Slide outs

[mikemc53]

We are looking at used coaches and have decided that we want at least one slide out but more likely two or three. Our trips will entail long stays at destinations so we like the added space. We owned a three slide TT two years ago (bought new and owned one year) so we know a little about them but owning the TT brought up the two question areas that prompted this post.

First, how common (or uncommon) are issues with slide outs? Have many folks here encountered problems or known of folks who have had problems?

Secondly, and this will sound rather simple to most of you but, when the slides are in during transport, do most coaches still afford access to bathrooms, kitchen areas, bedrooms, etc.? I know that coaches can be different but when we had the TT it was pretty much useless until the slides were out - couldn't get to much of anything. Obviously one of the advantages we'd like to have with a coach, is the ability to access areas while on the road. We have started looking online and it's really hard to tell from pictures exactly what is accessible when the slides are in.

As I said a while ago, I will be bugging everyone for a while until we move on this later in the year.

Thanks gang.

[wallynm]

No we have a system that uses engine heat to heat water in the hot water heater. We have had these since we purchased a used 85 Cruise Air II in 1988. Have full tank of hot water when you arrive.

jplante4 wrote:

wallynm wrote:
Once the BRIDE took a shower at 60 mph.

OMG! You run the WATER HEATER when your rolling!!!

[wa8yxm]

My class A is a bath and a half model. THe reason for the half is you can not reach the main bath with the slides in less you climb over the bed. NOT a problem though as the half .. Has the needed half as they say. Another advantage of the half is "2 holes no waiting" and as you know the length of "a minute" depends on which side of the door you are standing on.

Major issues with slides can be dealth with easily

Accu Slide,m Inspect cables often and learn how to check the adjustment nuts

Power gear. I buy 1/4" grad 8 bolts washers and Nylock nuts by the dozen You need a bolt that is long enough the SMOOTH portion goes all the way through and you need to washer it up to make the nut tight.

That's about it .

[Bumpyroad]

Rick Jay wrote:
mikemc53,

Slides, like any other system on a motorhome, are subject to failure. Sooner or later, something likely will come up, minor or major, but most folks consider the added space they add to worth the price of admission. Some on here may even recommend to stay away from particular slide manufacturers. I won't comment on the slide in our manufacturer as Georgie Boy is no longer in business. Unless you're looking for 13+ year old units, Georgie Boy won't be on your list.

As to accessibility, that is DEFINITELY something you want to check out. At most shows, you'll notice they have all of the slides OUT. You want to see what the access is when the slides are IN. You are correct is that some units inhibit and even prohibit access to key areas and storage space. We made sure our rig had the access we needed when on the road. If you overnight at rest areas, Walmarts, etc., the general consensus is NOT to put out the slides, unless you can do so where they will not cause a problem to others in the area.

Good Luck in your search!

~Rick

x2
I want access to bathroom, refrigerator, etc. My chieftain had one bedroom drawer that was blocked so we just packed accordingly.
bumpy

[2chiefsRus]

we have four slides. If we extend both slides on the passenger side, we have access to EVERYTHING. With all four slides in, we have one kitchen cabinet that we cannot access and we cannot access the bedroom drawers. All bathroom and rest of kitchen is accessible with all four slides in. We normally will get clothes out of those drawers in the morning if we don't know where we will be spending the night. Like others have mentioned, we can put out one of the bedroom slides in just a few second, get what we want and put it back in.

[kerrlakeRoo]

To piggyback another question that relates to this. How about the "full wall" slides. I've seen some 29-32' Class A's that look pretty good but the size of the full wall slide and possibly weakening the overall structure as well as alignment issues seems like they would be prone to tweaking.

[Ivylog]

14 years 83,000 miles and no major problems with 4 slides. Had to clean connections at the hydraulic motor and the BR side sometimes needed a push with my foot to help it go out square...fixed itself a couple years ago. Would put that slide out at night when at WalMart so DW could get out of bed without crawling over me. One kitchen cabinet need a LR side out a little to access so do not put breakfast items in there. New rig has 4 slides...would not buy a rig without 4 slides.

[journey_indiana]

First, in my opinion, there are two reasons to make sure everything that you need is convenient with the slides in. You are at an area that you cannot put the slides out, like at a campground where it is too close to the slide side. Second, when the slide will not operate, like when the motor/cylinder won't work.
Our coach is convenient to everything we need whether the slides are in or out.
Good Luck,
Journey Indiana

[jplante4]

wallynm wrote:
Once the BRIDE took a shower at 60 mph.

OMG! You run the WATER HEATER when your rolling!!!

[garyemunson]

There have been several post about using an RV with the slides in. Sometimes it's just not convenient/practical to extend slides. A lot of people like to make sure the critical things are accessible with the slides in (bath, fridge,bed). When RV shopping, that is a concern to us. Keep in mind that only partially extending a slide will make a leak likely if it rains, They are designed to be at one end or the other of travel to seal properly.

[pennysmom09]

ScottG wrote:
Whether I can use the RV with the slides in makes no difference what so ever to me. It only takes 10 or 20 seconds to move them out if needed.

X2!

[2gypsies1]

We traveled full-time for 16 years with no slide problems and yes, we were able to access everything with them closed. Since we enjoy forest campgrounds and boondocking in the boonies we sought out a RV with only two slides and both had to be on the same side of the RV. Having opposing slides would have made it very difficult to situate the RV in many places because of trees on both sides. The more slides you have the less bay storage and easy access you'll have. They also add weight. Good luck in your search!

[wallynm]

Over 92,000 miles and 16 years never had an issue on a two slide DSDP. All facilities including the shower are available. Once the BRIDE took a shower at 60 mph.

[ScottG]

Whether I can use the RV with the slides in makes no difference what so ever to me. It only takes 10 or 20 seconds to move them out if needed.

[Dutch_12078]

Our single super slide has had just one repair in its 17 year life. Last year I had to replace the operating switch that was getting hard to make contact. That took about 15 minutes and cost about $12. This year I'm replacing the slide topper fabric that's starting to look its age.

There are a number of slide floor plans that allow pretty good access with the slide in, but not all do. In our case, the only thing we lose, besides the obvious floor space, is access to a single little used 120v outlet and a wall mounted picture is hidden from view.