Slide outs

One of the most noticeable advances in RV design in recent years is the slide-out.  We're not talking about doing Tokyo drift style maneuvers with your RV or what sometimes happens on slick roads, we're talking about structural modifications that expand the interior space when your RV is in the campground.  Old-style RVs typically have an aisle about 2' wide down the middle with cabinets, counters, and furnishings on either side.   Slide-outs move the cabinets or furnishings out, leaving more open floor space inside.  Large motorhomes and trailers may have up to 4 slide-outs.  Units with opposing slide outs in the main living area create a living space that seems down right palacious. Gone are the feelings of claustrophobia that once beset users of many older RVs.  I saw one at an RV show with 5 slides outs that appeared to have more open space than my living room at home!  Of course the price tag was more than my house too!

Think slide-outs are a modern innovation?  The RV Hall of Fame includes a custom built "Telescope Apartment" on a 1915 Model T Ford that had multiple slide-out compartments, including the main telescoping section.  Modern use of slide outs in RVs didn't show up until the 1990s.

Slide-outs are wonderful additions but they do present some extra considerations when using your RV.  First of all, you need to be aware that the slide-outs need space when you pull into a camping spot.   Attempting to open a slide-out where it will encounter obstacles can cause distressing and expensive damage to your RV.   If there is ANY chance the slide-out might strike an obstacle, don't open it.  Move the obstacle or move your RV until you have adequate clearance to open the slide-out.  Even small branches can interfere with proper operation, damage the mechanism, or puncture the skin.   Even if you can successfully open the slide-out, if branches get caught as the unit is retracted again it can cause serious damage.  Be sure to check clearances overhead and at the bottom of the slide out.  Look for possible interference every time before you extend or retract the slide.

Slide-out safety.   Besides making sure you have adequate clearance to open your slide-out, you may want to make sure you have plenty of room to walk around the open slide-out Otherwise you may need to duck under it get past it and that is a good way to bump your head.  Some folks use velcro to attach bright colored ribbons to the corners of the open slide-out to make it easier to avoid bumping into the corners.  Another consideration is weight distribution and loading.  The structure is designed to support the original purpose and adding more weight could seriously damage the mechanism.   A slide out that with a sofa should easily handle the weight of normal use of the sofa, but adding an extra water tank or heavy equipment under the furniture is likely to seriously overload the structure and cause significant and expensive damage.   Some slides extend out over outside cabinets, making access to them difficult when the slide is extended.   In some cases the cabinets extend out with the slide.  When this is the case you will want to avoid overloading the cabinets so the extra weight doesn't stress or damage the slide mechanism.  You may also want to guard against over-loading a slideout with people.  Too many people standing or sitting in a slideout may bend some of the structure.

Slide-out maintenance.  Slide-outs usually require little maintenance, but what is required is important.   That is to keep the mechanism free of dirt, debris, and obstacles and properly lubricated. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for lubrication and use the right lubricants in the right places at the right intervals.  Using the wrong lubricant or using too little or too much or at the wrong intervals will cause damage.   Too little lubricant or waiting too long will risk excessive wear on the moving parts and could cause binding that may bend the mechanism or burn out the motor.   Too much or too frequent oiling may accumulate dirt and dust which also accelerates wear -- and makes a mess.  Make sure there are no loose items under furniture or cabinets in a slide out that could fall into the mechanism.  You also want to keep the top of the slide-out clean when it is extended.  Slide-out awnings are a good way to automatically protect the top of your slide-out.  If you don't have them, inspect the roof before you retract your slide-out and brush away any debris that could get pulled in and damage the seals. Speaking of seals, they need to be regularly inspected and kept clean.  They should be treated a couple of times a year with a spray designed to protect and lubricate the rubber to keep it in good condition and protect it from the elements.

ALWAYS retract your slide-out before moving your RV.   Motorhomes usually have an interlock that prevents you from moving the unit with the slide extended, but since the tow vehicle is separate for trailers, its up to you to make sure all the slides are stowed before moving your extended towable home on wheels.   Moving the unit with the slides extended can cause serious damage.  You may risk the slide hitting an obstacle but even if the way is clear, the twisting of the coach going over any kind of uneven surface, like even going in or out of a driveway, or sometimes just the tilt from making a slow turn, can tweak the slide so it no longer fits or works properly.  The leverage of an extended slide can exceed the design limits of the mechanism when the body is tweaked.  Then you may have difficulty retracting and extending the slide or may have leaks and repairs are not cheap!

