Slides and "undesirable things"

[AppleValley2]

On a different thread that was discussing the pros and cons of Class A's versus 5th wheel rv's -- Kjb0zke made the comment that slides are also something to consider and that slides "add weight and complexity and the opportunity for 'undesirable' things to enter the coach." I am new at this. My coach has 2 slides and I thought slides were more or less sealed from the elements. Based on this comment do the slides make it possible for bugs and rodents to get into the coach? Thanks in advance for any info on this.

[Steve N Sal]

We have not encountered anything entering our coach. I suppose some wasps/bees could possibly build a nest under the awning of the slide out when extended but a quick check of that before you close the slide would rid them from that location. When the slides retract there is an air gap where I guess something could enter until it closes or fully opens but we have not had anything like that happen yet. Timing is everything I guess.

[RustyJC]

Such comments were more common 15-20 years ago when slideouts were new technology. I would have thought that, this many years later, slideouts had pretty well proved themselves, but I guess not....

We greatly appreciate the extra floor space the slideouts in our rig (as well as the two previous slideout-equipped 5th wheels) offer.

Rusty

[wa8yxm]

Slides should be sealed when Extended or retracted.. In between, yes, there are openings. But that can be said of the main entry door as you enter/leave the rig so no problem there.

I would not extend/retract during a downpour if I could avoid it.

Yes they add weight.. They also add ROOM, bit time ROOM.

Yes they add complexity.. However not that much

Mostly they add ROOM.

[hondo122]

Maybe the person that says that, has had some unwelcome visitors of the human kind, that won't leave

[Mr_D]

It is possible to have a motor burn out, a hydraulic line break, a cable break, get out of alignment etc. But it's not a normal thing and there is usually a manual retract so you're not stuck someplace and can't move. We wouldn't be without them.