This is sort of a continuation of Chapter 35 in that it's again the result of staying at the same campground for most of 2001. I was in the Huntsville Space and Rocket Center campground off and on from February through October. While there, I would occasionally think/dream of the great Class A I'm going to buy someday. Staying there for that long period was beneficial to this dreaming, since it gave me a chance to look at alot of different types of Class A motorhomes and their various types of slide-outs. I began noticing that they slid out different distances, some include the storage compartments and some not, they vary in size, location, etc., etc. Noticing all this naturally led me to thinking about writing a chapter explaining all this for the benefit of my many readers, so I did a search on slide-outs to see if the topic had already been covered to death.
Surprisingly, the only related thing I found was a neat article entitled To Slide or Not To Slide by Bob Gummersall. Bob apparently wrote the original version in November 1998, updated it in November 2000, and promises another update in 2002. In the final paragraph of the 2000 version, he concludes "My basic position is still that it is not worth the negatives to get the few positives related to slideout model motorhomes." Well, Bob, sorry about that, but this Bob disagrees. While watching the RVs enter and leave the 26 or so camping spots for 9 months, I don't think there were ever more than three at a time that didn't have one or more slide-outs. My unscientific survey concludes that somewhere around 95% of RVs being sold today have one or more. I, personally, wouldn't buy an RV without one if I had any intent of someday trying to sell it -- and if you think you'll never sell your current RV, think again. Feel free to read the articles and decide for yourself.
So-o-o, assuming you're going to buy a Class A (as I think I am) and that you want a slide-out model (as I do), the next decision involves the number, location, etc. of the slides. Below, I've shown the variety that I've seen in motor home slides. Within, I express my conclusions. Hopefully, I give you enough info to make your own decision.
As Always, Click Any Picture to Open a New Window With a Full-Sized View!
When I wrote my book Retire and Travel for $1000 a Month, I stated that slide-outs on 5th wheels are deeper than those on Class A motorhomes. Well, that was sure wrong. What I had been noticing was the model with slides that contain electric/plumbing (like they have the kitchen in them) and, consequently, don't slide as far to avoid flexing electric and plumbing connections too far. I guess it could be that in 1984, when I first researched the book, that's all there were -- don't know. Anyway, here at the right is an Allegro Bus with a shallow slide.
May 2002 Addendum: I visited an RV show this weekend -- learned that some Class A slides are shallow, even though they are the dinette/sofa type.
Below that is an Intruder motorhome with a deeper slide. This slide no doubt contains the sofa and dinette, as most of those in 5th wheels do. Notice that both of these have the roll-out cover on top -- a great addition to slides that has shown up the last few years. Keeps trash off the top of the slide. I don't have one on my 5th wheel and often have to get on top with a broom before I slide it in.
Now, notice something else about both the Allegro Bus and the Intruder -- the compartment under the slide doesn't slide! In the Winnebago Adventurer in this next picture, the compartments are part of the slide. Click on the Winnebago to see a couple of larger views that show the compartments clearly.
So, here are my initial opinions. Seems to me the deeper slide would be preferred -- makes the room seem larger. Anybody have any idea why you'd rather buy one with the shallow slide? Email me. Secondly, I'd prefer to have the compartment slide also. I can't imagine trying to get into one of these compartments with the slide hanging out on top of it. Arguments anyone?
Click Here for some good arguments on why you might want the shallow slide and not want the compartments attached!
Now, let's assume you want a second slide in the bedroom. I guess some would object to the two slides based upon weight concerns, but my plan is to get all the slides I can afford. At the right is the 2nd slide on the Intruder. It appears to come out a very small distance, but it probably greatly improves the floorspace in the bedroom.
Now, I've never been a real proponent of Winnebagos -- I guess because I thought they were the biggest company (like IBM). As it turns out, Gulfstream is -- and the last two RVs I've had were by Gulfstream -- oh well.
Anyway, lookeee here at the bedroom slide on the Winnebago. Much longer and appears to slide out farther! Don't know about you, but I'd rather have this than the Intruder-sized slide. Here again, if you're a full-timer who's worried about weight, this may be a deciding factor against the larger one. Right or wrong, I've never worried much about weight. When I had my 31' Bounder, I loaded it up with furniture once so I couldn't even walk through it. Was probably way overweight, but it drove fine, stopped fine, and got the furniture where it was going ... so, shame on me, I guess.
So, up until now, I'm leaning toward the Winnebago -- or at least a model built similarly.
Now, let me show you something else interesting. Here's the Winnebago from the rear -- notice that the front slide is on the left and the rear slide is on the right! In the picture below it, I show one I noticed with both slides on the same side.
I've noticed with my 5th wheel that the RV leans toward the slide side a very small amount when I slide it out. The only way it's really noticeable is when I wind the back jacks down before extending the slide. Later, after the slide is out, the jack on the opposite side will be a couple of inches off the ground. Based upon this observation, I guess I again choose the Winnebago with slides on opposite sides.
After I wrote this, I received an email from Roger Kline, one of my readers. Roger put forth some arguments that are making me re-think my resolve to get a slide-out. At least, there are some things I'll check out more carefully when I do get around to buying. Check out Roger's letter by Clicking Here.
Now, who knows how to find all the Class A RVs that have all of these characteristics? I guess one solution would be to just buy a similar Winnebago, but that's way too easy. Achtung! In May 2002, I bumped into a couple with a 32' Itasca with the same slides as the Winnebago Adventurer (which is 35'). They say it's more expensive than the Adventurer, but I'm still checking into that. I also found a 1998 Adventurer for $55K -- new ones sell around $110K. It was already sold, but I'm still looking! Check back later for the continuing saga.
July 2003 Update : If you want to see a motor home with 4 slides, check it out on my Cool and Unusual page. Also, I've been looking at the 2003 Winnebago Brave 32' -- same slides as the Adventurer 35'. Now if I can just get the price I want .. .
August 2003 Update : Well, I bought a Class A with two slides. I followed some of my "advices" above, but decided to ignore some also. The slides are on opposite sides, but don't include the compartments. I almost bought a Winnebago Brave that had compartments attached, but the Damon Challenger that I settled on was about $10K cheaper and had other things I liked better. Check Chapter 51 and 52 for pictures. I've not noticed any of the wind noise or discomfort mentioned by Gummersall in his articles, and I'm totally happy with the coach thus far (after just over 4000 miles).
Well, that's about all I've got to say about slides for now -- hope you found it interesting. Click on "Back to Index" or "Next Chapter" to read on.
37. All About Slide-Outs
My Travel Log
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December 2007 Update : Still driving the 2003 Damon and no slide-out problems or complaints yet!
AND, if you want to read about a couple of unusual slides, check out the SLIDE-BACK and SLIDE-UP RVs described on my "Cool and Unusual" page. Click either photo for details.
