Opinions. Everybodys got one. I d like to hear yours.
I am looking a few different factors when considering floorplans etc., and would like to know if anyone has any concerns about slide-outs.
Weigh a little more, maybe. Loss of cargo space while travelling? Shoe-horned into that last open site at the public RV park and you had no room?
Or are they wonderful ways to enjoy your camper even more?
Fire away, brag on yours, whatever. Let s hear it.
got woody?To me with our family of 4 and a dog the slide out is almost a must have I think. They just open up the floorplan so much more. You can still use them if they are not extended too.
Down sides can be weight, leaking, extra setup time. But I think the benefits out weight these as long as your tow vehicle can deal with the extra weight.
got woody?If I were to buy a new popup or RV, a slide out would be a definite yes. There is just so much more room with one. We were at a RV show in Reno, NV last week, and I don t think I saw anything without a slide out.
got woody?With 2 kids growing at lightspeed and a chocolate lab, I wouldn t be without the slide-out. DH didn t think it was a necessity, but he must have forgotten that it always rains whenever we plan an outdoor activity. We ve never had a trip where the weather didn t force us inside for several hours. It s wonderful to have to room to move around without climbing over each other. We really like it a lot.
got woody?With the DS and 2 dogs...I like having the extra space of a slideout. If it was just me and DW, I probabally would prefer the one of those chalets (? the triangle shaped hard side ones). If your TV can handle the extra weight...it s a def. worth it. as far as the cargo space lost....we can still store stuff on the floor of the slideout area, and don t really lose any storage space while travelling.
got woody?
QuoteORIGINAL: got woody?
Weigh a little more, maybe. Loss of cargo space while travelling? Shoe-horned into that last open site at the public RV park and you had no room?
I don t know about other brands, but on Coleman models, they weigh a significant amount more (when compared to available cargo weight). If we had the closest equivalent floor plan without a slide-out, we would have had 300-400 lbs more cargo space.
They cost more. Look at the prices of two more-or-less equivalent units with and without slide-outs. I ll bet that slide-out would pay for anywhere from 25 to 200 nights of camping.
You don t get that much more. You may pay $1500 or more for 18 square feet of floor space. That s nearly $100 per square foot.
There are more things to go wrong. There s more canvas, more seams in the canvas, slide/glide systems, often times there are water and/or electrical systems that have to move with the slide-out.
Having said all that, we have a slide-out and, under the same circumstances, would get another.
Austin
got woody?We have a slide-out and love it! When we are inside we can move around. Multiple people inside at once don?t necessarily have to sit on the bunk ends, some can sit at the table and some at the couch.
After having a slide-out I can?t imagine ever buying another pop up without a slid-out unless at the time we simply couldn?t afford it.
As for loss of floor space when traveling, I?ve never really agreed with that, we utilize every bit of the under table space and the under seat storage from the dinette so the only real loss to me is from ?wide open space to more partitioned space?.
got woody?With our family of 5, the slide out was something we definitely wanted. Glad we choose that because when we camped for nine days last year, the extra space was great for the three girls to play on rainy days. We don t feel as cramped also. Now that we have had one, don t plan to get another without the slide out. Even if it is just two people camping, you don t have to squeeze by each other in the isle, unless you just want to[;)][:)]
got woody?With our present campers floor plan, U shaped dinette seating area, without the table in place, we basically have a fairly large area in which to lounge on while watching tv or reading while inside the camper.
If the weather is inclement, we still cook under the awning, but simply use our laps as tables when eating inside. Therefore a slide out for the dinette would hold limited appeal for us.
Now if the manufacturers would come out with a slide out that contained a sofa or gaucho and were able to keep the weight below 3500 lbs. that would be something worth looking at.
Even small slide outs in travel trailers and Class C motorhomes do a lot to open the living area...earl
got woody?Our first camper was a Jayco 10UD - great floorplan but no floor space. Trying to eat a meal inside when it rained was a disaster & we were forever tripping over someone or something! Our current camper, Coleman Bayside, has the slide-out & space!!! [:)] We absolutely love it! And our best friends who camp with us just bought one too & they love having room. For us, it was great because of our 2 kids & 2 labs that come along almost everywhere we go. For our friends, it was having space to hang out in the camper if needed without constantly moving something. As for lack of floor space, when we got the new trailer we also got the added bonus of the front storage compartment [:D]. We haven t had any problems with storage space.
