Trailers where slides do NOT block access?

[coolmom42]

My travel partner is wanting out of his current Coachmen trailer, to upgrade somewhat and have something with a slide. He wants something with a better quality of materials and insulation, easily set up for boondocking and cool winter camping.

We've looked at floor plans from Grand Design, Lance, and Jayco. We want a bedroom with a door, a slide, and a bathroom with the sink inside it. The trailer has to be fully functional and accessible with the slide IN. We have to stay towable with a F150 and want to keep dry weight around 5000. We don't need or want bunks--just the 2 of us. We've looked at Olivers, but are deterred by the 7' width, small baths, and the price tag.

It appears that every Grand Design floor plan in our weight limit is set up so the slide blocks either the kitchen or bedroom. Plus the refrigerator is in the slide and we don't want that.

The only Jayco model that otherwise fits our needs is the 24RBS. The kitchen area has a funky angled countertop that looks like it will bump up against the slide, and block access to the bathroom and kitchen, when the slide is in. Does anyone have any first-hand observations about the usability of the trailer with the slide in?

The Lance 2295 MIGHT work, although I don't care for that giant entertainment center blocking off the middle. The Lance 2375 has the angled counter section like the Jayco 24RBS. But again a person can't tell about the slide clearance.

None of these trailers are conveniently located to us and we would like to have some input before making a drive to see one. Any input from real-life observations is appreciated!

[BubbaChris]

Our North Trail 22FBS has a 26-foot box (We were shopping for 20-foot TT's and the model name mislead us into looking at it).

It is fully usable when the slide is in, you do lose access to 2/3rds of the sofa. It does NOT have a bedroom door, nor space for a full sized queen bed.

The kitchen is huge by RV standards, and we love the rear bath with a window in it. Lots of storage too.

[trail-explorer]

ScottG wrote:
So I suggest folks don't pass up a unit I really like just because of that small factor.

If they pass up a unit, how will they know if it's one you like?

[Atlee]

We'll have to disagree about ducted air. I don't think I've have another trailer that didn't have ducted air. Our last one didn't,
and it was loud and by definition it couldn't cool the front and bathroom like it could the main living area. And it was loud.

My new trailer, the first with ducted AC, works much better. I feel it does keep all areas the same temperature, and it certainly doesn't seem as loud. And if quick cool down of the main living area is needed, just open the vents and let it dump straight down.

Also, my previous trailers that didn't have ducted air didn't have thermostat controlled AC. I had to manually cut it off and on to keep the air the right temperature. My ducted ac unit has a thermostat control on the wall. I can set it and forget it now. The AC thermostat takes care of everything.

coolmom42 wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:

coolmom42 wrote:

I also like the larger tank capacities of the Lance. Jayco is skimpy with their tanks.

The Lance is a nice TT for sure - bu it doesn't have ducted AC - in case that matters to you.

It does not.

IME the ducted systems don't do a very good job of distributing air, particularly to the bedroom. The ducts are way too small.

Also the ducted system does nothing to reduce noise that I can tell. The overhead unit still runs the same. The only one I've ever been around that was excessively noisy, turned out to have a fan bearing going bad.

[2012Coleman]

coolmom42 wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:

coolmom42 wrote:

I also like the larger tank capacities of the Lance. Jayco is skimpy with their tanks.

The Lance is a nice TT for sure - bu it doesn't have ducted AC - in case that matters to you.

It does not.

IME the ducted systems don't do a very good job of distributing air, particularly to the bedroom. The ducts are way too small.

Also the ducted system does nothing to reduce noise that I can tell. The overhead unit still runs the same. The only one I've ever been around that was excessively noisy, turned out to have a fan bearing going bad.

I disagree with you on this - in my 25' TT, the AC can be run through the ducts or by blasting down from the unit by opening/closing a vent on the unit. Blowing through the ducts is much quieter, and the outlet in the bedroom blows on me like a fan.

[Kansas_Farm_Gir]

We have the Lance 1885 (rebranded 1995) and we can get from front to back with the slide in, and open the fridge partway, enough to get food in and out of and get into the bathroom.
It is only 19' long, which we find plenty big enough for the 2 of us. We down-sized from a 24' last spring.
- It does not have a separate bedroom with door however, and I know that was one of OP's requirements.
- It does have a regular house-sized queen bed, not a camper short queen.
- We were told that if we were to custom order a Lance 2295 we could order it without the large entertainment system and wall. After taking a tour through the Lance factory, I can see that they could make it to those specs. I didn't like that entertainment wall as the space between the foot of the bed and that wall was very tight. If I wanted the wall I would not have the entertainment system included. Accordion doors could easily be added to shut away the bedroom.

Lance's are more expensive than Jayco's and some of the other brands, but we have found that it seems to be better made. We are very happy with ours. I do understand not being able to see different brands/models to compare. Maybe you will be able to find a long weekend to go somewhere that has several dealers/brands that you can view and compare.

[coolmom42]

2012Coleman wrote:

coolmom42 wrote:

I also like the larger tank capacities of the Lance. Jayco is skimpy with their tanks.

The Lance is a nice TT for sure - bu it doesn't have ducted AC - in case that matters to you.

It does not.

IME the ducted systems don't do a very good job of distributing air, particularly to the bedroom. The ducts are way too small.

