What we have learned

CA Traveler wrote:

jbrad13 wrote:
Also, if you have slides, try to not have any appliances on them; i.e. refrigerator, sink, stove, etc

Why?

I'll chime in here.

My Outback does not have any appliances on the slides. the only thing in my slides are 120 volt electric plugs and 12 volt lights. I can see some issues with appliances on slides, and some of these have been addressed on these forums too.

1. Weight. The added weight of the appliances, entertainment centers, and cabinets make the slide mechanisms work harder than if they are empty, or have just furniture on them. You would think the manufacturers would produce adequate systems to handle the weight. But if you examine close, the same mechanism are used on the same style of campers with the different floor plans. The extra weight simply causes extra exertion on the moving parts. There's an added risk there.

2. Weight. When slides are out, the extra weight on the protruding slide could cause the slide tracks to weaken or bend. If you have the choice between a slide with appliances on it, or a slide that does not ... why take chances.

3. Moving parts. No, not the slide mechanism. I'm referring to electric wires bending and bending and bending every time the slide is extracted or retracted. The plumbing (if the slide has the kitchen built in), will bend every extract or retract. The constant bending and flexing of the plumbing, drains, water, wiring could cause problems after a while. Joints weaken, water lines and drains get pinched, and wires that bend back and forth enough break. Anything that moves is subject to failure.

These are my assumptions why some folks would be concerned about appliances on the slides. Some of these issues have been discussed on these forums too.

For what it's worth, my Outback has no appliances on the slides only a couch, 2 chairs, and a table. But I've crawled under the trailer and examined how all this works and is tied in together. The wires are held in place with a plastic support that bends. The wires all bend with it. I can see over time, where I will eventually have wire failure.

Just my suggestions why anyone would suggest do not get appliances on slides.

jbrad13 wrote:
Also, if you have slides, try to not have any appliances on them; i.e. refrigerator, sink, stove, etc

Why?

For residential parking make sure that with just the PS slides out you have adequate access in the rig. You may not be allowed to park with the DS on the curb.

Our rig has acceptable access to the refer, kitchen and head with the slides in. That would involve one person climbing over the bed which is solved with either BR slide out.

Go to every RV show that you can and look at as many campers as possible before buying. We did this and made our list of what we had to have, what would be nice and what we absolutely did not want.

1)If shopping for an RV on a budget, then really look at the features. Think if you really need the feature or if it's just something nice to have. Then figure out how often you would ACTUALLY use that feature. Not that you think you would use it, but that you would actually use it. For example: our first travel trailer was a 31' model. 35' total in length. Had to get an F250 to tow it. Nearly 8k lbs dry. 11k lbs max. Had 4 bunk beds. We have one kid at home. We just knew that our daughter would be bringing friends, thus justifying us having to have a bunkhouse. in 3 years of having the TT, 2 of my nieces ended up staying with us one night. Many other nights, my daughter slept of the sofa. Was a big waste of space.

2)Buy the smallest unit you can stand. The fact: if you can stand to be in small quarters for periods of time (sleeping, inclimate weather), then the better you will be. Generally speaking, it will probably cost you less (but not always). It will be easier to tow and to park. You will also have many, many more campsites to choose from. Especially if you like to camp in Federal or State Campgrounds.

3)Spend money on your ability to be self sufficient. More batteries, inverters, solar, larger holding tanks, etc. Why you may enjoy the resort with it's full hook ups and amenities, you may end up wanting to enjoy some places with better views and no hook ups. My wife is finally leaning that way now.

Never understood why some place so much importance on the unit being 100% usable with the slides in. While in transit there is no need for the living area. No need to sit & watch TV. If at Walmart put the slides out. You are taking up the parking spaces anyway.

Being able to use the toilet with slides in is important along with being able to access the fridge is very nice.

As far as making the model selection goes, doing the research is very important. Buying mistakes & flipping from one unit to the next gets extremely expensive. If buying for yourselves as a longtime traveler, don't buy a family unit. Those kids/grandkids are adaptable & can sleep most anywhere. Don't be impressed with the superficial bling. Stuff like self leveling...Whoopie!!!! It is something else to break down.

Buy your last unit first. Buy a slightly used top quality at the price of a new mid market unit.

Find a rig, get in, close it up and just sit there for a hour or so. Check the furniture, shower, toilet for useability. See if you can get past each other in the walkway and see how long it takes to go stir crazy. After that hour remember that there will be days that the weather keeps you cooped up.

Look past the shiny things that will keep you from looking at the things that really matter. A granite counter top doesn't make up for a weak frame or foam core floors.

Think about how you intend to use the camper. when dry camping a larger set of tanks or more room for batteries will mean more than all the shiny do dads combined.

Haven't been camping or not sure of how you want to do it? RENT! The majority of rigs in the storage lot we use never move. I've talked to a few of the owners and well it sounded fun and they did it in the beginning.....It's a lot of money to spend and a big box to store and maintain if you are not sure.

Buy a bigger truck first !!!!

I totally agree with the idea of buying more truck than you think you will need. With my first fiver I was fine, even though I was shocked after weighing it to figure out we had added over 2,000 extra pounds to our total combination weight. The new fiver was slightly heavier and now we are right at our limits so I have to constantly monitor my weights and keep things adjusted.

As far as having slides and having problems with slides, I wouldn't have a fiver without opposite facing slides in the living room and at least one slide in the bedroom. We can get to pantry, fridge, bathroom/shower, and bedroom without putting slides out.

The thing about problems with slides is you have to take care of them. Most manufacturers will tell you they should be adjusted once and awhile, plus gears should be properly lubricated and inspected on a regular basis. We take it a step further and keep our seals coated with 303 plus we never run the slides in and out without being level. Our brand claims you can walk on top of your slides but I personally would never do that.

Lastly, you have to pay attention to your tires. Many, if not most fivers and TT's come with tires that are rated generally for the delivered weight of the unit. By the time you load all the "stuff" in them and hit the road you could very well end up with underrated tires which will fail. You almost have to go over the scales and know your exact weight (loaded and ready for travel) before you can be confident you have the correct tires mounted. Just because that new shinny rig came with those new shinny tires doesn't mean they won't blow in the first 1,000 miles.

With the TT & Class "C"s we owned, our list:
Ability to get around slides in for those "quick" stops
Bed access - Corner beds suck! Someone has to crawl over the other!
Dinettes are the most uncomfortable thing out there!
No Kitchen slides. Why flex all those water, gas and power wires? So you can fix them later?
No or Minimal carpeting. Carpet and camping, think about it!