To leak or not to leak (Slide Out Stories)

Got a say I am pleased at how many slides don't leak. The problem is less common than I thought.

1999 KIT Espre' 294F bought brand new.
No slideout leaks or problems whatsoever in the 14 years we owned this unit.

Previous:

2004
Cherokee (Forest River) w/ 1 slide = no leaks

Current:

2008 Jayco Eagle w/ 2 slides = no leaks

northmeck0255 wrote:
Forget slide leaks. They are pretty rare and it would only be a little bit of water anyway. The big flood hazard is the on board plumbing, in particular leaving campground water hooked up and turned on. Many a sad guy has returned from dinner to see water coming out the front door because someone left a faucet open or a pipe burst.

We use campground water ONLY for filling the on board tank. If we leave, we shut off the pump and bleed off the pressure. If in a FHU site, always leave the gray valve open unless saving up gray water to flush hose after dumping the black.

Wow that would just kill me to see water coming out the door. Every time we hook the water up to our pop-up I get a flashlight and check every hose that I can see and run water in the sink and check the drain every trip. But we are upgrading to a TT and I promise you I will know the plumbing inside and out. I appreciate your post so much this exactly the type of thing I would want to know. And I will do it like you.
Thanks TecheMan

Forget slide leaks. They are pretty rare and it would only be a little bit of water anyway. The big flood hazard is the on board plumbing, in particular leaving campground water hooked up and turned on. Many a sad guy has returned from dinner to see water coming out the front door because someone left a faucet open or a pipe burst.

We use campground water ONLY for filling the on board tank. If we leave, we shut off the pump and bleed off the pressure. If in a FHU site, always leave the gray valve open unless saving up gray water to flush hose after dumping the black.

2gypsies wrote:
I think it's the luck of the draw if one leaks. No one's experiences with leaks for a certain brand won't be accurate. We've had a 5th wheel and a motorhome and in 16+ years - no leaks.

You did mention having a skylight in the slide so you'll have to definitely keep the skylight caulked well as it probably will be on a flat surface ceiling where water may pool - but not necessarily. Just take good care of it.

Thank you so much for the great advice if I end up with that model I will definitely take your advice.
TecheMan

over 6 years and never a leak on our superslide.
i agree that you're getting a twisted perspective about leaky slideouts.
people will not start a thread called:"My Slideout Does Not Leak".

I think it's the luck of the draw if one leaks. No one's experiences with leaks for a certain brand won't be accurate. We've had a 5th wheel and a motorhome and in 16+ years - no leaks.

You did mention having a skylight in the slide so you'll have to definitely keep the skylight caulked well as it probably will be on a flat surface ceiling where water may pool - but not necessarily. Just take good care of it.

ScottG wrote:
Ours has never leaked. Sorry, not the doom and gloom story your looking for but probably more common.

L.O.L. I'm glad for all the people saying they don't leak. I have a phobia of water damage can't sleep until a leaky faucet or pipe is fixed around the house are pipes busting in the winter. And now I feel a lot better about buying a TT with a slide. You did make me chuckle out load I really wasn't' going for gloom and doom. But if I found out a certain brand was known for leaks I would certainly avoid it. I really appreciate your post.
Thanks TecheMan

I realize this is a small sampling, but we bought our 2006 unit the week before this past Christmas and have gone on four trips for a total of 21 nights. We have experienced snow, ice and up to three inches rain in a 36 hour period and none of our 4 slides have leaked.