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We had sold our motor coach some time ago and thought
we would just sit things out for a while. RVing, however, is very
addictive. We missed being able to just go where and when we wished
to (weather permitting) and all the friends we had accumulated
during all our previous years of RVing.
What are 'Slide-outs'?
We had decided on a fifth wheel trailer having tried out several
loaned by our dealer (he even loaned us the pickup to pull them) and
were truly converted to this new (to us) type of RV. The one big
decision remaining was the matter of slide-outs, -- those box like
structures which were made to extend from the RV (when parked) and
provided much appreciated additional space inside the vehicle. Our
salesman had explained to us how they worked but would not give us
any recommendations. He did, however, give us a list of folks who
had bought fifth wheel trailers with slide-outs.
The Problems
First, we thought, we would just see what we could find on the
Internet. It was overwhelming! Mostly, we found complaints -– the
same complaints over and over again. How could anything be this bad
and still be so popular?
The more important complaints included:
-
leaking of water and dust around the gaskets that are supposed to
seal the slide-out when extended or retracted.
-
accumulation of debris on the top of the slide-outs when parked
under trees (which is where the shade is!) being pulled into the
RV when the slide-outs are retracted
-
malfunction of the mechanisms responsible for extending and
retracting the slide-out (a real problem if the’re extended and
can’t be retracted)
-
additional maintenance cost (especially as the RV ages)
-
compromised structural integrity of the body of the RV
-
reduction of carrying capacity of RV due to extra weight of the
slide-outs (500 to as much as 1000 pounds per slide-out)
After reading all this stuff on the Internet we were
ready to say ‘no’ to slide-outs. We didn’t have slide-outs on the
MCI or Flxible; can they really be that great?
The Solutions
We went back to the salesman and he again pointed out that nearly
all of their Fifth Wheels now come with slide-outs. Depreciation is
much greater for units without slide-outs. He did have some
rebuttals concerning the complaints we had gathered.
Water Leakage Problem
The cited water leakage problem is almost always due to lack of
proper maintenance. There are lubricants which, when properly
applied to the rubber-like gaskets, prolong the useful lives of the
gaskets. And, like your automobile (or pickup truck) the RV should
be checked out at the beginning of the season to reduce the
probability of mechanical mishaps while traveling. If it appears
there may be a problem with a slide-out staying properly retracted
while the vehicle is traveling, mechanical locks can be fitted to
ensure complete retraction is maintained.
Pulling
Debris Inside
The problem of pulling debris inside the RV when retracting the
slide-out is not a problem with the fifth wheels we had been
considering because they all are fitted with special awnings which
extend and retract with the slide-outs.
Proper Maintenance
Proper maintenance by the dealer helps to assure the electrical
motors and associated gears work properly when they are expected to
but, if something were to happen there is a mechanical override to
allow the slide-out to be retracted manually. He also said that most
problems of this nature occur because the trailer wasn’t leveled
before the slide-outs were extended.
Additional
Maintenance Costs
The expected additional maintenance cost only occurs in his
dealership if something has to be repaired. The inspections,
lubrication of seals, gears, etc., is done by his mechanics when the
RV is brought in for its annual checkup.
Structural
Integrity
The structural integrity is more a function of the size
of the slide-out. The fifth wheel trailers we were considering were
not compromised by the inclusion of the slide-outs.
The matter of reduction of carrying capacity brought a
smile to his face: “It’s a matter of numbers. You can carry so much
and that is the limit. So you have to decide what is important and
stay within the limit. The slide-outs in the units you have looked
at are on the light side (about 600 pounds each) because they are
small and not moving appliances.”
Testimonials from
Owners
Again he encouraged us to check with other customers who had fifth
wheel trailers with slide-outs. We hadn’t wanted to bother his
customers but decided that, as people complain more readily than
they praise –- especially on the Internet, we should take his
advice.
We did check with all the people on his list. Without exception,
all were very happy –- not only with the slide-outs but with the
trailers and the service they had received. We were convinced so we
bought the 31 foot Cardinal with the living area plus front bedroom
(and queen-sized bed) slide-outs. We’ve had our Cardinal over 2
years, so far, and expect to have it a few more.
Slide-outs, Good or
Bad?
They’re great! Ours change living in a hallway into enjoying our
living room and being able to get into our queen bed from both
sides.
So what if diesel is $5 a gallon… RVing is that
addictive! |