How important is it to access the bed with slides closed?

We've never been in a situation where we couldn't get the slides out. We can reach into the frig to get stuff out and lie down on the bed if we had to but never have had to. We put the slides out in rest areas, Walmarts, wherever. With two adults and two dogs it can get pretty cozy. Just make sure you are reasonably level before putting out the slides.