Community Forums

Whatnobeer · 10-03-2013, 09:45 AM

I keep reading about full wall slides and then I keep reading about issues with said slides. I'm curious to find out from you good people who have them on bigger (>40') Class A's how they are working out for you. I'm not trying to stir the pot with this, just curious about the pro's and con's of one. My personal issue with one would be structural integrity of the side that it's located on. I know these are engineered and over-engineered to make sure they work but sometimes they fight back. So let's hear it good people, yes or no or not sure.

Medico · 10-03-2013, 10:37 AM

I had a discussion at Hershey last year with Bob Tiffin. If anyone knows RV's it's Bob. Bob stated he would never put a full wall slide in one of his RV's because you loose too much integrity in the wall. Just imagine a bus with most of the wall cut out. Where is the structural support? That is the biggest reason why he will always opt for quad slide rather than 3 slides with a full wall slide. It's stronger!

Statgeek · 10-03-2013, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whatnobeer

I keep reading about full wall slides and then I keep reading about issues with said slides. I'm curious to find out from you good people who have them on bigger (>40') Class A's how they are working out for you. I'm not trying to stir the pot with this, just curious about the pro's and con's of one. My personal issue with one would be structural integrity of the side that it's located on. I know these are engineered and over-engineered to make sure they work but sometimes they fight back. So let's hear it good people, yes or no or not sure.

I read a few reports about full wall slide problems, but mainly with the early trials. I believe the issues have largely been worked out. We have a full wall slide on our 40' Fleetwood and love it. But we've only had it a short while, so my experience doesn't attest to long-term potential problems. There are several other posts on the topic though, and if you look at the recent model coaches I think you'll find many satisfied customers, and a few with problems. Probably about the same as people with "short" slides having problems...

Whatnobeer · 10-03-2013, 10:53 AM

That's what I love about this board. I've gotten answers from both sides of the issue with good arguments to back up their statements.

Winepress · 10-03-2013, 11:38 AM

We have a full wall slide and it has been trouble free. I enjoy the openness that the slide offers. However that being said, I do cringe a bit when I am opening and closing the slide. it is a massive amount of mass to see move.

Scarab0088 · 10-03-2013, 12:18 PM

The slide size is not my main worry (when I was shopping and will be again in the future). The mfgt just makes the frame, foundation, and slide-box stronger.

My worry was about putting more and more appliances in the slide. Plumbing (fresh and waste) and power feeds must move/twist/pivot etc. for these set-ups.

I am sorry - it's a fact - fixed pipes and wiring will last longer than those that are made to move. I know all plumbing and wiring will fail sooner or later...but I would prefer later over sooner.

Having said that, those BIG slides make the inside of RV's really awesome when open - almost like apartment living.

Safe travels

tanstaafl · 10-03-2013, 12:32 PM

While mine isn't quite the size you're looking for (I'm at 36 feet), our full wall slide has been very problematic. Out of the first 3 months that we owned it, it was out of commission for 6 weeks because of slide issues. The first time, it wouldn't retract (happened on day 2 of ownership), and the second time, it wouldn't extend. From talking with the tech who worked on it, there were design issues that needed to be re-engineered. I do like the amount of room the full wall slide gives you, but I worry now every time I need to move that slide in either direction.

UFO Pilot · 10-03-2013, 12:45 PM

Not sure if my 20 foot slide is considered "full wall" or not but I have had zero problem in 6 plus years. All of my appliances are in the slide and the plumbing and wiring moves with it. I have looked at how the plumbing and wiring move and see no design problems. Maybe I am living on borrowed time?

I have seen more small wall slides problems in the 3 RV groups I belong to, but that is probably because there are many, many more small ones than full wall.

SarahW · 10-03-2013, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

The slide size is not my main worry (when I was shopping and will be again in the future). The mfgt just makes the frame, foundation, and slide-box stronger.

My worry was about putting more and more appliances in the slide. Plumbing (fresh and waste) and power feeds must move/twist/pivot etc. for these set-ups.

I am sorry - it's a fact - fixed pipes and wiring will last longer than those that are made to move. I know all plumbing and wiring will fail sooner or later...but I would prefer later over sooner.

Having said that, those BIG slides make the inside of RV's really awesome when open - almost like apartment living.

Safe travels

I totally agree. If we ever buy another motorhome, there won't be any kitchen appliances or plumbing in a slide. Just our preference.

Mr_D · 10-03-2013, 01:17 PM

Both our DSDP's have had the galley in the slide. We have had NO problems with the wiring/plumbing. This one is 11½ years old now and still doing just fine, thank you.

nforus · 10-03-2013, 01:33 PM

We have a 29 foot full wall slide in our coach and no problems, have had 4 slide models before and the full wall opens up the coach a lot better. Newmar puts electric "slide locks" on several of their coaches and it effectively locks the slide to the wall when retracted and going down the road for increased rigidity.

UFO Pilot · 10-03-2013, 01:34 PM

My Winne also has "electric" slide locks.

Popcorn Man · 10-03-2013, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medico

I had a discussion at Hershey last year with Bob Tiffin. If anyone knows RV's it's Bob. Bob stated he would never put a full wall slide in one of his RV's because you loose too much integrity in the wall. Just imagine a bus with most of the wall cut out. Where is the structural support? That is the biggest reason why he will always opt for quad slide rather than 3 slides with a full wall slide. It's stronger!

Ask Bob Tiffin about the driver side slideout on the Allegro 36LA. Big slide, lots of problems.

JMonroe · 10-03-2013, 03:45 PM

The full wall slide in our coach is longer, at 30', than most of the RVs we've owned over the years!

So far the only problem we've had was minor, and an easy fix. The smallest slide in the coach (the bed) took a few tries to get it to retract one day. After a brief call to Decatur I traced it to a loose connection at the slide controller, no doubt bumped by the extension cords or water hose I store in that compartment.

As for the structural integrity Bob mentioned, that is one reason we ended up with the American Coach rather than another Tiffin. As good a company as Tiffin is, I didn't feel their "foundation" was up to the same standard as the American Coach or Entegra (both of which use a "bridge truss" center section. The bridge supplements the two frame rails in keeping the floor/foundation straight and level). At least as of the 2011 model year, when we were last shopping, the Allegro Bus supporting structure was comprised of the two long frame rails and the 2" steel floor supporting structure, which I felt left the Bus vulnerable to twist (and at the time a number of Bus owners were complaining of busted floor tiles). American Coach and Entegra design in heavy trusses between the front and rear clips that are extremely robust (not to mention a 3" rectangular welded aluminum floor structure). Many of the problems I've heard of with slides were due to the twisting of the coach relative to the slide box.

Bottom line, there was a steep learning curve when slides started making their appearance on the scene, a few decades ago now, but it's my opinion that most manufacturers have exorcised most of those old slide out demons. Even the family budget friendly RVs now have slides and my sense is that reported problems are an extremely small percentage of the overall market.

Buy what you like and worry about not having enough time to enjoy it, not the small chance that you may have a problem with the slide.