Community Forums

BBQ Warren · 05-06-2016, 08:29 AM

I am looking at upgrading from our TT to a motorhome. I keep going back to Thor which I know has its fans and critics. The brand choice is not the point of this post. The models I'm looking at all have what I call a super slide. One slide about 28-30 feet long. I currently have two smaller slides. Does anyone have any experience with these large slides? They seem so heavy to me. Thor has gone to a triple track system which all the salesmen tell me work fine. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

2014 Keystone Outback Tavel Trailer
2012 Ram 1500
Retired Navy

530ktm · 05-06-2016, 09:45 AM

I will put it this way, sales people will always say anything that the customer wants to hear.

I am not a Thor lover either but that does not mean that their new and improved system is not better but any slide that is 30 feet long is more than I would want moving in and out.

Dutch Star Don · 05-06-2016, 09:46 AM

What do you mean by triple track? Many of the builders are using the Schwintek slide system which is fine for lightweight slides, but not the answer for large slides. The Schwintek slides use a plate, attached to the exterior wall on side of the slide. The plate is ribbed and is moved in and out by a motor in the wall. As the slide gets heavier, they add more of these plates on each side. So if' you're seeing three plates on the exterior wall of the slide, I'm guessing this is what they're calling triple track.

On these systems, the slide is basically balanced on rollers and is drawn in and out on the rollers. Personally, I wouldn't own a coach that used this system on a large slide. It is literally the cheapest system you can buy. Thor used them on their Palazzo units and realized that one track on each side failed, so the next year model, they added another. The people who got the first generation that kept failing got screwed.

Look at some other brands of coach and see how they power their slides.

Thor has a price point that is very attractive and they offer a lot of goodies. People see that they can get into a larger coach or a DP for substantially less than other brands. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for. You'll always get lover and haters of any product. Keep in mind that it's human nature to defend your purchase, even if it was a bad one. Do your homework and don't be dazzled by gimmicks. Look for good solid construction.

BBQ Warren · 05-06-2016, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

What do you mean by triple track? Many of the builders are using the Schwintek slide system which is fine for lightweight slides, but not the answer for large slides. The Schwintek slides use a plate, attached to the exterior wall on side of the slide. The plate is ribbed and is moved in and out by a motor in the wall. As the slide gets heavier, they add more of these plates on each side. So if' you're seeing three plates on the exterior wall of the slide, I'm guessing this is what they're calling triple track.

On these systems, the slide is basically balanced on rollers and is drawn in and out on the rollers. Personally, I wouldn't own a coach that used this system on a large slide. It is literally the cheapest system you can buy. Thor used them on their Palazzo units and realized that one track on each side failed, so the next year model, they added another. The people who got the first generation that kept failing got screwed.

Look at some other brands of coach and see how they power their slides.

Thor has a price point that is very attractive and they offer a lot of goodies. People see that they can get into a larger coach or a DP for substantially less than other brands. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for. You'll always get lover and haters of any product. Keep in mind that it's human nature to defend your purchase, even if it was a bad one. Do your homework and don't be dazzled by gimmicks. Look for good solid construction.

That sounds like what I'm seeing. Two thin tracks at the top and one at the bottom. I was told they used to use 2 but that didn't work out too well.

2014 Keystone Outback Tavel Trailer
2012 Ram 1500
Retired Navy

lanerd · 05-06-2016, 09:58 AM

Something else to think about. Typically a super slide is on the driver's side (never seen one on the passenger's side) and when deployed will be over the wet bay that you need access to on at least a daily basis...maybe more often. Getting down on hands and knees to empty tanks, connect/disconnect water/sewer lines can be very uncomfortable, especially with those of us that have bad knees/hips. Of course, if you're 30 years old, then no problem.

Most coaches that have two slides on the driver's side will be installed such that the wet bay will be located in between the slides making it much easier to access.

Just food for thought.

Ron

BBQ Warren · 05-06-2016, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lanerd

Something else to think about. Typically a super slide is on the driver's side (never seen one on the passenger's side) and when deployed will be over the wet bay that you need access to on at least a daily basis...maybe more often. Getting down on hands and knees to empty tanks, connect/disconnect water/sewer lines can be very uncomfortable, especially with those of us that have bad knees/hips. Of course, if you're 30 years old, then no problem.

Most coaches that have two slides on the driver's side will be installed such that the wet bay will be located in between the slides making it much easier to access.

Just food for thought.

Ron

Wow, thanks for that thought. I am battling a bad hip which us one reason I want to upgrade from a TT to MH. My sewer connection now is between the slides.

2014 Keystone Outback Tavel Trailer
2012 Ram 1500
Retired Navy

Gary RVRoamer · 05-06-2016, 02:06 PM

Just for the record, Rexhall (the inventor of the full wall slide) made coaches with two full wall slides, one down each side. They used to call them the "T-Rex" model, but dual full wall slides was pretty much standard in their Aerbus models.

Smitty77 · 05-06-2016, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Just for the record, Rexhall (the inventor of the full wall slide) made coaches with two full wall slides, one down each side. They used to call them the "T-Rex" model, but dual full wall slides was pretty much standard in their Aerbus models.

I'll add that they were over engineered, and owners I've talked with were very positive on them...

Smitty