One last thing on slide-outs, if you re considering one. When we camped in South Dakota a couple of years ago (with the Jayco) someone in a site near us had a slide-out which required stabilizers. Unfortunately the campground was on a bit of a hill & they had to pile up rocks to meet the stabilizers. So, we definitely prefer Coleman s method - no stabilizers needed for the slideout. That was a major consideration for us when shopping for a bigger trailer.
Enjoy!
Sharon
got woody?We don t have a slide-out in our popup, and at this point in our camping life, wouldn t want one. The floorplan in our Rockwood 1908 (//%22http://www.forestriverinc.com/1908_rockwoodtc.htm%22) is already fairly open for a 10 box. Our dogs are small (9 & 19 lbs.), and hang out on the bunks. Our kids are still young, and as they become teenagers, we may feel a little too crowded with our current set-up, but we ll play that one by ear. We would more likely move to a hybrid than a larger popup, but who knows at this point. When we were looking at popups, we wanted one that had 2 dinettes, and I m glad we stuck with it. It s nice to have 2 areas to sit, especially with 2 kids that need some space between them sometimes [&:]. We like the lighter weight, lower cost, and simpler set-up and maintenance of a popup w/out a slide-out...works out just right for us.
got woody?Now don t get me wrong, I love my pop up and we will be keeping it for a few years yet, however, after one season in our camper that doesn t have a slide out, with a family of 5, I would jump at the chance to get a slide out!
got woody?With the kids it is a definite must. It may not seem like much more uesable floorspace (maybe 8-10 SQ.FT.) but it makes the whole trailer seem much bigger.
12FSO (Front Storage Slide Out)
Dust64
QuoteNow if the manufacturers would come out with a slide out that contained a sofa or gaucho and were able to keep the weight below 3500 lbs. that would be something worth looking at.
100% totally agree with this statement. I would much rather have the sofa/gaucho slide than the dinette.
When we upgrade, whether it be a hybrid or just new Pu, it will have a slideout.
got woody?Why SHOULDN T I get a slide-out?.... If that s what you want then do it.
We don t have one, and I really don t think I would get one if I bought again.
I m sure they are great, but we have plenty of room already.
So I don t see why I need to spend the extra $$$, do the extra work, or haul more weight.
We hardly spend any time inside to begin with, and when we do there seems to be more than enough room.
I also agree that a slide-out with something besides a booth would be more usefull to us. Like a couch/gaucho.
Or how about a couch/gaucho in a slide out that also has privacy curtains. So it could be used as a changing room, thats out of the way.
JeffreyLike that idea Jeffrey - a U sofa with curtains for another private sleep area or for a private place to change. Get tired of wiggling in and out of clothes on the bunks.[;)]
We don t have a slide out, had considered it though. In fact, we were torn between the Bayside and the Mesa. The Mesa won out. The layout feels like we have 2 rooms instead of one area. So we can divide and conquer with the kids or can set the kids to games and such while DH and I lounge on the sofa. Even with the 2 dogs thrown in, we are still comfortable. Plus, the extra space in the Bayside just wasn t worth the extra money for us.
I don t think it we d go with a slideout even as the kids get bigger. It s just one more thing to set up. And if the kids want more space, heck, they can get a tent.
Good luck deciding, Jim! And enjoy whatever you decide on!
Oh yeah, if you are willing to go to Liberty Rd, Randallstown, check out Charlie s Camping - we have nothing but great help from them and also got a very nice deal on our Mesa.
got woody?The only reason to not get a slide-out that I can think of is size of your tow vehicle, cost and lack of interior storage space when closed.
