Slides - An Epiphany April 28, 2022, 11:01:42 am Sometimes I read something that is so simple and clear that it’s like an epiphany. I want to share this information with the Neighborhood. QuoteSlides... give you more floor, nothing else. No extra seats, couches, cabinets... When you push the button, and your slides start moving all it exposes is floor.What I lose in floor space inside, I gain in a more rigid and solid coach structure, less weight, no slide leaks, seals, motors, toppers, tree limbs, etc. When traveling down the road I don't have a unuseable narrow coach as it stays the same size driving and parked. And I gain little time saved when setting up or packing up to leave. Is it skinnier than one with slides... yes! Is it too skinny... no.The part that really caught my attention was slides simply create more floor space. And what would we do with more floor space? Maybe dance! Btw, if this is too far off-topic … delete is fine with me. 1 Likes
Re: Slides - An Epiphany Reply #1 – April 28, 2022, 12:33:50 pm Quote from: Ed & Margee - April 28, 2022, 11:01:42 amSometimes I read something that is so simple and clear that it’s like an epiphany. I want to share this information with the Neighborhood. The part that really caught my attention was slides simply create more floor space. And what would we do with more floor space? Maybe dance! Btw, if this is too far off-topic … delete is fine with me. The rigs with slides on both sides provide enough room for square dancing. Slides produce empty floor space, sometimes a necessity, when the slides are pulled in, especially with double slides, there is very little room for moving around inside.Happier with no slidesLarry
Re: Slides - An Epiphany Reply #2 – April 28, 2022, 12:57:49 pm Quote from: Larry W - April 28, 2022, 12:33:50 pmThe rigs with slides on both sides provide enough room for square dancing.For those of us with no slides, you can do your square dancing here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pD1NdZjqEkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1ff_OTwSco 1 Likes
Re: Slides - An Epiphany Reply #3 – April 28, 2022, 11:13:05 pm Quote from: Ed & Margee - April 28, 2022, 11:01:42 amThe part that really caught my attention was slides simply create more floor space. And what would we do with more floor space? Maybe dance! Btw, if this is too far off-topic … delete is fine with me.My wife and I have had two nearly identical 24' Class C units, the first (1998 bought new) without and the second (2005 bought used) with a slide. Previously, we'd scoffed at the idea of slides for the above reasons, until we had to replace our first unit (190,000 miles and blowing plugs). The newer one has the same floor plan, so it is just as usable with the slide as the first (no slide) unit. But, when the slide (couch and wardrobe) is slid out, what a feeling of space: we can walk from end to end without the couch sitter needing to retracting their legs, we usually set up a couple TV trays next to the couch to hold drinks, laptops, craft projects, remotes, whatever. The trays act like a coffee table when we have company on the couch, so they have a place to set their drinks and munchies. We set up a camp chair or two when needed. We don't scoff at slides anymore.We've had the newer one (2005) for 8 years, 65,000 miles, and no problems with the slide. It's 20 seconds to extend it, 20 seconds to retract, the coach seems just as stiff as the previous one, the seals work perfectly, and we've never been in a site that was too small for it. The slide adds some weight, but loaded for travel we are about 500lbs under the 14,050 GVW.
Re: Slides - An Epiphany Reply #4 – April 28, 2022, 11:28:57 pm "The part that really caught my attention was slides simply create more floor space. And what would we do with more floor space?"Exactly what I've always said. I don't like or want slideouts. But I'll admit that more floorspace can be psychologically nice... it's just that I'm not willing to pay the price in diminished payload and reliability.To each their own, I guess. It reminds me of something I sometimes think about, having done various kinds of camping. The person in a tent looks at a class B motorhome and says to themself, "That's not camping!" The person in the B van looks at the Lazy Daze in the next site and says to themself, "That's not camping!" Meanwhile, the person in the Lazy Daze looks at the 40-foot, multi-slideout class A a few sites over and says to themself, "That's not camping! That's a condo on wheels." It all depends upon your point of view. :-) 7 Likes
Re: Slides - An Epiphany Reply #5 – April 29, 2022, 11:15:14 am My travel buddy has a 42 ft. Winnebago Tour.The slide on the left side is at least 30 ft, long. That is about as much space as my whole rig.It's amazing to watch him put out the slides. When all three go out at the same time it makes the inside huge.He can't do much in there when it's all closed up, but he can get to the bathroom.I don't need or want slides, but I can see how they would entice you with more room.
