Is a travel trailer with a slide out a good idea for me?

[TDewit01]

My family is getting ready to replace an old travel trailer we have had for years. We are looking for something between 18-22 ft for easy towing and we will only need to sleep 4-6. We have been looking at a few options and we came across a 18 ft model with a slide-out. I have heard of these having issues with leaking and was just wondering what to look out for. We will be using this in Northern Michigan in the summers but also in the late fall season where it will be exposed to snowfall. The model we looked at was a 2018 so I’m wondering if the slide outs have gotten any better or if there are steps we can take to safeguard it or is it just a bad idea overall? All information, tips and advice is welcome and extremely appreciated.

[beermanjoe]

We`re also on our 2nd TT with a slide out. The extra room is well worth it. And I could care less what the Jones have,nor do I care to impress anyone.

[troubledwaters]

fdwt994 wrote:
...They also seem to be more problematic compared to other tried & true designs.

You say that based upon what?

[fdwt994]

Slide out for sure, especially with 4-6 people. Like anything else, routine maintenance will help prevent problems.

Stay away from units with Schwintek slides if you can. Unlike cable or rack & pinion designs, the Schwintek don't have a manual "crank" if they are inoperable. They also seem to be more problematic compared to other tried & true designs.

[rbpru]

Two points to consider,

Where are 4 to 6 people going to stay in a heavy rain.

According to the RV dealers I talked with at the last RV show, smaller trailers and non-slide out tailers are a niche market. That means less trade-in value in an already lightly depreciated market.

There is no doubt slide outs can be problematic, but I would not trade ours. Also some deeper slides can block access to the bath or kitchen when pulled in.

Good luck

[kellem]

A rainy weekend in the trailer will quickly reveal the importance of having a slide.

[moresmoke]

If you are shopping used, you will likely end up with a slide, there are not many models now that don’t have them.

A couple years ago when I was shopping for a TT, I got a lot of blank stares when I walked into the dealer and told them I did not want a slide. It was unthinkable to the sales people. But my wallet, my choice. I had specific reasons for not wanting a slide that have to do with the way I use my TT.

[whjco]

We're on our second travel trailer with a slide. It really increases the living space and we've never had a problem. I do recommend getting one of the slide covers that keeps leaves, snow and other debris off of the top of the slide.

[okhmbldr]

Go for the trailer with a slide. More room is always better. And, in the future when you want to upgrade, a slide is a very good selling point. Whether it be a Class A,C, TT, or Fiver, the ones with a slide or two always sell the best.

[Gdetrailer]

Merrykalia wrote:

Gdetrailer wrote:
Whether it is to keep up with the "Jones's" or want some sort of impressive status symbol (who in the world needs a 38ft long trailer with "triple slides"?)..

We do! We have two teenage girls and we camp-host for the months of May, June, July and August. Once we are in the trailer for over two weeks, we need space to get away from each other. So, yes, we NEED quad-slides!

Folks who say slides are trouble free and have never had an issue with a slide have never looked for leaks and damage.

Like anything else in an RV, some maintenance needs to be done. You don't have to go crazy with it. Yes, we have had slide problems - they were not aligned perfectly and one was dragging after a few uses. Took it back to the dealer, they adjusted it and we have had two years of great service.

:R

Honestly, my parents took our entire family (SIX of us kids) camping, started out traveling in a Station wagon and tent back in the late '60's. We went for SIX WEEKS and traveled from PA down to FLORIDA, TWICE.

It DID NOT KILL US!

A bit cramped and uncomfortable at times, sure.

Then Dad bought a 1970 F100, put a shell cap on the back, made a long table and seats in the bed. We road in the back while traveling and at night the table dropped and the seat backs were on hinges and raised up. Made a top bunk and bottom bunk..

It DID NOT KILL US!

1972, Dad found a used '68 truck camper (TC) and once again we kids road in the TC and we ALL slept in the TC.. Made several trips from PA to Florida.

IT DID NOT KILL US!

Dad used that TC until I and my younger sister were out of school..

I swear that everyone on this forum must hate their family to keep saying everyone needs their space.. Camping is not about keeping space, it IS about CONNECTING WITH YOUR FAMILY, NOT ISOLATING THEM!

If want vast amounts of private space, then camping may not be for you..

You also act like it is no big deal when a slide malfunctions just to "take it to the dealer".. It COSTS MONEY (GAS AND WEAR AND TEAR)AND TIME to take a RV to any dealer, it causes inconvenience for you and can often result in the dealer having YOUR trailer sitting on their lot for weeks OR months at a time.

As far as them being trouble free, here is only a few recent posts with slide out issues and keep in mind that this is only from the TT forum.. Go to the links for full thread.

OP might wish to search for more troubles that folks here seem to gloss over..

HERE

Posted 7/20/19

"Denali 289RK. The main slide is roughly 14 ft long. It all of a sudden started to stick so bad on the left side, I almost couldn’t get it to slide out on this trip. Goes in just fine. Last season, the whole slide would start to go out on the bottom but the top seemed to bind up. Then would “pop” and go out fine. This trip, I had to stand inside the trailer, have the DW hit the switch to open the slide and push on the left side from inside to get it to pop open, after the pop, it goes just fine. Like I said, the bottom seems to start to go out just fine until the top left binds it up.
Any ideas ?"

