Slides

[gypsyrose1126]

Just finished reading about all the rigs and changes made to them, great job everyone! I agree with the comment about the carpet in an RV, why put it in! If I get one with carpet, I will definitely remove it and replace with something easy to take care of. I looked at some Class C's outside of Atlanta, some with and without slides. A slide really gives you more space, but have read pros and cons. Anyone have experience with slides on your rig?
I will be looking at a few more in SC over the weekend and MOnday. I will be heading back to WI next week, (although with the weather here I can't tell much difference!)

[MelissaD]

Slides have been around for many years now and the technology has come a long way. Like everything that moves it requires some routine maintenance. The seals need to be wiped down trice a year to keep them protected and functioning properly and a damage seal can be expensive to repair as they have to pull the slide to do it. I have 3 slides and have only 1 minor issue on the bedroom closet slide cables but a couple new screws and we were back in business.

There are different kinds of slides. I have a cable slide for the bedroom closet and two electric "rack and pinion" for the main and bunkhouse slides. There is also a hydraulic powered slide. I have read of a couple people having hydraulic leak issues but like any other item maintenance my have been an issue.

Slides add lots of room. I go from 8' wide to around 14' wide when I open up. My5th wheel is limited in its function with the slide closed but I can still get to both bathrooms and the Master bedroom. I can get in the fridge but the panty is locked. This is not a major issue for how we use our trailer.

Just make sure there is nothing in the way when you move a slide or it will go crunch!

depends upon what you need and how you plan to use it but I have no concerns about my slides.

[WickedLady]

I wouldn't have a slide just because I don't want anything more to maintain. The same goes for a generator (solar for me). But then, I don't need much room. If you want/need extra room then a slide is the way to go.

[chalet05]

Have had slides on 3 different rigs. Only issue was a broken roll pin on the last 5er. I was in a good place where a mobile repairman came in and fixed it.

[Bethers]

I have a slide but it wouldn't be a deal breaker if my next rig did or didn't, depending on the layout. My slide, knocking on wood, has never been a problem. I rarely put my slide out on short stays, but do like the extra space on longer ones. I would never get a rig that the slide or slides have to be out in order to use everything.

[JudyJB]

I have two large slides, both rack and pinion, and one on each side. Slide on driver's side has my whole kitchen minus the refrigerator on it, including the couch. The passenger's side slide has my bunkhouse/small dinette and my wardrobe on it. In other words, both slides have a ton of weight on them. I bought new and my motorhome is a 32' Class C, model year 2012.

I have driven 34,000 miles across 34 states, some more than once, over 20 months, and never had a bit of trouble with either slide. I would not be without mine since they make my rig feel SO much bigger and more comfortable!

If I ever do have problems with a slide, I will just call CoachNet and they will send someone over to fix it.

[gypsyrose1126]

Thanks for the information, I didn't even know there were different types of slides! I will do my best not to crunch a slide, if the RV I decide on has one

[avalen]

not having a slide is a deal breaker for me, gotta have it, it just makes it all so much bigger and being that my rig was and will be again a full timing rig....just gotta have that extra space yea, I'm spoiled that way.

[drocknut]

Good topic. I have been debating on getting a trailer with a slide but haven't decided yet. It would be nice to have more space but I'm not sure I'd like the extra maintenance or possibility of something going wrong with it while I'm out in the middle of nowhere boondocking. Might be hard to find a mechanic who would come out to fix it.

[JudyJB]

If you have CoachNet, they will come, or at least send a mobile repairman. I highly recommend at least the basic plan. http://www.coach-net.com/Plans/towable.aspx They also help with technical questions over the phone. Mine has more than paid for itself.

Also, there are two kinds of slide crunches. The first is opening it and hitting a pole, tree, or rock. You just have to get out and look and also make sure you park correctly.

Second type of slide crunch is leaving something on the floor in a place where it will get crunched when you open or close a slide--like electronics. This is part of the pick-up-and-put-away routine you do before moving. I put things away the night before so I don't get hurried and forget in the morning. BUT, I can watch my slides while they are going in, so hopefully I won't crunch anything.

It also might be harder to sell an RV without slides.

[Bethers]

There are people on both sides of the slide issue - still some who won't have one - others won't be without. It's personal preference. I really don't think a rig won't sell without slides - there are some manufacturers who still don't have them - Airstream for one - that is top-rated and hard to find one at a reasonable price. Born Free I think still doesn't have slides and same thing.

[Excel]

The new Born Free models do offer a slide....don't know how popular that is, but it is available.

[BarbaraRose]

I get claustrophobic in small spaces so I would prefer a slide to give me more space to move around in and feel comfortable, especially if I am stuck inside for a long period due to rain.

[Cougarfan]

I was actually just at our local RV show here in Salem today and there was an Airstream with a slide-out. It may have been a custom order or something. Airstreams are nice but they are just as heavy, if not heavier, than a standard box trailer. Oh, and there's the fact that they cost at least 3 times what a standard box trailer costs. I could probably afford an Airstream but I wouldn't be able to afford to take it anywhere.

I would've liked to have a slide but it adds weight to the trailer and would've pushed me over my towing capacity. In a motorhome, it doesn't matter as much and wouldn't buy one without a slide. Yes, it is more maintenance, but the added room is worth it.

Like most have said, its a personal preference.

Laura

[daibraik]

Honestly? I won't buy an RV without a slide, either a large one or two. The double slides that give you a huge living room are super duper. I was going to say I wouldn't look at an RV without a slide, but I'm always game to peek in any units at an RV show. Just wouldn't buy one.

Dawn