For years we did not want a camper that had slides, and then this year we changed our minds when the dealer pointed us to the one we finally got. One thing I absolutely insisted on was the camper had to be 100% functional with the slides "in" as well as out. That means, all cabinets, doors, everything had to be 100% accessible when the slides are in. After the fact, we found out there was 1 cabinet door and 2 drawers not accessible under the sink, but too late now. But the rest is OK.Now, at the dealerships, they always have the slides "out" and of course, that's very deceiving. They all look fabulous with slides out. But how functional when they are all "in?" And, what do they look like when the slides are "in?" Below are photos I took of our Outback with all slides "in" and we are still fully functional, can move around the camper, sleep, cook, use the bathroom, heat and air-condition. I'd be curious if anyone else has photos with slides 'in'. But as I have asked over and over, "How functional are they with all the slides in?" Anyone want to share photos or add comments?First, the floor plan:Living Room .... Slides OUT:Living Room ... Slides IN:Kitchen Out:Kitchen In:Sorry folks, hit "post" too fast, let me get the other photos on here!Bedroom / bathrrom Out:Bedroom In:(I'll get this thing edited correct eventually)!

By your photos it looks like all of the slides are OUT ? Looking closer you show both, slide IN and slide OUT. Sorry, I should have looked closer.

Sorry about those images being sideways.... Photobucket is rotating them for some reason ... I tried to fix that, didn't work. ... sorry

Nice looking rig!!It's amazing how many ways a 'shoe box' can be turned.They aren't grandpa's RV----actually they are, 'slides' have been around since 1929When hunting for the 5vr......we did consider 'slides in' issue.We don't overnight anyplace where I can't extend all slides so not accessing living room area was not a deal breaker for us.Our living room is not accessible with slides in...........and I don't really care.The kitchen, bathroom and bed is...that I care about.If stopped at rest area I can fix lunch....go pottyIf broke down I can fix dinner, go potty and sleepDealers like presenting them 'open'. Fortunately the salesman we dealt with was very accommodating (hounded him every weekend for 6 mos. before we purchased).

I have just one large slide, dinette and couch. When we bought it I had them actually had them close the slide for us so we could see if it would still work for us. We have access to everything. I would not cook but we can sit and eat and use bathroom.Cacoon

Slides "In" | Good Sam Community

mdamerell
Explorer
Nov 24, 2013
Personally, I thing much of this depends upon how you use your camper. It's really not a concern for me other than a restroom. When on the road we only use the restroom if the parking place is too far from the rest area restrooms. Due to health issues we can't always make the "hike" to the restrooms. We still have access to both bathrooms in the camper (1.5 bath model)and that's all that I need. While I have access to the master bedroom (not the bunk house)due to my partner having asthma issues, I need to have heat or A/C as required by the season, so taking a nap at Walmart or the rest area is not a good option.
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Nov 24, 2013
We have a class A w/ 2 slides. The only thing blocked with slides in is the bedroom closet doors and dresser drawers. We have had times where the slides were not deployed except for a minute or two to get clean clothing and then right back in. Everything else is usable and there is actually still a good amount of room to navigate.
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Nov 24, 2013
We lose accessibility to the living room only. Kitchen, bath and bedrooms are available. No accessibility would be deal breaker for us as I am disabled and cannot walk the distance from the RV parking to the rest rooms in most rest stops. )My mobility cart is in the truck bed and not available when the trailer is attached. .

It may not be a deal breaker for you today, but something to consider for the future.
R12RTee
Explorer
Nov 24, 2013
Lantley wrote:
My last 2 slide TT was very functional with slides in I had access to everything.
My new 5 slide rig is not as accessible. Slide must be out to access fridge.
But honestly I find it is an issue that is over blown.
Being able to access bathroom maybe critical. But having access to fridge is not do or die. If we need to get to fridge while taking an on the road lunch break we simply open the slide as required.
I have never been in a spot so tight I could not open the fridge slide.
I've considered that maybe in a severe weather condition you may want to hunker down and bring in slides,however I don't plan to regular be in those conditions and If I were in extreme circumstances we could hunker down with slides in.
I consider the issue overblown because when do you camp with slides in? Why do you need full access with slides in? We can manage an overnight stop without having full access to rig.
The only time I ever plan to use camper with slides in is during an overnight sleep stop. Otherwise I plan to have all 5 slides wide open!
By the way Dutchman I agree with the others nice rig. Enjoy it.

