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

MainerBob wrote:
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.

This is cool! Just happened to land on a prime example!!

goducks10 wrote:

janegowest wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
I have access to everything when our slide is in. We have a short 5th wheel with only one slide. It's an RL. Spoiled I guess.
If I had to give up one access point it would be the bedroom. I don't think there's really anything in there that I couldn't do without until I was at my camping spot.

Please tell me what make/model you have.

Northwood MFG Fox Mountain 235RLS. Way too small for what you're use would be. Works great for us though. We aren't full timers or even 2-3 month long trip takers. We replaced the booth dinette with a freestanding set. We can sit at the dinette with the slide in as well.
It's really tough to get all access in multiple slide trailers.

That's another rear entry...how do you like that aspect? Do you have trouble with the campsite's gravel areas not extending to the entry door? People have posted that it gets muddy off the gravel.

Michelle.S wrote:
We had a 2010 Montana 2955RL, two slides, but you could use everything except the LR TV with the slides in.

So I found this.

I see it's a rear entry floor plan! Very similar to a plan that we are looking at, except that the whole kitchen side is on a slide, which makes access not available to BR.

How do you like the rear entry aspect? I have another thread asking this question...I don't know if you posted there.

I have access to the fridge, bathroom, and bedroom with slides in. The Dutchman wouldn't have made the first glance cut as the TV is wrong. I don't sit sideways to the TV at home and derned if I will when camping.

Personally, since OP asked, it is important for me to get to the following without extending the slides:
1) Bathroom
2) Fridge
3) Bedroom
4) Microwave

Everything else is optional.

If a RV limited the use of the RV with the slide in. That would be a deal breaker. I want full use of the camper at all times, Slide in or out

janegowest wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
I have access to everything when our slide is in. We have a short 5th wheel with only one slide. It's an RL. Spoiled I guess.
If I had to give up one access point it would be the bedroom. I don't think there's really anything in there that I couldn't do without until I was at my camping spot.

Please tell me what make/model you have.

Northwood MFG Fox Mountain 235RLS. Way too small for what you're use would be. Works great for us though. We aren't full timers or even 2-3 month long trip takers. We replaced the booth dinette with a freestanding set. We can sit at the dinette with the slide in as well.
It's really tough to get all access in multiple slide trailers.

As stated above by so many others, it's really an individual preference and decision as to how important functionality of an RV is with slides in.

My parents camper (1963) never had slides and this is pretty much how I grew up. My first 2 TT did not have slides and both campers were completely functional. When we started thinking about "slides" the main requirement was the camper had to be functional with everything closed up. So we searched for years, because they just couldn't be found.

Then we stumbled into the current one we have, and because it was functional all buttoned up, we did get it. We've been very happy ever since.

The importance can only be answered by YOU, as only YOU know how you will be using your camper. There are times when all of us have to do things inside the camper with it all buttoned up. That might be on the road, in storage, during dangerous weather conditions, or parked somewhere we it just isn't practical to open them.

For us, we completely enjoy pulling into a restaurant and parking in their lot, going inside and getting our food, and then bring it back to the camper without being able to pull the slides out.

We prepared meals on the stove, washed dishes, and put everything up in parking lots and rest areas where we couldn't pull the slides out.

We sleep in the camper a lot in the winter (at home) an leave the slides in so snow will not accumulate on them. When we winter camp and snow in imminent, we never pull the slide out.

It's just the 2 of us and our dog and cat. So, although the living room area is cramped, it's still very functional, as is the bathroom, bed room, all the cabinets, refrigerator, closets, and storage areas. We wanted that access, because we wanted the camper 100% functional under ALL conditions. This was our preference. And that's also why it took us so many years to find the "right" camper that met our needs.

Slides in:













The only thing that's awkward is the television with slides in. The television in the cabinet raises an lowers. The slides obstruct the view, but it still "could" be watched. But the television in the bedroom is completely not-obstructed.



Bedroom:









With slides extended:









After we purchased the new couch:

Only you can decide. My requirement was full access to kitchen, bath, and bedroom.

Why? I camp year around. In winter if seals are frozen and slides are extended there is a good chance of tearing seals. I can go to the store, load all the food supplies into pantry, frig, etc. turn up the heat and drive to campground, set up except extending slides and use it as it continues to thaw slides. Next morning slides can be extended without damage for a great weekend.

While traveling, I can make quick potty stops, snack stops or even a few hour's snooze in a parking lot, rest area, or truck stop without moving a slide.

My requirements would most likely seem stupid for someone who only does summer camping and/or travels an hour or two to camp for a period of time and return home.

Decide how YOU intend to use your camper then YOU decide what is important for YOU.

The Montana Mountaineer 285RLD also has that layout. And is why we have it also.