HERE

Posted 7/2/19

"I’m having an electrical issue with my slide. When I press the slide button to slide out, my slide works as it should. When I press it to slide in, it’s like something is shorting out because even my lights lose power. Any ideas where the problem would be? We have replaced the slide switch, but it didn’t help. I also don’t think the problem is with the slide motor because when we reversed polarity to the motor and pressed the slide out button, it slid in without issue but then when pressing the slide in button, the lights lost power again.
Thanks! "


HERE

Posted 7/2/19

"I have replaced by bulb seal on 2 of the 3 slides because they were tearing at the top and adjusted the slide but it is happening again. I don't wont to put new seals in before I resolve this the top of the slide is tight and the bottom has a 1" or so space. I have used the Lippert manual to adjust them but it isn't right yet. Anyone know the best way to adjust the tilt top and bottom? "

HERE

Posted 6/21/19

"Hi All,

I have a 2012 Passport 3220 BHWE. I wax it twice a year, has no delamination, and still shines. Really has been a good trailer no big issues.

Recently the large slide has started to chatter on retrieval. I can find any obvious issue. A few years back I had to have the cable fixed but that is really it.

Is any one lubing the sides or the rollers? It only has two roller.

If you do lube, what are you lubing and what are you using?"

Something else to consider, some floor plans BLOCK your access to parts or entire area of the trailer when in.. A Cousin of mine had one that they did not look at when the slides were in..

Only when they got it home they discovered they COULD NOT get to a bedroom AND THE BATHROOM when the slide was in!!! They were not able to open the slide when the trailer was at there home :S

[dodge_guy]

Do I want a slide? Yes. Do I need a slide? Yes! I like the room they offer. The trailer was designed with a slide in mind so it's made for it. Just bought a class A MH with 3 slides. I don't try and keep up with amyone, rather it's what I want to be comfortable. I could never be comfortable with 2 kids, 2 dogs and a wife in a small RV with no slides.

Fact is there are far more problem free slide out owners out there than there are people with them.

[Merrykalia]

Gdetrailer wrote:
Whether it is to keep up with the "Jones's" or want some sort of impressive status symbol (who in the world needs a 38ft long trailer with "triple slides"?)..

We do! We have two teenage girls and we camp-host for the months of May, June, July and August. Once we are in the trailer for over two weeks, we need space to get away from each other. So, yes, we NEED quad-slides!

Folks who say slides are trouble free and have never had an issue with a slide have never looked for leaks and damage.

Like anything else in an RV, some maintenance needs to be done. You don't have to go crazy with it. Yes, we have had slide problems - they were not aligned perfectly and one was dragging after a few uses. Took it back to the dealer, they adjusted it and we have had two years of great service.

[Dick_B]

Just my $.03 but it would appear that bunk beds and blow-up mattresses would be good for your 4 - 6 sleeping people.

[dodge_guy]

Get the slide out! You will be amazed at how great they are! I’ve had slides for 15 years now. No leaks ever. If you want to make it even better have a slide out awning installed. Then the slide will be even more protected from the weather.

[Gdetrailer]

MEH, slides are a person decision based on their opinion that they must have a huge cubby for everyone. Most likely you will see an overwhelming majority of responses which will echo the "need" for a slide and feel everyone NEEDS to have at least one slide.

I am on the opposite side, I don't feel anyone really "needs" a slide, instead they WANT a slide. Whether it is to keep up with the "Jones's" or want some sort of impressive status symbol (who in the world needs a 38ft long trailer with "triple slides"?)..

Instead on relying on a remote website forum (with faceless keyboard surfers) to make up YOUR mind as to YOUR needs and wants.

I can only present my needs and wants, I don't need or want a slide and my 26ft TT can sleep 5 people easily, if you search a bit most likely could find TTs in that length or even shorter which can sleep 6 without slides.

Folks who say slides are trouble free and have never had an issue with a slide have never looked for leaks and damage. A slide opening cut into a trailer severally weakens the trailer structure. Manufacturers have to make up for this by reinforcing in other places which means a trailer with a slide will be heavier when compared to a non slide of the same size.

One of the critical places is the roof, the longer the slide the more potential for the roof to sag in the slide opening, most folks who say they have never had an issue with a slide most likely has never looked at the roof for sagging..

The mechanical systems are not trouble free nor are they cheap and easy to fix, slide motors do fail, cables do fail, hydraulic systems do fail.. And when they fail, it is almost NEVER in your driveway..

Had a fellow camper in a campground who spent the better part of 4 days trying to beat their slide back into working order. Made me appreciate that I have one less thing to break..

Slide mechs when they break or not adjusted correctly sometimes also drag on your floor, replacing the floor under a slide often means pulling the slide out of the opening..

Slides since they create a huge hole in the side of a trailer are a huge potential leak. A leak which can go unnoticed for a long time and when found the damage to the floor and wall structure can be extensive..

But like I mentioned, only YOU can really decide, go and look at trailers instead of seeking a website of opinions.

[colliehauler]

I'll agree with that many people a slideout is a must-have. I'll disagree that there problem free. I've had two slideouts that had water intrusion issue. My only advice is to be diligent on maintenance. Both units had the aluminum strip at the bottom of the sides let water in. The vinyl had shrunk in the strip and let water pass by the screws into the floor. Both of these units were purchased used and could be attributed to lack of maintenance.