Re: Slides - An Epiphany Reply #6 – April 29, 2022, 05:41:08 pm While RV slide-outs provide additional living space, they also have their share of mechanical issues, maintenance tasks, and the space needed to use them. My neighbor has a Newmar where the refrigerator can not be opened unless the slideouts are opened.Slide-outs can be prone to motor failure, misalignment, and leaks. For example, If the slideout becomes stuck while camping (or will not come in), a mobile RV mechanic would need to fix the problem before the RV can move.
Re: Slides - An Epiphany Reply #7 – April 29, 2022, 09:01:20 pm When camped once where it snowed about a foot over several days, a large coach in a nearby spot was not able to close the slides closer than about 6" from flush. They were able to drive out of the park, but not being able to winter camp without this issue would not work for us.Steve 1 Likes
Re: Slides - An Epiphany Reply #8 – April 29, 2022, 11:35:10 pm Quote from: Wingersky - April 29, 2022, 05:41:08 pmWhile RV slide-outs provide additional living space, they also have their share of mechanical issues, maintenance tasks, and the space needed to use them. My neighbor has a Newmar where the refrigerator can not be opened unless the slideouts are opened.Slide-outs can be prone to motor failure, misalignment, and leaks. For example, If the slideout becomes stuck while camping (or will not come in), a mobile RV mechanic would need to fix the problem before the RV can move.A slight rewriting, and you could be talking about ALL motorhomes, slides or not. We have a lot fewer mechanical problems traveling in our van and staying in motels, but we still prefer to travel in the motorhome. This disparagement may come naturally to people loyal to a brand that doesn't have slides , but the fact remains, slides are standard on most everything now, even slide-in pickup campers! And my wife and I are just as fussy as you are, but about different things (got to have a large dinette with plenty of storage under the seats - no batteries or mechanicals allowed).
Re: Slides - An Epiphany Reply #9 – April 30, 2022, 08:38:18 am Ed, I appreciate that you brought this topic up. The observation you read and passed on is correct; slides increase floor space.Points:1) For some, extra floor space is an important benefit. Like most benefits, it comes with drawbacks.2) I know from our current coach it's possible to have a floorplan that allows access to the bed, bathroom, and galley with the slides in. It's common advice to prospective RV owners to check this for themselves before purchase.3) Somewhat tongue-in-cheek, I note that our mid-bath had a slide- in the rear dinette bench.I liked our LD, and I like our current Class A. My sentiments align with Andy's: "To each his own."Mark H.
Re: Slides - An Epiphany Reply #10 – April 30, 2022, 08:54:23 am Why would you jump out of a perfectly good airplane, and why would you cut a big hole in a perfectly good motorhome? For the adventure, I guess! Greg- not a fan of slides
Re: Slides - An Epiphany Reply #11 – April 30, 2022, 07:36:29 pm Quote from: HiLola - April 30, 2022, 08:54:23 amWhy would you jump out of a perfectly good airplane, and why would you cut a big hole in a perfectly good motorhome? For the adventure, I guess!Dogs! Three big dogs! That's why a friend of mine has a unit with a slide: the dogs have plenty of places lie, and the people can still get by.
Re: Slides - An Epiphany Reply #12 – April 30, 2022, 08:18:20 pm I suspect that the majority of RVs sold have slides. It certainly seems hard to find models without them at the RV shows Hence, I can only conclude that many people have a different opinion of the benefits and drawbacks than most of us do. Are they just not as enlightened as us? I sort of doubt it. They probably just value different things. Rich 2 Likes
Re: Slides - An Epiphany Reply #13 – May 01, 2022, 01:14:14 pm Another consideration if you have slides- wind. Here are some apps to consider:https://www.rvtravel.com/best-wind-apps-1050/
Re: Slides - An Epiphany Reply #14 – May 01, 2022, 02:14:48 pm "Another consideration if you have slides- wind."If you have no slides wind is of no concern but what concerned me most was the awning! When it comes to wind you'd best be ready, either forewarned or very active. If it had not been for a helpful camp host in Wisconsin I would have most likely lost my awning which I left deployed upon departing for a day trip.Then, once again at Reno Creek RV Park (Custer Battlefield), a line squall was seen heading in my direction but before I could react the wind threw the canvas and support bars onto the roof. Couldn't salvage much, took lots of photos and the Insurance paid for a new awning.Be grateful you have no slides but keep an eye on the awning! 3 Likes
Re: Slides - An Epiphany Reply #15 – May 01, 2022, 10:31:34 pm FYIWhat To Do When Your RV Slide-Out Moves While Driving
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