Community Forums

RedT · 02-05-2022, 02:12 PM

While looking at various Class A motorhomes at an RV show, I noticed that all of the coaches had carpeted slide-outs, while the floor had one of the various engineered materials. I couldn't help but wonder why carpeting was used under the couches, beds, refrigerators, etc., when it was not used on the floor?
Not able to contain myself, I asked one of the salesmen why and was told that carpeting is used as an illusion? Huh?!?

The answer was that carpeting was used in order to "hide" the fact that, if the slide was adjusted to be a flat floor when extended, it would scratch the floor when retracting. By adding carpeting on the slide, the adjustment and "mismatch" of slide floor to coach floor was not noticeable.

True? Has coach design and engineering brought us to this point?

BillJinOR · 02-05-2022, 02:17 PM

Yes the slide drops down and carpeting hides the transition between the two floors. It doesn’t have to be as exact. Personally I know people love tile but I have no pets and no kids tracking in dirt and prefer carpet on my feet.

Ranger Smith · 02-05-2022, 03:07 PM

I dont think Prevost, Marathon, or Liberty do it that way. Should be easy enough to engineer

Tha_Rooster · 02-05-2022, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger Smith

I dont think Prevost, Marathon, or Liberty do it that way. Should be easy enough to engineer

Yeah but a slide on a marathon might cost 100k.

MSHappyCampers · 02-09-2022, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillJinOR

Yes the slide drops down and carpeting hides the transition between the two floors. It doesn’t have to be as exact. Personally I know people love tile but I have no pets and no kids tracking in dirt and prefer carpet on my feet.

I think you nailed it! I replaced the carpet throughout the MH with LVT, but put new carpet on the slideouts. It hangs over just enough to cover the crack!

Dutch Star Don · 02-09-2022, 09:02 PM

Even high-end coaches use carpet on the slides for the reasons mentioned. It's also easier to place a bed or sofa on carpet and hide how it's attached.

With that said, some coaches do have matching material on the floor and slides. Our Dutch Star has tile on the floor and all slides in the coach. There is no carpet. The full wall slide has a vinyl strip to cover the gap. The slide goes out and then drops 6". This does add a lot of weight to the coach, including additional steel framing.