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...

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

But no matter how tacky I make it - I have sexy wheels 🙂

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

travelnutz wrote:
I can give you some additional hints on simple and cheap things to do to further enhance cold or hot weather comfort with your 5th wheel if you desire.

Like this????



ROFL!! Yes, Reflectix is tacky - but it sure makes a difference in keeping us warm! Or cool - we've used it in the desert sun, too. I also have the Camco vent pillows (and the Laredo has closeable AC vents - VERY nice! I have those closed for now) But any other suggestions for staying warm/cool? Pass 'em along!

[travelnutz]

DUH! No need to PM info that is or can be a or of help to many others on an open forum. You nor is anyone is required to read my posts ever and never has been. I only have to type the info once for the open forum but would have to send PM's etc to each individual as requested and you have no idea how many requests I get on PM's, emails, and the open forum for learned actual and factual info. If somebody or anybody doesn't want to read my info or posts, simply don't read it or if you just can't help yourself not to read my posts, simply block me and your problem is so easily solved!

[Dan50]

Lantley wrote:

travelnutz wrote:
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!

My fixed center island floorplan is fantastic and works well for me, I have no access issues that can't be overcome with the push of a button. I have yet to encounter or observe a place where I could not open my slides if necessary.

X2

[Sprink-Fitter]

Lantley wrote:

Sprink-Fitter wrote:

Lantley wrote:

2hams wrote:
Lantley -

Would you open all of your slides if you were parked on the street in front of your house? Assume you cannot put the camper in the driveway due to the slope, but you want to bring it from storage and park on the street to pack. This to me does seem like a situation where you DO need certain access, such as fridge, with the slides in.

I don't live on a tight street and have a long driveway to park my rig in.
I keep my rig plugged in at home 24/7/365. I can have full access to my rig when ever I need it. If I had to store my RV off site I imagine I would not own it.

For the record my rig is accessible with slides in except for the fridge and bunk room. When I need access to the fridge I open the slide as required. My fridge slide does not extend any further then the entry steps when both are extended.
I'm sure there are places where extending slides are not possible however I'm sure I could drive to a suitable a place where slide could be extended.

To the OP I understand/assume Travelnutz is just trying to be helpful.
Nevertheless his post was not beneficial to the topic. After reading other responses it seems others found the post to be somewhat condescending.
While Travelnutz may be more familiar with the OP's RV scenario there is no need to take the high road and refer to floorplans as dumb or to imply that those that are not as experienced or in agreement are not True RV'ers?!
If the designers of the floorplans in question are dumb those who buy them must not be too smart either!LOL
In short there is no need not to be civil in our discussions. We all are entitled to our opinions.
There will never be total agreement,but there should always be mutual respect.

Why have a RV if you are going to keep it at home plugged in 24/7/365?

I keep my rig plugged in as a matter of convenience
The batteries are always charged and the systems are always functional.
I can tinker with it and hang out in it anytime I like. During the camping season fridge is always cold. A/C can be run while loading or cleaning.
When the weather is cold space heaters can be used to avoid winterizing and extend the camping season. No need to remove batteries in the winter.
Keeping my RV plugged in just makes ownership easier.

So do you take it camping, your sentence makes it sound like you park it in your driveway 24/7/365.

[Lantley]

travelnutz wrote:


As to the others snide remarks about "dumb" floorplans etc, it appears they have trouble reading or comprehending what they must have read. My post began with the word "Deb" and none of them have claimed their names to be "Deb"! Also, I precluded my very valid "dumb" reference with the words at the beginning of the comment with "For us, an RV cannot have". Notice the, FOR US! Enough said!

Sorry I did not realize it was a private message.
I thought you posted it on the open forum where everyone could read it and respond vs. using the PM feature.
My mistake I thought that was how an open forum worked.
Maybe with a little more experience I will be wise enough to figure this stuff out. Thanks for enlightening us.
Deb may have been confused as well,since she responded to the group attempting to defend your post.
However I due agree enough said.

[Lantley]

Sprink-Fitter wrote:

Lantley wrote:

2hams wrote:
Lantley -

Would you open all of your slides if you were parked on the street in front of your house? Assume you cannot put the camper in the driveway due to the slope, but you want to bring it from storage and park on the street to pack. This to me does seem like a situation where you DO need certain access, such as fridge, with the slides in.

