Slide in = no heat...
Still puttering with our new-to-us Laredo 29RE. I was already bummed that we can't access the pantry with the slide in (the one thing you ALWAYS need to stock before a trip) - but this morning I ran ...
Forum Discussion
Deb,
You're now getting the idea why most more experienced (owned several) RV'ers with RV slideouts buy what they do and why they do. Floorplans can and usually look great until you get them home and use them for actual RV travel, needed quick bathroom break when traveling, eating a quick lunch, or loading and un-loading etc. That's when the "bad" rears it's ugly head and you get an education! The floorplan is only one part of many in selecting an RV purchase. Now you have to make due with what you have and it's not impossible, just a PIA.
Of course, There are mavericks in RV'ing that only care about when it's parked in a location for months on end but those are NOT RV'ers. They really want a second home they can maybe move seasonally or are likely full timers who stay long periods in one place. That is something you are not and probably won't be doing for maybe at least 10 years yet if at all. Then you will be able to look at the RV's usage and usability differently because your needs will be different. For now, you don't have a week to mosey and lollygag on down to Florida or to come back as like most RV'ers, you only have limited time to be away. Therefore, the true usability of the RV is a 24/7/365 factor. Your's is compounded by narrow inside storage also. You'll likely have to pack items needed for eating etc when traveling in whatever area you can get to and relocate them when you get to a location/destination.
True RV'ers actually use their RV as Recreational Vehicles, not movable apartment type dwellings that sit in one place for months. RV pull behinds and MH's are made for travel and that's why they have wheels.
Access to eveything needed inside the RV with the slide in is very important to most learned true RV'ers and we've heard it said hundreds of times over and over in our 50 years of RV'ing and we learned it well also. Been 35 years since 1988 of having a slideout on an RV, beginning with our first 1988 Carriage 35' 5th wheel with one slideout taught us so well that we made a lucky guess the first time. Way back then we constantly heard comments in CG's from campers complaining that their unit was not friendly for traveling because the slide even blocked off the bathroom and that's not cool when you gotta go or have kids along that give you about a 2 minute notice of an impending cleanup about to happen. Adults aren't immune to these sudden issues either!
Usability whether slide/slides are in or out is one of the first things we look at when we see a floorplan. For us, an RV cannot have a fixed island kitchen with a sink and water with slides that make ate RV basically unusable unless the slide or slides are out. DUMB! A movable dry island solves the issue and still give the added counterspace. Also "L" shaped countertop sinks that the opposing slide blocks off use. Even worse is not have acess to the bathroom or bedroom with the slides closed. Many times we've found that we needed to stop driving for a few hours and rest/sleep rather than get in an accident or very bad weather/roads conditions forced it. No time to call ahead or try to find a CG so a rest area, a FJ, or similar had to do. Most of thoes places do NOT allow the slideouts to be out as we know. Personally have seen several told by security guards etc to close their slides now or leave! The spaces most places are not wide enough for any slides to be out!
You're now getting the idea why most more experienced (owned several) RV'ers with RV slideouts buy what they do and why they do. Floorplans can and usually look great until you get them home and use them for actual RV travel, needed quick bathroom break when traveling, eating a quick lunch, or loading and un-loading etc. That's when the "bad" rears it's ugly head and you get an education! The floorplan is only one part of many in selecting an RV purchase. Now you have to make due with what you have and it's not impossible, just a PIA.
Of course, There are mavericks in RV'ing that only care about when it's parked in a location for months on end but those are NOT RV'ers. They really want a second home they can maybe move seasonally or are likely full timers who stay long periods in one place. That is something you are not and probably won't be doing for maybe at least 10 years yet if at all. Then you will be able to look at the RV's usage and usability differently because your needs will be different. For now, you don't have a week to mosey and lollygag on down to Florida or to come back as like most RV'ers, you only have limited time to be away. Therefore, the true usability of the RV is a 24/7/365 factor. Your's is compounded by narrow inside storage also. You'll likely have to pack items needed for eating etc when traveling in whatever area you can get to and relocate them when you get to a location/destination.
True RV'ers actually use their RV as Recreational Vehicles, not movable apartment type dwellings that sit in one place for months. RV pull behinds and MH's are made for travel and that's why they have wheels.
Access to eveything needed inside the RV with the slide in is very important to most learned true RV'ers and we've heard it said hundreds of times over and over in our 50 years of RV'ing and we learned it well also. Been 35 years since 1988 of having a slideout on an RV, beginning with our first 1988 Carriage 35' 5th wheel with one slideout taught us so well that we made a lucky guess the first time. Way back then we constantly heard comments in CG's from campers complaining that their unit was not friendly for traveling because the slide even blocked off the bathroom and that's not cool when you gotta go or have kids along that give you about a 2 minute notice of an impending cleanup about to happen. Adults aren't immune to these sudden issues either!
Usability whether slide/slides are in or out is one of the first things we look at when we see a floorplan. For us, an RV cannot have a fixed island kitchen with a sink and water with slides that make ate RV basically unusable unless the slide or slides are out. DUMB! A movable dry island solves the issue and still give the added counterspace. Also "L" shaped countertop sinks that the opposing slide blocks off use. Even worse is not have acess to the bathroom or bedroom with the slides closed. Many times we've found that we needed to stop driving for a few hours and rest/sleep rather than get in an accident or very bad weather/roads conditions forced it. No time to call ahead or try to find a CG so a rest area, a FJ, or similar had to do. Most of thoes places do NOT allow the slideouts to be out as we know. Personally have seen several told by security guards etc to close their slides now or leave! The spaces most places are not wide enough for any slides to be out!
