I was in your shoes in 2001. At that time I didn't trust slide-outs or fiberglass. I had a 4.6L F-150 so I had to think light. We bought a 2002 26' Sportsman stick and tin. After 8 years of trouble free camping, no leaks other than the AC seal at year 6, no rot, no soft floors or roof etc. it was time for an upgrade. We wanted more room.
Bought a more capable truck and a 35' Outback with two slides, Luan under fiberglass. Wished I bought slides, large corner shower and outside kitchen from day one. Downside was the 35' beast was a bear to tow. This unit had an over range vent that DID NOT vent outside. What a nightmare. The smoke detector went off every time we cooked anything inside. We could be boiling water and it would go off.
Now my list is floor plan first, construction second and it darn well have an outside vent or I'm not buying it. Outdoor kitchen and shower are handy to have.
While looking again we found an Open Range that had cable slides. I asked about that and the salesman said they do fray but are easy to replace. That was enough to get me to walk away. Are they a bad thing? I don't know, I used to think slides were as well.
