Jammer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2009
- Posts
- 1,491
Well it looks like Tom and I found something to agree on.
I don't like slides, for a number of reasons:
1) They lead to an impossibly cramped interior in those situations where it is inappropriate, impossible, or inconvenient to deploy the slide. These include brief rest or meal stops while traveling, loading or unloading supplies at the beginning or end of a trip, overnight stops in non-campground locations of various kinds, and older campsites at state and national parks where clearance is a problem.
2) Visual appearance of the outside of the RV while camping is a big deal to me, and slides are ugly.
3) Comparing two RVs with the same floor space -- a longer one without slides and a shorter one with slides -- the one with slides will generally be heavier, with attendant consequences for axles, tires, hitch, fuel economy, ability to pass slow moving Ford escorts, and (for a tt or 5er) tow vehicle selection.
4) I like windows and skylights. Again comparing two RVs with the same floor space the one with slides has fewer opportunities for windows and skylights.
5) Slides increase the encamp and decamp times.
6) Slides occasionally fail to retract leading to an inability to decamp. While rare, this is a major inconvenience when it occurs.
7) Slides are a fruitful source of water leaks.
8) Slides pose problems in high winds: air and water leakage, and increased susceptibility to overturning (unless auxiliary jacks are placed under the slide).
9) Slides raise the CG and can lead to lateral imbalance, both of which reduce drivability.
I don't like slides, for a number of reasons:
1) They lead to an impossibly cramped interior in those situations where it is inappropriate, impossible, or inconvenient to deploy the slide. These include brief rest or meal stops while traveling, loading or unloading supplies at the beginning or end of a trip, overnight stops in non-campground locations of various kinds, and older campsites at state and national parks where clearance is a problem.
2) Visual appearance of the outside of the RV while camping is a big deal to me, and slides are ugly.
3) Comparing two RVs with the same floor space -- a longer one without slides and a shorter one with slides -- the one with slides will generally be heavier, with attendant consequences for axles, tires, hitch, fuel economy, ability to pass slow moving Ford escorts, and (for a tt or 5er) tow vehicle selection.
4) I like windows and skylights. Again comparing two RVs with the same floor space the one with slides has fewer opportunities for windows and skylights.
5) Slides increase the encamp and decamp times.
6) Slides occasionally fail to retract leading to an inability to decamp. While rare, this is a major inconvenience when it occurs.
7) Slides are a fruitful source of water leaks.
8) Slides pose problems in high winds: air and water leakage, and increased susceptibility to overturning (unless auxiliary jacks are placed under the slide).
9) Slides raise the CG and can lead to lateral imbalance, both of which reduce drivability.