Question about a slide out(kitchen)

[JasoninSC]

As many have seen i am trying to educate myself on the TT lifestyle and functions of the TT. I was telling a buddy that i was looking into getting one and he said that he too had been thinking about it. We got to talking about options and styles and he brought up a point about slide outs which hold the kitchen in particular the sink. He said that the piping can get kinked or busted in the slide outs. I was just wondering what insight I can get from everyone on that?

Thanks

[Lantley]

RTrider wrote:
My observation and experience is that all RV's are going to give you problems. In addition, just from observations around the RV park this last year, the more complex and expensive the RV, the more problems you are going to have. A couple in the park just bought a $700,000 MH and it has spent more time in the shop than they have lived in it in the last 6 months. It is currently in Tampa with the entire roof off trying to fix a leak. The same for at least 3 new high end 5'th wheels at the park. Constant problems and ongoing inconveniences.

For my little trailer, I have had a few plumbing problems, but was able to fix them without calling RV repair people. Sometimes simpler is better.

While I agree complexity can lead to more repair issues. I have found that the owners ability and their understanding of the various system is more of a factor. As the complexity grows the owners knowledge and ability to operate and understand the systems needs to expand.
Many people simply do not understand how their RV operates.
Operator error and a simple lack of understanding is the root cause of a lot of problems vs. complexity.

[calewjohnson]

RTrider wrote:
My observation and experience is that all RV's are going to give you problems. In addition, just from observations around the RV park this last year, the more complex and expensive the RV, the more problems you are going to have. A couple in the park just bought a $700,000 MH and it has spent more time in the shop than they have lived in it in the last 6 months. It is currently in Tampa with the entire roof off trying to fix a leak. The same for at least 3 new high end 5'th wheels at the park. Constant problems and ongoing inconveniences.

For my little trailer, I have had a few plumbing problems, but was able to fix them without calling RV repair people. Sometimes simpler is better.

What you say is so very true. We opted to not have a self leveling system and other things, only because the inconvenience of setup is not that bad. I prefer to fix my own stuff when feasible, I would rather have something easy to work on.

Cale

[RTrider]

My observation and experience is that all RV's are going to give you problems. In addition, just from observations around the RV park this last year, the more complex and expensive the RV, the more problems you are going to have. A couple in the park just bought a $700,000 MH and it has spent more time in the shop than they have lived in it in the last 6 months. It is currently in Tampa with the entire roof off trying to fix a leak. The same for at least 3 new high end 5'th wheels at the park. Constant problems and ongoing inconveniences.

For my little trailer, I have had a few plumbing problems, but was able to fix them without calling RV repair people. Sometimes simpler is better.

[dadmomh]

Our ROO 23SS HTT had the kitchen and sofa in the slide. It was easy to see exactly where the plumbing was located when the slide was in. Ours would have been almost impossible to have a kink - mfg did a good job designing that. In the 7+ seasons, we never had any problems.

Don't expect much from the OEM kitchen faucet....just plan on replacing that pretty quickly. On our new TT, we had so many little issues with the faucet - same as most all RVs use - that rather than turn in a warranty claim, install the new one and know that it would come apart just as quickly, we just bought a new one, it's installed and we're done with that little project. Never had trouble with the bathroom faucet, but the kitchen is junk.

[calewjohnson]

Lynnmor wrote:
I won't buy another trailer with the fridge in the slide. They have to be vented out the side, instead of thru the roof, so fans are used to move the air. This is a draw on the battery when no AC is available. Also, the fridge may be a size smaller due to the height limitation.

True there is a fan and it does draw on the battery, however, it only draws when the fridge is cooling (when flame is on). In mild climates, not a huge concern, the fridge stays cooler longer...in really hot climates, a defiant concern, only if you are running off solely 12 volts. Driving down the road, the TV provides my 12 volts, hooked up to shore power, the fridge is on 120 volt power. For me, instead of leaving the fridge on year round, I have to take the extra step to turn it on a couple days ahead of time so it is cold when we get ready to go. Not a huge concern....

My fridge is the same size as my last TH not in a slide.

Cale

[Lynnmor]

I won't buy another trailer with the fridge in the slide. They have to be vented out the side, instead of thru the roof, so fans are used to move the air. This is a draw on the battery when no AC is available. Also, the fridge may be a size smaller due to the height limitation.

[2112]

I had the same concern with our slide out kitchen but almost a year of ownership and no problems. We found it to provide the most counter space.

I'm sitting here right now watching DW putting it to work. Bacon and pancakes this morning 🙂

[Heavy_Metal_Doc]

Our TT is another one of the Island sink w/stove and fridge in the slide. We opted for this arrangement mainly because it also gave the most counter space where you can actually prep food for a meal and work in the kitchen about as easily as you could in a small residential kitchen. We both disliked the idea of having to place a cover over the sink or stove or use a flip up temporary counter to have enough room to make a decent meal.

[Caboose66]

I had similar concerns when I was shopping this past summer. I posted a similar question and was fairly satisfied that it wasn't a major concern and had replies from many owners of TTs with kitchens in the slides stating that they had never had any issues.

I will tell you, though, that the thing I have seen with a lot of kitchen-in-slide models is that the kitchen feels like its in a cave. A number of these kitchens didn't have a window above the sink.... Didn't seem like it would be a pleasant place to stand and cook inside.

YMMV 😄

Dean

[MarkTwain]

If there were any real issues related to kitchen slide outs (hoses kinking, leaks) you can Bet there would not see so many sold and on the road:

[wmoses]

In addition to what was said above, access to the underside of the slide is open to you can see the lines and such and can assure yourself that there is no catching or kinking.

[Bill___Kate]

Our previous trailer was a 2005 Jayco JayFeather 29N with a kitchen slide out. The only problem we had were some leaks in the drain line due to Jayco's unfortunate choice of some plastic pipe nipples that did not have enough strength adequately support a pipe clamp, and leaked. Replace of the pipe with metal pipe solved the problem ....

Personally, if it is a layout you like, go for it!

[Lantley]

While the wiring and plumbing is a legitimate concern and does add to the complexity of the unit, Slide out kitchens are not an issue. They are problem free. The manufacturers have solid designs to allow the piping/wires to move and flex as required without issues.

[Bears_Den]

I too have a slideout kitchen with an island sink. As mentioned above all electric wires and gas lines are designed to be flexible so as to handle the sliding in and out of he kitchen.