Would you buy an RV with slide outs again?

[CC58]

I am looking to buy a HR 32' class A RV from year 1997-1999.

Some have slideouts and some do not. I am leery of their reliability and possibility of leakage. The whole concept of slideouts that require an awning to prevent leaks is un-nerving. Seems there should be a better way. I'm wonder about those who have used slideouts for many years and their opinion.

For a RV of this age, would you recommend slideouts?
Has anyone used slideouts over a period of many years without leaks?

[DanTheRVMan]

I do not want slides or AC or refrigerator or microwave or flat screen or generator or lights or engine or windows or doors or .......

Oh, I just woke up from a bad dream. :B

[kennethwooster]

Definitely

[vacuumbed]

I would NEVER buy an RV with slides.

The disadvantages include:
1. Extra weight.
2. Extra maintenance.
3. Hassle of cramped space with the slides in.
4. Hassle of keeping thigs clear when opening them.
5. Heating and cooling is not as good.

And the biggest disavantage for me is camping at Burning Man. An extremely dusty and windy enviroment. I'm sure the dirt caked on the exterior slide walls would damage seals in no time, not to mention get the interior dirty after you close them.

And at Burning Man, the tiniest leak anywhere in your RV will let dirt in. You have to keep it sealed TIGHT! Slides are another opportunity for a leak.

I also like the intimate space and simplicity. I am a single guy and I don't need a ton of space when I have a girl over, my 40 foot 102" wide coach is more than enough. :W

[cwdavis]

Wow, 3 pages worth! Well, we, two, are one of the minority, the no slide folks. It's not that we're against them...

Ours is a 36' unit, and were we to buy again we'd probably buy a 34' one with a single slide.

But, you'll find no-slide MHs at a great discount, and what we've done with ours may be instructive. When we bought it, it had a pair of jack-knife couches in the living area that had a very narrow walkway between them. We ended up taking them out and replacing them with a pair of euro-recliners. Also installed wall-attached, swing-up tables just behind the captains chairs, which gives each of us a desk/table when we need it, or if a captains chair is swung around we can play cards, etc.

The big gain was an increase in open space in the front of the coach.

The main thing, though, is to know that whether or not you buy a MH with or without slideouts is not the life-altering event: it's buying a MH of any kind!

Good luck, have fun,

[MrWizard]

Medico wrote:
I suppose for those just using their MHs/RVs on weekends or vacations, no slides might work depending on the number of occupants (people and animals included). But for those FTing it and going from a stick house to a nice coach, the extra room is a MUST HAVE! As someone else stated, in bad weather the extra room is a MUST HAVE!

They will have to pry my slide out key from my cold dead hands!

it only psychological

a must have for you, is an extra for many others

people had RV's / campers for maybe 70yrs before slides became a common item

IF your girth is large, or you always travel in a crowd, more floor space will help you feel less cramped

floor space is NICE..

it is Not a physical need, it is Not health dependent
it is emotional/ psychological

IF my next RV has a slide/s it will because they do not interfere when closed

BTW we have been full timing for many yrs with no slides in THREE different class A's

[robertbenita]

Never had a slide in the camper or Class C, but since our new to us RV, very nice! Opens up lots of space for family of five back and forth near where the wife is cooking. A very good thing and big smile for her. And yes, we have danced in that space too!

[Medico]

I suppose for those just using their MHs/RVs on weekends or vacations, no slides might work depending on the number of occupants (people and animals included). But for those FTing it and going from a stick house to a nice coach, the extra room is a MUST HAVE! As someone else stated, in bad weather the extra room is a MUST HAVE!

They will have to pry my slide out key from my cold dead hands!

[Jarlaxle]

hershey wrote:
Slides or no slides is a personal choice and I really don't care if anyone doesn't want slides.
But: The primary reason I keep hearing over and over again is that they can break. So I don't want them.
I don't understand that theory. Why not use the same excuse for not having an AC, Refrigerator, water heater, and for that matter, a motor in a MH?
But I've noticed that we don't get nearly as many threads about slides or no slides anymore....I guess you would be hardpressed to find a late model or new MH without slides.

If my A/C, fridge, or water heater fail, I can drive home. If the slide fails, I can't! If the slide fails, repairing it could cost thousands of dollars and could damage the rest of the motorhome. It really is that simple!

[Jarlaxle]

CC58 wrote:
I am looking to buy a HR 32' class A RV from year 1997-1999.

Some have slideouts and some do not. I am leery of their reliability and possibility of leakage. The whole concept of slideouts that require an awning to prevent leaks is un-nerving. Seems there should be a better way. I'm wonder about those who have used slideouts for many years and their opinion.

For a RV of this age, would you recommend slideouts?
Has anyone used slideouts over a period of many years without leaks?

I would not own any RV of any type with any slide-outs under any circumstances short of it being GIVEN to me free of charge.

[Snomas]

Get all the slides you can get, the more the better. They make all the difference in the world!!!

[J-Rooster]

Yes, 4 instead of 2! I like more room inside the coach that slides offer!

[desobelman]

I would not buy another RV WITHOUT slides. Only caveat, would be a vintage unit like a GMC, or original Airstream, etc.

For use as a traveling hotel, the slide-outs make life so much more enjoyable. Reliability is not a big issue.

Happy Trails! :W

Darryl

[chipndip]

I wouldn't buy one without slide outs.

[larry_barnhart]

On a bad weather day a non slide rv of any kind would just suck. We winter with folks that finally bought an rv with slides and they are very happy so what makes ya happy go for it with or without.
chevman with 2 slides

[wny_pat1]

Never had slideouts. Don't think I would want them, but sometimes a bit more width would be nice. So I thing going from 96" to 102" would make me real happy. And I don't need a slideout to do that, just bump up a couple years does it.