Is it me or are coaches with the slides in unmaneuverable inside?

[PJStough]

Livibility with the slides in was a major factor in our choice of our 2005 Winnebago Voyage 38 J. With the slides in the only issues we have are accessing the bottom drawers in the bedroom closet, and three drawers to the right and below the kitchen sink. The only other issue is that the 42 inch tv we added is a bit close when both of the front opposing slides are in.

[barmcd]

We have an older coach with a very shallow slide and everything is easily accessible with the slide in. Of course, you don't get a lot of extra room with the slide open either. Most of the time we don't even open it.

[CampDaven]

Only the ones that are improperly designed.
How it functions folded up is a crucial part of the choice of floor plan.


Dave and Nola, RV Mutants

[96 Wideglide]

Originally Posted by Danielsand

I also disliked the "wall" behind the driver's seat (created by retracted slide on that side). I am 6'3", and that "wall" was preventing me to put my seat (I do all the driving) in the comfortable position.

I have a slide wall behind the drivers seat.
With the seat adjusted all the way back, and the pedals adjusted all the way forward, at 6'3" I doubt you would even be able to get the throttle pedal half way to the floor!
They are'nt all built the same !

[BillJinOR]

Keep in mind most folks are not driving most of the time they go to a destination and stay. The slides are there to provide space while parked. In my case when driving The passenger can get to the bathroom and fridge thats all I need while driving.Doing much more is risky anyway
I/we don't Live in the coach while driving ... I'm driving. Much prefer the space at the destination. Push a button when I stop for a rest or overnight and one or all the slides are out.
Having been in a position to view several MH wrecks I much prefer the slide wall behind the Driver and passenger. Its some protection from all the cabinets and furniture that WILL come forward. just sayin.

[530ktm]

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT

Took our Bounder to our dealer this past weekend for some repairs, so I decided to visit several of the new motorhomes they had on their lot. A few of them had the slides retracted.

All I could think of is how the heck are these things usable with the slides in? One in particular, I bruised my ankles on raised slide edges (no carpet) trying to shuffle my way down a little 8" path to the rear , I couldn't open the refrigerator or the microwave doors, DH couldn't get in the 1/2 bath with that pivot door (& he's not large by any means, just tall having the stature that goes with tall) he couldn't fit (unless sideways) his shoulders through the space to get to the bedroom, the end of the bed goes under the wardrobe doors about a foot rendering it a very short bed...even for me.

I realize the opposing slides make them very roomy when extended, but if I can't get to stuff when I'm at a rest stop or WM-docking overnight, even for the small % of time we do that, it makes these new floorplans impractical to own.

Is it just me?

Lori-

Does your new Bounder have slides and when they are in can you get around comfortably? The only thing we can not access when bedroom slide is in is the drawers under the closet, everything else works fine but a bit less walking room obviously. We did look at some coaches where the bed has to actually curl up to allow the slide to come in and that was weird to me. It appears not all makers of these fine machines ever consider that people may have to live with the slides in on occasion.

[SpaceNorman]

With the slides all in - our coach basically leaves us a narrow aisle that runs down the middle of the coach that stops at the bed. It's wide enough to get to the mid-ship 1/2 bath, get into the 'fridge, etc. You can't get into the drawers in the bedroom. You can't get into the rear bath (without crawling across the bed). The aisle is probably 18...ish inches wide - and free of any "leg banger" type obstacles.

When we need more access - we typically just put out the wall slide which is on the road side of the coach. With the wall slide out - we've got access to the drawers, the rear bath and much better access to the 'fridge. Even when we're stopped in places where slides are typically not put out (i.e., overnights in parking lots, etc.) - we'll put out the wall slide IF it doesn't appear that it will cause an issue. We usually unhook the toad and park it beside the coach (roadside) to "protect" the slide somewhat. Being that in those situation we usually pull in late - and are back on the road early - the 20..ish inch protuberance has never been much of an issue.

While it would be nice to have more space when it's closed up - we've gotten used to doing with out. I certainly wouldn't change anything to have more space while rolling if it were to "tighten" things up while we're parked and extended.