Also the ducted system does nothing to reduce noise that I can tell. The overhead unit still runs the same. The only one I've ever been around that was excessively noisy, turned out to have a fan bearing going bad.

[SoundGuy]

2012Coleman wrote:
The Lance is a nice TT for sure - bu it doesn't have ducted AC - in case that matters to you.

It should ... as one who has owned both trailers with ducted A/C and direct blow my own observation is that ducted doesn't seem to be as loud as a direct blow, though the question would be whether the larger trailer size in which one would more commonly find ducted A/C has something to do with this. Certainly the ducted system in our previous 24' K-Z Spree (Coleman Mach 3+) wasn't anywhere near as bothersome as the direct blow jet engine (Dometic Brisk II) we now have in our current 19' Coachmen Freedom Express. When it is running the noise is horrendous so we only run it when interior temps & humidity are intolerable, which here in S Ontario is thankfully not all that often. With the OP living where it can be consistently much hotter than here in Ontario during the summer I think I'd be looking for ducted A/C, which can be tricky finding in a shorter length trailer.

[2012Coleman]

coolmom42 wrote:

I also like the larger tank capacities of the Lance. Jayco is skimpy with their tanks.

The Lance is a nice TT for sure - bu it doesn't have ducted AC - in case that matters to you.

[1stgenfarmboy]

we need to move the slide out 8 inches to get to the fridge and bathroom, none to get to the bed, it's really not a problem to push a button for 10 seconds, unless you are having one of those major bathroom atacks.......then 10 seconds can mean a fresh pair of paints.



our list of must haves was so long we had to move slideout access farther down toward the bottom, when we found all the things we wanted on the list except that we decided it was as good as we're going to get.

[SoundGuy]

coolmom42 wrote:
We need to look at some trailers in person and see the pros/cons of the layouts. I am liking the Lance 2295 (although I would rather have storage space than the "fireplace") but it's difficult to visualize the interior from pictures. We just need to go look.

When you do go to look at slide models consider whether you prefer those flush to the floor or those like in the Lance that are elevated above the floor. Personally I intensely dislike the latter 'cause when sitting at the dinette I feel like a mannequin on display. Personal preference.

[coolmom42]

GWolfe wrote:
Have you seen the Jayco 22RB? I think it's a new model this year, I saw one at a local RV show and really liked it. The only real drawback for me was lack of counter space but then again I do most of my cooking outside.

Jayco Jay Feather 22RB

I only do simple meals while travelling, and inside. But that is a TINY amount of counter space.

I also like the larger tank capacities of the Lance. Jayco is skimpy with their tanks.

[coolmom42]

DutchmenSport wrote:
In this case, SoundGuy, it sounds like the OP's travel partner and himself are at odds, or having a disagreement in mind-sets regarding the issue of slide or no slide for their next camper. Correct me if I'm wrong, but sounds like they travel together (with one camper), so they have to reconcile their individual concerns.

I just presented both sides of the coin above. Like any "couple" that live together, they have to have an agreement. Either one has to realize slides are not all that threatening after all, or there has to be acceptance on both sides for a non-slide (longer trailer). I was just trying to give the OP some positive ammunition.

I am the female OP. LOL. My MALE travel partner and I may be getting married in a few years but we have logistical and family considerations to work out in the meantime.

He likes a slide for the space. We will be doing more extended travelling in the future since I am retiring in April. I agree that a slide certainly gives a lot of comfortable living space. I am the more technical/geeky of the 2 of us, and am more concerned about examining the details, pros and cons of the issue.

I do want the trailer to be usable with slide in, for quick stops. I've read a lot of reassuring information in this thread about the reliability of slides and the ability to manually move them if necessary. And like everything else RV, it seems that maintenance is the key.

We need to look at some trailers in person and see the pros/cons of the layouts. I am liking the Lance 2295 (although I would rather have storage space than the "fireplace") but it's difficult to visualize the interior from pictures. We just need to go look.

Thanks to everyone for the information.

[trailer_newbe]

We just picked up a 2018 White Hawk 28RL. Although the slide blocks access to the bedroom, this unit has two doors, one of which is for the bedroom.

[GWolfe]

Have you seen the Jayco 22RB? I think it's a new model this year, I saw one at a local RV show and really liked it. The only real drawback for me was lack of counter space but then again I do most of my cooking outside.

Jayco Jay Feather 22RB

[Lantley]

SoundGuy wrote:

Lantley wrote:
The slide is not intended to be used when it is in. Yes there maybe times that force you to use slide while it is retracted. In those cases use slide gingerly as the floor is typically unsupported.
Pretending slide is fully functional whether it is in or out is foolish.
The manufacturer is not going to approve using the slide while it is retracted because it was not designed to be used that way.

As has been asked of others making this same claim where's the documentation to support your argument that a "slide is not intended to be used when it is in"? :h I use mine all the time and have for 5 seasons now, no issues at all. :B And as mentioned much earlier in this thread, there's NO caution of any kind in the owner's manual about doing so. 😉

I'm not sure my manual says beware of stove "fire is hot".
But I know better than to stick my fingers in the fire.
Like wise if my flush floor slide is suspended in the air, I know better than to step on it. I don't need to let the manual supersede my common sense.
Beware coffee is hot. I already know the risk, I don't need McDonald's to tell me.