Slide usage while making pit stops..

[Txsurfer]

We are looking at toy hauler 5r's and one thing that bothers me are the floor plans that require you to open a slide or two to access the bathroom. It seems that there are very few floor plans that meet all our criteria so something is going to have to give - momma wants a wardrobe slide and I suspect she will get it.

We generally like to use "own" bathroom while on the road.
Having never had a rig with slides - is it a PIA to open and close the slides just to take a leak? does the rig need to level to run the slides in/out?

[Trackrig]

2oldman wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:
If a slide blocks anything I don't buy it.

And you didn't. I doubt there's a coach on the market that would not block something with a slide in.

Can't speak for new units, but on our 2005 Fleetwood Excursion 39S, the only thing we can't operate with the slides closed is that we can't fully open the oven door. Other than that, everything is fully usable. That was one of the reasons we bought our particular MH. Great MH.

Bill

[2oldman]

rockhillmanor wrote:
If a slide blocks anything I don't buy it.

And you didn't. I doubt there's a coach on the market that would not block something with a slide in.

[DiskDoctr]

Keep in mind, slides are only SEALED when fully open or closed. Anything in between can allow water, weather, critters inside 😮

[tinner12002]

I thought about the same as most but ended up getting one that has to have the slides out some to get to the main bath and bedroom and even the frig. Fortunately I have the 1/2 bath in the garage that's easily accessed through the garage so the bath isn't an issue. Bedroom and frig is a different matter. You about have to get an rv with the bath on the street side in order to get access to bed and bath without slides out. We mainly wanted to be able to load the frig at home so the frig had to be on the curbside of the rv.

[2112]

We do not have access to our fridge/pantry with the LR slide in. I need to bump it out about a foot to get to it. I find it no issue at all. Heck, DW has done it at a stop light to get some snacks.

We fully deploy it for lunch wherever we are, close it when we turn in while Wally or truck stop camping. Even at a truck stop I can still bump it out enough if a truck pulls in next to us.

But if we didn't have access to the head or the bed I probably wouldn't have bought it.

[rockhillmanor]

downtheroad wrote:
Learned our lesson with a previous trailer...

Deal breaker: a slide that blocks access to bedroom, bathroom, refrigerator, pantry.

X10
Why buy an rv that restricts you from using items inside which is the whole reason you buy an rv to travel in?
If a slide blocks anything I don't buy it.

[Y-Guy]

We've WallyDocked a few times, and had to pull in the slides during high wins or extreme cold/heat, so for me not having access to the bathroom or panty/fridge or bedroom is a deal breaker. There are almost always other floorplans out there that can work, but ultimately its 100% up to you.

[Lantley]

DutchmenSport wrote:
I would not have a camper that did not have everything accessible with the slides in. We use our camper a lot ... especially in winter ... with slides "in," in order to help on heating propane usage. It makes a world of difference with slides in or out when heating the camper when it's below freezing temperatures.

When traveling, we have access to everything without deploying the slides. No matter where we stop, there's never a problem. And many, many times we've simply pulled over on the shoulder, run back in the camper, and used the bathroom. Deploying slides on the shoulder of an highway or an interstate, well .... that's just never going to happen! So, accessibility is an absolute must for us.

Ours is a TT, not a 5er. For lots of reasons we opted for a TT instead of a 5er, and still happy with our decision. I think TT's are more forgiving on accessibility with slides in than 5er's. Maybe you could rethink your RV of choice if accessibility is critical in your world? (It's just a thought there).

I do know, the wrong camper will be no fun. You need to make sure it's functional under any condition. You never know when you'll need to use it under less than pristine conditions.

Dutchmen I hear ya but being able To fully use your RV with all slides in is the exception not the rule. Having access to bathroom at all times is a must. Having access to your bed is also a nice feature.
But having full access to the entire rig is really not necessary.
You may find the need to over night or use the bathroom while traveling. Having access to the fridge is also a big plus. But I don't need to watch TV, do laundry or sit at the table with slides in.
Slides in scenario's are usually just for a couple of hours or possibly overnight.
But I have yet to need to be turtled (slides in). for a full 24 hour period. If I am going to be in the same place for an extended period
I open the slides and use my rig the way it was intended.
Slides provide a bonus/extra space.
Expecting the RV to be fully accessible with slides in or out amounts to overkill and is not a reasonable requirement or for most

[Lexx]

A toy hauler like the Grand Design 328m has no central island that could get in the way with the slide in.

[ScottG]

We use ours at rest stops all the time. My only suggestion would be to not deploy it if the RV is leaning heavily. I've found slides don't seem to have much power to overcome gravity.

[DiskDoctr]

If you like, post up the make/model you are looking at and maybe someone can suggest a very similar model that doesn't have those limitations 😉

Either way, it must suit YOU and YOUR family, not us. But it is helpful to know why others prefer or don't...

I will confess that a blocked non-access to bathroom and walking through living area and fridge with slides in made us consider a different camper- ultimately the next one was the one we wanted.

Good luck!

[Trackrig]

Yes, as Dutchmen mentioned above you can have a lot warmer rig with the slides in and therefore save propane also. And the reverse is true of being easier to stay cool when it's over 100F. To do this you need to be able to access everything with the slides in.

Bill

[DutchmenSport]

I would not have a camper that did not have everything accessible with the slides in. We use our camper a lot ... especially in winter ... with slides "in," in order to help on heating propane usage. It makes a world of difference with slides in or out when heating the camper when it's below freezing temperatures.

When traveling, we have access to everything without deploying the slides. No matter where we stop, there's never a problem. And many, many times we've simply pulled over on the shoulder, run back in the camper, and used the bathroom. Deploying slides on the shoulder of an highway or an interstate, well .... that's just never going to happen! So, accessibility is an absolute must for us.

Ours is a TT, not a 5er. For lots of reasons we opted for a TT instead of a 5er, and still happy with our decision. I think TT's are more forgiving on accessibility with slides in than 5er's. Maybe you could rethink your RV of choice if accessibility is critical in your world? (It's just a thought there).

I do know, the wrong camper will be no fun. You need to make sure it's functional under any condition. You never know when you'll need to use it under less than pristine conditions.

[fj12ryder]

Lantley wrote:

downtheroad wrote:
Learned our lesson with a previous trailer...

Deal breaker: a slide that blocks access to bedroom, bathroom, refrigerator, pantry.

For me only the bathroom is a true deal breaker.
Access to the other areas is negotiable

Yep, me too. Our fridge is only accessible with the kitchen slide out, but it's the small one so it's not a biggie. But I really wouldn't want to have to open a slide every time to use the bathroom. We sometimes stop for a bathroom break on the side of the road or Exit/Entry ramps, usually not very level at all.

[Mortimer_Brewst]

I’m looking for a fiver with the refrigerator accessible, though it’s not a complete deal breaker. I don’t think it’s a big deal if you run out the slide to have lunch. It is a big deal if you forget to bring it back in before leaving.