Adding a slider?

mudderbutter wrote:
Thanks for your responses! I, too, thought it odd until it was mentioned to me by my trailer repair person who was lifting the coach for us 4"- more clearance that was desperately needed. 1989 Prowler was in the age of low riders and we sometimes bottom out and have damaged the jacks underneath - so replaced those and lifted it to prevent this issue again. That was not expensive - only about $1000 for both. We are told all the time what a beauty she is - a real classic. I used to think the stares when we pulled into a campground was from being so old. I mean everyone else has these really great looking new fangled homes, and I admittedly was a little embarassed at my classic humble abode until someone walked up to us and said what a beauty she was...then I got proud and started thinking maybe people look because she is a good looking classic. :-) We paid $3000 for her and now appraised at $15k. Was a steal - bought it 4 yrs ago and had only been used 6 times, one owner, kept under cover since 1989 and still had the cabinet door plastic stickers & covering on them. Everything was in perfect condition including the tires of all things. I mean when Les Schwab says you don't need to replace them because they are in such good shape, that says a lot. :-) We did do some cosmetic upgrades to it (had to get rid of the mauve & some ugly wallpaper), but it is just in prime condition and we don't want to sell it (as much as I'd love a brand new fifth wheeler with all the perks of my home). I have looked into the porch addition (the attachable screen room), but when the RV guy told me that the business next to him does these slider additions, I started wondering. I read that folks are doing these on coaches, but was curious if anyone had done this on trailers. Thanks everyone!

Hate to burst your bubble.. BUT.. You have a 26 yr old trailer, it is no where near worth $15K nor even your $3K you paid for it if you were going to sell it.

Trailers do not appreciate in value over time and the value of a 26yr old trailer is only worth what someone is willng to pay for it even if it in spotless like new condition..

Face it, would YOU be willing to pay $15K to buy this trailer?

I doubt it.

Try asking a bank to see if you could get a loan for $15K for a 26 yr old trailer.. I doubt it.

As far as putting a slide in to an trailer that was never designed for it, sure, it can be done, IF you wish to lay out a lot of money..

Money can buy a lot of things, if you are willing to dump a bunch of money into a trailer worth less than $3K then go for it..

Just be aware, by doing so you will need to add a considerable amount of reinforcement to the frame, walls, roof which will add a lot of weight.

You will also need to construct a slide mech plus the slide out it's self, all which will add a lot of weight.

Then you will need to balance all that weight on the opposite side of the trailer to prevent on side from being too heavy..

Then you must be careful to take into account this added weight as to where it can be added so not to remove tongue weight or add excessive tongue weight..

Then you have to take into consideration of how much actual cargo weight you have available, all that weight from the slide and frame mods will reduce your cargo weight considerably.

Then there the constant irritations of slide mechs breaking and constantly chasing damaging water leaks..

Personally you should be happy with what you have and enjoy having a less complicated rig.

If you WANT a slide, then sell your trailer and buy one that is purposely built with a slide, after all if you feel you can get $15K for yours then you should have no problem buying a new trailer with slide for just a few thousand plus your trailer as a "trade" :R