Jayco vs Forest River Salem vs Open Range
Looking to finally make the plunge and get our 1st RV and are torn between a few units and curious if anyone can shed some light as to quality or anything else.... Looking at these guys: Whitehawk...
Forum Discussion
spadoctor wrote:
cable slides were the first design in the late 80's....they were nothing but trouble and disappeared for many years. They are used mainly because they are cheaper build wise. They do not allow a flush floor either. Ram slides either electric or hydraulic are far more reliable and issue free. Why else would they sell an emergency patch kit for the cables???? I have been around rv's for a long time and seen a lot...no cables for me.
Honestly they sell the cable kits to replace broken cables the same way they sell hydraulic hoses to replace broken hoses.
My 14' cable slide is flush floor.
I'm not claiming cable slides are the greatest things since sliced bread. However they are just as reliable and effective as shaft driven systems.
Neither system is foolproof and repair parts are available for both. You read of problems with both systems, however both work and are common in the market place.
Again I'm not claiming cable system are better but they due allow for significant weight reduction vs. shaft systems.
Now that I have actual experience with a cable system. I have no fear of the system and I am comfortable with how they operate. I have 5 cable slides on my unit that have not had any issues. If my unit had slide problems I would be weary of the cable system but my real life use has been positive. Cable vs.shaft slides would not be a critical factor for me. I have had both and they both work.
