slide vs no slide

The slides have been and will continue to be an issue on many units....class c’’s, class a’s, and tow behinds. There are some units that have minimal to zero issues with slides, while with others it’s a continuing problem. Slide issues or non-issues are a product of engineering design and the quality of materials that the manufacturer puts into their units. We have had 5th wheels (only one manufacture) dating back to 1990....with zero issues. Our present Class C has a slide, which we rarely use. If we stop for just a “one night stand”.....we don’t use the slide. If we’re gonna remain for multiple days, we use the slide....as it creates much more comfortable living space. If we have grandkids or other folks with us.....the slide is a “huge” plus! memtb

Many slide issues fall into the category of self inflicted wounds. Not following instructions, not performing maintenance, forgetting to unlock the slide locks. Nobody gets on here and touts how well their slides work, rather how theirs got stuck.

If it's just you and spouse you might do well without slides. More folks need more room. If you find a late model W/O slides get in it and imagine being in it for an extended period of time. You’ll figure it out.

Make certain that you can access all of the essentials with the slide in. I've seen some where the fridge, or cabinets, or even the bathroom was blocked by the slide being in. Most if not all dealers will have the slides out and grumble if you want them to pull the slides in.

It's easy. Visit one or more dealers/shows and, while sitting in one, think about the activities you will do inside and whether or not the extra room would be beneficial while moving around.
Slides must not be necessary because I haven't seen an Airstream with one.
I have an opinion for us BUT it doesn't count for you.

The pro is obvious-more internal room. The cons are extra weight, a little more maintenance (lubricating slide rails and conditioning seals - which takes very little time), the biggest con is when the slide will not work. When the slide will not work results in frustration getting the slide in or out and cost of repair.

I read, many years ago, that the slide is #1/at the top of the list of things to give trouble.
Most likely they have improved a lot, but I'll bet that they are still at the top.
We had avoided having a slide until 2012, when we bought a new mh, and I figured by that time it would be hard to find a new mh without a slide.
We just made sure that when we were on the road we could stop and spend the night in it without putting the slide out.
Our slide is just the dinette, and it does give more room. But the mh is useable without the slide out.

Dusty