When we started looking at popups, we really wanted a slide-out. We have 3 kids (11,7 and 2) and a medium size dog. A slide-out was ideal for us. But when it came right down to it, we couldn t afford one. We got a real good deal on our Westlake and just couldn t swing the additional $1400 that they wanted for the Niagra. The Bayside and Utah were options too but we really wanted the shower/potty combo which are not offered on those 2 models. We really like our Westlake but still feel we would like a slide-out. I think now if we could afford the slide-out we would go for it.
got woody?The only reason I can see for NOT getting one is if your TV cannot handle the extra weight. The amount of time they add to set up is nil IMO. Mine does not leak and the benifits far outweigh any cons. We love ours!!!
got woody?We ve had our trailer for a year now and could not fathom not having a slide out. We ve had 7 for dinner at the slide out dinnette with a chair at the end. Without that we couldn t have done it. We ve looked at other models and the closest to ours is the Coleman Niagra with the shower/potty. That s another item we have and wouldn t be without. We love our Jayco.
got woody?The more I think about it, PU manufacturers dont seem to have any imagination.
Every pull-out I have ever seen, just has a booth in it. Except the big Jayco where the whole side pulls out.
A pull-out w/ a u-shaped couch with a privacy curtain would be even better.
It could be for changing clothes, or sitting up late reading without laying in a bunk, and also a private bedroom. And still would make a more roomy living space.
Or a pull-out w/ privacy curtain...... could also have a shower and casette in it.
Then you would have room to use everything and still have room to change. Without stripping down in the isle of the PU. The main reason our kids would never use a PU shower.
Or a pull-out with a u-shaped kitchen cabinets, put all the kitchen in a pull-out. Then your not standing in the isle cooking. (If I ever cooked inside, which is never but?)
They need to try something else in a pull-out, and maybe I would want to try one.
JeffreyAll very good ideas Jeffrey. You should go to work for one of the manufacturers. Doesn t matter which one. Once somebody did something like that, they all would.
bikoleeGreat stuff, gang. Exactly what I was hoping for, on both the pros and the cons. When the Viking Forum opens up, I ll reccommend they check out some of these great ideas.
As far as the name of the thread, I was really just trying to get your attention. At this point we remain wide open and subject to change at a moments notice based on what I continue to learn from all of you.
Weight was a huge concern, primary really, when I first came to the boards as I was thinking we d try using our Grand Caravan as TV. I learned enough to know that can be done if you choose your PU well and keep your weights in line.
But now, circumstances have improved and we are looking hard at getting either a Trailblazer EXT or Enjoy XL. If anyone needs the utility of a minivan and the capabilities of a truck, you really can t do better than one of those IMHO, of course!
Thanks again for the input!
whippetwrun
QuoteWe don t have a slide out, had considered it though. In fact, we were torn between the Bayside and the Mesa. The Mesa won out. The layout feels like we have 2 rooms instead of one area. So we can divide and conquer with the kids or can set the kids to games and such while DH and I lounge on the sofa. Even with the 2 dogs thrown in, we are still comfortable. Plus, the extra space in the Bayside just wasn t worth the extra money for us.
The money issue just bags the question ?why did Coleman stopped making the Fairview or more to the point having a slide-out in the Destiny series?? It seemed like it was less than 2/3 the price of the high end slide outs.
Slide-outs are nice but it is a shame that Coleman now seems to be saying that if you want one we will make you pay and not offer one in the destiny series.
Jeffrey
QuoteORIGINAL: Jeffrey
Or a pull-out w/ privacy curtain...... could also have a shower and cassette in it.
Then you would have room to use everything and still have room to change. Without stripping down in the isle of the PU. The main reason our kids would never use a PU shower.
My Nevada has the cassette potty and shower. There is a privacy curtain that stretches across the trailer. Even thought you are " stripping down in the isle of the PU" it is private. It isn t any different than if the shower was in a pull out area. The thing that is even nicer is that by splitting the trailer with the curtain you can have people changing on both sides at the same time. [:)]
bikoleeAnother member posted this in reply to a question someone had asked about a Starcraft model with a slideout:
Quote
One point to mention is that the Starcraft slideouts are a little different than most. On the one hand, they slideout almost a full foot farther than a comparable Coleman, leaving you with lots of interior floor space. But on the other hand, they re not self-supporting and have scissor jacks to provide the extra support. Some have lamented that they can be a pain. So, as part of your negotiation (assuming you re buying from a dealer), see if you can have them switch out the scissor jacks for the screw-down stabilizers and you ll be all set.
Unquote
I didn t write the authors handle down but think it was something like " SacatoCamper" . Looks like good advise, regret that I have not given proper credit to the original author.
Rambling Wreck