I don't live on a tight street and have a long driveway to park my rig in.
I keep my rig plugged in at home 24/7/365. I can have full access to my rig when ever I need it. If I had to store my RV off site I imagine I would not own it.

For the record my rig is accessible with slides in except for the fridge and bunk room. When I need access to the fridge I open the slide as required. My fridge slide does not extend any further then the entry steps when both are extended.
I'm sure there are places where extending slides are not possible however I'm sure I could drive to a suitable a place where slide could be extended.

To the OP I understand/assume Travelnutz is just trying to be helpful.
Nevertheless his post was not beneficial to the topic. After reading other responses it seems others found the post to be somewhat condescending.
While Travelnutz may be more familiar with the OP's RV scenario there is no need to take the high road and refer to floorplans as dumb or to imply that those that are not as experienced or in agreement are not True RV'ers?!
If the designers of the floorplans in question are dumb those who buy them must not be too smart either!LOL
In short there is no need not to be civil in our discussions. We all are entitled to our opinions.
There will never be total agreement,but there should always be mutual respect.

Why have a RV if you are going to keep it at home plugged in 24/7/365?

I keep my rig plugged in as a matter of convenience
The batteries are always charged and the systems are always functional.
I can tinker with it and hang out in it anytime I like. During the camping season fridge is always cold. A/C can be run while loading or cleaning.
When the weather is cold space heaters can be used to avoid winterizing and extend the camping season. No need to remove batteries in the winter.
Keeping my RV plugged in just makes ownership easier.

[travelnutz]

ependydad,

Lucky for you that it's a small side street and allthough you didn't mention it, probably a very low volume traffic street. Sounds like you do the best you can with your situation and take reasonable precautions.

Wrong way "parking" of any licensed vehicle or trailer is not allowed in most cities or states as the tail lights/reflectors of the parked item must face the on coming traffic in most states. It's a safety issue. Some states also require the valid license plate to be facing the oncoming traffic. I know it is the law here but it may be different where you live. My younger brother was a sheriff here for many years and tells me that's all that's needed to avoid a citation around here.

I don't know how long you have been "wrong way" parking of your trailer but you may want to find out the local laws or if you need to temporarily attach even clamped etc on basic legal sized red reflectors on the front of your 5th wheel when parking the wrong way in the locality you live in. Don't know if it's the same where you live but it's so cheap to add and worth checking out the regulations before an issue arises. Peace of mind might be worth it.

Next:

As to the others snide remarks about "dumb" floorplans etc, it appears they have trouble reading or comprehending what they must have read. My post began with the word "Deb" and none of them have claimed their names to be "Deb"! Also, I precluded my very valid "dumb" reference with the words at the beginning of the comment with "For us, an RV cannot have". Notice the, FOR US! Enough said!

President Ronald Reagan said it best and ohhh so true by: Not holding another's youth and inexperiencce against them!

Deb,

I'm glad you were able to open the slide enough when inside the building to help solve your issues. Any chance the 5th wheel can be skooched over a towards the RV's door side just enough to fully open the slide? Sounds like it would take maybe about 8". Very smart thinking and actions with the caulk gun and it's so cheap and easy to do. It will repay you and your's with more comfort for years on end. I can give you some additional hints on simple and cheap things to do to further enhance cold or hot weather comfort with your 5th wheel if you desire.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

The one good thing about the street-side slide (besides the fact that it gives amazing roominess) - it keeps us from having to "camp" in the street at my BIL's house - ala "Cousin Eddie"...which we have done for many years in the Class C. (rolling my eyes) NOW we'll be parked at a nice RV park with lots of activities 🙂

[Sprink-Fitter]

Lantley wrote:

2hams wrote:
Lantley -

Would you open all of your slides if you were parked on the street in front of your house? Assume you cannot put the camper in the driveway due to the slope, but you want to bring it from storage and park on the street to pack. This to me does seem like a situation where you DO need certain access, such as fridge, with the slides in.

I don't live on a tight street and have a long driveway to park my rig in.
I keep my rig plugged in at home 24/7/365. I can have full access to my rig when ever I need it. If I had to store my RV off site I imagine I would not own it.