You may also want to retract your slide outs during high winds.  The extra surface area and extended leverage of the slide outs may cause excessive rocking and rolling of your unit and could tweak the slide outs so they can't be retracted and/or no longer fit properly.  If the slide is moving or flexing from the wind it may get tweaked enough to compromise the seals and allow dirt, wind, and precipitation inside.

Slide out awnings are included with most slide outs to reduce the chance of rain intrusion and accumulation of debris on the top of the open slideout.   Like most added conveniences, they may increase cost and come with their own maintenance requirements and limitations.  On long slide outs the fabric may sag enough, even when properly tensioned, to allow water to pool during heavy rain.   If the awning isn't properly tensioned, it may flap excessively in higher winds.   As the awnings age, the fabric stretches and the springs weaken and may need to be adjusted or replaced for optimum performance.   Some folks throw a rope over the awning and tie it down to reduce flapping.  You might also install grommets along the outside edges and tie it town with rope or bungee cords.  To deal with the water pooling problem, some innovative owners have created support frameworks out of PVC pipe.  One pushed a beach ball under the awning to hold up the middle -- but he got tired of chasing the beach ball around the campground when strong breezes would dislodge it.

An innovative variation of a slide out, called a Veranda, was introduced in 2008 but hasn't really caught on.  Most of the entire curb-side wall hinged down to create a suspended deck on the side of the RV.  Residential style sliding glass doors provided access between the deck and the interior of the RV.  As clever as this invention was, it would appear that people are more interested in having more interior space than a veranda.  An awning and a good patio mat make a pretty good patio area without the extra weight, extra cost, or extra complicated machinery of the Veranda.  This option might be a good choice for anyone who has difficulty negotiating the stairs on their RV since the Veranda floor is a the same height as the floor inside the RV.

Are slide outs right for you?  It is hard to imagine any time slide outs would not a be a welcome addition, but there are things to be considered.   If you frequent campgrounds with small, tight spaces, you may not have room to open your slide out.  While most slide out equipped RVs can be used with the slides retracted, interior space is often limited and some features may be inaccessible with the slide retracted.  If vehicle weight is a major consideration, remember that slide outs add weight.   So if you need to stay below a maximum weight, you may not find slide outs to be a good choice.  Why might you need to restrict the weight of your RV?  Well, you might visit campgrounds where there are weight restrictions on bridges or ferries you may encounter en route.  If you already have a trailer you tow behind your motorhome, you may have to limit the weight of the motorhome so as not to exceed the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR).  Exceeding the GCVWR will have serious negative affects on handling, safety, mileage, performance, and longevity of your RV.

Slide outs CAN be added to some existing RVs, but generally it is cost prohibitive -- around $2000/foot.    That makes a modest 14' addition cost $28,000, more than many used motorhomes taht already have slide outs!  There may also be weight restrictions and serious structural considerations.  Upgrading to a newer model with slide outs has other advantages as well, such as dual pane windows, improved insulation, and more energy efficient appliances with fewer hours of use.  Since slide outs are a relatively recent innovation, you won't find them in older, more affordable RVs.   In fact, the addition of slide outs is one factor that has made older units without them more affordable since many buyers often want slide outs.  However, if you have a vintage RV you really love and want to add a slideout, it may be possible.  Make sure your installer understands the engineering to ensure your rig can support the addition of a slide out.

Slide outs often have a "slide out topper" -- an awning that extends out over the slide out when it is extended, protecting the top from weather and the seals from UV damage.  Toppers can usually be added to slides that don't have them.

Early model units with slide outs might look like a bargain, but make sure the seals are in tact and the slides all work smoothly, without any binding or straining.   As slides age, the seals tend to break down and the mechanical parts get worn  or bent.  If they have had little use and have been properly cared for they may be just fine, but any lack of maintenance or any abuse could render them a disaster just waiting to happen.   Seals and other replacement parts for older units may be obsolete and difficult or expensive to find.  As often occurs with any technology, improvements have been made since slide outs were first introduced so, in the long run, it may pay to get a later model.

The availability of slide outs has had an impact on the resale value of older RVs that don't have them.  That means you may be able to get a bargain price on a quality older unit that doesn't have slide outs if are OK with the smaller living space in camp.   Before you completely throw out the idea, keep in mind RVs without slide outs have been around a long time and have provided great service, comfort, and convenience.   You may be able to find an "open floor plan" that gives you some of the elbow room of slide outs without the extra cost.  You may feel less claustrophobic in a newer model with slide outs, not only because of the extra room but because your wallet will be thinner and take up less space.

Slide in to slide outs!