Appliances on Slides

[10thcav]

When we had our last 5th wheeler (20 years ago), it seemed that no one had refrigerators or stoves on the slides. I was told that this could be dangerous because the slide could cause the electric lines to fray or the gas lines to come undone.

Now as I look to sell/trade my small class C with no slides I see that almost every manufacturer has there refrig and stove/oven on a slide.

What has changed???

[NCC-1701A]

Originally Posted by 10thcav

I was told that this could be dangerous because the slide could cause the electric lines to fray or the gas lines to come undone.

What has changed???

What people may "tell you" and what really happens can be two different things. So I don't think anything different has happened, I think the assumption or fear that a kitchen slide would always cause major issues was/is false.


I'm not saying that movement of flexible gas or electric lines could not ever be an issue, but I haven't heard much about problems with these items in slides either.


Generally when the kitchen is in a slide, it's a more shallow slide so that those gas/electric lines don't really have to move that much.


My last two motor homes and a prior 5th wheel had/have kitchen slides and at least in my case, they have been trouble free. I wouldn't be concerned.

[RRR]

I have the kitchen in the slide. Not my first choice but so far so good, with the exception of the general stupidity of the assemblers that do poor work, staple through water line, supply line not tight and leaking, sink drain fittings not tight, shut off valve for ice maker under rear panel and things yet to be found. Oh, plus the microwave that is held in with self-tapping screws that were over tightened and pulling out. Just discovered that today so not sure what that is going to entail.

So far what I have seen is that the lines for electric and plumbing are secure and protected, but who knows what I'll find in two days.

[dons2346]

Our kitchen is in the slide and no problems but then again the coach is only 18 years old

[Dutch Star Don]

When slides were added to coaches and they eventually started adding appliances to them, people declared that it wouldn't work, just like power windows. There was a learning curve, but appliances located in slides work well with no issues. I think the biggest issue they had to overcome was the venting of propane refers. I'm sure someone will come along with a horror story, but for the majority of the RV world, not an issue.

[Tha_Rooster]

Originally Posted by 10thcav

When we had our last 5th wheeler (20 years ago), it seemed that no one had refrigerators or stoves on the slides. I was told that this could be dangerous because the slide could cause the electric lines to fray or the gas lines to come undone.



Now as I look to sell/trade my small class C with no slides I see that almost every manufacturer has there refrig and stove/oven on a slide.



What has changed???

Yep, a lot has changed in 20 years I doubt you can buy any rv without a slide.

[rrtribble]

So far the only problem I've had is the kitchen drain breaking loose. It had to have come loose prior to my buying the unit as someone had piled on hot glue without making sure the drain was firmly attached. It came loose and flooded the kitchen. Took the under sink all apart and replaced old flexible PVC drain pipe that was HARD and replaced it with a 1 and 1/2" sweeper flex hose using hose clamps. So far worked great for more than 5K miles.

Drive Safe - Richard

[IC2]

If your RV has slides, there is at least some sort of power source, from an outlet, overhead lights to a full kitchen. I have never heard of any problems other then Norcold or Dometic refrigerators catching fire, but those are entirely different sets of problems. Neither the 2006 or the current 5er have had a problem with failed wiring or propane hoses

[Gary RVRoamer]

Flexing electric, water and gas lines is just one more thing that can go wrong. If you are a worrier, the very thought of that is an OMG! But the wiring/plumbing to handle that is pretty basic stuff, so not a problem unless an assembly worker screws up. That certainly does occur in the RV industry, but the track record doesn't show a lot of problems with slide wiring and plumbing.