Forum Discussion

travelrider73's avatar
travelrider73
Explorer
Jan 30, 2014

Full Width Slides?

Does anyone think there's reason to be concerned about reduced structural integrity as these slides keep getting longer and longer? We were looking at the Carriage and Lifestyle 36FWS model. The floorplan is nice. I just wonder about the longevity of these units with a slide going almost all the way down one side of the coach.

I can envision slide motor issues, alignment issues, and structural integrity issues of both the slide and coach.

Does Lifestyle, Carriage, and other manufacturers who are offering these super long slides know what they are doing? Will they last the long haul?

Thoughts?

12 Replies

Show More
  • RVnRobin's avatar
    RVnRobin
    Explorer
    Jan 30, 2014
    My concern would be, will the support beam in the opening of the rig begin to sag over time. On some new rigs, I've seem the roof of slide-outs look like they are beginning to belly down in the middle when I "sight" along the top from the inside. In my mind, I think more shorter slides would be more structurally sound. I've never seen a cutaway view of the construction around the opening or the top of the slide. I would hope the higher quality rigs would use some structural steel in there.
  • WoodGlue's avatar
    WoodGlue
    Explorer
    Jan 30, 2014
    It really depends of the mechanism. Is the slide hydraulic, cable or gear driven? It also depends on maintenance issues. How long is the warranty on the trailer?

    WoodGlue

About Fifth Wheel Group

19,016 PostsLatest Activity: Jun 10, 2025