Forum Discussion

drb1251's avatar
drb1251
Explorer
May 08, 2022

Slidouts

Which is better electric or Hydraulic?
  • Have a '98 HH with 3 hydraulic slides, no slide issues yet, I have changed fluid a couple of time and no leaks so far.

    Jim
  • They are all electric but different mechanics:
    - Hydraulic
    - Worm Gear
    - Cables
    - Schwintec (?)

    Personally, like the worm gear ones.
  • I've had rack & pinion slides on 3 different trailers for 111-12 years. None ever gave me an issue. I think it's the most reliable slide type made.
    Hydraulic will add more $$ to the price of the RV. Never owned an hydraulic slide so can't comment on reliability.
  • Not a fan of cable slides here in the heat if they use plastic cable pulleys. Guess I am not a fan of schwintek slides, either.....
    Curly
  • The provision to hand crank in and out is far more important than equipment type IMO.
  • What’s a bit more important is who makes the slide mechanism, and did the RV manufacturer do a good job installing them.
  • Well.... they both run off electricity and Having had both I saw no difference in them.
    If electricity isn't available most gear operated slide outs can be hand cranked in/out.
    Some not all hyd units can have a bolt or some way in the hyd pump too allow moving in/out if electricity isn't available.