[twogypsies]

Agree. They are not all unuseable when the slides are in. That's another thing you have to confirm when buying. Ours were just fine.

[Dutch Star Don]

I guess I see it differently. I bought a coach with large slides so I would have a spacious coach when I camp, NOT when I DRIVE! I probably have one of the tightest aisle ways on the market, yet I'm 6'2" 300 pounds and I can get to the sofa, refer and bathroom while driving.

I don't get the big deal about having space for something the coach was not designed to do, be lived in with the slides closed.

[NLOVNIT]

Thanks everyone for your input. I did notice the many who responded on how much room you have own pre-2010 RV's. I guess, when the mfr's started putting in 3, 4 & full wall & deep slides is when the accessing when closed up problems started.

Every RV we've owned, I've made sure all things important to me are accessible with slides in before purchasing. For our Bounder, I can comfortably get anywhere/access anything & there are only 2 drawers I can't get to when the BR slide is in.

Lori-

[Hit_the_Rhod]

For us, one of the requirements on a coach was that it had to be fully accessible with the slides in. We park a lot in rest stops when on trips, or in Walmarts, etc. We wanted to be able to access/use the entire coach without having our slide ripped off at a truck stop, or look like we are "camping" while at Walmart for the night.

Different people have different requirements. People who drive south for the winter, "camp" for 5 months at a campground, then drive back north in the Spring, may not need full accessibility with the slides in. Our coach, a 2001 has two slides on the drivers side, one, the main cabin slide is long, but not especially wide, so it doesn't interfere with access/movement at all. The bedroom slide, when in blocks access to 6 drawers, and I have to climb over the bed to get to the closet, but we can live with that.

Everyone should just pick what works for them and go camping!

[nothermark]

What I really do not get is why folks want all that extra room in the middle when parked. All I see is slides to fail and floor to clean.

[Danielsand]

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

I have a slide wall behind the drivers seat.
With the seat adjusted all the way back, and the pedals adjusted all the way forward, at 6'3" I doubt you would even be able to get the throttle pedal half way to the floor!
They are'nt all built the same !

You are right,......I didn't look at every coach on the market. I set my sights on used high end DP, and that's what I was looking at. I did not like the ones with slides.

And it all comes down to how each of us uses the coach, personal likes and dislike, and many other factors.

We stay mostly at friends properties (where we only sleep, and shower in the coach, all other activities are done in the friends houses), or we boondock in the state parks for a night or two, or boondock on the casino parking lot. We mostly drive (to friends property), with three large dogs on board (two GSDs, and a Malamute). Sometimes I drive 16-18 hours straight (with stops for dog "maintenance" of an hour at the most). Dogs NEED room to move from place to place within the coach while on the road, and the ones that I checked out with slides, didn't have enough room, period.

DW loves slides (she used to own 5er with slides galore), I prefer "big buses" that look/drive like a bus (inside and out). It doesn't mean that people who love slides are "wrong", or that I am "right". I also prefer 25 YO single malt and an aged Monte Christo, some guys prefer beer.......it's all about likes and dislikes, not about "right" or "wrong".

[MRUSA14]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

I guess I see it differently. I bought a coach with large slides so I would have a spacious coach when I camp, NOT when I DRIVE! I probably have one of the tightest aisle ways on the market, yet I'm 6'2" 300 pounds and I can get to the sofa, refer and bathroom while driving.

I don't get the big deal about having space for something the coach was not designed to do, be lived in with the slides closed.

I guess your coach does what you wanted it to do. I wanted my coach to be fully useable with slides in so I can stop for lunch and move about, or spend the night at a Walmart without necessarily putting slides out. It is important to me at these times to be to be able to make a sandwich, cook in the microwave, easily reach the bathroom, or watch TV, all without squeezing through small spaces. The only things I can't do with slides in is access some of the drawers in the bedroom, or use the washer & dryer. Everything else is functional and more importantly, comfortable.

We each have our own needs, I guess.