Slide sizes

[Retired and Happy]

We are beginning a low-key search for a used motorhome with multiple slides, preferably diesel. My concern and special interest is in maximizing usable interior space. During a recent campground walk-around, I noticed several of the multi-slides were fairly small, 18 inches or so. I don't see a great advantage to having two slides that move 18 inches vs. one that moves 36 inches. Am I overlooking something.

Has anyone had problems with a slide that moves the galley?

I want to be sure I am improving my situation over the single slide. So far I prefer 3 or 4 slides, diesel, no J couch, but a full convertable sofa bed, and a comfortable recliner. Now, getting that into our budget with all the other "routine" gadgets should be a real trick.

[Retired and Happy]

We are beginning a low-key search for a used motorhome with multiple slides, preferably diesel. My concern and special interest is in maximizing usable interior space. During a recent campground walk-around, I noticed several of the multi-slides were fairly small, 18 inches or so. I don't see a great advantage to having two slides that move 18 inches vs. one that moves 36 inches. Am I overlooking something.

Has anyone had problems with a slide that moves the galley?

I want to be sure I am improving my situation over the single slide. So far I prefer 3 or 4 slides, diesel, no J couch, but a full convertable sofa bed, and a comfortable recliner. Now, getting that into our budget with all the other "routine" gadgets should be a real trick.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Galley slides tend to ne narrower so that the plumbing lines don't have to travel as far.

There is perhaps a slight dvantage to two narrow slides directly across from each other versus one deep one, in that the extra space is distributed a bit better. A 36 inch deep slide is the same room, but all in one place - sort of a deep hole in the wall. And I think some (most?) of the narrower slides are 24 inches anyway, so that would bea net gain.

Double slides up front are a drawback in a couple ways: (1) takes room away from the outdoor patio (under the awning) and (2) ever yslide reduces the accessablity of storage bay doors. Of course, if the storae compartment slides out with the slide, the acessibility is good but te space is smaller tan otherwise.

And yes, we had trouble with our galley slide. A water waste line joint broke due to insufficient slack in the flex line. Whata mess til we fiured out where the gray water was coming from! I fixed it myself wih $10 worth of parts from Home Depot.

[GStream40]

Ken,

We have a four slide diesel pusher, if we were to do it over today we would have went for the 3 slide model and not have the galley slide under the patio awning. It limits the awning lowering height. A lot of the time we keep this slide in because of this reason.

In the bedroom, we have two slides, one moves out appox. 18" and the other appox. 24". These two slides really make a difference in the bedroom over our previous coach that only had one slide that moved 18"

Our main slide, dining/couch, moves out appox. 30" with the opposite galley slide that moves only 18". But with both these out it is unbelievable the amount of space it creates.

My advice is to look at as many different RV's as possible with 3 and 4 slides to see what I mean.

Ron

[eandy]

Ours is a gas rig but mfg makes the same in diesel. Our 2 full lenght slides 2'4" take everything out, the holding tanks too. It's not been a problem. The slides have to be raised high enough to clear the center floor not moving or they will tear up tiles etc. This happened and had to be fixed. They're to be fixed a 2nd time Monday. I now know where the adjusters are so after the warranty is up I can adj myself. Don't think they should require ongoing adjustment if done right the 1st time! The starage is a pain to access any time for me and I'll be making cellar access from interior myself soon for the center raised part in gas rigs.

[Cruzer]

My biggest thing against more than 2 slides was basement access. THat's why we went with a 2 slide Allegro Bus in 2004. If we would have gone with a triple or quad, the storage bay doors would be shorter in height and I wouldn't be able to get my freezers in there.

However, Tiffin redesigned the slides last year. They now use side mounted slide mechanisms rather than under-the-floor mechanisms. Also, they went to side hinged doors rather than vertical hinged doors. Those two things increased the basement hatch height by 10". That's one of the reasons why I'm looking at a new 42' Allegro Bus (42QRP - quad slide) right now.

Actually, I'm not looking at the Bus "because" of the slides. It's just that now I can look at the Bus now that they don't "interfer" like they did before. There are a ton of reasoins why I really want to upgrade but the floorplan layout is more important than how wide the floor space is in my mind. We really don't need a dance floor but if everything else lines up with our wants (and it does) we don't "mind" having a dance floor.

[Bill Davis]

We are currently on the road with a two slide motorhome. One slide is inoperative, but can be pushed in manually, so we are still on the road. Troubleshooting begins tomarrow.
The point here, is, the more "features" you have, the more convenience . When everything is working well. However, there are more things that can go wrong.
Everyone has to make their own decision as to what is a "must have" and worth the risk, or what I can live without and not have to worry about it failing. Good luck.