Bedroom Slide Out--Noise 'n Drafts?
OK, so we're still back in the stone-age. Our fulltime fifth wheel has NO slide outs. Not that we don't want slide outs--we're starting to get the cabin fever syndrome, and the distaff side REALLY wants to have room for company to come over. And when our 20 pound cat stretches out on the living room floor, well, there's just no room for the rest of us to put our feet.So a question that puzzles us as we slowly make the rounds of dealers and curbstone lots: Is it noisy up in that there bedroom slide out? Is it cold in the winter, hot in the summer?
We saw a few comments from an RV forum who seemed to say, "Depends a lot on the quality of the builder," and "If you get a 'slide topper' it's a whole lot nicer." OK then, real world readers, what are your experiences with bedroom slide outs? And, if you had a slide out without the topper and then added one, did it make much difference? We'll look forward to your scholarly replies!
Labels: rig evaluation, slide outs
posted by Russ and Tiña De Maris at
12:54 PM
14 Comments:
I've got a 99 New Horizons, I don't think the bedroom slideout or the living room slideout make any difference in heat/cold/drafts. It makes a large difference in space, virtually doubling the living room/kitchen size.
I personally would like to downsize from 34 foot to about a 30 with no slideouts. I can get by without more space and use the weight reduction on my pulling truck.
I have the slide toppers, they are great at keeping the top of the slides clean, the rain from hitting the slide top directly (noise) and extra protection from rain. However, they are noisy on windy days, flapping and snapping, and sometimes they will hold a pool of water, although it's easy to fix the pool.
Bloggin at www.chickenfriedRV.com
By
Ron, at 5:41 PM
We have two slides on the 2007 Cardnial 30WBLE and our roaming area runs from the Sacramento River Delta, the Eastern Sierra Nevada, to Salt Lake City. No toppers. With the winds we get in most areas, and the fact that they make cleaning off the leaves, needles or snow nearly impossible, and watching people with toppers dealing with these issues, for us it was a "no brainer" here in the west. In the east they are most likly a very good investment along the Gulf Coast.
By
Jeff, at 6:27 AM
If you want to camp - get a tent. If you want to be comfortable as you experience the USA - get as many slides as you can! We have 3, should have gotten the 4th. And get the topper. You'll not regret it.
By
Anonymous, at 6:38 AM
Fourth year full timing using a 5er with 3 slides. Check the bottom corners when the slides are out for small openings. If you have plenty of weight on the large slide, good idea to support the rails with jacks. Mine had begun to "bow" causing a tilt when the main trailer is perfectly level. Using the jacks stopped more rail bending, but will not straighten any damage done.
Slides are great! I wouldn't be caught without a few.
By
Anonymous, at 7:08 AM
I have four slides and it makes a living/kitchen area of 12 feet by 12 feet and the bedroom very spacious. I would put four sides as a priority if I were to change to another RV. The only noise it adds is while parked in high winds (20+) the slideout covers whip some. We have stayed in 19 degree weather with the slides out and not had a problem with keeping the coach comfortable.
By
Whit, at 8:40 AM
Slide out rooms were the best thing to happen for the RV manufacturing industry - also the repair shop industry.
We have one slide. It fails to close without a lot of help.
This probably won't be allowed for this blog response - but.
Our 2005 Keystone Larado is supposedly under warranty from Lippert Company, our 5th wheel has been in the Camper Clinic II repair shop in Buda, Texas since October 2007. No one wants to take charge or responsibility.
By
Travelin Ays, at 9:17 AM
While not full timing in a fiver we are in a motor home with four slides and toppers. They are noisy in high winds. We had a Carriage fiver with three slides before we bought the MH. It does not need toppers as it is designed to sweep off debris as it closes. As with most everything quality shows. We had no problems with air leaks and were never cold inside. The added space is a personal choice item, but my wife wanted more slides. Living fulltime in an RV can get cramped especialy during bad weather. Personal space varies to each person, but its nice to be able to stretch out.
By
Lighthouse, at 9:56 AM
We have 4 slide outs. Last 5er had 3. Wouldn't be without them.
We do not have any wind or cold coming in around the slides. No noise either. Have double rubber seals on top of the slides to get leaves and junk off. Our 5er slides are well insulated. Sure adds to the room in the 5er.
By
Anonymous, at 11:05 AM
I purchased an '04 Open Road 349RLDS-5 because I wanted a 5er where I had full access to the galley, head and bedroom without running out any of the three slides. This enables me to use the most important facilites of the 5er at a rest stop, truck stop or parking lot.
By
Anonymous, at 11:38 AM
I have owned several 5th wheels since the 70’s my first RV with a “tip-out” room for the living room was a 1979 40’ Alfa and what a pain that was to open and close, it wasn’t built for the weak. Then several none “tip-out” or slide-out. My first RV with two slide-outs was a 1999 33’ HR Alumalite and loved those slide-outs plus the floor plan aloud the full use of the kitchen and dinning area with the rooms in, that was nice when on the road. We lost the trailer to the 2003 Cedar fire here in San Diego. We then bought a 2000 32’ Alfa with 3 slide-outs, the two back rooms were large. We loved the room but after a couple of years we didn’t like that we had to open the two rooms, kitchen and living rooms to use it also had a few problems with finding a space to accommodate the width for the large rooms. Now we have a 2006 34’ Grand Junction and went back to a two slide-out with a floor plan to use the kitchen and living area again when on the road. I will never go back to a 5th wheel without slide-outs again. Just for the record, as you know a new RV will always have a few things to be fixed some minor and some major, I will say this, Dutchman the manufacture for the Grand Junction is awesome in this area. I say this especially because I bought this RV out of my area and the selling dealer was too far to take it back for any repairs but Dutchman stepped in and I had no problems with the repairs. Thank You Dutchman. PS: Get the toppers. MJ
By
Anonymous, at 1:44 PM
We started out with no slide and pretty quickly decided we couldn't live that way for more than a week or so.
Now we have a long slide that expands our living room and kitchen. It's not noisier or draftier. We have the slide topper, and stuff pool noodles in the ends to keep the wind from whipping through.
I wish we had a bedroom slide....
By
Pamela & Steve, at 3:07 PM
Wouldn't have an RV without slides.....we love the space they afford. Our slides don't need the slide covers, they are 90 degrees at the upper corners and don't have the lip that prevents the fallen leaves and such from being knocked off when closed. Ours just "sqweeges" everything off when closed.
Carriage has made this type of slide for some years now.
By
Anonymous, at 6:36 PM
A 5'er wuth slids is a condo on wheels!
We've been full timers for 10 years. Our first 5'er had one living roon slide and our present rig has 3. We have a 2001 Newmar Mountian Aire with bedroom, living roon and kitchen slides. No leaks or drafts. No toppers! Wouldn't have them! You still have to clean under them and they are a pain. We appreciate Newmar as they pioneered the "slide". Their electric system is THE BEST! 7 years and NEVER a problem! Stay away from any slide system with hydralics! One leak and you'll know why! Great in theory, not as reliable as electric over time. Just my humble opinion, but I spend a lot of time visiting with other RV'ers and listen more than I talk.
By
R. Kirkpatrick, at 12:20 PM
i am buying a fifth wheel to live in full time in Idaho any suggestions as to what to look for when I buy for winter etc
By
marge, at 9:28 AM
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