Slide-in access vs preferred floorplan

[jacqui583]

Hi folks. I have a question for those who travel and have units with slide-outs. I am currently comparing two floor plans; the first is my preferred floorplan but it has limited access to the living section while the slides are in. There are just the two of us travelling. I can access half the fridge and one kitchen chair and have room to set up a folding chair for seating for two (so enough to put together a quick sandwich or snack), and of course the bathroom and bedroom. Another floorplan that I don't like as much does offer access to everything with the slides in.

I'm thinking that the vast majority of time spent inside the unit it will be set up with the slides out, so I think this will only be an issue when taking a roadside break.

So my question is how much weight do you give to this issue? Do you find it necessary to be able to access the whole trailer? And if so, is it a problem to bump out the slides a little when at a rest stop or is that considered a big no-no?

[jacqui583]

It seems the concensus is access to the bathroom is a must (which all of the ones I've looked at did have) and anything else is a bonus. As I would also have access to at least one door of the fridge and the bedroom, I think I would be good to go with the plan I prefer. That is a huge relief because I know I would feel resentful using the trailer that I didn't like as much just because of this issue.

I am pleased to see that some do bump out a slide if needed. I didn't know what the "etiquette" on that would be.

Thanks everyone - this was really helpful!

[JAC1982]

We can't access a whole lot of anything with our slides in... one of my main negatives of our trailer. I can get to the fridge by climbing over the sofa which slides in right next to the kitchen peninsula. No bathroom access.

That being said, the positives of our trailer far outweigh that negative. For the type of traveling we do, we rarely get into the trailer while we're on the road. We keep a small cooler (YETI Hopper Flip) in the truck so we can get snacks/drinks while traveling. So I'd go for the floor plan you want to live in, since that's what you'll be doing for the majority of the time... not accessing it while you're between spots. Especially since said floor plan still offers bathroom/bedroom access.

[Lantley]

Bathroom access is a must. Access to other places is negotiable.
Although having the ability to sleep in the RV with slides closed is nice but again not a deal breaker. Bathroom access is the only deal breaker.

[FLY_4_FUN]

Our rig also restricts access to half fridge and dinette area when closed up. So long as we can still load some food into fridge and use washroom then were happy. Ultimately its fully functional when parked. The opposing slides on ours are huge, and it outweighs the issues when closed. BTW our fridge is 12cu/ft 4 door model.

Daryll

[Sandia_Man]

Bathroom access for a quick roadside stop (which we can count on one hand in 2 decades of RVing) is all that my DW would require, we certainly would not give up a perfect for us floorplan just to access fridge or any other part of our rig while underway. Simple enough to engage or retract slide for quick access pretty much anywhere except for side of busy roadway. We always stop every 2-3 hours anyway to stretch our legs and get some circulation going, bathroom breaks and obtaining food and beverages coincide with these stops. Have many wonderful times in your new RV!!!

[ford_truck_guy]

When looking for our fifth wheel our #1 requirement was the ability to get to-
#1 - bathroom
#2 - some portion of fridge for drinks...

anything else didn't matter to us... ALMOST ALL our time INSIDE the coach will be with the slides OUT...

[goducks10]

I can access everything with my slide in. Personally I wouldn't own one that I couldn't at least access the bathroom and fridge with slides in. Not that big of a deal to need to sit else where for a quick bit while traveling. Also it's not that big of a deal to have to open a slide, but with so many different floor plans and options out there I just do see the need to settle for it.

[IdaD]

You've got to be able to get to the bathroom without popping a slide, imo. That's non-negotiable. From there you just need to weigh pros and cons. Being able to get into the fridge and kitchen cabinets is nice but you can work around it by planning ahead and utilizing a cooler if the prospect of popping a slide at meal stops is too daunting.

[DavinD]

We only have access to half the fridge (all of freezer) and the bathroom with the slides in. At rest stops we'll put one slide out for better access to the fridge and pantry.

For us, as long as the bathroom was accessible, we were good.

[cmsm]

Our requirement when choosing a floor plan was one we liked with all slides out and it had access to the fridge & bathroom with the slides in. You spend very little time in your rv with the slides in, so pick the floor plan that you like the best.
We have often seen RVers stopped for lunch, with one slide out for access to the fridge.