For the record my rig is accessible with slides in except for the fridge and bunk room. When I need access to the fridge I open the slide as required. My fridge slide does not extend any further then the entry steps when both are extended.
I'm sure there are places where extending slides are not possible however I'm sure I could drive to a suitable a place where slide could be extended.

To the OP I understand/assume Travelnutz is just trying to be helpful.
Nevertheless his post was not beneficial to the topic. After reading other responses it seems others found the post to be somewhat condescending.
While Travelnutz may be more familiar with the OP's RV scenario there is no need to take the high road and refer to floorplans as dumb or to imply that those that are not as experienced or in agreement are not True RV'ers?!
If the designers of the floorplans in question are dumb those who buy them must not be too smart either!LOL
In short there is no need not to be civil in our discussions. We all are entitled to our opinions.
There will never be total agreement,but there should always be mutual respect.

Why have a RV if you are going to keep it at home plugged in 24/7/365?

[ependydad]

2hams wrote:
Lantley -

Would you open all of your slides if you were parked on the street in front of your house? Assume you cannot put the camper in the driveway due to the slope, but you want to bring it from storage and park on the street to pack. This to me does seem like a situation where you DO need certain access, such as fridge, with the slides in.

This is how it is for me and honestly- I just manage which way I'm parked on the street (with or against traffic since it's a small side street) when I need access to slides on either side. 3 of my 4 slides are on the driver's side and that gives me access to 90+% of my camper. I just pull in front of the house facing the wrong way so that they're over the grass before the sidewalk.

The few times that I needed access to the passenger-side slide in the bunkhouse, I pulled in going with the street but still had to have orange cones and someone outside because I can't get to my slide switches without opening our main living room slide somewhat (on the driver's side). That's only temporary for loading purposes. On the road, we've been easily able to make do without opening that slide.

That said, with my kitchen layout and unsupported slides - my main slide has to be out somewhat to get around the peninsula where the sink is to get to the fridge. And, unless the slide is out fully, we don't step on that floor meaning that the majority of my living space is unavailable. We CAN get to both bathrooms and the master bedroom without putting slides out.

[stetwood]

It is very nice to have access to the loo, refrigerator, dining table, cook stove without sending out the side when stopping for lunch. We have spent the night with the slide in during some heavy rainstorms or cold well below freezing and having the heat vents open was nice.

[Us_out_West]

Well said.

[Lantley]

2hams wrote:
Lantley -

Would you open all of your slides if you were parked on the street in front of your house? Assume you cannot put the camper in the driveway due to the slope, but you want to bring it from storage and park on the street to pack. This to me does seem like a situation where you DO need certain access, such as fridge, with the slides in.

I don't live on a tight street and have a long driveway to park my rig in.
I keep my rig plugged in at home 24/7/365. I can have full access to my rig when ever I need it. If I had to store my RV off site I imagine I would not own it.

For the record my rig is accessible with slides in except for the fridge and bunk room. When I need access to the fridge I open the slide as required. My fridge slide does not extend any further then the entry steps when both are extended.
I'm sure there are places where extending slides are not possible however I'm sure I could drive to a suitable a place where slide could be extended.

To the OP I understand/assume Travelnutz is just trying to be helpful.
Nevertheless his post was not beneficial to the topic. After reading other responses it seems others found the post to be somewhat condescending.
While Travelnutz may be more familiar with the OP's RV scenario there is no need to take the high road and refer to floorplans as dumb or to imply that those that are not as experienced or in agreement are not True RV'ers?!
If the designers of the floorplans in question are dumb those who buy them must not be too smart either!LOL
In short there is no need not to be civil in our discussions. We all are entitled to our opinions.
There will never be total agreement,but there should always be mutual respect.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

C'mon guys - Travelnutz has been a wonderful help to us, since he DOES understand our situation; and even though we've been RVing for 10 years, when it comes to 5th wheels, we're "newbies". Thanks to all the things we've learned on this forum, our travels with the Class C have been delightful - and I pray that will hold true with the 5er, too. I'm a bit nervous that the maiden voyage will be all the way to Florida....

Re slides: the building bay where the 5er is currently parked is actually 25 wide by 50 long and 16' tall. But Ed has all his tools and cars in the way, darn it!! So I was able to open the super-slide about 75%, and that was *just* enough to open one pantry door (and see where the blasted heat registers were located). So far, I have scoured every square inch of the exterior, with caulk gun in hand...LOL!