x2 on this.
I have no problem pushing a switch to move the slides if I must get to the bathroom or kitchen. Access with slides in has never been a consideration for us. I've never been in a situation where I couldn't move the slides out a foot or so to gain access to the rest of the camper. I usually travel less than 300 miles/day so stopping for lunch is never needed.
Lantley
Nomad
Nov 24, 2013
I agree one should beware of functionality of RV with slides in at time of purchase. Nevertheless having to fully open your rig to get to the water pump switch could be a deal breaker. But having to open a single slide is not as big deal as many tend to make it.
If you are on the road and need access just open the slide as required. There is no rule /law/ reason you just can't open it up.
Prior to owning my current rig I placed more emphasis on full access as well however opening the fridge slide is no big deal.

As Nike put it Just do it
noplace2
Explorer
Nov 24, 2013
cacoon wrote:
I have just one large slide, dinette and couch. When we bought it I had had them close the slide so we could see if it would still work for us. We have access to everything.
Cacoon

13 years fulltime, on our second 5'er and we did the same thing. There is nothing that we can't access. We travel more than we sit. Accessibility on the road is nice.
Dixiecamper
Explorer
Nov 24, 2013
We can access the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen with the slides closed. That came in handy when we spent a week camping down the Natchez Trace Parkway. More than once, I was able to access picnic items and food from the kitchen to have a nice lunch at one of the many places they have to pull over along the Parkway. We camp in a 2013 Laredo fifth wheel.
ktmrfs
Explorer II
Nov 24, 2013
Lantley wrote:
My last 2 slide TT was very functional with slides in I had access to everything.
My new 5 slide rig is not as accessible. Slide must be out to access fridge.
But honestly I find it is an issue that is over blown.
Being able to access bathroom maybe critical. But having access to fridge is not do or die. If we need to get to fridge while taking an on the road lunch break we simply open the slide as required.
I have never been in a spot so tight I could not open the fridge slide.
I've considered that maybe in a severe weather condition you may want to hunker down and bring in slides,however I don't plan to regular be in those conditions and If I were in extreme circumstances we could hunker down with slides in.
I consider the issue overblown because when do you camp with slides in? Why do you need full access with slides in? We can manage an overnight stop without having full access to rig.
The only time I ever plan to use camper with slides in is during an overnight sleep stop. Otherwise I plan to have all 5 slides wide open!
By the way Dutchman I agree with the others nice rig. Enjoy it.

For us it wasn't much an issue when camped. Yes, slides are out then.

It is an issue for us when we stop for lunch, rest break etc. At least basic "necessities" for us need to be accessed. Able to make a lunch, take a quick nap, use the bathroom. For us that means accessing those items, along with sink, a pantry, cabinets with dinnerware, silverware, dinette, and fridge.

Everyones "needs" vary. As long as the accesibility fits your needs, it Great!! Enjoy.
mgirardo
Explorer
Nov 24, 2013
Very nice looking rig, congrats on your purchase. When we looked at our Motorhome with slides that was very important to us as well. For us, the only issue when closed is we can't access a couple drawers in the bedroom and our bedroom wardrobe doors don't open.

We figured it wouldn't be an issue since it was the bedroom. We can still sleep on the bed with the slide in. I've only slept on the bed once with the slide in, but it wasn't a problem. That was at a Flying J for a quick stop over. We've never camped with the slides in.

-Michael
ktmrfs
Explorer II
Nov 24, 2013
we found one trailer that was a real NO BUY. with the slides in the kitchen, sink, bath were easily useable. BUT the control panel for the water pump was completely inaccessible with the slides in. it was in the back and to get to it the slide had to be virtually all the way out!. Duh.... either travel with water on, or don't plan on using the sink or bathroom!!!! And heaven forbid if you turned the water off by accident before closing the slides! Hit the dump station, go to use the bathroom sink to wash up and.......oops!!!!