margin shown.

See where it ranks for you →

Data compiled from dealer and aggregator listings, retrieved 2026-07.