Posted 2012-02-09 8:43 AM (#140674) Subject: Slide -outs
Member
Posts: 11
Location: Lethbridge Alberta
So are slide outs always a great thing? Seems to me they are could be a bit of a hassle at times as its one more thing to have to deal with every time you stop and want to use your trailer for something, as they are sticking into the middle of your living area. What about the affect they might have on interior warmth of your LQ, say when outside temps are a bit below freezing? I realize the extra room is always an advantage, just wondering what those who have them have decided.
Posted 2012-02-09 9:18 AM (#140675 - in reply to #140674) Subject: RE: Slide -outs
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
You are correct that slide out will never be as warm as a solid walled trailer. But with the right sized furnace you can keep anything warm. So the question more of "Can you afford the extra Propane?" Drive out by any of the Man Camps in the oil field country and look at how creative many of them have been at trying to stop cold air around the slides of their 5th Wheel trailers.
A single slide usually leave enough room to pass thru the trailer with out having to open up the slide. But a double slide pretty much clogs the whole center of the trailer.
A slide out adds weight to a trailer. The extra space is great, But it might just require the next size bigger truck.
Posted 2012-02-09 10:15 AM (#140677 - in reply to #140674) Subject: RE: Slide -outs
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350 Location: Penrose, Colorado
the slide on ours does not interfer with using the trailer at all with it not extended, I think if you change the rubber molding every few years you will cut down on alot of heat loss, slides do add weight but the extra room is worth it to us, our next trailer may have two or at least one twelve footer.
Posted 2012-02-09 2:45 PM (#140681 - in reply to #140674) Subject: RE: Slide -outs
Member
Posts: 26 Location: Decatur, TX
The slide outs have great pro's and a few cons. It for sure adds a lot of room to the center of the trailer, and when it is slid in, depending on the trailer arrangement, you will still have room to pass thru the length of the livignquarters. It is another mechanical feature so there is always some maintenance to go along with that. The slide out structure does take up room as well, so this might limit the closet space you would have with out it. There is no doubt how much a slide out will open the livingquarters up and make it feel more "roomy" so most of the times the pros out way the con.
Posted 2012-02-09 4:08 PM (#140685 - in reply to #140674) Subject: RE: Slide -outs
Member
Posts: 23
Location: London, OHIO
Sorry about that...hit the button way too fast! Was so excited to tell you all about the EASY GLIDE SLIDE...Shadow is the only manufacturer to use it (I have two in my trailer.... they dont leak, the lock tight (both when they are in and out) they dont get cold (I have stayed for 10 days in 35 degree weather) They are just a super system. Shadow’s “Easy Slide” adds living space, does not have expensive parts, keeps slide outs affordable, and does not add weight! When both slides are in, you can still use the living quarter.... but heck they are so easy to slide in and out... you can just pop one out in no time.... and right back in when you are done! If you have any other questions about them just check out the Shadow Trailers here on Horse Trailer World or send me a PM and I will be happy to send more details!
Posted 2012-02-09 5:55 PM (#140688 - in reply to #140674) Subject: RE: Slide -outs
Elite Veteran
Posts: 714 Location: Minnesota
Side outs that don't add weight? I guess the extra framing and siding as well as the mechanism itself must be made of feathers. Oh wait, even my pillow adds weight so they must be built with something only Shadow has. Maybe hot air?
Edited to add:Sorry don't mean to be so snide, just hate to hear a salesman make a claim that can't be true. There's to many gullible people out here.
Posted 2012-02-09 8:24 PM (#140695 - in reply to #140674) Subject: RE: Slide -outs
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Valentine, NE
IMO, it depends on usage. If you park for several nights in one area, would be great. But for us, it is a few hours here, a night there, than drive 300 miles than another night somewhere else. Seldom do we spend more than 2 nights in one spot. So slides for us would be too much of a pain--in/out, did we put it in or should we leave it in arguements. Not to mention the cost, risk of more maintenance, weight, etc.
We don't go somewhere to stay in the trailer so probably will stay without one....
Posted 2012-02-09 9:54 PM (#140698 - in reply to #140674) Subject: RE: Slide -outs
Veteran
Posts: 264 Location: Sumas Washington
I will NEVER have another slide in a trailer. I am a metal fabricator by trade and the idea of taking a good solid box (your trailer) and cutting a floor to ceiling hole in the side and still have it structurally sound makes we cringe. The extra weight alone is bad enough, but to put up with the leaks as the trailer ages is too much to deal with. I have seen even some VERY high end coaches with supposedly engineered slides with the same leaks and sloppy fit after a few years. This is of course only my opinion for what works for me.
Slide -outs
