This is our first post as we have just joined. Have settled on a Class C after about a year of searching and looking. Two top contenders are Coachman 310DS and Forest River Forester...either 3051S or 3010DS. Looking at 2012-2014 Model Years. Reading reviews and comments scares the heck out of us. Biggest concern currently are the slides...I really do Not like the idea of a kitchen unit with drains, electrical and gas lines moving in and out in addition to the constant bounce of travel...hence probably elimination of 3151S..of course this is my wife's preferred floor plan design! Any comments on the slides and safety issues. Have read horror stories on the cable systems coming off pulleys...the Schwinteck system appeals to me but then you read that the manufacturer has under built the units, installed rails out of square, slides need additional support etc. I can rebuild, rewire, replumb, just about anything needed....HOWEVER I don't want to outside of ongoing maintenance. Comments, Your Time and Expertise Appreciated....Thank you.

Personally, you might be looking too deeply into all this. I am replacing my slide motor in the spring for the first time. It just broke.Many moving parts on these things and stuff will break, new or old. I make a list of what needs fixing, and work down my list of the things I can do myself and so on. My list has always had 20 things on it since day one.. one goes off, two come on..10 go off, 1 comes on. Part of the hobby I guess. We enjoy the lifestyle and the great places and people we meet as you will also. Now get out there and buy one!

suggest you check out Forest River Forums.there is a Forester section and a Coachmen motorhome section.do a search on both models or post your question in each section.other owners of both models should help you decide.

ThomandDebbie wrote:hence probably elimination of 3151S..of course this is my wife's preferred floor plan design! If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. :)Welcome to the forum. Ask lots of questions before you make your decision. Someone on the forum will have the answers.Enjoy your travels.

I agree with the OP ,I don,t care for slides,theres not a day goes by that some body is asking about there broken slide , I don,t have one and get along just fine.

From my personal experience, I was scared of slides. Now, every time I change trailers, the new one has more slides than the previous.Also, sure there is someone on here everyday with a problem. That is what this is for, to get help. Not to say, everything is fine today.

About Retire, Purchase Class C....Already confused

soxfan58
Explorer
Jan 13, 2016
We are fairly new to the RV lifestyle. We first looked at a Class C Coachmen Leprechaun 31 with no slides. It seemed ideal until we looked at various Class A models with slides. We bought the Coachmen Roadmaster with one slide for the dinette and sofa. What a big difference it makes. There is so much more living space with the slide out. It is just my wife and I and our Golden Retriever and we have plenty of room with the one slide and have had no issues with it. It will be interesting in the spring as we plan to add another golden puppy.
tenbear
Explorer
Jan 11, 2016
We are on our 3rd RV. The first was a 21' TT, no slides. We pulled it with a F150. I wanted a tow vehicle with more power, DW wanted more space. We traded it for another TT, 25' with slides and an F250 with a bigger V8. First trip out the TT started fish tailing and we totaled the whole works. Neither of us wanted a TT again.

We bought our current Class C, no slides, 6.0L V8. It's a little tight but no real problems. We can pass each other in the hallway, no problem.

My observation is that slides are still a problem. Our friends with slides have more problems with slides than any other single thing.

There are only the 2 of us. If we had pets or kids, or if we were full timers, maybe we would want wider hallways. What we have suits us just fine.
Tom_Diane
Explorer
Jan 10, 2016
I agree that you might be over thinking what can go wrong with everything!
I'm sure that there are issues with slides, but also with plumbing as is talked a lot about and other things! Slides like anything else can go bad but don't cheat yourself if you feel you like the space a slide gives but afraid of issues that all RVs have occasionally!
Tom_Diane
Explorer
Jan 10, 2016
navegator wrote:
The Conestoga wagons had problems.

Worn axles for lack of grease.
Broken spokes when hit rock.
Ripped canvas when driven into low tree branches.
Run away ox team.
Pissed off Native Americans.
Bad brakes on down grades.
No heating or air condition.

I have one of the last Coachmen "C" made with out a slide, no regrets would have been nice to have the extra space, specially since we have actually lived in it for 12 years, yes we are still married 24 feet bumper to bumper we now have a 6 bedroom house, we get lots in it.

Purchase the one that best suits your need and live the adventure.

navegator
LOL! Did ya get a good deal when you traded for the Class C?
Life_In_Serenit
Explorer
Jan 09, 2016
We have a Greyhawk with a the stove and oven in our slide. No issues coming up to 6 yrs. Anything that is mechanical will eventually have an issue. Just a fact of life. Our suggestion is find the floor plan that you like. That is the most important thing. Doesn't matter if you have slides or no slides if you aren't happy with the floor plan you will not enjoy being in the motorhome.
Rob and Lisa
navegator
Explorer
Jan 09, 2016
The Conestoga wagons had problems.

Worn axles for lack of grease.
Broken spokes when hit rock.
Ripped canvas when driven into low tree branches.
Run away ox team.
Pissed off Native Americans.
Bad brakes on down grades.
No heating or air condition.

I have one of the last Coachmen "C" made with out a slide, no regrets would have been nice to have the extra space, specially since we have actually lived in it for 12 years, yes we are still married 24 feet bumper to bumper we now have a 6 bedroom house, we get lots in it.

Purchase the one that best suits your need and live the adventure.

navegator
bsinmich
Explorer
Jan 08, 2016
When I had my '03 Newmar I had 2 slides for 11 years and never had a single problem. Newmar makes Class As and 5th. wheels and they were the first to build a slide in their RVs in 1990. I figures with their experience they knew what they were doing and I was right. If you look at not getting anything that could possibly break down you would not have Water, electric, toilet or motorized RVs. I would bet the Conestoga wagons going across the plains also had problems.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Dec 30, 2015
We've traveled full-time, traveling constantly and never had a problem with slides. However, we didn't have kitchen appliances in the slide. We also did not have Schwinteck slide mechanisms.

I think you'll see that most reviews or comments are from folks that have problems. There are thousands of others that don't have problems. Bottom line - most folks are happy with their RVs. Don't be afraid of them. Get one...go out and have fun!
ksg5000
Explorer
Dec 29, 2015
I don't have slide with kitchen .. but tend to agree with his concerns. Stuff breaks and moving stuff breaks more often than stationary stuff - kitchen and bathroom stuff break often enough without adding risk.
fitznj
Explorer
Dec 29, 2015
We bought our first Slide TT - 10 years ago - never had a problem.

Any future TT's will have a slide (except maybe a tow-hauler) - I would
not live without one now. You will love the extra floor-space - especially in winter.