Slide in = no heat...

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

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 the slide out, and noticed something that's also troubling: the living room heat registers are covered up when the slide is in. Somehow, in my mind, it would be warmer to use the 5er with the slide in if we were simply stopping for an overnight, on our trip to warmer temps.

We'll manage - we still like the floorplan; but I'm making mental notes of what to look for in future RVs...

[Allworth]

As long as I can get my 95 year old MIL into and out of the bathroom with the slides in, I don't worry about the rest while traveling.

The layout works for us with the slides (3) out and nobody is in the trailer while in motion.

[colliehauler]

I guess I don't understand buying a unit with a slide and not using it. Even at Wallyworld you can pull to the edge of the parking lot and put the slide out.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Sprink-Fitter wrote:
how do you keep the water from freezing camping in freezing weather?

We stay winterized until we hit warm temperatures. We flush using antifreeze; and any water that goes down the sink drain from brushing teeth, gets followed by a splash of AF. Reflectix over the windows and pillows in the vents keeps the inside warmer. This has served us well in our 10 years with our Class C with exposed tanks.

As we drive north again, we winterize when the temps drop below freezing. I know the first time winterizing the 5er will take a while, but we could winterize the Class C in about 15 minutes. It's what ALL of us northerners have to do to enjoy a midwinter break from the snow.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

2hams wrote:
In our Laredo 265RL (recently traded in) you could not access the pantry with the slide in. On the positive side, you can get to everything else. I had 2 or 3 (depending on length of trip) boxes - heavy ones from buying tomatoes for canning or a case of beer. It was really no big deal to pack food in the boxes, then set behind dining chairs and unpack at first stop. The only things I would leave in pantry were spices and tea, but not over the winter.

That's what I was thinking of doing - I have a couple of folding crates I can load up, then put away later. I DO love that massive pantry and nice big kitchen!!

Regarding another post about not buying a 4-season RV: for the price we paid, and now that I've cut Reflectix to fit all the windows..... we'll stay warm enough. Ive tent camped in low 40s temps. Ya gotta be tough here in Michigan. LOL!!!

[Sprink-Fitter]

how do you keep the water from freezing camping in freezing weather?

[Randu]

Deb and Ed M wrote:

Randu wrote:
Just because the slide is over the register doesn't mean you don't have heat. Slide outs are usually a few inches above the floor when in. Heat is just forced/directed to ends of slides in place of just up into living room direct. I heat my rig with slides closed right now as not winterizing between Thanksgiving and Christmas trips. Registers are covered with slides but still enough air flow to have nice even heat. Randu

Wow! That's good to know - although we're losing 1/2 our registers (4 total: 2 are covered by the slideout) - is yours the same ratio?

Have 3 in living area and all 3 are covered but 2 are within a few inches of the end of the slide. Have 3 additional registers that are not covered. 1 in bath, 1 in area of shower, and 1 near closet in the nose. I also have additional openings in basement and water manifold utility area. Best thing is turn on and find out as each mfg is different so what works for me may or may not actually work on your rig. Randu

[2hams]

In our Laredo 265RL (recently traded in) you could not access the pantry with the slide in. On the positive side, you can get to everything else. I had 2 or 3 (depending on length of trip) boxes - heavy ones from buying tomatoes for canning or a case of beer. It was really no big deal to pack food in the boxes, then set behind dining chairs and unpack at first stop. The only things I would leave in pantry were spices and tea, but not over the winter.

[B_O__Plenty]

Too late now. If you are planning on using it during cold weather a better choice would have been one with much higher R-Values.

B.O.

[downtheroad]

Just thinking...Might as well leave the slide out. If you cover some of the registers and thus block the heat, you will gain nothing by putting the slides in....in an attempt to heat your rig better.

(does that make sense? I'm having trouble with words today)

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Randu wrote:
Just because the slide is over the register doesn't mean you don't have heat. Slide outs are usually a few inches above the floor when in. Heat is just forced/directed to ends of slides in place of just up into living room direct. I heat my rig with slides closed right now as not winterizing between Thanksgiving and Christmas trips. Registers are covered with slides but still enough air flow to have nice even heat. Randu

Wow! That's good to know - although we're losing 1/2 our registers (4 total: 2 are covered by the slideout) - is yours the same ratio?

[powderman426]

It could be worse. I have seen units where you can't get to the refrigerator, the bedroom, or OMG the bathroom when the slides are closed.

[Randu]

Just because the slide is over the register doesn't mean you don't have heat. Slide outs are usually a few inches above the floor when in. Heat is just forced/directed to ends of slides in place of just up into living room direct. I heat my rig with slides closed right now as not winterizing between Thanksgiving and Christmas trips. Registers are covered with slides but still enough air flow to have nice even heat. Randu

[the_bear_II]

I would use the heat with the slide in, it wouldn't be any different than if you had closed the heat vent vanes. We often close off the one by our recliners because it gets too hot to sit there comfortably when the heat is blowing.

The heat will flow stronger to the other unblocked registers plus convection will keep the RV warm.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Us out West wrote:
Takes about how long to put the slides out??

Put them out and have heat.

Oh - you're right...LOL!! Just realizing that a 5er is NOT as uncomplicated as our no-slide Class C 🙂 And posted this as a reminder for others who are looking, to check this sort of thing... now I'm wondering how well the furnace will heat this beast when it's opened up? We camp in below-freezing temps a LOT....

[jjj]

Mine is the same, when the main slide is in the heat registers are covered up.