Pop Ups - Slide out vs. No Slide out?

[hscsmoody]

We are looking to buy a pop up camper.  We originally were thinking of a slide out dinette just for the extra space it would create inside for us.  Now that we have looked around, I've had one dealer tell me that slide outs are not worth the extra expense, and heard via another post that slide out's can be trouble.

Our children are young, 3&5 so we were thinking that the added space inside would be key as my son (3) doesn't like to sit still for long.  Granted we'd be outside most of the time, but liked the idea of having added inside space just in case.

We'd like to get your opinions on the pros and cons of slide outs based on your knowledge and if you believe they are worth the added cost.

Thanks for replying !!

[Weber Grill]

We recently purchased a new Fleetwood Sequioa which does not have a slide out. The other model in that 'family' is the Niagra. The price difference was approx $1,000 and the Niagra with the slid actually had a smaller sleeping area when you convert the dining area.

We looked at these 2 models many times before picking one to purchase. To me, the Sequoia 'felt bigger', I don't know why, it just did.

Another reason I went with the Sequoia without the slide is, the more moving parts, the more to go wrong...just something I have learned over the years.

Patrick :usflag:

[Recumbentman]

Slide out PU's are usually bigger and heavier. Do you have a TV to pull one?
The general opinion is to get your second PU first. So in your case since you have the small kids and you like the slide out, you should get it.
Also I bet when that dealer told you that, he didn't have any slide outs on his lot  

[esclark]

I'm assuming that you have a strong enough tow vehicle for either otherwise weight might be a reason to skip the slideout.  Slideouts are nice.  We don't have one because we didn't want to tow anything that heavy with a minivan.  Even if we didn't have a minivan as a tow vehicle, I think we would have passed on the slideout.  This is a very individual thing.  We were moving up from tent camping so for us just having a pop up was a total luxury.

[pvero]

We just moved up from tent camping also.  Our kids are 11 and 14 and we really like the slide out. It was very nice when we had 4 teenagers in the rain.  We of course had the TV.

[zamboni]

We started with a 10' box Starcraft popup.  Moved up to my parents Niagara (with slide) when they moved up to a TrailManor.

The slideout added seconds to the setup time (pull, done - no extra legs) - and it added a lot to the interior in my opinion - we camped with 2 dogs and later a baby.

We often, however, missed our Starcraft... Personally, my wife and I never liked the Coleman; too finicky to get set up (not the slide - but the tenting, door, especially awning, etc), and the layout we had meant that when popped down, you could not access the fridge or more than about just the doorway of the camper.

[saskcamper]

We've just moved up from tent camping to a pop up and bought one with a slide. I spent time in both while looking/shopping around, and I liked the extra few feet you get with the slide. I was in one (with a slide) while 3 other adults were in there, too, and it didn't feel cramped at all. I was in another (no slide) with 2 other adults and it felt a little tight. We had our maiden voyage a couple of weeks ago and it was wonderfully roomy and comfortable, even with our 2 large labs underfoot.

[SherryandFamily]

Our first two popups did not have slide outs.  We had a Starcraft and then a Coleman.  Then we bought a 99 Utah and I absolutely loved the layout especially the slide out.  When we dedided to upgrade again the slide out was a must!
IMHO it adds more then just the few feet because you have the  FEELING of not being so cramped.  I agree it only takes seconds to slide out and slide in.
We camped in the Utah for 7 years and never had any problem with the slide out.  (The roof is of course another story!)
Sherry

[cobbs1]

We have the Niagra with the slide-out.  We also have a toddler and a 90 lb golden retriever. I love the extra room!  We have not had any issues with the slide-out.  This is our first pop-up, so I have nothing else to compare it to. But, walking over the dog is bad enough as it is. Can't imagine how cramped it would be without the extra bit of room.  Now, I will also say that I am definitely not a minimalist in the camping department. We already have a ton of stuff packed in it.  

But, I must echo what some others have said - it depends on if your vehicle can tow that kind of weight. They tend to be very heavy.

We have not tried to use the dinette as a sleeping area yet.  We will later this summer when my husband takes his sister and nieces camping. It doesn't look very big, though.

Have fun looking!

[tlhdoc]

I don't have a slide out and have not wanted one.  To me it is one more thing to set up and you loose a lot of storage space in the isle when the slide out is in ready to tow.  I always put stuff in the isle way.  The best thing to do is to go and spend time in a few PUs and see what you like.  Good luck.

[fritz_monroe]

We love our slide.  We shopped quite a bit before settling on the Bayside.  We have a 7 y.o., a 2 y.o. and a 70# dog.  The reason we decided on a slide model was we sat inside quite a few different models.  I tried to put myself in the mindset that it was pouring down rain and we were stuck inside for the weekend.  I don't know how we would stand being stuck inside for any length of time.  Some of the slide models actually made my wife claustrophobic.

As others have said, if you are seriously thinking that you may not like a non-slide model, you probably should just pass by the non-slide models.  You don't want to get something that you will be unhappy with.  Ideally, you will be using this camper for years to come.

Good luck with your search and I hope you find exactly what you want.

[outdoors5]

I have two young kids and a slide.  Love it.  Gives more space, wider aisle, and the feeling of a seperate place to sit.  Every foot of space in a PU truly makes a difference.  I do not want to add anything to the set-up time but the slide truly is quick and simple; pull, put the inside roof poll in place, a few snaps/velcro and poof more space is made.  I have a six year old PU but only own it since the end of last summer.  So, I would not know if it ever needed repair by the previouse owner.  However, since I have owned it the slide works great .

[Done Working]

Our Viking 2485 ST with the slide out is the best. The extra room is great. We have an 8 and 5 year old. Everyone enjoys the extra space. it only takes 10 extra seconds to set-up, as someone said earlier "Just pull" and your done. it's that simple.

[AustinBoston]

We have a Coleman/Fleetwood Bayside (with slideout).  We've had it for six years and used it a lot.

We've hauled it more than 25,000 miles and slept in it in 26 states.  It's been in hundreds of campgrounds from Maine to California, and from below freezing to 110

[timf]

We are on our third popup, the first two without slides and the current one, a 2001 Starcraft Spaceliner, with a slide out. The extra room is awesome. It is true you lose some packing space because of the space needed to slide-in when you close up but the trunk up front more than makes up for it. One of the nicest things is when all sleeping areas are setup you can still get around in the camper without climbing over anyone or anything. I don't think I would buy another popup without it. I bought this camper new and have never had any problems with the slideout, it's really nothing more than a large, heavy duty drawer.