Slides or no?

[ehackney]

Iknow that this has been discussed a lot, but I thought I would ask just one more time.

Our travel trailer has sold and it's time to get serious about a motorhome. We have planned on getting a Tiffen or National RV with at least a LR slide.

But - I called about a used Allegro, and the owner told me he had specifically ordered this one without slides because of past problems he had had with slides in a SeaBreeze - three problems in a couple of years. How may people HAVE had problems with slides - malfunctions, leaks, etc?

Thanks in advance.

Hack
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[ehackney]

Iknow that this has been discussed a lot, but I thought I would ask just one more time.

Our travel trailer has sold and it's time to get serious about a motorhome. We have planned on getting a Tiffen or National RV with at least a LR slide.

But - I called about a used Allegro, and the owner told me he had specifically ordered this one without slides because of past problems he had had with slides in a SeaBreeze - three problems in a couple of years. How may people HAVE had problems with slides - malfunctions, leaks, etc?

Thanks in advance.

Hack
--//--

[Bill Davis]

I'm on my second Seabreeze, with two slides. The first one had none, but slides were just becoming popular then. We've never had a problem.
There were horror stories in the beginning about slides being stuck out when deployed,leaking,and coming out on the road. Experts would point out that if you cut a hole in the side of a box, you destroy it's structural integrity. and I believe that in the beginning, there were problems.
I've been through the National RV factory on tour twice. They are well built. The slide mechanisims (sp) appear to be solid. I would not hesitate to buy another one.

[troth]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">How may people HAVE had problems with slides - malfunctions, leaks, etc? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hack, realize that you're far more likely to read about slide problems on these forums than reading about slide out praise or satisfaction...
That said, do what you really want to do.
IMHO, the slides on my Winnie have been trouble-free. And all future coaches I buy will probably always have slideouts. I think about my trade-in value and ease of selling my coach too, when I want to trade-up.

["007"]

The 3 Newmars I have had have never had leaks or malfuntion of the slides. You may find a used Newmar that maybe in the price range for what your looking for. Take your time and look them over some older ones with living slide maybe out there for you. Happy hunting.

[Kazoo Tom]

Slides or not is really a matter of personal preference. They are another mechanical operation, and as such can break down just like any other mechanical item on the coach. If you follow the manufacturer recomendations for preventive maintenance and keep them properly lubed you will eliminate many possible problems. One downside I have noted is poor design on some motorhomes. I have been in a few where if the slides are not deployed the interior is virtually useless. As you look at them make sure you check them out with the slides in as well as out. We also noted that slides also take some storage space away from the basement areas, occasionally eliminating pass through storage.

Our motorhome has not slides, that was our choice. Slides do add an appreciable amout of living space to any coach. Our coach is used for short trips of a maximum of 2 weeks. We are not normally in one place for more than a couple of days the way we use it currently. In a year or so I will be retired and we will be traveling more. When that happens we will likely be looking to replace this unit with one that has a couple of slides.

Bottom line, get what YOU like and are comfortable with. Slides are very popular. Almost every new motorhome as at least one, usually more slides. And finally, the slides will probably make your resale a bit higher.

[Glenn and Kathy]

We are on our second National product with slideouts. First a Seaview with one slide, now a sea Breeze LX with two. The only problem was an electrical failure caused by the Microwave that left the slide inop. It was easy to bring the slide in manually so we could travel. Wouldn't have a rig without the slide.

Glenn

[Novi]

Hi Hack: We have had our MH with one slide for 4 years. We bought it used, 3 years old. No leaks or malfunctions, it is now 7 years old. Our friends have had theirs 5 years same response. Our first class A did not have a slide, but this one does and what a difference it makes to the amount of room you have to live inside. My next will probably have 2 slides. Good luck with your decison.

[Fxrscotty]

We have a slide and have had no issues with it. I like the fact that I gained alot of living space without going longer. Scotty.

[chasfm11]

We also have a single slide and think that our situation represents about a worst case. Our coach is 6 years old and had sat for over a year before we bought it when it was 4 years old. Since we have owned it, it has been used regularly and the slide has been in and out a lot - with no problems.

The decision to have a slide is a personal one, like just about any other aspect of an RV. Mechanical things have the potential to break but, at least to me, that isn't the criteria for having them or not.

[RV Wizard]

Preventively maintained and our has not given any problem either. It is a Dewald hydraulic floating floor design that is no longer used since Power Gear bought them out.

[wynedge]

I have two slides and it makes so much difference in living space. So I guess it would depend on how much time you spend in it and how much room you need/want. I just saw the 2007 KS with 4 slides. Wish I had the money to upgrade!

[ehackney]

Thanks for all the responses, everybody. As I said, we had pretty much decided on at least a living room slide, but it's good to hear that a lot of people have found them trouble free.

Best regards,

Hack
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[rzcsprings]

Well, just about everything to say has been said; however I want to add our vote for slides. I argued against them for some time, finally gave in, and as much as I hate to admit when my wife is correct, she certainly was. I thought we were just buying empty space in the middle of the motorhome, but the slides do make a tremendous difference, especially in the smaller Class C models. The difference is not only psychological, but real. I would not buy another motorhome without slideouts! RZ