RE: Why SHOULDN T I get a slide-out?

[whippetwrun]

 Jeffrey
Like 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.

[OC Campers]

 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.
 
 

[PI]

 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!!!

[oldmoose]

 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.

[Jeffrey]

 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.

[bikolee]

 Jeffrey
All 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.

[got woody?]

 bikolee
Great 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!

[don]

 whippetwrun

 

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.
 

 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.
 

[tlhdoc]

 Jeffrey

 

ORIGINAL:  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. []
 

[RamblingWreck]

 bikolee
Another 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