Community Forums

Mike_Harriet · 11-23-2013, 12:51 PM

Sorry so47, I just saw your profile, so I now know. Didn't even know they made a 34 DP. Still trying to learn all I can from its site. Been a wonderful resource for a newbie.

Mr. M · 12-03-2013, 08:52 AM

I have found this thread very therapeutic. I think that I will not fear purchasing a multi slide rv in the near future, and frankly it's what I really wanted, the extra living space.

csrrsr · 12-03-2013, 04:51 PM

We really like our slides (living room and bedroom). We have the Loooooong slide in the living room but it doesn't have any appliances or plumbing on it. We probably don't know any better but we've never wished we had more slides. I know the big living room slide motor was replaced. I found the invoice for it in the history of invoices we got from the seller.

so47 · 12-03-2013, 05:36 PM

I could week-end or short term without slides, but no way could I full-time without them.

Capt Steve · 12-13-2013, 07:53 PM

Slides, love them or hate them there seems to be no middle ground. If you are trying to accommodate a large family or full time they are a (somewhat), necessary evil. I have never met a slide owner (with more than a couple of years experience), who has not experienced a problem. The newer units are certainly better than their predecessors but all slides can be problematic.

The troubled is when you have a slide problem you usually have a major problem. Many units restrict usage when they are in, they add weight and complexity and make it difficult to heat/cool the rig. Leaks are legendary and often disastrous. If you just "got" to have a slide or two (or three), by all means but know that some day it is going to bite you in the butt and probably at the worst, most vulnerable moment.

What I cannot understand is why this industry has failed to solve the riddle of the reliable, air tight, water tight slide that does not add 1,000+# to the rig. For most folks simply buying the right rig/floor plan mitigates any major "need" for slides and yes you can sell a slideless unit just as easily as one with slides.

Bottom line, there are two types of slide owners..... those that have had a problem and those that will. There is no third category.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV.

jesilvas · 12-13-2013, 08:10 PM

Coming from a standpoint of having rebuilt multiple slide out floors and things of the like: it's almost always a lack of maintenance. Not checking sealants and gaskets.

George Schweikle · 12-14-2013, 08:54 AM

Back in the day when Safari was a privately owned company, they used to shut down their Oregon factory and have a "Homecoming" for owners of their RV's. In 1995, they had an Eastern Homecoming at Disney, and we took our new TREK. During one of the evening events, company owner Matt Perlot held a wireless microphone and asked the assembled owners to respond with questions & issues. One of the first questions was about slides. Matt said "No Safari will ever leave my factory with a slide!". If I remember correctly, the next year they had some motorhomes with slides...

Can you even buy a new RV without slides?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Steve

Slides, love them or hate them there seems to be no middle ground. If you are trying to accommodate a large family or full time they are a (somewhat), necessary evil. I have never met a slide owner (with more than a couple of years experience), who has not experienced a problem. The newer units are certainly better than their predecessors but all slides can be problematic.

The troubled is when you have a slide problem you usually have a major problem. Many units restrict usage when they are in, they add weight and complexity and make it difficult to heat/cool the rig. Leaks are legendary and often disastrous. If you just "got" to have a slide or two (or three), by all means but know that some day it is going to bite you in the butt and probably at the worst, most vulnerable moment.

What I cannot understand is why this industry has failed to solve the riddle of the reliable, air tight, water tight slide that does not add 1,000+# to the rig. For most folks simply buying the right rig/floor plan mitigates any major "need" for slides and yes you can sell a slideless unit just as easily as one with slides.

Bottom line, there are two types of slide owners..... those that have had a problem and those that will. There is no third category.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV.

Easyrider · 12-21-2013, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Steve

Slides, love them or hate them there seems to be no middle ground. If you are trying to accommodate a large family or full time they are a (somewhat), necessary evil. I have never met a slide owner (with more than a couple of years experience), who has not experienced a problem. The newer units are certainly better than their predecessors but all slides can be problematic.

The troubled is when you have a slide problem you usually have a major problem. Many units restrict usage when they are in, they add weight and complexity and make it difficult to heat/cool the rig. Leaks are legendary and often disastrous. If you just "got" to have a slide or two (or three), by all means but know that some day it is going to bite you in the butt and probably at the worst, most vulnerable moment.

What I cannot understand is why this industry has failed to solve the riddle of the reliable, air tight, water tight slide that does not add 1,000+# to the rig. For most folks simply buying the right rig/floor plan mitigates any major "need" for slides and yes you can sell a slideless unit just as easily as one with slides.

Bottom line, there are two types of slide owners..... those that have had a problem and those that will. There is no third category.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV.

I admit this is just my experience, but we've had slides since 2005 and so far no problems and never needed servicing. As far as ease of selling a RV with or without slides, imho, even though you can sell RVs without slides, they lose value much more quickly than an RV with slides. When we purchased our RV I researched used units and found although the purchase price of units without slides when new was just slightly less than units with slides, the resale value was much less, in fact so much less that we decided to get slides. To me this means most people like slides, therefore the demand for units with slides is greater than units without, and that slide units hold their value better. And truth be told, I haven't seen a unit yet without slides that felt "roomy" no matter what the floor plan was. Does this mean that nobody likes slideless RVs? No, but I think it does indicate more people prefer slides than no slides.

GaryKD · 12-21-2013, 12:57 PM

Hi Mr. M,
2005 Newmar Kountry Star. Newmar invented the flat floor slide. I have had no problems with my slides. They are electric and I would have only electric.
To minimize your fears, look over the slide mechanism as you are shopping. Have a tech explain to you the different ways to close a slide, in the coach you are considering. Any special tools that might be needed.